Rating: 
Summary: very good introduction to the classic Pilates technique
Review: When I first tried Pilates, I used Brooke Siler's book The Pilates Body. The book was exellent, but I still felt a need to actually see the exercises being performed. In this video, instructor Ana Caban provides a thorough introduction to the Pilates technique. She explains key Pilates terms such as the "powerhouse" and "Pilates stance," and she provides detailed, easy-to-follow explanations of how to perform each exercise. Caban utilizes excellent form and stresses the importance of breathing (although additional pointers might have been helpful here). All of the exercises are at the beginning level, but those with less flexibility can also follow Caban's student, Tara, who shows modifications. Overall, I really enjoyed Caban's instruction; she is enthusiastic and motivating without being overly peppy or intimidating. This tape provides an excellent introduction to the Pilates method; however, beginners might benefit from supplementing their practice with Siler's book (mentioned above) or anothe video (such as Hilary Burnett's Pilates for Beginners). Those who are already familiar with Pilates via other sources should have no problems moving directly to Caban's Intermediate Mat Work, which provides less instruction and offers additional exercises. Finally, a note about sound quality: while there are some minor issues with this video, they are easily ignored and do not overly detract from this very good Pilates workout.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent for Beginners
Review: Having no Pilates experience, I watched the video from the very beginning instead of skipping ahead to the 20-minute exercise routine and it is there that the instruction on breathing occurs. I am busy and don't want more than a 20 - 30 minute routine to start my day. I purchased other products for evening Pilates to beef up my time spent exercising. There's nothing to prevent the beginner from executing more of these exercises to extend the routine time once the routine is learned if they wish a longer workout. I have heard that classes can be daunting because others who are familiar with the various poses move the class at a pace that is too fast. This video delivered what it promised. I felt better in 10 sessions, noticed differences in my body shape in 20 sessions and received unsolicited comments about a change in my physique from others in 30 sessions. The videography is perfect -- no distraction of a zillion other people doing the exercises and constant camera angle changes (like The Firm videos). The addition of one other trainer (Tara) executing the modified version of each exercise for beginners is very helpful. If you can't follow this and benefit from it, a personal trainer is in order.
Rating:
Summary: A good workout in a short time
Review: For those of us who work, like me, exercise is often relegated to the spare minutes of the day. Since these minutes must also be allocated toward activities such as eating, bathing, cleaning and childcare, I've always been on the lookout for workouts that are as efficient as possible. Pilates Beginning Mat Workout provides this excellently, achieving an entire exercise session in 25 minutes. Ana Caban is a peppy instructor who gives challenging yet very doable workout instruction. There are no wasted movements in this session - everything counts for something. A great workout for people on the run who want to look and feel better. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: A fantastic beginner's introduction to Pilates
Review: Ana Caban does a marvellous job with her instructions on posture and breath control. Not only is this introductory workout a great basic start to pilates, it is essential to follow the first 9 minutes of her explanation in order to learn proper form and prevent injury. In my opinion,Ana Caban takes it very slow and makes it possible for newbies as well as those who know something about pilates to follow with ease, and although I advanced very quickly into the Intermediate phase, this is surely a workout for anyone looking to venture forth into Pilates.
Rating:
Summary: Do this tape and get hairy buns like mine
Review: I really like the DVD. It's worth your money. I've done Yoga for a few months and this is a nice progression for me: it is challenging, effective, and mostly enjoyable. I have degenerative disks and two previous back surgeries...this is a part of a wide range of therapy I do right now to correct my lousy posture and rebuild my core muscles. I have done the tape about six times now, and already notice significant strengthening/toning in my waist. Nobody seems to mention the bonus workout on the tape: that's the best part! I do it at the end of the first workout and get, in my opinion, a relatively good 40-minute workout. I'm sore, at least. I was, like some other reviewers, confused about the breathing suggested by the instructor. She does seem to have you inhale on exertion sometimes...that's contrary to everything I've ever heard about strength training. I don't think it's some Pilates Jedi trick so I've decided not to wait to exhale (heehee). Technically, the basic workout is kind of rough (particularly relative to the production values in the other Living Arts tapes). The bonus workout is much better: pleasant, relaxing, and pretty. However, all in all, I'm too busy concentrating on my own form to worry about schizophrenic editing on the tape itself. Probably best to start this if you do have basic flexibility and okay strength...I can imagine this would be a bit intimidating, and potentially miserable, for a flat-out newbie. My suggestion is to get up to speed on introductory yoga (e.g, other Living Arts tapes, they're great) and make an easy transition in with Ana's student in the DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Great for beginners!
