Rating: 
Summary: Austin not a yoga teacher
Review: do not buy this tape! I have been practicing Ashtanga yoga at an advanced beginner/early intermediate level for about a year. I have been fortunate enough to have great live instructors in my area who taught me the forms and breathing well. Lately, due to cash and time constraints I have been practicing at home - generally I do Freeman's 2 hour primary series tape which is excellent but I don't always have 2 hours every day to devote to Yoga and I craved a little variety. One fo my yoga instructors recomended trying pillates as an exercise form that may improve my yoga practice. I tried this Austin tape because it was supposed to be a mix of yoga and pilates. I am here to say that Denise Austin practices dangerous Yoga! She does not explain the moves well enough and does not appear to know them well enought to accurately discribe proper breath and positioning. I very much know what I am doing and found myself questioning many of the movements and motions she was suggesting I make. Many of her moves seemed unplanned, and made without intent or focus. Her version of exacution seemed especially dangerous for the knees and joints. As a side note, the pillates was not chalenging. though it did provide some diversity form my regular practice, and she is super peppy, I am certain primary series ashtanga or any serious vinyasa flow series tapes could deliver a better core strength workout- while improving mind, breath, and body at the same time.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Workout
Review: These are two great workouts for your abs and legs (you'll feel it if you aren't in great shape already). Unfortunately the second 20 minute section is frustrating at first becuase Denise fails to mention to switch legs or relax (and if you are concentrating on holding a certain position, it can throw you off). But the workouts are good and the bonus workout (Shape your buns, thighs and hips) is a nice 10 minute add on for either segement.
Rating: 
Summary: Easy and Simple for beginners
Review: I bought the DVD in Jan. My three daughters( all under 12 ) do this work-out with me everyday, workout 1 on day 1, workout 2 plus the bonus workout on day 2. Nothing on week-ends. I lost 2 lbs and 1 inch off my waist after 10 days. My daughters have each lost 1 lb and 1/2" off their waist. We think this is a very easy workout, no sweating at all. The only thing we find remotely difficult is the criss-cross for the abs. We love it, and with results like that(no diet change) we'll keep doing it.
I would recommend this to anyone looking to lose inches without killing yourself to do it.
Rating:
Summary: I love this workout!
Review: I have an 11 month old and have been in search of a new way to work out that keeps her out of danger of being stomped on. When I did this workout I felt it all over, was done quickly, I really felt great, and my daughter thought I was hilarious. I would recomend this to any novice who wants a challenging workout that is low impact.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Disappointed
Review: After 5 years of practicing yoga, I decided to give pilates a try. I have to admit that my first experience practing pilates using Denise Austin's video were disappointing. This video is not for a full body workout. The emphasis was placed mostly on the abs. For a serious yoga student, that is not the goal. I was looking for a total mind and body workout. If you're looking for a quick routine to work your abs, this is the workout for you. The 2nd mat workout with yoga was pretty horrible. The poses moved too quickly and were poorly explained. Calling it yoga must be a joke!
Rating: 
Summary: Less than what I had expected.
Review: This workout is far from spectacular. It starts out with brief instructions from Denise on what she means when she says certain things and how your form should look. The first 20 minutes segment is comprised entirely of pilates moves. She takes you through a very typical pilates routine - scissors, leg circles, etc., nothing special here. The second segment is supposed to be tougher, so she says, and combines the same basic pilates moves with some yoga. The whole process is very relaxing. There's no corny music and she does a good job of not talking too much. I did noticed a strengthening in my midsection (or "powerhouse" as we have come to know it) but it's nothing that a good series of crunches or other ab work wouldn't do.I would not recommend using this dvd as a means for transforming your whole body. It's not that tough unless you're a beginner, and after that there's no way to make it more challenging. I found that I was no longer challenged after only about a dozen times using the dvd. What good is a workout tape if it's not going to stand the test of time? Because of this, I use it more as a second workout of the day or on those days where I barely exercise at all, either out of laziness or time restrictions, as it is pretty quick. If you have realistic expectations, this can be a nice addition to your collection, as it has been to mine, but I would not recommend this dvd as part of a bigger, serious pilates agenda.
Rating:
Summary: Not for beginners
Review: I had bought this tape and became addicted to Pilates. After some time, I went ahead and bought the Winsor Pilates series. Boy, Denise sure doesn't explain proper technique well! After watching the Winsor basics tape, I realized how I was doing a lot of the moves with very poor technique. I had even strained my back muscle on one of the Denise Austin moves and that still didn't clue me in! I would recommend this tape ONLY for those who know proper technique and are able to adjust their workout with Denise based on their prior knowledge.
Rating:
Summary: Great pilates workout!
Review: I absolutley love this video!! It's a great, quick workout if you have about 20 minutes. Denise has a soothing voice that will relax you and energize you at the same time. My favorite section is the second portion of the video which focuses on yoga as well as pilates. I always feel so refreshed when I finish my mat workout, and I can tell a HUGE difference in my abs--I'm already on my way to a six-pack!! Denise is great in this video, and I would reccomend it to anyone who loves pilates and yoga as much as I do.
Rating:
Summary: A Shrink Your Female Fat Zone Fan
Review: I have been checking this DVD out of the library as often as I can get it. I have been very successful at losing weight on Denise's "Shrink Your Female Fat Zones" program, and was looking for a good DVD to work on my fat zone, my abs. I agree with everyone who says the 1st workout is great. I definately feel it in my abs the next day. I love the length of that workout too...20 min. is enough to feel like I got a decent workout, but it doesn't chew up my child's entire naptime :) The 2nd workout is out of my range. I currently take yoga classes, but I'm not used to "flowing" yoga poses. I still need to hold the poses longer and receive better instruction. I may breakdown and buy this DVD someday just for the 1st workout, but for now I'll stick with a library freebie. BTW, I am a Denise fan, but can't always handle the perpetual perkiness on her show and aerobics tapes. This quieter side of her is a nice change!
Rating:
Summary: This is a mess....
Review: This was the first pilates DVD I bought and her instruction and technique was not very explanatory. For those who are serious about the correct posture, stance and breathing in pilates (especially breathing which done incorrectly will get you no where fast), look into Mari Windsor Pilates. She gives outstanding instruction, shows you in 3 D format what the correct form should be and instructs you on the all important breathing. www.windsorpilates.com
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