A beginning Pilates and Yoga DVD that claims to contain over 15 different routines. This is one time when a DVD overdelivers — there are more like a couple dozen workouts here, ranging from 10 minutes to a very full hour and 45 minutes.

Those who are new to Pilates and Yoga, limber or not. There are great modifications for exercisers who lack flexibility. These workouts are taught in a very thorough manner, so don't worry if you've never done Pilates before. You will learn quite a lot about it by doing the routines on this DVD. While this DVD may seem slow to those who do know their way around a Pilates and Yoga mat, if you are patient, you will find that practicing these routines on occasion may improve your form. You will, of course, need a mat. You'll also need a chair for some exercises (just an ordinary dining room chair will do), and a pillow or a folded up blanket.

In this very user-friendly series of workouts, Maggie Rhoades teaches you proper Pilates form right from the very start. There are basic routines, in which she starts you off slowly, going over each move so that you learn the precise form and correct breathing. Beginner's routines pick up the pace just a notch. For both you are given lots of props and modifications that make the workouts doable for just about anyone. In addition to the Pilates routines, Rhoades also offers a series of Yoga routines that beginners will appreciate. These workouts vary in both length and focus. You'll find shorter segments (10–20 minutes) for abs, legs or back; longer half-hour segments are fuller routines. There are even a couple of longer routines where Yoga and Pilates are combined; one workout is 75 minutes long, and another is an hour and 45 minutes! Just because the moves in these routines are done in modified version, don't think they are all that easy — to do them properly takes concentration and to deepen the poses, even when modified, you will need practice. The best part about this DVD is that you will learn these poses right. That way, when you want to graduate to more advanced DVDs, you will have a good foundation. In fact, you may find some of the other Pilates workouts out there lacking in quality after using this one for a while, so don't be too quick to venture elsewhere — there are enough workouts here to keep you busy for quite a while.

 

 

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