Rating: 
Summary: Poor quality DVD
Review: I first discovered Jennifer through The Method series of videos where I found her style and directions encouraging and energetic and positive. My first purchase was of the Pilates Method DVDs however and I have been sorely dissapointed. Not with Jennifer but with the quality of the DVD version, I have both the Pilates Method: 3-Dimensional as well as the Pilates Method: Perfect Mix. Both DVDs freeze mid frame in usually about the 2nd workout session. When it happened on the first DVD I didn't think much of it, but when I put the 2nd one into the DVD player, immediately after unwrapping the packaging it froze on it's first play, mid point in the second workout. Perhaps the Pilates Method VHS versions are more successful. For now though I will be looking into The Method: series and hopefully their DVD qualities will be better. I emailed Jennifer at her NY location and her staff responded that Jennifer was not directly involved in the production of this particular line. The workout itself is good, but be warned the DVD quality is poor.
Rating: 
Summary: Worth the money
Review: I just purchased this tape and was eager to try it out. I like that it is split in two segments and the cover is correct with the amount of time it list. The first segment is 30 minutes long with a mixture of ballet, dance and yoga. The 20 minute segment is my favorite with on the mat workout for your ab, legs, thighs and buttocks. It is the perfect amount of time to use everyday along with the Method other tapes perhaps the 15 minute target specifics. I am glad that we have a exercise program that can make us just as beautiful as the stars we see with their more than perfect bodies. No other program have I used has shown more definition in a shorter amount of time then using the Method programs.
Rating:
Summary: Great workout....
Review: I loved this workout. I like how the ballet portion of the DVD made me sweat! I would recommend this to anyone who is not afraid to work out.
Rating:
Summary: Great Yoga/Pilates blend
Review: I own 2 of the 3 Jennifer Kries New Method tapes, and I really like this one--the 30 minute, fast paced "yoga on speed" workout is fun, not too difficult, and really streches and tones you. It is not a classic pilates workout, so if that's what you're looking for, this is not the tape for you. It's not quite aerobics, but not yoga paced either; if you're looking for something in between that makes you feel refreshed and just plain great afterwards, try this one out.
Rating:
Summary: Solid movement, the way your body is supposed to work.
Review: I recently took up rock climbing and discovered that it was easy, thanks in large part to the training I get from this video. Although it is not for beginners or pilates purists, the movements are challenging and work your body the way it's supposed to move. The dance section is fun and challenging- I recommend 5 lb weights for more conditioned participants. The core section has made a tremendous difference in my body's actual shape, as well as improving my overall athleticism- I'm running faster and climbing quicker. Kries is cute without being phony, motivating without being kumbayah. Combine it with Perfect Mix and you'll be feeling and moving more gracefully.
Rating:
Summary: I would not recommend this DVD to anyone
Review: I started out very hopeful and excited about using this DVD; but was very disappointed in the quality of the instruction.
Ms. Kries' cueing is basically non-existant. She does not tell viewers how to position themselves properly in each pose/exercise -- just fires off a basic "and curl down!". huh? From where exactly? Using what muscles? We never find out. She does not ever tell the viewer which muscles he/she should be flexing or relaxing for any movement. It's just "lift". From where? From the knees, the back, the buttocks? It's a mystery, never explained. Anyone who has had experience with workout videos knows the importance of telling the viewer what each movement is supposed to accomplish and which muscles they will be working. What the viewer in this series is offered is "pay attention to your abdominals". Okie dokie, gee thanks.
She never tells the viewer how to position the back or neck, even during the yoga poses. Ask any instructor in yoga and they will tell you this is actually dangerous. Ms. Kries whips through various poses with no instruction to the viewer on how to properly hold most of his/her body. And in yoga this is very important to your safety! (I had to giggle at her addition of "we'll do something called cobra" while thrusting her back upward, and again, without telling us what the frick cobra is or what it is supposed to do) In all seriousness, a viewer inexperienced in yoga could very easily hurt his/her neck, back or knees. I can't see any way that the total body benefits of each pose would be manifest by using her cueing -- the cueing is non-existant.
Thank God I took some ballet when I was 8 years old or I would have been lost in that section. Again, little or no cueing as to what muscles the viewer should be working for each exercise. Arm position cueing is basically ignored other than to leave the viewer to watch what she's doing and hope they're guessing correctly.
Ms. Kries has no patience for those who don't have flexible hamstrings! LOL She plunges into each straight-legged movement with absolutely NO instruction for the beginner as to how on earth they are supposed to learn to do the movement like she does. All she offers is to "the first time through" use soft knees, then straighten them. Good grief. Again, no instruction on placement of any other muscle group while the viewer is learning how to flex/extend into these movements. Good luck, people!
I would not recommend this DVD set to anyone. I'm so glad amazon has this section for us to be able to contribute our experiences. Please save yourself the $$ I spent and buy a different DVD.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Workout
Review: I thought this was a wonderful workout. I am a runner but this DVD gives me a full body workout. I found it a bit fast at the first try but by the 3rd time I kept up pretty well. I really like the combo of ballet, yoga and pilates. I recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: DVD Quality Poor
Review: I was very disappointed in the quality of the DVD. The picture is blurry, sound skips, and the quality is very poor. I watch movies on my DVD player all the time, so it is not my player. Perhaps the VHS is better. Best of luck.
Rating:
Summary: Very cool tape
Review: I'm really surprised by all of the negative reviews this tape has gotten. I've really enjoyed this workout. The Total Body section is great. It's a fast-paced toning section that will make you break a sweat, and I love the combination of modern dance, ballet and yoga. I alternate this tape with the Metabolic Booster section of "Perfect Mix" for a fun, non-traditional, light aerobic workout on days when I want to skip the kickboxing or step. This is great for someone who wants to do a little dance but doesn't want to spend an hour doing so. Surprisingly, your going to feel this in your arms as well. You may not believe me now, but just give it a try :-)Yes, I did have a "Living Arts moment" during the Pilates section. (If you don't know what I'm talking about, go check out the reviews for their Pilates tapes by Ana Caban.) It wasn't so bad, though, that I couldn't get through the instruction and it didn't last throughout the section. I really enjoy watching and listening to Jennifer Kries. Her words are inspirational, and sometimes she cracks me up with her "yeah, I know it's a challenge now, but you'll get it with practice" attitude. We should all probably accept the fact that we will never be as long-legged or as flexible as she is, but we can get more flexible and leaner than we are. If you're looking to lengthen your muscles and improve your balance, you should definitely give this a try.
Rating:
Summary: Just Plain Awful
Review: I've been doing Pilates & Yoga for quite a while now and I was really disappointed when I rented this video. I felt like I was in an aerobics class. It was pure cardio. That's fine if that's what you're into but if the title says Pilates, you shouldn't be bouncing all over the place. Supposedly she's a very superior Pilates instructor but if she was offering free lessons, I'd pass.
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