Rating: 
Summary: This is a great beginner tape
Review: There are so many pilates tapes on the market, it's tough decide on just one. So, after reading the reviews, I picked this tape. It's a great beginner tape. But, if you work out regularly, this tape will be too easy. I work out regularly at a gym 3-4 days a week and I didn't break a sweat. This tape was excellent teaching proper breathing and positioning. And, the music was great. Some workout videos have terrible music. That is not the case with this video. So, I think if you are new to pilates, this video would be a great addition to your video library. But, if you are looking for a sweat drenching workout, this is not the tape for you.
Rating: 
Summary: TREND vs. Value
Review: Watch out with this video. Pilates can be truly beneficial to your body and increase your fitness. However it is critical that it is practiced correctly with clear direction. Being in a fitness instructor I am concerned with this video because most people will not know the difference between good instruction and poor instruction until they see the damage that it has done to their bodies. PLEASE heed my caution and first take classes with supervised instruction and then follow an instructor with a fitness track record like Jennifer Kreis or Karen Voight-- they both have new videos out that are just wonderful. Ana is following a trend and really doing more damage than good
Rating: 
Summary: Be cautious using this video
Review: I just wanted to warn people that you can injure yourself using this video. I am fairly athletic and thought I was using the video correctly. However, the second or third time I used the video I noticed pain when I tried to do certain poses. I now believe that the workout is responsable for lower back problems that I still have, more than a year later. This video can probably be great when used properly. Be careful, and follow your doctor's advice if you have any problems.
Rating: 
Summary: I hate exercise and I love this tape
Review: I have never in my life followed through on any form of
exercise; I drop out of classes by the third week and
my other exercise tapes sit forlornly on the shelf. This
tape, however, I actually have used three times a week
for three full weeks. The other day I even found
myself thinking "maybe I'll go do my Pilates now". It's
relatively easy and you don't have to be magically co-
ordinated to do it. It's fun and feels good. I must
confess I haven't seen that much difference yet but I do
have years of neglect to overcome so I'm sure it will
happen.
Rating: 
Summary: so so
Review: i like anna's personality and her instruction but it's very hard to get past the overly-creative camera angles and disorienting, choppy edits. you don't really get to see her doing one pose or procedure from one angle for a long enough period of time to really learn it well. i found that very distracting.
i've tried it once and gave up mid-way through the work-out; and haven't tried it again since. i don't want to work out to a tape and not be sure that what i'm doing is right because i can't follow her closely enough. it seems as if she's a great instructor- but loose the no-attention-span video editing. i have other friends that feel the same way. instead, we all have enjoyed denise austin's pilates/yoga workout tapes. i wouldn't recommend ana cabans pilates tape to a beginner who needs careful instruction; pilates can be stressful on the body if you don't do the movements right.
Rating:
Summary: I have stomach muscles again!
Review: This was recommended by a friend in NYC. She was right. After 5 children, including 2 c-sections, I had no stomach muscles left. I couldn't do a single sit-up and I had the biggest tummy pooch, even though I wasn't huge. I started this tape after much procrastination. And it works. I hurt where I didn't know muscles existed, but it was a good hurt. Yes, I followed the modified movements, and still do for a good portion, but I am definitely stronger and that pooch is smaller than it's ever been. I hope someday it will be gone.
Rating:
Summary: Great Beginners Pilates Instruction
Review: I have been using this Pilates workout for over a month. Ana Caban keeps the instruction clear and explains the moves well. It is a perfect DVD for the beginner. Some of the moves are a little difficult, however she provides modified versions to follow until you can master the full move. I have seen great changes to my body, and my posture and recommend this highly. I am ready to move on to the Intermediate workout but will have this DVD as part of my permanent collection.
Rating:
Summary: A Waste of Cargo Space
Review: I purchased the Pirates' Beginning Mat Workout in an effort to ensure the good health and combat-readiness of my crew on our long ocean voyages raiding merchant vessels on the Spanish Main. To my dismay, I discovered that the excersize program was completely unsuited to the demands of seamenship and hand-to-hand combat, but seemed to be aimed at land-loving couch potatos out to trim a few extra pounds off their beer guts. If you value the lives of your crew, I strongly urge you to spend your loot elsewhere.
Rating:
Summary: I guess it all comes down to tastes..
Review: I think this video is great. I was introduced to Pilates method in a kick boxing class that I took and fell in love with it. I like Anna's style (it's fun) and how she helps you visualise which muscles you're supposed to be using. I think she explains the breathing quite well. And on a DVD it is really easy to get to the workout part after you have learned how to breathe properly.
The Main Menu has:
Intro to Pilates - a history of the Pilates method
Pilates Beginning Mat Workout= Basics - How to breathe, terms, etc. + Beginning Mat Workout - the workout
Bonus Workout! 12-minute Pilates Energy Boost - great 12 min.W/O
Interview with Ana Caban - get to know a little about Ana; what she had to do to become certified.
Ana's Bio. - just a write-up on Ana Overall I feel I got my money's worth here.
Rating:
Summary: Thumbs DOWN
Review: This video is totally over-rated! I was relying on the LivingArts brand and it really let me down. I recommend you carefully read some of the critical reviews on this video because after buying it I AGREE-- both on instruction and quality. Now that I've been burned I see there are many other titles and instructors out there. I'm going to try Kathy Smith's Pilates video and Pilates for Dummies. I've especially read some great things about Michelle Dozois, the instructor for Pilates for Dummies and since I began Pilates a few months ago have read some awesome reviews on this video in several fitness magazines.
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