Pilates - Beginning Mat Workout

Rating:
Summary: Good for beginners
Review: This dvd is good for those who have never attended a yoga or aerobics class. If you regularly attend an aerobics class that participates in floor exercises or a yoga class, you may want to skip this dvd and go straight to intermediate pilates. I've never done pilates and I dont attend a yoga class but I'm a dancer and I attend aerobics classes with an instructor who incorporates yoga at the end of her cool-downs. So for me it was just a little boring. I guess I was expecting more.
However, I still found this to be a good dvd and would definitely recommend this to family and friends who are not familiar with yoga or dance.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent teacher. Excellent program.
Review: Ana Caban presents simple Pilates exercises that make a difference in this beginner's exercise program. They are not a strain to do, but you notice a difference even faster than the 10 sessions she suggests it will take to do so. She is a born teacher, and the DVD is a pleasure to exercise to. I even used it post-partum, because the Melinda Bryan post-partum DVD turned out to be so horrible.

Rating:
Summary: Short and no warm-up
Review: I think the title of my review says it all already. The workout is not bad, but it is only about half an hour long ( including the initial instructions about breathing ) and there is virtually no warm-up. The instructor makes you start with 'the hundred' and claims that 'this is your warm-up'.

Rating:
Summary: lost 5 pounds already!
Review: I am not one for working out at all and I've done yoga in the past so I figured why not try pilates! This video is very good at introducing you to pilates, it's not easy but it's not to hard either. The modifications that Tara does make it easier for beginners to start to learn but then you have Ana to work up to! I have only done 10 sessions and my abs are already tighter and I have lost 5 pounds! If you're looking for a work out that is not too strenuous but gets you results, I would highly recommend this video to you, it's priced well and you will see results!

Rating:
Summary: A great first step!
Review: I had never done pilates before I bought this tape. Honestly, I really enjoyed this workout. I lost 2 pounds last week and have just lost another pound this week. I'm not saying you're going to drop the pounds by JUST doing this tape, but it helps. (I.E. eating right, and working out on the treadmill also got me there) My abs do feel more toned and my pants are looser. I also love Ana Caban, she gives really wonderful instructions! Get this if you've NEVER done pilates before!

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful intro to Pilates
Review: I started with this beginning Pilates video, moved on to Ana's intermediate video and eventually joined a class with an instructor who had taught Pilates for 30 years. I was sooooo glad I had Ana to introduce me to Pilates. She clearly guided me through the introduction/intermediate, and her guidance moved me seamlessly to the actual class. When I can't make it to a class I know I have Ana to fall back on. There may be some funky video characteristics but put up with it to get to the meat of this stellar Pilates instruction - beginning and intermediate - you won't believe how it can transform your body!

Rating:
Summary: Likable but poor filming.
Review: While Ana Caban is fun to follow, the filming in this video is definitely geared toward Generation X'ers. If you are not a fan of five-second scene changes, switching back and forth from black and white to color, and odd screen angles you should try a different video. My own personal favorite, a shot that begins as if your nose is against a pillar in the room, then slowly panning out to the instructor. To bad because Ms. Caban is very likable.

Rating:
Summary: Good workout, but Ana is a little annoying
Review: This is definitely a good workout if you're new to pilates. Ana does show the viewer the modified version, but Tara (the person in the background), quickly switches from that version to the same one that Ana is doing.
I still can't figure out what it is that annoys me about Ana, but I like someone like Suzanne Deason a lot better. Also, Ana's video has a lot of goofy camera angles - making it a little hard to follow.
Overall, a good workout.

Rating:
Summary: Best workout DVD ever!
Review: This is amazing! It is a great workout that gets your abs in shape, but it also has done magical things for my back (which used to hurt all the time from lugging around my laptop and my children--not usually at the same time). Also, you can do it at 8 and not be too wound up to go to sleep at 10. You don't need a mat if you have sufficiently cushy carpet.

Rating:
Summary: you see results
Review: Ana Caban is great to follow, for beginers and those with pilates experience. this tape was my second attempt at finding a pilates workout tape. I usually like Denise Austin tapes, but I really didn't care for her pilates tape. I now have the intermediate mat workout, am/pm, and bodyband tapes. The best part of the living arts tapes is that people notice how my body is 'firming up' and I see the results in the mirror!. I did finally get a mat and I must say it is easier doing the workout on it. Do it even a few days a week for a couple of weeks and you'll see a difference!!