Product Description

Classical Pilates technique videos feature two of the most renowned Pilates professionals in the world, master instructor Bob Liekens and commentator Alycea Ungaro, who uphold the tradition and high ideals of Joseph Pilates original New York City Studio, which began during the 1920s. The virtue of this DVD is that it demonstrates the full-range of workout levels, far beyond intermediate, and even beyond the advanced level. The Reformer super advanced workout shown here is one for the history books; it is totally inspiring. Winner of the COMMUNICATOR AWARDS- 2003 AWARD OF DISTINCTION As a winner of this award Classical Pilates Inc. joins an exclusive list of video professionals who are recognized as the best within the industry.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11403 in DVD
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 2
• Running time: 180 minutes

From the Actor
Classical Pilates technique videos feature two of the most renowned Pilates professionals in the world, master instructor Bob Liekens and commentator Alycea Ungaro, who uphold the tradition and high ideals of Joseph Pilates’ original New York City Studio, which began during the 1920s.

BOB LIEKENS, Artistic Director & Master Instructor, is from Belgium. In 1983, he traveled to NYC to further explore his dance career and started Pilates training at the original studio. He initially pursued studies at the Graham Center for Contemporary Dance; he became one of the first certified teachers in the technique in 1991 and taught at the school for two years. Romana Kryzanowska invited him to teach the Pilates method in 1986, and he has been teaching under her inspiration ever since. He was instrumental in building her Teacher Trainer Certification Program, co-created the Training Manual, and originated the current exam system. Bob is internationally recognized as one of the most renowned leaders of our profession, and conducts instructor training seminars, as well as continuing education programs. In the fall of 2000, he joined the team of the Power Pilates Studio in NYC.

ALYCEA UNGARO, Commentator, is a licensed physical therapist, as well as founder and director of Real Pilates @ Tribeca Bodyworks, New York's largest Pilates center. Alycea began studying Pilates at the age of 14 while attending New York City Ballet's prestigious School of American Ballet. She became a certified Pilates instructor under the tutelage of master instructor Romana Kryzanowska. In 1995 Alycea established Tribeca Bodyworks, a studio dedicated to teaching the classic techniques developed by Joseph Pilates. Here she has personally trained Madonna, Uma Thurman, Matthew Modine, and many others. Alycea is the author of two books, Portable Pilates (2000) and Pilates Body in Motion (2002). She currently lives in New York City with her husband and two daughters.

About the Actor
PETER FIASCA, founder of Classical Pilates Inc., is from Southern California and began the Pilates method during 1988 in New York City. He continued training with 1st generation master Pilates instructor Romana Kryzanowska and was certified by Romana in 1998. Over the years, Peter has continued to study with 1st generation master Pilates teachers Jay Grimes and Kathy Grant, as well as other notable instructors in the field. In addition to producing the well respected award-winning Classical Pilates Technique series of six DVD titles, Peter is a guest Pilates instructor at training centers all around the U.S. and internationally. Peter demonstrated Pilates, and periodically was a guest co-host on QVC cable television from 1997-2002. In 2001 Peter demonstrated a Pilates Mat workout taught by Romana Kryzanowska on her first commercial DVD project. During the 1980s & 1990s Peter earned two masters degrees as well as a Ph.D. degree in psychology, and worked at well respected health centers in New York City and the Philadelphia area until 2001. Since then Peter has devoted his full attention to helping preserve Mr. Pilates' original method of body conditioning.

Customer Reviews

If You're New or Experienced.....
I started taking lessons at a good Pilates studio not too long ago. The teachers suggested this 2-DVD set because it showed how to exercise on the "Universal Reformer" that Joseph Pilates made. It blew me away! Wow! If you are into Pilates you will not believe how extensive and (okay I'll say it: wild!) the exercises really are. If you're beginning Pilates there is a modified basic routine that's very instructive. Then these people show a full basic routine. Then intermediate. Then advanced. Then beyond advanced and many historical exercises. This video helped me see and feel how to practice Pilates. My lessons are better and my teachers are happier I'm making faster progress. If you have not tried Pilates, get this video and find a teacher right away!

For All Students & Teachers
I've studied the Pilates method for a few years, and became certified through the Stott training program. After going to a couple of Pilates conventions, where people from different schools attend, someone suggested that I buy this Classical Pilates video. I had heard of the classical style or classical approach, but I didn't know much about it. Stott Pilates is good, but we learn different exercises and different movement speeds compared to this video.

This Reformer video opened my eyes, and my mind, about the classical approach to Pilates. The exercises are precise and they flow energetically from one to another without interruption. The practitioners execute their routines with wonderful movement qualities. After seeing this video, I wanted to learn more. So I decided to study with someone who trained in this tradition. The experience has been great!

I'm thankful that I found this video. It has enlightened me about the Pilates method, and I use the master teacher's verbal cues to improve my workouts.

Wonderful Range of Workouts
There are only a few Reformer videos available. I've seen the Stott video and I prefer this video because it shows basic, intermediate, advanced, super advanced and archival levels. I appreciate this video is 3 hours long. In this video you have your own encyclopedia of traditional workouts the way Joseph Pilates made them. This is strict East Coast Pilates. And this is the only real method. There are people think it's too fast. I say, NO WAY! I enjoy the energy really moving, instead of just contemplating your way through a workout. You can't go wrong with this top notch video.