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Post by Karla on Jul 31, 2023 16:28:49 GMT
Please leave reviews of Pilates workouts here. Don't worry if your review is too short, or inadequate. This is meant to be fun! Some people give detailed breakdowns and others don't. Just letting people know if you like or dislike a workout helps :-)
You can use the search bar at the top of this thread to find specific instructors or workouts.
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Post by Karla on Aug 9, 2023 0:04:09 GMT
10 Minute Solution: Quick Sculpt Pilates Andrea Leigh Rogers Year Released: 2009This DVD presents five 10-minute Pilates-based workout routines. Like all of the 10 Minute Solution series, the menu allows you choose one section to do individually, to program two or more sections for a customized workout, or to do all five sections for a 50-minute workout. Four of the five routines incorporate a small inflated ball, which (at least as of the date of this review) is sold with the DVD in a kit. I obtained my copy of this DVD in a VF trade, minus the ball, and substituted a ball purchased from a local sporting goods store. The ball should be about 7-10” in diameter and sturdy enough to support partial body weight. Using the ball intensifies some of the Pilates mat exercises (e.g. doing bridges with both feet placed on the ball) and in some cases also simulates Pilates exercises done on specialized equipment like the Reformer. Besides the ball, the only equipment needed is a mat (four of the five routines are focused on floor work). All of the routines are done barefoot. The set and music are on par with other 10 Minute Solution DVDs I have seen – pleasant but not memorable. The workouts are all led by Andrea Leigh Rogers. She teaches solo and instructs live. She mirror-cues. Because each routine is only 10 minutes, Andrea keeps things moving at a brisk pace. She offers a lot of form pointers and occasionally suggests modifications, but does not really teach the exercises themselves. I would strongly recommend prior Pilates experience before attempting this DVD. Collage rates Quick Sculpt Pilates as Intermediate/Advanced. I am a long-time intermediate exerciser. I could do most of the exercises as presented, but in a few cases could not move as fast as Andrea. I also sat out a couple of exercises that I don't feel strong enough to do safely, such as Jackknife. The five individual workouts break down as follows. Although I have done many Pilates DVDs I in no way consider myself a Pilates expert, so I apologize if I have misidentified any exercises. -Total Body Toner: Andrea begins on her back with the ball between the ankles, moving the legs in and out to mimic footwork on a Reformer, followed by a variation of The Hundred. Next are Roll-ups holding the ball, then Jackknife (which I personally cannot do) with the ball back between the ankles. A version of Coordination follows, then Single Leg Circles with the lower leg supported by the ball. The ball is next tucked between the thighs for a variation of Open Leg Rocker. This section concludes with the “Teaser Toss,” exchanging the ball between the hands and feet during a series of Teasers, followed by the Saw (while holding the ball in one hand). To me this section lacked focus – not my favorite. -Buns & Thigh Sculptor: This section features a short side-kick series, including leg lifts, circles and ronde de jambe. Andrea first uses the ball under the torso as a prop, then transfers it to between the thighs for a series of squeezes. This section finishes with bridgework done with the feet up on the ball (which, as Andrea says, gives this exercise a whole new dynamic!). -Strength & Flexibility Pilates: This routine focuses on spinal stability and back strengthening. We begin by using the ball to roll in and out of Swan Prep, then flip over onto out stomachs for Single Leg Kick (with the ball tucked behind the knee) then Double Leg Kick and froggy-style leg lifts (ball between the ankles). After a brief rest in Child’s Pose, it is back onto the stomach for alternating arm lifts and leg lifts, followed by Swimming. Andrea next leads us through her version of some Spine Corrector exercises – on our backs, with the ball under the seat, we do froggy moves, Scissors, Helicopter, and Heel Beats. (I found this part different and kind of fun!) We conclude with Spine Stretch Forward. -Core Conditioner: A series of familiar Pilates abs exercises, spiced up with the ball -- Single Leg Stretch while weaving the ball between the legs, Double Leg Stretch squeezing the ball between the ankles, Scissors again weaving the ball between the legs, Next is a series of leg lowers while squeezing the ball between the ankles, followed by a tricky version of Criss-Cross (I find myself at a loss as how to describe it!). More traditional reverse crunches are next, then Andrea does Teasers incorporating the ball. Obliques are worked by using the ball to roll out backwards at a diagonal. She finishes with another traditional Pilates core exercise that I don’t know the name of. -Standing Pilates Sculpt: This section does not use the ball and is mostly standing work. Andrea does standing versions of traditional Pilates mat exercises such as The Hundred and Single Leg Circles. I’m not sure how much “sculpting” is achieved, but it makes for a very nice little balance routine. Bottom line: I’m a strictly intermediate exerciser, but have worked out at home with DVDs for many years. I've done a number of Pilates DVDs, both "pure" or traditional Pilates, and also "fusion"-style workouts incorporating Pilates moves. With regard to Quick Sculpt Pilates, I want to like this one more than I actually do, to be honest. It is well presented and Andrea is a fine instructor. However, using the ball became a hit or miss proposition for me depending on the exercise. Sometimes it added an element of challenge or fun, but more often it just felt kind of fussy. In all fairness, maybe some of the exercises would work better if I had the actual ball sold with the kit. Ironically, my favorite part of the DVD was the standing balance section which doesn't use the ball at all. 10MS Quick Sculpt Pilates is readily available online at sites such as Collage, Total Fitness DVDs, and Amazon. Instructor Comments: Andrea comes from an extensive dance background and is a certified Pilates instructor. She is the proprietor of her own workout, Xtend, and also appears in another 10 Minute Solution DVD, Dance Your Body Thin. She presents in a very clear, pleasant and professional manner. Her website is www.xtendbarreworkout.com. JustSandra 07/31/2010
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Post by Karla on Aug 10, 2023 0:03:31 GMT
Body Bar: Pilates Strength Clare Dunphy
This is a 50-minute workout integrating a 4 lb. mini-bar into classic Pilates exercises (volume 21 of the Body Bar Master Your Body series). Per the box, the mini-bar is used "as a resistance tool, a balancing prop and an alignment support."
Clare Dunphy leads the workout. There is one background exerciser, Brie, who demonstrates less intense modifications.
Pilates Strength comes on a DVD along with Innovative Stretch (which also uses a mini-bar). However, I have the VHS version so I cannot comment on any DVD features.
The Body Bar people describe Pilates Strength as intermediate, with which I agree. However, prior familiarity with Pilates exercises is really important with this workout, as Clare rarely names which exercise we are doing. Also, although Clare offers some good form tips, she does not really instruct how to do the Pilates exercise itself.
The Body Bar's mini-bar is 2 feet in length (regular body bars are 4 feet long) and sold in 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 lb. weights. I don't have a mini-bar, so I used my Firm Sculpting Stick with the twigs removed. Without the twigs the Sculpting Stick weighs 4 lbs. and is 33" in length, and it worked fine. A very strong exerciser might be able to use a regular lightweight body bar, although the 4-foot length will occasionally be awkward. However, a better option for most people who don't have a mini-bar or a Sculpting Stick would be to get a 2-3 foot wooden dowel (closet pole width) from a home improvement store. The only other equipment needed is a yoga mat. Two yoga blocks are optional to modify one exercise.
