Rating: 
Summary: Tough workout
Review: I am a Pilates mat instructor and I recommend this DVD to my clients when they want to do Pilates at home. It goes from basic beginner to very advanced. The discussion at the end is useless, but overall it is definitely worth the money.
Rating:
Summary: Keep it Real
Review: This DVD keeps the Pilates method real. And this DVD keeps the method real the way it is supposed to be. The coaching by Bob Liekens is as clear as a high mountain stream, as he helps you understand your movement, and helps you feel what you are supposed to feel in the true tradition of Joseph H. Pilates. If you practice Pilates the right way, the method should be fun AND challenging.This DVD is the best tribute to Joseph Pilates' original authentic method: it is straight forward, direct, and to the point, like Joseph Pilates' studio and personal approach to teaching. There's no doubt this DVD preserves the rhythm and dynamics of Joe's work; it is pretty fast. You definitely get a workout with this DVD, yet you should take Pilates lessons regularly to gain a true understanding of the method. This DVD will last you the rest of your life because, if the Pilates method is practiced in the right tradition (the way this DVD depicts), the Pilates method enhances everything else you do.
Rating: 
Summary: Not bad...
Review: This DVD is pretty good. The first week I did it, I was pretty sore even though I do plenty of crunches. It taught me to incorporate the slow, concentration technique in my weight lifting as well. However, I have got say the only problem I had with this was the lack of audible rep counting. Even a beep would have been nice. So here you are on the floor doing some pretty intense excercises trying to focus on your muscles, form, and breathing (emphasized strogly in the video), but you're a little distracted by having to count. This may not be an issue for a more experienced Pilates trainers, but for beginners it's a minor issue. But once you get past the basic level (it takes a few weeks to get comfortable) you're ok. Other than that, it's great DVD at a great price and much cheaper than going to a gym or personal trainer.
Rating:
Summary: Great Classic Pilates
Review: The video guides you through all the levels of classic Pilates exercises. However, if you plan to do the excercises while watching it, I wouldn't recommend it, it is simply too fast, unless you are familiar with Pilates - and then you most likely won't need the video anyway. Watch the excercises a couple of times and then try to do them by yourself. Alternatively, you could go ahead and stop the video after each step, but that's too much distraction for me, I prefer to be able to focus on my body and the movements.
Rating:
Summary: Now this is Pilates!
Review: Now this is Pilates! When I saw in the description that Bob Liekens and Alycea Ungaro were involved, two of the top Pilates instructors working today, I thought it has to be great. And it is! I found it remarkable that traditional Pilates workouts on all of the levels were included on one DVD. The Modified Basic and Basic for beginners, which is a great way to start Pilates - it takes just 10 minutes a day - to the Advanced workout lasting over half an hour, which I like to do several times a week. Using this DVD is a great alternative for taking a class or lesson since it is not just "work-on Pilates" it is a real workout.
Rating: 
Summary: NOT what I expected
Review: I just re-sold this dvd and I say good riddance! When I first viewed the dvd, I thought each segment was just a preview and then they were going to go back and go through a class. All of a sudden, they were in a boring discussion group and it was over. So disappointing. No instruction, just coaching with quick, minimal reps. It's also a pain to have to go through the dvd to find the segment that you wanted for just a few minutes of pilates. With a lot of filler in the beginning of useless information and a ... disucssion at the end, the actual pilates time in the middle is minimal. As a pilates and yoga instructor, I was extremely disappointed. Don't waste your money!
Rating:
Summary: Pilates as Joseph Pilates intended- YAY!!!!
Review: I wish I'd found this before I wasted my money on all the popular, watered- down, mass marketed stuff. Even the teachers who KNOW better (like Jennifer Kries,among others) have fallen into that trap.No one who has a clue needs any other Pilates tape or DVD than this one. As a dancer and fitness instructor, I'm fed up with our hard-won disciplines being hijacked and mutated for people who want the easy way out. Everyone promises the "body of a dancer" from a 30 minute workout. Guess what? You can get the body of a dancer ONLY by dedicating years of your life to dance training, AND doing Pilates as a maintenance and tune-up tool. If you want Pilates Lite or For Dummies, save your money and STAY AWAY from this one! If, on the other hand, you are an active or retired professional or serious dancer, or just someone who is willing to work VERY hard and knows that there are no quick fixes in life, BUY THIS DVD TODAY. You won't regret it. It's the real thing.
Rating:
Summary: True to Form
Review: This video does NOT try to entertain you, or distract you from the real work and wonderful benefits of body conditioning. The most important question is: do you want to learn and practice Joseph Pilates' classical technique, or do you want learn and practice a watered-down interpretation of his classical technique? This DVD is true to form, and was created by some of the most accomplished professioanls who have studied, practiced, and taught the Pilates method for decades. Many other videos attempt to 'update' Joseph Pilates' original method for popular consumption by making his method easier; for example, slowing down the rhythm, adding non-Pilates 'user-friendly' exercises, and limiting the range of levels. When other videos show only the Pilates basic workout, or only the intermediate workout, it is impossible to appreciate Joseph Pilates' genius for helping us develop our full potential as we increase technical skill and overall health. I feel these non-traditional videos underestimate our ability and passion for learning, growing, and evolving as human beings. Classical Pilates does NOT change or create exercises to make Joseph Pilates' original method more appealing to the modern person. Joseph Pilates was tough boxer who required commitment and sincerity by his clients. I seriously doubt that Joseph Pilates would ever cater to aspects of modern fitness etiquette. Although he was a good-natured person, Joseph Pilates' believed in discipline and regular practice. He did not pamper his clients. Joseph Pilates believed deeply in the value of his work, and everyone would regularly see the extraordinary benefits clients gained when practicing the method properly. Of course part of Joseph Pilates' genius is that his method IS adaptable for rehab, and it CAN be gentle on the body because it uses spring resistance; yet for healthy and strong individuals, the Pilates method is definitely challenging and is difficult when practiced properly at every level. The Pilates method is inspiring, creative, challenging, and fun. And Classical Pilates is serious in its preservation of Joseph Pilates' method.
Rating:
Summary: A Real Pilates Workout
Review: My schedule makes it difficult to attend Pilates classes regularly so I purchased several DVDs to work out at home. I was looking for a good workout and this is the best one I have found. Each level of exercises, from Basic to Advanced, flows along in real time so I can work out straight through. The Modified Basic level is great for people just starting out and the Super Advanced exercises are challenging! I recommend this DVD to anyone looking for a real Pilates workout.
Rating:
Summary: A Classic!
Review: After six months, I am still using this DVD on a weekly basis. Keeping pace with the performers is invigorating and inspirational. Not only is it a great workout, but it demonstrates the rhythm and dynamics of the Pilates method which are often lacking in mat classes. Between the precision of the performers and the clarity of the coaching, there is always something new to experience by working with this DVD, at any of the levels. It is a classic!
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