Rating: 
Summary: A Very Effective Video
Review: Very interesting... most of the slams for this video seem to come from L.A and sound as though they were written by the same person. I find Ana Caban to be a professional and cheerful instructor. She discusses breathing and form clearly in the instructional portion of the video, and during the excercises that involve the upper body. Judging from her level of fitness she knows what she's talking about! There may be other effective Pilates tapes on the market, but I felt the results after my very first workout.
Rating: 
Summary: CERTIFIED?
Review: This video was a total disappointment and I should have read the other reviews more carefully because the message is out there. DON'T MAKE MY MISTAKE. The instruction is limited and does not cover all the important aspects of Pilates form and breathing-- it is very superficial. Quite honestly I think Living Arts has a liability on their hands. I did some more research on other videos and instructors and found that there are true professionals out there with excellent videos. For example, Michelle Dozios, the star of the best selling pilates video-- Pilates for Dummies has over 14 years of fitness experience and has won numerous awards. And of course there are the veterans Jennifer Kries and Kathy Smith. Other names to look into are Karen Voight and Suzi Longeran. My advice is, if you are truly interested in your health and fitness, do a little bit of research rather than being persuaded by the rave reviews for this video because the quality of instruction and workout is truly inferior. This video comes off as if one day Ana woke up and decided it would be fun to make a MTV-like video. Not what you want if you are looking for a solid instruction and challening workout!
Rating:
Summary: Want RESULTS, try another video
Review: This video is overrated. The workout is extremely short and the instructor doesn't provide enough information on ALL aspects of Pilates-- she only focuses on the powerhouse. I've seen many reviewers talk about how they have seen results using this video-- imagine how much more you are missing out on if you had a better workout to follow-- try Jennifer Kreis, Karen Voight, Suzi Longeran, Suzanne Deason, or Pilates for Dummies. I guarantee you will get twice as much out of these others than this one! Trust me, I learned the hard way.
Rating: 
Summary: Not a bad way to begin
Review: I was totally new to Pilates when I bought this video. On the plus side I must say that I find Pilates to be a fantastic way to get in shape and I have tried many ways including aerobics, floor exercises, Yoga, kick-boxing, etc. It doesn't seem like it's working, but it does. It is quick, fun and effective. As far as this video goes, only about half is the actual workout, the rest explains the basics which I watched once and never again. The instructor explains each move before you do it, so once you know how, this is unecessary and disrupts the flow of the session. A second instructor shows easier poses if you can't do what Caban is doing, but for "The Teaser", probably the most difficult move, more intermediate poses would help. You can find these in Brooke Siler's excellent book 'Pilates Body'which gives a lot of helpful info on proper technique and mental imagery. The production value is poor - a lot of funny angles, wierd switches from black and white to color, but these are only mild annoyances. I plan to switch to someone elses' Pilates tape after I get this one down as I'd prefer a video where the exercise sequence was uninterrupted by explanation.
Rating: 
Summary: Pilates at Home
Review: This DVD provides a good review of pilates at home after experience taking classes in a studio. It is pleasent and gives good verbal reminders. It is a good DVD for me because I have injuries and need other exercise options.
Rating:
Summary: Great for the lazy!
Review: I bought this DVD on a whim and fell in love with it immediately! I have always had to be forced to do any sort of regular exercise but I do this one willingly and with enthusiasm. It is simple, easy to follow, and fun.
The regular and modified versions of each movement allow for options that keep discouragement to a minimum. "If you can't do it one way, it's fine to do it another" is the vibe. It worked in such a way I was happy to continue as opposed to being upset I wasn't able to do something right away.
I recommend it to anyone who loathes the idea of aerobics, has physical limitations, and/or has time constraints but wants their clothes to fit again!
Rating:
Summary: HOLD OFF ON THIS VIDEO
Review: If you are just looking into starting Pilates using a video-- HOLD OFF ON THIS ONE. In just a few months there are several new titles being released and because of the business I am involved in I have been able to preview them. First a little about this video and then I will recommend some of the new titles coming out ... (and, by the way, available for purchase on amazon right now)! This video is NOT for beginners as other reviewers have said-- the lack of instruction on proper form and breathing is unforgiveable. It is perhaps popular with the mass viewers because it is quite honestly pretty easy when compared to other Pilates videos. But, if you really want to learn Pilates, benefit from it, and learn to do it correctly this is definitely not recommended. Now for the other videos available-- a few to mention: Karen Voight has a new video out that is very good, Denise Austin's new Pilates video is titled Pilates for Every Body. In addition, Suzanne Deason has a video out right now that is excellent-- if you want one right now, start there.
Rating:
Summary: Ana is awesome
Review: I picked up this videoo to try pilates. It is very good. Ana Caban is a great instructor! I like that she is to the point and focused, no nonsense. I did 20 sessions and my posture has completely changed. My stomach is longer and flatter and my husband swears that I have grown taller. I think that is because I never stood up straight before. I did move to the intermediate video after a few weeks as I wanted to pick up the pace. It is even better than the first one. This video has been a source of inspiration for me it has changed my life. I am now seeking instructor certification. Pilates will change your body if you keep with it. THANKS ANA!!!
Rating:
Summary: My new best friend
Review: I can't recommend this video strongly enough. I was introduced to a scaled-back version of Pilates while in physical therapy for a back injury. Being a lifelong exercise hater, I was shocked to find I missed the Pilates when I stopped PT. I picked a video for beginners at random, which happened to be this one, and couldn't be more delighted with it. I find Ana Caban to be a bright, enthusiastic instructor, and I enjoy her sense of humor. And believe me, it's no easy feat to make me laugh while I'm exercising. However, if you are not interested in a younger, more pert approach to a Pilates workout, and seek an instructor who is quiet or conservative, this is not the video for you. Admittedly, after the first viewing, I skip the intro/explanation part of the tape and go right on to the workout, but it's still a very worthwhile investment for anyone interested in discovering Pilates. The actual workout portion is about 25 minutes, and I've found that, even after seven weeks, I can't quite complete some of the movements. I love a challenge, though, so this has kept me from becoming bored with the tape. On a personal note, I've found I sleep better, eat better, have better posture, and have lost an entire dress size since starting Pilates almost two months ago. I would recommend this for anyone who finds yoga too hippie-ish or New Age-y but who still wants/needs a no-impact or low-impact workout.
Rating:
Summary: I love this DVD!
Review: I am rather new to Pilates and I really like Ana Caban. These exercises are very simple, but I really fell like I am getting a good workout. I also like how on the DVD version it comes with the added Energy Boost workout. Ana is friendly enough, yet she doesn't come across as annoyingly perky. I do agree with other viewers that she does not stress enought the importance of posture and breathing. I actually did another Pilates tape before buying this so it is fine for me, but a true beginner buying this tape might find it a little lacking in basic instruction. Some of the camera angles are a bit weird, but all and all a great workout!
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