The set is one of the usual Body Bar ones -- it's pleasant enough. I wish I could say the same for the music. Usually the music in Body Bar workouts is decent, but I found myself really hating the music in Pilates Strength. I'm not normally fussy about music as long as it is reasonably appropriate to the type of exercise. The soundtrack on Pilates Strength is a sort of mishmash, sometimes kind of jazzy, but often suggestive of a cliched movie matinee score (the hero finally realizes who he has truly loved all this time!). None of it enhanced the Pilates moves, and after a while it just got on my nerves.
On to the actual workout. What makes this workout different from other Body Bar videos by Clare Dunphy (and which, I think, turns into a weakness) is that Clare sticks closely to classic Pilates exercises. She begins with a series of traditional matwork exercises, starting with an interesting version of The Hundred. Holding the mini-bar out away from the body during some of the ab exercises added additional challenge to core stability. On other exercises, though, using the mini-bar didn't seem to add anything at all -- kind of an inconsistent effect.
The mini-bar does make a good alignment tool, particularly during Bridge and during the Side Kick Series (where it helps keep the hips level).
I liked the mini-bar best during the swimming segment, where we lifted up one end of the mini-bar with an outstretched arm while the opposite leg lifted.
On some of the exercises, like planks, Clare didn't use the mini-bar at all.
Clare finishes the workout with some moves she says are adapted from Pilates apparatus. This includes a series of very controlled lunge-type movements, similar to some of her other workouts. Unfortunately, this segment reminded me of all the reasons I like those workouts better, and why wasn't I doing one of those instead?
I purchased Pilates Strength on a whim without reading any reviews or other input about it. I like Clare and enjoy her other Body Bar videos like Ripple and Elements of Form, and was hoping Pilates Strength would present more of her fusion approach. Alas, it does not (although to be fair, Pilates Strength is actually what it advertises -- Pilates with a strength element).
Clare can be wonderfully creative with the body bar, but I think in this case she was too constrained by adhering to the classic Pilates format. For those interested in a Pilates fusion approach using a body bar, try one of Clare's other workouts, especially Ripple. I would also recommend Deep Definition or Equanimity over Pilates Strength.
Instructor Comments: I've enjoyed Clare in her other Body Bar workouts like Ripple, Elements of Form, and Balance, Line and Strength. However, Pilates Strength just doesn't showcase her creativity with the body bar.
JustSandra
11/11/2005
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Post by Karla on Aug 10, 2023 15:41:10 GMT
Mini Flex-Ball Workout Moira Stott MerrithewWorkout time: 41 minutes including approx. 7 minutes warmup Incidentals: the typical soft piano is replaced with a guitarish soundtrack; the background is refreshed with studio apparatus lined up just so, bright and airy set as always. A mat and Pilates mini ball are required (a 10 to 12”, soft and pliable ball, available at www.stottpilates.com, also sold as TRIAD Ball, Bender Ball, or a cheap small “beach ball” would suffice). I don’t recommend it for someone unfamiliar with the fundamental Pilates matwork exercises, but it is suitable for experienced beginner to advanced. Warmup – seated, a series of breathwork, rolling ball forward and sideways; imprinting with lumbar against ball; hip releases while leaning into ball, rotational reclining stretches; shoulder warm-ups while reclining on ball; Mermaid stretch over ball. (Sometimes I’ll skip Moira’s mat warm-ups but this one is worth doing.) Main Workout: - Crunches with ball behind mid-back then back extensions - Footwork on ball while performing ab prep - 100 with ball behind mid-back, legs moving in and out - Rollups, rolling ball up bent thighs and down shins - Single leg circles with down foot balancing on ball - Rolling like a ball with ball clenched under the bent knees - Ab series: ball behind mid-back for single leg stretch and obliques; then obliques while rolling ball under one foot; double leg stretch with ball being pushed and rolled under both feet - Shoulder bridge flow – rolling forward to place ball between knees, rolling back and bridging, rolling forward to grab ball, rolling back with ball in hands and bridging - Rollover preps, ball squeezed under bent knees - Breaststroke while dragging ball toward you and bending knees in up position - Saw with hands to one side rolling ball away across floor - Neck Pull variation, performed while rolling ball up and down thighs and shins – a lot of reps! - Oblique diagonal rollbacks, pushing ball along floor with forearm - Short side series – kicks forward and back with ball propped under ribs; then a compound move of top leg bent to a 90 degree angle with ball under it, rolling the ball forward and back, then inner thigh lifts with bottom leg - Spine stretch, rolling ball forward along floor - Teaser variation, rolling ball up and down one straight leg then the other, with pulses - Swan dive, pushing arms into ball while rolling up and down - Swimming variation, legs only while pushing down into ball - Fluid shell stretch, rolling ball in and out Final stretches: - Mermaids with pulses - Lying side stretches over ball under waist Critiques: I’m glad the routine is 40 minutes total, but would have liked some exercises with the ball under the hips and a little more for the side series. It is A LOT of ab work - as it draws toward the 40 minute mark I’ve really had enough. Per the Stott philosophy there is a great deal of instruction and attention to inhaling, exhaling, and besides my core is just plain screaming for a rest. For some exercises such as the single leg stretch, the ball uncannily forces all work into the abs, and the destabilizing nature of the ball fires the obliques. Conversely, in moves such as breast stroke, swan dive and side stretches, the ball helps you go deeper and stretch farther. After two tries, I’ve decided it has a place in my Pilates library. I give it the Healthy Back Seal of Approval so long as you have good Core strength to begin with and familiarity the basic mat routine. No plank moves, weight bearing flexion of toes, or wrist intensive work is required, a nice bonus for people with those concerns. Instructor Comments: Moira really is trying to break her “wooden” mold. How exciting can Pilates get? At this juncture in my Pilates career, effective and accurate directions are more important than glamour. Pat58 04/07/2008
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Post by Karla on Aug 10, 2023 15:57:20 GMT
Pick Your Level: Weight Loss Pilates Ellen Barrett
This is an Ellen Barret video that I really enjoy for an easier day. The explanations don't bother me and I think they're worked well enough into the routines. I love that you get three 10-minute sections and they come together well for me.
Pat58
02/25/2011
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Post by Karla on Aug 11, 2023 18:37:49 GMT
Pilates Super Sculpt Tracey Mallett
I am new to Tracey Mallett, though I am not new to Pilates. It has been a mainstay in my weekly rotations ever since Mari Winsor's infomercial so many years ago. I recently tried Tracey's Renew You Cardio Fusion and fell instantly in love with her motivating manner and style of incorporating Pilates, barre, ballet and yoga while delivering a great workout.