Review: I love anything from the "Living Arts" series, and I have a pretty good collection of yoga tapes from "Living Arts" as well. I ordered this tape because I read that pilates is a cross between yoga, aerobics and ballet, and I thought, "Why not give it a go?" Ana Caban is pretty lively, enthusiastic, and she and her pilates partner, Tara have some pretty amazing bodies. If you're the type that doesn't want to watch a couple of models bending and stretching and looking oh-so adorable, then I really wouldn't reccomend this tape. For those of us who don't particularly care about these things, Ana is a little bit on the cutsie side, but she doesn't come off as an air-head, which, I might add, is probably the number one reason why I'll stop using an exercise tape. Over all, she has her silly moments but it's nothing I'd get annoyed with after viewing several times. She and Tara alternate between the modified and more difficult exercises. Sometimes it's hard to tell who's doing what at first, until you actually try the moves, then it becomes clear who's demonstrating the more difficult version. This can be a little misleading at first, in most exercise tapes one instructor sticks with a specific level of difficulty, and usually you just follow that one instructor until you're ready to move on, but for some reason the two women leap back and forth! The tape starts off with 10 minutes of introduction, which covers a detailed explanation of pilates terminology (it's actually quite simple), how to hold various positions to prevent injury, and how to breathe. She's very clear on the instructions, and even offers demos so it's pretty difficult to screw up. She even goes into the principles of pilates, and tells you a little bit of what it does and why. You don't need to watch this part every time you work out, but it's good if you've never done this type of exercise before. The workout itself is 20 minutes long. The exercises are almost too simple, by my standards (remember, I do yoga and have also done ballet for several years, so I would guess for someone just starting out this would make a good beginners tape!). The great thing about pilates is that there is minimal stress on your joints, so if you have joint problems this tape is definitely for you! I did find two or three of the exercises to be pretty nasty on the tailbone. There are no modifications for those of us with sensitive tailbones, but I've found that a pillow under my butt works great, with little (if any) difference in the workout. Although pilates is sort of seen as a kind of "fad" workout, I really would recommend this tape to older people, as it has so little stress on the joints (great if you have menopause-related joint problems, or minor arthritis, for example), women who want to get in shape after a pregnancy (the focus is on the "powerhouse" - abs, lower back and butt!), anyone just starting an exercise routine (only 20 minutes ... it'll keep you motivated and it won't burn you out!), or athletes recovering from an injury. It's not the fast paced, jump-up-and-stress-your-joints-for-90-minutes nonsense that causes most of us to go into cardiac arrest. Don't let that mislead you though, you'll work up a sweat! Over all, it's a great tape. I use it whenever I'm too lazy to do a serious workout, or if I just want to exercise really quick. I plan to keep it as I'm still new to pilates and can really see why this type of exercise has caught on so quickly in health clubs and such. It's alot of fun and the results are pretty quick too. Even if you think maybe this beginners tape might not challnge you enough give it a go, it'll introduce you to the terminology, and get you aquainted with the seemingly akward poses (it's these bizarre little positions that actually do the most for you!). Just watch out for that tailbone!
Rating:
Summary: Great Workout!
Review: I've been doing Pilates for 5 months now and I love Anna's videos! The beginner mat workout is perfect for anyone who hasn't worked out before. I started doing them to get rid of a little belly chub I had left after having my daughter. Within two months I'd already lost over 5 lbs and I was back to my pre-pregnancy weight, a happy 111 lbs! I was absolutely floored at how easy and fast it was to loose the weight and get my body back into shape especially after having a baby. Something I'd been warned was almost impossible to do. I've since moved onto the Intermediate workout and I agree with the poster who said this one is a lot harder. Be warned! Make sure you can do EVERY stretch before moving on. I made the mistake of moving onto the intermediate workout before I'd mastered the open leg rocker and teaser. I kind of thought I would be doing different stretches than the ones in the beginner workout. Wrong! Not knowing how to do those specific stretches made the 2nd video a lot harder than it should have been. 3 months after starting it I'm finally getting to the point where I can do the stretches without to much difficulty. I'm giving myself another few months before moving onto the advanced workout just to be safe.
