Informative and very well-taught, this workout is a great introduction to Pilates.

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Product Description

Studio: Razor Digital Ent Release Date: 11/20/2007

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #42779 in DVD
• Released on: 2007-11-20
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 60 minutes

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Customer Reviews

A decent beginning-level Pilates mat workout
NOTE. The Pilates segments on this DVD appear on previously released Jennifer Kries videos: the main Pilates workout is from Hot Body Cool Mind Level 1, and the bonus Pilates Magic Circle segment is from Hot Body Cool Mind Waking Energy.

The main workout on this DVD is a 34-minute Pilates matwork sequence. Jennifer Kries, who is instructing three background exercisers, starts by providing an overview with basic Pilates principles, including breathing and form--an important feature for those new to Pilates. Following this, Jennifer leads the class through a fairly standard mat practice which mostly follows classical Pilates sequencing, although she adds some stretches, decreases the repetitions, shows modifications, and performs only 3 of the Series of 5 exercises. Overall, this workout is most appropriate for beginners, although Jennifer includes some good form reminders that even more experienced Pilates practitioners may find useful.

Also included on this DVD is a 14-minute bonus Pilates Magic Circle segment: here Jennifer instructs one male and one female background exerciser in a nice little full-body workout using the Pilates circle or ring. The first half is performed in a standing position, first working the upper body with the ring between your hands, then the lower with the ring between your legs. There were some unique variations here that I haven't seen in other Pilates ring workouts. The second half of this workout is a short matwork sequence. Jennifer has her assistants perform abbreviated versions of Pilates exercises, such as the hundred and the rollup, and she includes with a single exercise from the Pilates side kick series. Because the ring makes the moves a little more challenging, the level of this workout was slightly more difficult than the main workout, more of an experienced beginner level.

In summary, if you are looking for a basic beginning Pilates mat workout with plenty of instruction and form pointers, this DVD might fit the bill. However, as mentioned above, keep in mind that the Pilates segments here were previously released on other DVDs, and Jennifer frequently refers to those other workouts.

Beginner Pilates Workout
If you are looking for a workout that makes you feel taller and leaner then Jennifer Kries has a lot to offer. In "New Body Pilates" the Goddess of Pilates guides you through two workouts. While this is for beginners there are still some challenges for intermediates. In the first workout you may recognize these classic exercises:

Roll-Ups
Leg Circles
Rolling like a Ball
Double Leg Stretch
Bridge
Spine Stretch Forward
Side Series
Bent Leg Teaser
Seal

Jennifer Kries' nurturing teaching style keeps you focused while you feel like you are exercising with a personal trainer. Most of the exercises have modifications so you never feel that you have to push your body further than it will let you go.

In the second workout, the creative use of a magic circle (looks like a steering wheel) gives your thighs an excellent workout. When you stand up after this workout you can literally feel the results. Both workouts give you better posture and help you to slim, tone and sculpt your entire body.

~The Rebecca Review

Love Kries Pilates
Have done Jennifer Kries Pilates workouts for years. Started out 10 years ago with the VHS tapes. Over all the workout is VERY tough in the beginning... you will be so sore if not already doing a toning workout. And takes alittle time to get down the pilates and basic ballet toning moves. But Kries is so worth the time to learn and work through sore muscles. I'm never in such good shape if using on weekly basic and if I slide alittle, tone back very quickly. My all time favorite workout is her Pilates,"The Method". With it made in 90's... outfits some what dated! But look past that, the over all workout is still better than most pilates I have found.