This Pilates DVD does not disappoint. It is fresh, has some new moves to challenge me, and working with the ball really helps to challenge stability and strengthen the core. I have to modify the pushup series but all of the rest of the video is doable - albeit challenging, in a good way. I also love the set and am so happy the music is enjoyable. My only disappointment in this DVD is that it does not offer a matrix option so that you can program a workout, but it is easy enough to choose the full workout and then jump over chapters.
Instructor Comments: Tracey is a breath of fresh air. She knows her stuff and has the credentials and background to prove it. I find her to be motivating and professional. Tracey knows how to work a camera - using opportunities to directly face the camera as if she is addressing you personally. And she is verbally teaching while simultaneously doing the workout - a class act.
Pat58
07/09/2016
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Post by Karla on Aug 13, 2023 20:13:29 GMT
Shape Pilates Workout: Pilates for Pink Tracy York, Lizbeth Garcia
This DVD, prepared in conjunction with Shape Magazine and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, includes a 31 minute Pilates routine led by Lizbeth and a 12 minute Bonus Total Body Blitz led by Tracy, along with chapters such as Liz’s bio and information on Shape and the BCRF. A portion of all sales proceeds goes to the BCRF but I wonder how long that will last as the DVD gets older and reaches discount marketers.
PILATES: This routine was love at first try and I enjoy it more with each use. In a nutshell, Lizbeth has taken traditional Pilates moves and made them more dynamic with the addition of sweeping arm movements, build-ons and a super-setting theme, incorporating one exercise with another for several sets. The workout is non-stop, flows at a good clip but not so fast that you lose proper form in an effort to keep up, and it gives a mild cardio benefit in the bargain. This routine has some advanced moves but on the whole, is doable for anyone with a enough Pilates experience to “jump right in.” There is a modifier, who is always visible, but I don’t recall much reference to modifications other than at the beginning.
Both workouts are filmed on a living room set, cozy and relaxing. Production quality is good and there is basic chaptering between anatomical focus sections. The Pilates routine features good lighting, some shadowy effects, and the background music has a strong but not overbearing beat to which the exercises flow like a dance. Lizabeth and her two backups move in graceful unison.
Breakdown: Begin seated with a series of spine tilts, knees bent, performing semi-rolldowns with arms progressing from holding behind the thighs to sweeping and circling around, and rollback with twists. Transition into rolling down for full Rollups with arm circles.
Next, while on the back the legs come to table top for hip rolling side to side, progressing to a single leg extension in the extreme position on each side, then flow into toe tapping. Single leg circles are next, beginning with “slide and lift,” the foot sliding forward and up in a bicycling movement, culminating with bicycles supersetted with leg circles. Rolling up into bridge while the arms circle follows, then “power glute lift,” bringing the torso straight up into bridge without the vertebral rolling. The power glute lifts progress into bridging with knee lifts.
“Reverse curls” with ankles crossed, rolling partially back into a reverse crunch follows. This progresses into reverse curls with a leg split, recross and roll down with the cross of legs reversed (reminiscent of Boomerang), and then ultimately progresses to a superset of reverse curls and the previous power glute lifts remaining in the extreme position while a single straightened leg lowers and lifts.
Lizbeth next moves on to upper body with a set of ab preps, arms behind head. Single leg stretch flows into bicycle with long lever arms, right into scissors with arm reaches and ends with a quick back stretch. Then you move to hands and knees for opposing arm and leg reaches, to which a simultaneous hamstring and bicep curl are added. You then lie forward on the mat to reach same side arm and leg up and then back into a semi-bow position with flowing repetitions.
Kneeling back up for a cat stretch, you elevate the rear upward so you’re on your toes, knees hover above mat as one leg pulls in toward the nose then stretches backward, then flow forward onto the mat for breast stroke, arms circling backward to touch the toes as they simultaneously bend toward the body, then back on the toes/hands to repeat the series for the other side.
Spine twists series follows, seated with legs out straight and arms straight upward – twist once to each side, then in a pulsing rhythm, then pulsing to each side with a crisp downward arms slice, then a final set of twisting, pulsing, arms slice and diagonally forward into saw. Legs come in, draw the body in preparatory position for rolling like a ball, which is performed several times with hands clasped over shins and then with arms in a “wave,” outward and upward while rolling.
Move on to side leg series which starts with supersets of flutters (like swimming on the side), large scissors with a double pulse and fast single pulse big scissors. This is followed by traditional side kicks, single and with pulses, and side lift kicks, and finally the kick series supersetted together, forward, down and up.
The workout concludes with a Mermaid series. The legs are positioned with right leg bent back and left leg forward, as if for pretzels, but you flow side to side with oblique stretches. These progress to reaching all the way up onto the right knee, return to seated with a twist over the left side, from which Lizbeth leads you right into the set up for kneeling side series – knee pulling in then kicking straight out, then straight leg circling forward and back. Turn right over into a pushup position, where the pushups are performed with alternate legs lifting. The Mermaid series then repeats for the opposite side. The workout concludes with some brief final stretches.
Throughout, Lizbeth coaches well and encourages you to enjoy the movement. I think anyone who enjoys floor work might like this routine. Those who avoid traditional Pilates because of forward flexion might enjoy trying it as well – it’s more like dancing on the floor. And if you already love Pilates, this is a must-have! I am glad that the producers, who put this video out there to support breast cancer awareness and research, chose Lizbeth to choreograph and lead. It is a top notch production.
BONUS TOTAL BODY BLITZ: one of the better “bonus blasts” on a DVD that I’ve tried. In 12 minutes Tracy hits the entire body with a brief warmup, reaching and side stepping, then pick up your weights for a series of squats with bicep curls, to lunges and up to standing leg extensions with hammer curls. A series of bent over compound rows up to shoulder presses follows, then deltoid work featuring a quick variety of side to front arm raises and lateral pulls. Come to the mat for some push ups with leg pulls, roll over and grab your weights for flyes supersetted with skull crushers, drop one dumbbell for weighted abs and with a quick but thorough stretch, you’re done. I jumped up after this and said WHEW. It was a great warm-up for snow shoveling ….. and that’s a workout I don’t care to review :-) Instructor Comments: Lizbeth Garcia is one of my favorite Pilates tutors. I enjoy how she cues and offers reminders in a conversational tone. As she instructs, she portrays an emotion of joyfulness in the movement. As she performs the workout, she reminds me of a fish in water – graceful, fluid and at home in the routine.
Tracy York – this was my first experience with Tracy and I found her likeable. She put together a nice little total body burner with weights and cued it well. Pat58
02/14/2007
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Post by Karla on Aug 19, 2023 21:09:19 GMT
Stott Pilates Fitness Circle Moira Stott Merrithew
I really enjoyed this workout! I've practiced Pilates for several years now but have only one other video which uses the fitness circle. What I liked about this video is that it was a traditional Pilates mat workout, but adding the fitness circle made the routine even more focused on the abdominal area; I also liked that the circle provided additional work for the glutes and thighs. Moira Stott-Merrithew instructs two students, Miriane and Crispin, each of whom performs the movements in a slightly different manner.
