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Summary: Educational Objectives
Review: As a college professor in exercise physiology, I know that life has many educational objectives because they keep us growing, changing, and evolving as individuals in valuable ways. This DVD offers a complete education regarding the ultimate aims of Pilates: the flow, the articulation of movement, the energy, and the style. Educational objectives are the basis of all teaching, from kindergarten to esteemed universities of learning. With Pilates, learning is no less than deep personal evolution, where someone can stay physically fit at the highest levels, in addition to experiencing renewal of one's mental and spiritual life. I recommend this Pilates DVD because the performers are top notch, and they show what the educational objectives are. Education is a foundation in our lives just as the Pilates method is a foundation for every other aspect of physical activity.
Rating: 
Summary: Not Necessarily for Beginners
Review: Be advised when ordering this series. It requires a piece of gym equipment called a Universal Reformer. If you do not have and do not plan to purchase a Reformer, this series is not for you. Purchase a beginning series that uses mats instead.
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Summary: Pilates as Joseph Pilates did it
Review: Finally a pilates video that documents the Pilates method in its true form - no "new twists" or "improvements" on the genius of Joseph Pilates. No Ball-ates, yoga-lates, or other mutations. Just the pure pilates method. This video beautifully shows the method from beginner through super advanced level. The exercises emphasize the principles of pilates, such as flow of movement, without sacrificing precision. Thank you.
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Summary: Here's The Situation
Review: Here's the situation: I bought a few Pilates videos before I found Classical Pilates. Each video before Classical Pilates was disappointing because I did NOT get a good workout. The other instructional videos were so SLOW and the people TALKED TOO MUCH. I became frustrated because I love movement and enjoy a time-efficient intelligent exercise program. At the end of my workouts with Classical Pilates I had fantastic energy! It seems there are so many watered-down and knock-off versions of the Pilates method, that as a consumer, it's hard to know how to find the real thing. Well, Classical Pilates is true north far as I'm concerned, and now I am happy. In a way I don't like to think this way, but maybe Pilates practitioners should be regulated by state governments (just like any other profession) to protect the public interest. Because now, who knows what you're getting when you buy an instructional video or go take a lesson with someone who has limited training. That's the situation.
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Summary: Question about this DVD?
Review: I am new to pilates and am having a hard time finding instructional DVD's for the reformer. Do you need the box that is pictured here to work out with this DVD? I just have a reformer and no box. Do I need that in order to follow this DVD? Thanks
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Summary: Men Actually Do Pilates & Do It Well
Review: I bought this DVD because it has a man on the cover. It's great that a Pilates DVD finally has a man demonstrating how to do the method. After all, Joseph Pilates was a man. So, why do 99.9% of all current Pilates videos feature women demonstrating the workouts? And why are women always on the cover designs of these Pilates videos? How did women get to dominate the Pilates profession when a tough dude started it in the first place? Sure, the Pilates method must be great for women, but I've read that Joseph Pilates was a boxer, and an athlete who was as strong as a bull. So, why aren't more men practicing Pilates just like lifting weights, playing football, golfing, runnning, swimming, or any other sport? Do men look at Pilates and assume it is only for women? When men see the Pilates method, do they think it's too easy? Well, this Classical Pilates DVD is totally the opposite, and the workouts are a VERY serious challenge that require strength and intelligence, just like any sport. Over time I have no doubt that more men will understand the value of Joseph Piilates' contribution to physcial fitness and body conditioning.
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Summary: DANG!
Review: I have been doing Pilates for 2 years and seemed to reach a plateau. I bought a reformer and did mat work as well, but stopped getting results. I bought the Classical reformer DVD as well as the Classical mat DVD and the results in just a couple weeks have been exponential! It really is the only DVD you will ever need. It includes everything from beginning to super advanced. Although for most the super advanced seems to be for entertainment purposes only. Those exercises are for those who are into fitness for a living like dancers, gymnasts and the like. But it gives you a goal and a example on the potential of the Pilates workout. All the exercises are well explained and well demonstrated. If you are a beginner or have been doing it a long time, you will benefit from this DVD greatly! The production is low budget, but you get a nuclear bang for your buck. No gloss, no unecessary frills, just Pilates in it's original intended form. There are no contemporaries to this series.
Rating:
Summary: Masterful
Review: I have been working with the Classical Pilates Reformer basic-advanced VHS to facilitate my progress in the lessons and classes I take with a private instructor. Bob Liekens' masterful instruction, Alycea Ungaro's insight and wisdom of the method, and the clearness and exactness of the performances by such highly skilled Pilates professionals (Peter Fiasca, Junghee Kallender, Jamie Trout) have helped me to improve my Pilates workouts more rapidly than before I started working with the tape. I bought this DVD because I prefer this format and because it included the super-advanced workout as well. We all have dreams and aspirations. At first viewing, I was so mesmerized by Peter Fiasca's super-advanced workout that I watched it all the way through to the end. It was comparable to watching an athletic performance of dance. Such incredible strength and beauty...I had no idea that the Pilates method was so developed, and that one's technique could be so finely honed as Fiasca's. I am grateful to have discovered the Pilates technique, for it has made a dramatic improvement in my body and my life, and I am also indebted to Classical Pilates for producing such high quality technique videos which are educational, motivational and inspirational.
Rating:
Summary: Challenging, yet fun!
Review: I have heard that the Pilates equipment was designed to help people with the mat exercises. That may be, but the most well-known piece of Pilates equipment, the Reformer, is an incredible workout in and of itself. I have been taking a series of Reformer classes, which I love, and ordered this DVD to get a more in-depth understanding of the exercises. The performances are incredible and the first-rate instruction has improved my work in class. According to the producers, this DVD depicts the classical, historically accurate approach to Joseph Pilates original method. I found it to be challenging, yet fun! It is a much more enjoyable and thorough workout than other equipment I have tried in the gym. I hope more people become aware of this wonderful piece of equipment and this DVD as well.
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Summary: Hmmm, Interesting!
Review: I haven't tried this dvd but do intend to buy it. I'm not buying based on any of the reviews here because I do view them as suspect. As a linguist working for law enforcement and security agencies, I was put off by the fact that close to all of the reviews here do actually seem to be written by the same person--even the ones purposely altered. The linguistic patterns, sentence structure and consistency in punctuation/spelling are too similar and wouldn't fool anyone who knows what to look for. NONETHELESS, I rarely let reviews influence me unless they're mostly negative or too consistently positive to be real. In this case, I'm going to try this pilates dvd and hope for the best. LOL! The reputation of the pilates method over the years is encouragement enough. I'll just stick to reviews elsewhere on the net which are completely independent and separate from money-making ventures such as Amazon or B&N...they don't insult my intelligence.
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