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Pilates - Beginning Mat Workout
Pilates - Beginning Mat Workout

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Actor: Ana Caban
Studio: Gaiam / Living Arts
Discount Category: DVD

Selling Price: $14.98
Buy Used: $5.75
Potential Savings: $9.23 (62%)



New (39) Used (21) from $5.75

Customer Ratings: 4.0 out of 5 stars 264 comments

Format: Color, Dvd-video, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), Spanish (Published)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Running Time: 60 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (pounds): 0.2
Dimensions (inch): 7.4 x 5.3 x 0.6

MPN: GTED1201259D
ISBN: 1930814097
UPC: 029956313408
EAN: 9781930814097

Theatrical Release Date: 2000
Release Date: July 20, 2001
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: From my personal library. Cover looks bad but CD is new.

Related Items:

  • Pilates Intermediate Mat Workout
  • Quick Start Pilates for Weight Loss
  • Pilates: Abs Workout
  • Pilates For Beginners
  • 10 Minute Solution: Rapid Results Pilates

Editorial Comments:

Product Description
Studio: Gaiam Americas Release Date: 02/12/2007

Amazon.com
"Remember what Joseph Pilates said," instructor Ana Caban says. "'You will feel better in 10 sessions, look better in 20 sessions, and have a completely new body in 30 sessions.'" Pilates has become very popular and for good reason. By working the core muscles (the abdominal and back muscles in the center of your body) you improve strength and posture and develop a lean, long line.

Certified Pilates instructor Ana Caban is a splendid teacher. First she demonstrates alignment and technique for 10 minutes, explaining the cue words you will hear and how to do the basics, emphasizing how to use the core muscles to strengthen the abdominals and back throughout the workout. Then she introduces a challenging 20-minute series of Pilates moves, instructing clearly, demonstrating beautifully, and continuing to advise you about technique, breathing, and form.

Even though this is a beginning Pilates workout, Pilates is never easy, so these moves will feel extremely difficult if you're new to this kind of exercise. For example, you learn to hold your abs tight whatever move you're doing, and you move only the muscles you're working at the moment, using your stabilizing muscles to hold the rest of the body still (much harder than it sounds!). Another participant demonstrates modifications throughout in case Caban's moves are too difficult or your muscles fatigue. If you've been wanting to explore Pilates and you're willing to put in the effort and concentration, this video gets our top rating. --Joan Price


Customer Comments:   Read 259 more comments...

3 out of 5 stars Great Workout for Beginners!   November 14, 2008
 1 out of 1 found this comment useful.

I bought this tape thinking it would be too easy for me but it turns out that it was a bit of a challenge. If you haven't worked out in a while and aren't that flexible then this tape will give you a bit of a workout. If you are an excersise buff then don't even bother with it. It got mailed to me fast too. I would definitely buy from this vendor again.


5 out of 5 stars Perfect for Beginners   October 15, 2008
 1 out of 1 found this comment useful.

I think Pilates - Beginning Mat Workout is perfect for beginners because you can follow the woman who is on the DVD with Ana and do the exercises at a simpler level. I have never done pilates before, but I was able to follow pretty well, probably not as fast at first. I did not worry too much about doing the exact number of reps that she did. Over time I have seen myself improve and I am able to do some of the things that I couldn't do initially and I can keep up on most exercises. I like the fact that there is room for growth and I can use the same DVD to continue growing. Eventually I will follow Ana. Pilates has improved my posture and my flexibility.


5 out of 5 stars love this work out   October 1, 2008
 1 out of 1 found this comment useful.

First let me admit that I am not in great shape. So besides walking I wanted to try something to help tone my body & try something new. I just love this DVD for those of us that are not in great shape this DVD goes slow enough that you understand the movements and she gives you a modified version if you can't accomplish it how she is doing it. In a month I started off doing mostly modified and now there is only one exercise I can't do normal. This is a great DVD and it is something for those of us that really are beginners.


5 out of 5 stars Excellent DVD   September 18, 2008
 1 out of 1 found this comment useful.

An excellent DVD, Ana is very good at cueing the moves and this is a fvorite of mine and one the pilates DVDs that I have been using consistently since I started with various DVDs this year. If you are new to Pilates this one should be on the list to look at.


4 out of 5 stars Good dvd for a beginner is hard to find   August 27, 2008
 2 out of 2 found this comment useful.

Ana Caban's Beginning Mat workout DVD is clearly divided into three sections: A 10 minute intro, pilates exercises, and an energy boost section. The introduction provides information about what effects pilates has on the body, pilates principles, common terms heard throughout a pilates workout, and what you need in a workout. The energy boost at the end is a 12 minute challenge which begins with some standing exercises. Some of the exercises in this section will give you a taste of the intermediate version.

As an instructor Ana Caban is very personable and encouraging, she consistently says the name of each exercise before it happens (which other videos leave out), and she gives a challenging workout even for intermediate students.

Down Side: With the focus being on keeping her audience moving, she does not incorporate the principles as much as I would like to see in a beginner level video. I would particularly like to see her focus more on the pelvic placement and alignment in each exercise, as it is essential to fully understanding most exercises.

* Pace - The pace is too fast for complete beginners
* Level - High beginner
* Clear breath cuing - Fairly clear breath cuing
* Inclusion of pilates principles - The pilates principles are mentioned in the introduction but not incorporated into the workout as much as I would like to see, especially considering it is a beginner level workout
* Explanation of the goals of an exercise - The goal of each exercise is not always clear.
* What you get out of doing an exercise - Occasionally she mentions changes that you might see in your body.
* Target muscles - The basic amount of muscles used are occasionally mentioned.
* Common errors in specific exercises - Common errors are rarely mentioned - and they are important for a beginning student to know.

So, it's not the best beginner's video, but if you have taken some pilates classes before and are already familiar with the pilates basic principles within your own body, this is a great video to supplement your training at home. Its pace will ensure you finish well refreshed. Once you have mastered the Beginning Mat Workout you can segue to Ana Caban's Intermediate Mat Workout.

Also, if you know anything about pilates, you will find it's not the quanity of reps you do, it is the quality. So you do not need an hour long work out to get results with pilates or 100's of reps!