The workout begins with a few minutes of breathing practice followed by some abs prep work without the circle. The circle is then incorporated into all of the classic Pilates mat movements, sometimes holding the circle in your hands, sometimes between your knees, and sometimes between your ankles. A few moves are modified to target a different area using the circle--for example, both leg circles and the saw became hamstring stretches. There are also various movements which target your arms, some done while lying on your back (and still pulling in your abs), and some performed in a seated position. At about 32 minutes, this video provided me with an excellent, full-body workout, and I plan to use it often.
Instructor Comments: Similar to Mari Winsor, Moira instructs but does not participate in the workout. She has a very soft-spoken, gentle manner which is quietly encouraging of her students, and she offers excellent form pointers. Since this workout moves a bit more briskly than some of the other Stott videos, Moira does not come across as dry or boring here.
Beth C (aka toaster)
10/19/2004
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Post by Karla on Aug 24, 2023 20:15:12 GMT
Body Bar: Elements Of Form Clare Dunphy Year Released: 1999
This is a great workout that really stresses the basic prinicples of pilates and is the easiest of the body bar pilates workouts. I've been doing it for months and can tell the difference when I skip a few weeks and then know I need to go back to it. The purpose of the body bar is primarily to help with alignment. It does help. A lighter body bar is probably best. A modifier uses a short body bar and for some moves I use half of mine (it separates in the middle). My fingers get numb holding the bar up sometimes, so I just rest my arms and put them back a minute or two later. In the beginning I had no idea of my postural alignment, slowly I am gaining awareness. Clare's cueing is right on. The workout does seem long and the last standing part is easy enough to skip (although I tend to include it and the review of principles as well). It's a great place to start and offers plenty of room to grow. Happily Body Bar has said that they're looking into converting this to DVD so with any luck I can continue to do for a long time.
buffmama
03/18/2012
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Post by Karla on Sept 8, 2023 13:28:39 GMT
Pilates for Beginners Karen Garcia
Cover has picture of blonde-haired woman doing a side mermaid stretch Produced directed and edited by Michael Wohl
My SIL gave me this DVD because it hurt her back – this was her first pilates workout. She usually does Tae Bo. I previewed but did not do the workout, therefore, my review is a breakdown of what is included on the disk. I traded this disk only because I already have too many pilates workouts. I think this is a good basic workout for beginners or even anyone beyond that level. The cueing seems decent. The speed is slow and controlled.
There was very little information on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc. regarding this DVD. Even the cover does not have the name of the instructor, but when you play the DVD, there’s a written paragraph about Karen Garcia. It does not indicate which person Karen is (the 2 separate workout options have a brunette woman and the other features a blonde woman who looks like the one on the cover).
Style: done in voice-over Music: pleasant and very audible Setting: living room looking, but with plants and nice furnishings Clarity: audio, music, and visual are very clear and distinct; high quality Outfits: snug fitting top and Capri pants allowing you to see the body posturing
This is an extract of 2 Bodywisdom pilates discs – Pilates Complete for Every Body (PCFEB) and Pilates Complete for Weight Loss (PCFWL). Some sites list the total minutes as 180, but after preview, I can account for only 143 minutes of content. Some of the segments from the beginner series from the 2 aforementioned discs are included, but not all. I did a visual comparison of the chapter menus for the 2 discs shown on BarnesandNoble.com compared with what I saw on the Pilates for Beginners (PFB) disc. I have never done nor previewed neither PCFEB nor PCFWL.
You can choose whatever segment you want as shown on the menu. However, the DVD does not have a programmable feature. The segments appear to be useful on their own as an add-on. You can probably do several of the segments to increase the length.
Main menu and duration in minutes: Lesson: Principles & Cautions: 5 min Lesson: Beginning Basics: 14 Pilates Complete for Everyone (brunette woman): total of 24 min ~basics: 7 min ~variation: 8 ~for less flexible people: 9 Pilates Complete for Weight Loss (blonde woman): total of 100 min ~basic: 10 ~basic variation: 15 ~basic with warm up: 30 (uses light dumbbells) ~challenging: 20 ~Challenging with warm up: 25 The Instructor (in paragraph form – no audio or video) about Karen Garcia Other Information: screens showing covers of other BodyWisdom workouts but with no clips.
this would be good to own if you want add-ons or want to get a sample of the 2 discs that this video came from.
Instructor Comments: does clear voice-over. not sure if she is one of the 2 different demonstrators on this disk.
bzar
02/09/2007
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Post by Karla on Nov 1, 2023 19:49:42 GMT
The Method: Standing Pilates Blend Katalin Zamiar Year Released: 2003
This was on the cheapie DVD rack at Ross. Surprise, surprise this is one tough workout. It's not a sweaty cardio thing and it's not impossibly tough while you're doing it. An hour later your buttocks and abs will be letting you know you've worked hard.
The exercises are unique. My expectation was that this would be a Callan, Lotte, Bar Method rehash. It's absolutely not. It's a lot of balance work and precise dance moves. If you do the correct form it's a killer video. If you just flop your leg around, it's probably pretty easy. Sadly, the form isn't easy to decipher. Katalin Rodriguez-Zamiar does a good job cuing, but the camera isn't always at the right spot to capture what she's doing. That gets annoying, but you get past it once you know the routine.
The first section is all standing work. The moves are a bit too fast. If you have form or balance issues, you might want to go at half of the video's pace. Your arms aren't worked, however you do use the shoulders in holding arm extensions for a minute or two. Other than reminders to engage your abs, you don't seem to be working your core during the standing section. However, all of those balance exercises are subtly giving your core quite the workout. In the second half of the video it's about 15 minutes of floor work. Because you've already burned your core and legs in the standing section, this floor work is tough.
I would recommend this DVD for someone working on a toning rotation or someone interested in some new lower body work. You also need to have some sense of the importance of good breathing and body position. If you've done a fair bit of pilates or yoga you should be fine. I won't suggest this for someone who doesn't like (or isn't able) to maintain focus on form. This tape is only as effective as you make it.
This DVD definitely has a spot in my rotation. I'm happy to have found this one.
Instructor Comments: Katalin Rodriguez-Zamiar does a nice job and I have to say her physique is inspiring.
honey
06/01/2006
Katalin and two background exercisers do the workout in a (pleasant) fake outdoor set. This is interspersed with shots of Katalin doing the moves in a real outdoor setting near the ocean. In the introduction, Katalin says that the standing Pilates exercises, adapted from reformer and mat exercises, are like ballet moves. Honestly, hardly anything in this workout resembled Pilates as I know it. If you go into it expecting that, you will be disappointed. It reminded me quite a bit of Kari Anderson’s recent workout Reach in that there are a lot of standing ballet moves which work the lower body.
The workout has a 30 minute standing section and a 15 minute floor section. There isn’t a true warm-up, cool down, or stretch. You start by taking some deep breaths and lifting your arms above your head. You exhale and bring your arms down to wrap around the backs of your legs. Round your back to stretch it, and then roll up.