Rating:
Summary: Great for beginners!
Review: I love anything from the "Living Arts" series, and I have a pretty good collection of yoga tapes from "Living Arts" as well. I ordered this tape because I read that pilates is a cross between yoga, aerobics and ballet, and I thought, "Why not give it a go?" Ana Caban is pretty lively, enthusiastic, and she and her pilates partner, Tara have some pretty amazing bodies. If you're the type that doesn't want to watch a couple of models bending and stretching and looking oh-so adorable, then I really wouldn't reccomend this tape. For those of us who don't particularly care about these things, Ana is a little bit on the cutsie side, but she doesn't come off as an air-head, which, I might add, is probably the number one reason why I'll stop using an exercise tape. Over all, she has her silly moments but it's nothing I'd get annoyed with after viewing several times. She and Tara alternate between the modified and more difficult exercises. Sometimes it's hard to tell who's doing what at first, until you actually try the moves, then it becomes clear who's demonstrating the more difficult version. This can be a little misleading at first, in most exercise tapes one instructor sticks with a specific level of difficulty, and usually you just follow that one instructor until you're ready to move on, but for some reason the two women leap back and forth! The tape starts off with 10 minutes of introduction, which covers a detailed explanation of pilates terminology (it's actually quite simple), how to hold various positions to prevent injury, and how to breathe. She's very clear on the instructions, and even offers demos so it's pretty difficult to screw up. She even goes into the principles of pilates, and tells you a little bit of what it does and why. You don't need to watch this part every time you work out, but it's good if you've never done this type of exercise before. The workout itself is 20 minutes long. The exercises are almost too simple, by my standards (remember, I do yoga and have also done ballet for several years, so I would guess for someone just starting out this would make a good beginners tape!). The great thing about pilates is that there is minimal stress on your joints, so if you have joint problems this tape is definitely for you! I did find two or three of the exercises to be pretty nasty on the tailbone. There are no modifications for those of us with sensitive tailbones, but I've found that a pillow under my butt works great, with little (if any) difference in the workout. Although pilates is sort of seen as a kind of "fad" workout, I really would recommend this tape to older people, as it has so little stress on the joints (great if you have menopause-related joint problems, or minor arthritis, for example), women who want to get in shape after a pregnancy (the focus is on the "powerhouse" - abs, lower back and butt!), anyone just starting an exercise routine (only 20 minutes ... it'll keep you motivated and it won't burn you out!), or athletes recovering from an injury. It's not the fast paced, jump-up-and-stress-your-joints-for-90-minutes nonsense that causes most of us to go into cardiac arrest. Don't let that mislead you though, you'll work up a sweat! Over all, it's a great tape. I use it whenever I'm too lazy to do a serious workout, or if I just want to exercise really quick. I plan to keep it as I'm still new to pilates and can really see why this type of exercise has caught on so quickly in health clubs and such. It's alot of fun and the results are pretty quick too. Even if you think maybe this beginners tape might not challnge you enough give it a go, it'll introduce you to the terminology, and get you aquainted with the seemingly akward poses (it's these bizarre little positions that actually do the most for you!). Just watch out for that tailbone!
Rating:
Summary: Great introduction to Pilates
Review: I had given up on Pilates, based on trying other tapes even though I have a background in ballet(from 30 years ago). But this instructor somehow got me doing the Teaser and other things I never dreamed I could.
It is hard at first, I was breathing hard, and hot but afterwards felt wonderful and energized. In fact don't do this too soon before bed or you'll be too zippy to sleep.
I'm now using the Intermediate tape and again doing stuff I never dreamed of.
A great program.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT!
Review: Nobody WANTS to excercise,but Ana just keeps her encouragement up for you.I've been doing it now for almost 3 years and really feel it when I don't do it! I've worn out my first tape and am looking into a DVD as I think my second tape is going. I haven't any balance so doing everything on the floor mat is GREAT for me. So if you haven't any balance you have no where else to fall.
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