****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
Given all of the Pilates classes and DVDs out there, I was searching for an introduction that would also provide modified exercises for the neck. (I had broken my neck one year ago, completely atrophying the muscles in my torso and my coordination, posture, and sense of balance were virtually gone.) So I ordered this DVD. What I didn't realize is HOW SERIOUS these people are about Pilates. They are stressing Classical Pilates EXACTLY as Joseph Pilate taught it and there are even half hour long interviews with different Pilates experts about how, and they must have some sort of issue with physical therapy, Pilates and physical therapy can "live" together or if they are too different in terms of focus to NOT be used together. I believe that they decided that the two can be used together in treating the physically-impaired with modified exercises with the goal being able to do the classic and technically true to form exercises.This is a very very long DVD because of the interviews, which you can choose not to watch if you just want to learn very serious formal classic Pilates with great emphasis on technique. There are 3 formal sections:1. Pre-Pilates- absolute beginner teaching on a set of techniques and "exercises" while seated in a chair. The focus is on technically defining and showing, using a once-injured ballerina, when to inhale and exhale and how exactly to move or not move different vertebrae and the cervical bones. It was only about 10 minutes but completely wore me out from the intellectual concentration as well. I look forward to doing it again, however.- the same thing, but on a mat. This takes about 12 minutes.2. Basic mat. Several less challenging, basic exercises (like the 100) done on the mat. Only about 6 minutes long. These exercises do not modify, as far as I could tell, on the neck or back. Yet.3. Intermediate Mat: For the Back. Not sure exactly how long it was, but it blew away the Basic Mat routine. (I'm sure I didn't get the name perfectly right, sorry.) This is an extended routine and modifies the exercises for the back. It runs through several exercises and the instructors use perfect form. It is a bit awe-inspiring to watch their precision. They mention posture and that these exercises help strengthen the neck muscles so that your shoulders are not drawn up by the neck...Intermediate for the Back. In this case, the same or a very similar routine, now modified for the back, is shown. I noticed that the gentleman tucked his chin very tightly into his neck.If you are seriously interested in precision in form, when to inhale and exhale, how to carry out movements, this is the DVD for you. The movements are carried out at a slightly slower pace to explain the details of how to breathe and move, at least in the first few sections.I am sure that this DVD will perfect anyone's posture and do some toning. But it is not the typical workout video at all. It is more academic and focuses on truly classical traditional Pilates.