Throughout the workout, you generally learn a move, do a few reps, and then add on one or two more moves. I felt a lot of the standing work in my quads. My abs didn’t really get worked at all, other than when I was balancing during some of the standing work.
There are some arm movements which I considered gratuitous yet graceful. They probably won’t do much for you, but they can help you balance! I’ll describe some of the exercises to give everyone an idea of what types of moves are included.
Standing moves (not a complete list): 1. Start with feet together, step one foot out to side and plie down. Plie back up and lift leg straight out in front of you. Alternate sides. 2. Point toe, extend leg so foot touches floor in front of you. Circle leg around and touch toe behind you. Do a few reps and then add on front attitude (leg lifting with knee slightly bent) then move leg so it extends straight behind you. Add on a reach down to the floor with your hands where you keep one leg up behind you and bring that foot to touch the knee of the leg on which you’re still standing. Then put the back foot down on the floor, stand up and do a few curtsy lunges. 3. Curtsy lunge, lift back foot so it touches front knee with leg internally rotated, then rotate leg outward (into sort of a tree pose). Extend the foot out to the side to work outer thigh. 4. Standing hamstring curl then transition to curtsy lunge.
Many of the moves have you sweeping your foot front to back with your toe pointed. One weird move had you stand with your feet together, knees slightly bent, and bend at the hips so you’re facing downward. Extend one arm behind you and one in front, and then switch arms by swinging them forward and back while keeping your body still. I couldn’t understand the purpose of this.
Floor moves (again, not a complete list): 1. Lie on your back and bend knees toward you. Extend legs up and then lower them while extending arms back. Bend knees and bring them toward you while you circle arms and bring them towards your knees (so you end up sort of hugging your knees to your chest). 2. Hundred, except you just do four pulses and then bring your knees in and rest, then do four more, etc. 3. Bridge pose with hips lifted, both feet on floor. Bring one arm above head and switch with the other by swinging them back and forth. 4. X-position with legs and arms outstretched as you lie on the floor. Lift up to touch left arm and right leg (with other arm and leg dragging on the floor). Lie down and do the other arm and leg. 5. Lie on your side with legs stacked and do a leg lift with lower leg bent so foot touches underside of top knee.
There are lots of other exercises in both sections, but I think these give a good general idea of what’s included.
The floor work just didn’t do anything for me. I would think that X position would really work your abs, but I didn’t feel it at all. The standing work seemed to work my quads pretty well. I felt the hamstring curls too even though I usually use ankle weights for that type of thing (like in Slim Series).
I think this would be good for someone who enjoys ballet-inspired workouts. If you like the moves in Reach, this might be one to try. It’s not quite as elegant and I think it’s a little easier, but has a similar feel. The music is instrumental, kind of quiet, pleasant stuff. I know I’ve heard it before, but couldn’t quite place it.
For me, this is one of those workouts that I find enjoyable, but probably won’t do often. I got it from a kind VFer to help satisfy my curiosity. I think I was hoping for standing ab work and obviously this doesn’t fit the bill. Still, it’s good to know what it’s like, and again, for someone who enjoys ballet moves or this type of soothing lower body workout, this might be a good choice.
Instructor Comments: I’d describe Katalin as no-nonsense. She doesn’t talk to the background exercisers or say much other than to cue the moves. Her directions are clear and cuing good. The background exercisers seemed a little more (for lack of a better description) like real women, rather than fitness professionals. They smiled and just looked more approachable to me. They reminded me of the background exercisers in Minna Lessig’s Strength and Grace.
Pratima
11/06/2005
I really liked this one. The first 29 minutes is all standing ballet inspired balancing moves. This is the best workout I've found so far to work on balance. I think Katalin does a good job and the production quality is good. My only minor complaint is that sometimes I think the pace of the reps is not consistent and at one point Katalin tells you to turn out your heels when she means for you to turn out your "toes". All in all, I'm very pleased with this one.
Tammy
01/21/2004
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Post by Karla on Dec 21, 2023 23:38:33 GMT
A.M. and P.M. Pilates Mat Workouts Ana Caban, Jillian Hessel Year Released: 2002
This DVD contains three workouts, AM Pilates, PM Pilates, and Energy Boost Pilates. I've given descriptions of each of the individual programs below.
AM Pilates is sort of an odd blend. On the one hand, instructor Jillian Hessell spends a lot of time focused on the breath, which would be very helpful to Pilates beginners. Furthermore, she provides a rather abbreviated mat sequence--for example performing "50s" instead of the tradional hundred exercise and doing only two quick side series exercises. On the other hand, she does not give much detailed instruction about form, shows no modifications, and performs a few of the exercises at a very quick pace, including the criss-cross and swan dive, which would make this workout more ideally suited to advanced beginners or lower intermediates (most likely on a light day). The DVD breaks the workout into three segments, Breathing, Matwork, and Centering. The Breathing segment, about 4.5 minutes long, is performed seated in a chair, and it includes both breathing instruction and a few simple stretches. The 16.5 minute Matwork sequence begins with a controlled sit-down and roll-back. A band is used to modify the roll-up and single leg cirlces, and few repetitions are performed for the exercises. Finally, the workout concludes with a 3-minute Centering section, which involves additional breathing instruction, basic stretches, and a tiptoe balance, all in a standing position. This 26-minute workout would probably be best suited to Pilates beginners who have some prior familiarity with the Pilates exercises and are looking for a relatively basic workout.
Ana Caban's PM Pilates is designed as an evening Pilates routine to help you wind down and de-stress at the end of the day. It's perfect for this purpose (although a bit too strenuous to be used right before bedtime), but it would also serve well as an energizing routine in the a.m. or almost any time. Ana begins the workout in a seated position to perform several neck stretches. She then moves to the floor for a traditional Pilates mat series, starting with the hundred. Although Ana mostly follows classic Pilates sequencing, some of the more difficult moves (e.g., rollover) are left out, and other moves are done in a modified form (i.e., a rolling prep and an open-legged rocker prep instead of the full movements). Despite these modifications, the routine is still challenging: she does a higher number of repetitions than usual (particularly with the series of five, or stomach series), and the workout proceeds along at a steady, moderately quick clip. There is a concentration on abs moves, as Ana skips the side kick series, Pilates push-ups, and other full-body moves; personally, I liked this, but those who prefer a more complete matwork program might not. The mermaid and a standing stretch bring the routine in at 25 minutes. This was my favorite of the three workouts on the DVD, as it is well-suited to my intermediate level.
Energy Boost Pilates, also taught by Ana Caban, is kind of different in that it begins in a standing position with a few aerobic-type moves such as jogs, knee lifts, jumping jacks, and jumping lunges. This segment is very quick--no more than 1-2 minutes--and is designed to warm you up, but you could easily skip it if needed. Ana then proceeds to the floor for some traditional Pilates matwork moves. She leads you quickly through reclined exercises such as the hundred, the roll-up, and part of the stomach series. Moving to a seated position, Ana then performs an additional series of moves, a few of which I had never seen before (and I've done A LOT of Pilates videos). Then it's a quick stretch and you're done, for a total of about 11 minutes. This practice struck me as sort-of a shorter, more fast-moving version of PM Pilates; it's a nice alternative for getting in a full-body Pilates workout in a limited amount of time.
Overall, this DVD contains a nice variety of practices that would be appropriate for experienced beginner to intermediate Pilates practitioners.
Instructor Comments: Both instructors cue via voiceover. I found Jill a bit bland but mostly fine; Ana cues well and is more upbeat.
Beth C (aka toaster)
09/08/2006
I’ve reviewed each workout separately; I’ll just give a brief overview of the DVD here.
The DVD contains Jillian Hessel’s A.M. Pilates as well as Ana Caban’s P.M. Pilates and Energy Boost Pilates (1). In addition to the brief introductions before the AM and PM segments, there are interviews with and little written biographies of each instructor. The AM and PM Pilates workouts are each chaptered as segments: introduction, brief warm-up, matwork, and short ending exercises. Energy Boost Pilates is found under “Extras” and has no chapters. All three workouts are set outdoors, captured with Gaiam’s usual sharp camera work. The soft instrumental music is pleasant but not very loud or particularly memorable. As to be expected, you have to do with the standard Gaiam introduction after the long disclaimers.
All three Pilates routines focus primarily on the abdominals, with minimal back, leg, or upper body work.
AM Pilates is a good 25 minute routine for experienced beginners to low intermediates that focuses on proper breathing while performing a very abbreviated form of the basic matwork series. There are a number of pauses between exercises while Jillian sets you up for each move, and the overall pace is relaxed and slow. This is probably my least favorite routine on the DVD.
PM Pilates is a good 25 minute routine for low intermediates that incorporates a number of stretches before and after the abbreviated classic matwork series. This is definitely a step up in the difficulty from AM Pilates. It’s not just for evening; I find it great to do in the morning when I’m a little stiff. The overall pace is deliberate, not too fast or too slow. This is probably my favorite workout on the DVD.
Energy Boost Pilates is a good 11 1/2 minute routine for solid intermediates that incorporates a lot of exercises, including several that don’t appear in most other Pilates videos. There are a couple of stretches and cardio moves included at the beginning to warm you up. This has the least amount of instruction of all three workouts, and it’s the most challenging workout for me on the DVD.
I consider myself a low intermediate. I have about two years of Pilates experience but still have limited strength and flexibility. I’m keeping this DVD, because it’s one that I can grow with right now, even if AM Pilates is a little easy, because PM Pilates is just the right amount of challenge and EB Pilates is something that I will be able to work up to in the foreseeable future. Even when I’ve managed to advance enough that all three are easy, I’ll still keep this DVD because the first two routines will make nice light day workouts, and EB makes a great workout for a time crunch.
Instructor Comments: Both instructors cue well and know their stuff when it comes to Pilates. They instruct via voiceover.
KL (KathAL79)
07/27/2005
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Post by Karla on Dec 21, 2023 23:39:55 GMT
Advanced Body Slimming Mari Winsor Year Released: 2002
I’m reviewing this workout after doing it several times over the year or two that I’ve had it.
General workout breakdown: This Pilates matwork routine runs just under 20 minutes. Beth has already broken down the moves, so I’ll just add that the side leg series has front & back, bicycle, ronde du jambe, small circles, and scissors, while the kneeling side kick series includes front & back and pulses (up & down). As mentioned, Mari moves quickly between and through the exercises, with just enough time to set up. Her double times are very quick, so you need to know what you’re doing or else you’ll feel like your limbs are flailing about. She does a decent number of repetitions, enough to feel the exercises. The focus here is on the abdominals, or--as Mari says--“stomach,” with some work for the lower body, too. I wish Mari would include a few more stretches (here she only does child’s pose and mermaid) because I often feel tight after doing her videos.
Level: I’d recommend this to someone who practices Pilates at an intermediate level through someone at the intermediate / advanced crossover point. Mari assumes you are familiar with Pilates and have quite a bit of strength and flexibility, so she doesn’t spend time on instruction, form tips, and breathing cues. Some modifications are suggested but not shown. Also, this includes some of the more advanced moves, like the rollover and jackknife, which Mari asks you to perform quickly; if you’ve never done them before, you should seek out practices with more explanation and a slower pace. I consider myself almost a solid intermediate; I have about three years of Pilates experience but am still working on improving my flexibility and strength. This workout was a bit much for me when I was a lower intermediate, but now it’s doable, if still quite challenging.
Class: 2 women perform all of the exercises while Mari walks around.
Music: upbeat, with a beat, but otherwise forgettable and played quietly.
Set: interior space with hardwood floors and muted lighting. The space itself seems confused, as if it’s a courtyard that never made it outside. (There’s a small jungle’s worth of plants in the one corner, and the other side wall has windows with purple lights behind and fake gray stairs in front.)
Production: good picture and sound, helpful camera angles.
Equipment: mat (or equivalent). All exercisers are barefoot.
Space Requirements: enough to lie down with arms and legs extended, with enough space to each side to sweep the limbs around.
DVD Notes: The DVD is chaptered into four segments: Mari Winsor’s Intro, Advanced Body Slimming Workout, Advanced Body Slimming Description (same as the back of the DVD case), and Video Catalogue. There are no chapters within the workout itself. FYI, this comes in the slightly smaller and thinner cardboard case.
Conclusion: This is the only Winsor Pilates video I’ve kept because it moves quickly through a basic matwork routine in 20 minutes, which is a great length for a Pilates video. (Surprisingly, there are few videos with so many of the traditional matwork moves in the traditional order, more or less, that take only 20 minutes.) Also, I’ve kept this particular Winsor video because I can tolerate Mari here.
Instructor Comments: As mentioned, Mari focuses on cueing the moves rather than instructing form; her cues are concise and to the point. She has toned down her on screen persona here, and I find she doesn’t bother me in this video. Her voice doesn’t seem as shrill as on other videos I’ve tried, and she doesn’t snap a lot (two reasons I generally don’t click with her).
KathAL79
03/16/2006
Wow--this is an intense 19-minute Pilates routine! Mari starts with the traditional sequence of the hundred-the rollup-the rollover, moving through the repetitions quickly and with little pause between the exercises. After rolling like a ball and single leg circles, Mari lead you right into the series of five, upping the intensity by adding a second set of faster repetitions to each exercise. Other exercises included in this workout are leg kicks, back stretch, child's pose, the neck pull, the jackknife, the swan, several teaser variations, heel beats, and the side kick series. You'll end with a few additional side kick exercises performed on the knees (tough!) and finally the seal. I know that I'll use this video frequently whenever I am looking for a quick, intense Pilates workout at a high intermediate level.
Instructor Comments: As always, Mari leads others through the routine rather than performing the moves herself; here she works with the same two women from her Upper Body Sculpting video. Given the up-tempo pace of many of the exercises in this practice, Mari comes across as even more of a drill sergeant than usual. The fast pace also means that there is little instruction, but Mari does offer form pointers here and there.
Beth C (aka toaster)
05/06/2005
A bit about me. I am intermediate/advanced in pilates (home videos, never been to a class), have been working out for about 8 months now. Love pilates, yoga and walking workouts.
This a very quick moving workout. I loved it! I've always loved her Accelerated Body Sculpting video, but found it was too long and there was too much time between exercises.
This video is exactly what I was looking for. It has all the exercises that you know work and she just gets it done. A great time crunched workout!!
Not recommended for those new to pilates. This is definitely for people who know pilates positions and just want to get to "the nitty gritty" and get it done! Highly recommend for intermediate/advanced!
Instructor Comments: She is quick and to the point. She doesn't chatter at all. She instructs others, does not do the routine. Some people don't like her, but I think she's great.
Krista
04/18/2005
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Post by Karla on Dec 21, 2023 23:40:42 GMT
21 Day Fix Extreme: Pilates Fix Extreme Autumn Calabrese Year Released: 2015
This is a 33 minute total body pilates routine. Autumn works out in a gym set with a group of background exercisers, one providing some easier modifications. You will need exercise tubing for all the exercises in this workout. Each exercise is performed for one minute each.
After a warm up, exercises include: supine band scissors, roll backs, the hundred holding the band, circle teaser, single leg extension & knee pull, crunches, v drops, v hold & side tap outs, v press outs, side lying leg raises, bird dogs, fire hydrant, donkey series, superman, swan, camel with front raise, and a cool down.
I rate this a high intermediate routine. This is a core heavy routine that also hits the lower body. I love the use of the band to really up the intensity of the workout. Autumn provides great cuing and motivation. I received this DVD to review.
lindseylu8
09/02/2015
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Post by Karla on Dec 21, 2023 23:42:40 GMT
All the Right Moves Grace Lazenby Year Released: 2001
This fusion of Yoga / Pilates / Ballet exercise has been reviewed several times - just adding my impressions after doing it for the first time. Equipment needed: yoga mat, light hand weights, a ball to squeeze between the legs (used my YBB Squishy Ball), and a body bar or chair (used a Mr. Clean Magic Reach minus cleansing pad, LOL! - worked great - better than it does on the bathroom).
I found ATRM to have pros and cons. Upon a brief review, it turned me off and I regretted purchasing it. The testimonials segment at the beginning seems like a mini infomercial - hello? I bought the thing already? You cannot jump ahead, but fortunately you can bypass that chapter from the main menu. That said, here are the pros and cons:
The Cons: The music ranges from tolerable to awful. At times the techno backbeat helps with the higher rep exercises; at others it distracts from and ruins what would have been a great section. The wonderful stretch at the end is marred by a horrid repetitive organ note. Maybe it was intended to assist with deep breathing; unfortunately it sounds like a church mouse snoring on an organ key.
I had a curious reaction to Grace, herself. It was a "I love her" / "Boy she can be annoying" experience. I must have reached some sort of endorphin surge by the time the second leg series was flowing because I had a profound urge to take her out for a milkshake and grilled cheese. Grace seems to have been existing on espresso or travel mugs of straight-up black coffee. Soon my own craving for a strawberry malted developed, and by the time the leg work was done, I wanted to squirt her with a seltzer hose because she had killed my behind and left me a wrung out mess on the mat.
The Pros: The workout itself. Grace has developed a program that for me, anyway, has a perfect flow - varied, quick enough to raise the heart rate but not overly fast. She seemed to be reading my mind. Just when I couldn't stand one more rep or series, it would switch to something different. I enjoyed the Sun Salutations, for example, but got winded and was sweating, thighs not capable of taking one more deep lunging Warrior variation, when it eased into the next chapter of Pilates mat work. (Did I say "eased?" ~ "Deep intra-muscular hammering of another body part" is more like it.)
Mind-reading again - the pretzels/side lying leg work series fried me, and just as I was thinking, "I'm stopping the DVD to do a nice long Pigeon," Grace has you go into Scissor Dog, raising the worked leg high up behind you, then drop down into a deep Pigeon. Here the wonderful chaptering of this DVD comes into play - you can stay in Pigeon as long as you desire because the second side series is its own chapter.
Other Pros: The time flew. At the end, Grace asks you to check how you feel in forward bend compared to the beginning - sure enough, I was way flexible, my cranky back was happy, and my butt cheeks were singing in tune to the thrumming church mouse on his organ keyboard.
The chaptering is well executed. I felt wonderfully erect and walked regally for the rest of the day. ATRM promotes deep and cleansing breathing, and between that and the full body approach of the workout, I felt oxygenated on a cellular level. The ending stretch segment is wonderful - if only there were a music-off option it would be perfect. Finally, I was able to perform this WO within my limitations (wrists, back) and come out of it feeling better than going in.
Bottom line: the benefits outweight the annoyances, glad I purchased it and even wish Grace would produce another (with better soundtrack). I have Angles, Lines & Curves I - ATRM is way better, in my opinion. Instructor Comments: Has some mildly annoying quirks like repeating "uh-huh" and getting breathy and quiet, but this woman knows her stuff so well I can overlook it.
Pat58
02/19/2006
In ALL THE RIGHT MOVES, instructor Grace Lazenby does a nice job of blending traditional sculpting with other methods, mainly yoga but also a bit of pilates and ballet-type conditioning. Her warm up begins with a focus on breathing and incorporates simple sun salutation moves from yoga. (Note: Grace does not use very good form for the yoga poses, thus some prior familiarity with proper form is helpful, although not necessary.)
Following the warm-up, Grace moves on to standing toning exercises. She uses a body bar for balance (a chair can be substituted), and the moves are similar to what you would do with a ballet barre--fans of Callanetics and/or the Lotte Berk Method will see some similarities here. Grace also uses a weighted ball between her legs; I didn't have one, but I found that the exercises were tough enough without the ball! She performs several sets of each exercise, thoroughly fatiguing the muscles. After these moves, Grace returns to the mat for a yoga warrior series which incorporates many down dog poses.
The workout then moves to the floor, beginning with some light weight work for the chest and shoulders. This is only a short section of the video; the overall focus of this workout is definitely on the lower body. The abs section comes next, and here's where the Pilates moves are woven in: Grace starts with the hundred and also does a variation on the roll up using a dumbell. This abs work was a bit of a disappointment to me, as I didn't feel like my abs got a thorough workout doing the few exercises here.
The remaining floor work which follows focuses on the thighs and glutes, and I found it somewhat similar to Karen Voight's Total Body Toning (minus the fitness ring). The moves are simple to execute, yet the many repetitions make them TOUGH to do--just when you think you must be done, Grace throws in another set. Finally, the tape ends with a "warm down" section which provides a nice stretch.
I enjoyed this video; I found the transitions from one method to the next to be smooth and flowing, and the varied workout held my interest. If you are looking for a workout that includes a blend of styles and really challenges the lower body while also being fun, check out this tape!
Instructor Comments: Grace is a good instructor--encouraging without being overly chatty--although mirrored cuing and proper form would have made this tape even better.
Beth C (aka toaster)
12/15/2003
All the Right Moves with Grace Lazenby
This does indeed seem to be a love-or-hate it workout at VF, and there was an interesting thread a while back as to whether the workout "flowed" well. Since the aim of the the tape is to put together elements of yoga, pilates, and dance work into one workout, there is indeed the possiblity of a harmonious and complementary blend of these elements - or an unhappy and awkward one.
But, I'm in the "love it" camp. I must say that even when I did it the first time it did flow for me, at least after the standing leg segments were over. I agree, the first few segments seemed awkward, alternating the sun salutations with the standing leg work. And I do agree, her instruction is not very detailed - she seems to suppose (perhaps correctly) that you've learned your sun salutations elsewhere. So I tended to follow my own breathing rhythmn here and was lucky to find it coincided with hers.
By the time she reached the lunge segment, it really did feel like it started to flow for me. And by the end of the workout, I thought "I love this! I must do it again!"
It actually does have all the right moves for me - all the things I love to hate because they address my flexibility limitations. The lunges, the pigeon, the shin-over-shin at the end. My hips really felt opened up after this tape, and that's what I really need to work on. I also liked the way she did a down-dog/tripod after working one side - I don't know if lactic acid really was flushing out of the glute there, but it sure felt good.
I was put off when I first previewed this tape because I realized it was more of a "compilation" than a fusion...I felt like I could have cobbled this workout together by combining bits of various yoga and pilates tapes I have. After I did this tape, I realized this is actually a good thing - all the bits I really need to do, without all the rewinding and popping tapes in and out, with one instructor.
Some people were irritated by Grace's comments like "beautiful", I didn't notice that as much as the "uh-huh". I *guess* it's like she's reassuring her students that they're doing it correctly, but it just sounded like a Barry White-ism to me (I love you baaaaby...uh-HUH).
All in all, if you can get past the gushy intro where Grace's students sit on the floor and praise the workout (including one guy who says he's tried Pie-laytes before, and looks like he's hoping to be the next Hugh Grant), and you don't mind the grindingly repetitive music, and have had enough experience with other yoga and pilates to have learned something about form, I find this is a thorough and enjoyable workout. Instructor Comments: Grace has a competent, no-nonsense style and cues her workout well. However it would have been nice to see a little more warmth and some rapport with her class (I mean, during the workout, not the introductory rap session)
Sophie
01/27/2002
There was a thread on VF recently where someone commented that Vfers fall into two distinct camps with this tape: those who love it and those who intensely dislike it. I fall into the last camp. I did the tape two times and found the beginning yoga sequences interminably borng. I don't have an extensive yoga background but have done and enjoyed Bryan Kest's Energize and Tone, Yoga For Athletes and several others as well. I just didn't feel worked out after finishing this video. For some reason I cannot "mesh" with Grace. I had the same reaction to her in her Step 2 It tape. I'm sure she's a very nice person, but we all have some instructors who click with us and those who don't. I didn't like the harsh bright lighting and found it to be unflattering. The music in the stretch another reviewer described as her child blowing on a harmonica was very annoying. It was the same notes repeated over and over and over for what seemed to be several minutes. I did receive an excellent trade for it when I posted it on the exchange. LeslieM
Leslie McGuire
01/26/2002
I was surprised to find only 1 review of this tape, but have seen it praised enough in forums that it could be a potential VF favorite.
When I finaly decided to buy this tape, I wasn't sure what to expect with little known about it. I first previewed it, but posted it immediately on the exchange. It just looked like a alot of yoga with a few strength routines thrown inbetween more yoga. I didn't think that I'd like a tape that didn't have each group of exercises in its own section. Later, when a prospective trade didn't go through, I thought I'd at least try it once. I'm so glad I did!!! This worked out for the best, because I will forever keep this tape. It is so good!
The video begins with some of Grace's students doing alot of gushing about the workout. It is nearly enough to make you vomit, which contributed to my overall first impression. The video is filmed in a large wooden floored room with windows & white curtains. It was very nice, nothing overly cutesy, meaning balls & mats didn't coordinate, they weren't wearning matching outfits.
I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed this workout. I usually hate sun salutations, but this variation I really liked. It wasn't all that long and Grace cued when you were on your last one. I liked that she always meant how many more she said, unlike some instructors. She held downward dog pose alot longer than the other poses. I would have liked to have held upward dog a bit more. Next is some standing leg work, similar to ballet, using a body bar for balance (or you could use a dowel) and a ball. You could substitute a ball with a pillow, the opening notes include. This is the section that made me decide to keep the video. It burned everything in my lower body. After this part is a warrior pose section. I was initially intimidated with some comments about this section before, reading the forum, but I was able to make it through.
There is little upper body work, but I felt my upper back the next day. I suspect that was from holding the downward dog poses. After some light upper body work, there is abwork done Pilates style. Next is floor work--again I felt this part alot. One exercise I recognized from Brand New Butt & More and it was also in Quick Toning Buns of Steel. I could tell I worked my glutes hard when doing the cat pose stretch at the end. The ending stretching was longer than I am normally used to in other videos. I liked it alot.The ending music to the 'warm down' was a bit throbbing which reminded me of my son breathing in the harmonica, but it wasn't as annoying!
I'd rate this tape an A--it would be A+ if she cued to mirror the viewer. I don't like tapes that when they say right, they mean their right and not yours. Oh well, I'll overlook it on this one.
Lorrie
01/18/2002
There is no way I'll ever be able to say enough good things about this workout! It's fantastic! Grace blends yoga, Pilates, and dance conditioning moves together in an hour-long advanced workout. When I'm done with this, I feel amazingly relaxed, energized, and all stretched out. It is a nicely tough workout -- hard enough to get lots of benefit from, but not so hard that I don't want to do it. I did this workout this morning, about 10 hours ago, and I can now feel a strong "tightness" in my inner thighs, and my abs are starting to get that good soreness that means you worked them.
When I previewed this, I thought there might be too much yoga in the first half (I'm not a yoga guru), but I was pleasantly surprised to find out when actually doing it that not only is it not too much, but it feels great. The yoga is sun salutation variations, and some of the poses require a good deal of strength and flexibility. After I get into it, I start feeling like "Wow, this is just what my body needed."
There is some standing inner and outer thigh work, but not your typical exercises. It looked easy previewing it, but it's much harder when you do it! The fact that my inner thighs still get sore after doing it tells me that the exercises are doing something for me.
Then there is ab work and lying-down leg work. The ab work is hard -- it's Pilates-style. She keeps you moving and doesn't stop to teach anything (so this is not for beginners). Although she doesn't do a whole bunch of reps, the fact that you go through them pretty quickly makes it tough.
Finally, there's a nice stretch at the end. I am always surprised by how much deeper I can stretch when this part rolls around. I'm not sure why, but I like it!
I give this an A++++ and two thumbs up. If you like the Method tapes, or the Breakthru Core Conditioning, I think you'll LOVE this!
Annie S.
02/04/2001
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