Product Details

• Actors: Peter Fiasca
• Directors: Peter Fiasca
• Format: Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: All Regions
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Classical Pilates, Inc.
• DVD Release Date: November 19, 2003
• Run Time: 90 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00012FNA4
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #28,865 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

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.

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. Classical Pilates shows good fundamentals of using the magic circle, and then demonstrates a solid beginning workout. After that, they take you into a realm where only the most highly trained classical instructors can demonstrate effectively: a beautiful intermediate level and an advanced level that is superbly executed. As if all of these workouts were not enough, there is also the Reformer Mat workout. This workout is a sight to behold. 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.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

118 of 120 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Thorough, no-nonsense Pilates for experienced practioners, June 21, 2005

By 

Beth Cholette "doctor_beth" (Upstate NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Classical Pilates Technique: Magic Circle Mat Series & Reformer Mat Workout (DVD)

If you are used to Pilates videos along the lines of Denise Austin or Ellen Barrett, this DVD is definitely NOT for you! Classical Pilates Technique provides much more serious, no-nonsense Pilates instruction. In fact, even the individual workouts have more of an instructional feel rather than seeming like actual workout routines, as the voiceover instruction fails to provide adequate cueing for movement changes, breath, etc. Instead, you will be in the middle of one exercise and hear "now another variation is..."; I found myself struggling to keep up with these rapid changes. Similarly, there is no pause between the moves, which would be fine if this was a Pilates mat routine only, but with the ring added, it makes it very difficult to find time to re-position the ring before the next exercise begins.

The DVD starts with a brief introduction to Pilates, which is basically a lying and seated breath practice. You then have four workouts to choose from. The first, Basic, is only 5 minutes long and is more of an introduction to using the ring; 6 basic Pilates matwork exercises are included. The second, Intermediate, is 18 minutes long, and the exercises included are similar to what would be found in most advanced beginners programs. However, the addition of the ring makes the exercises more challenging, and there is also a tough teaser sequence--three Teaser 1's repeated three times--at the end of the workout. At 20 minutes, the advanced version is slightly longer, but it moves even more quickly to include a larger variety of exercises. With a few exceptions (eg, full shoulder bridge, boomerang), most of the exercises included here are what I'm used to seeing in intermediate Pilates programs (rollover, corkscrew, hip circles), but again, using the ring ups both the intensity and the difficulty level. The final workout is called a "Super Advanced" Reformer Mat sequence; the overview stresses that this should ONLY be attempted by very advanced students and teachers, and they also mention that it is the first time that the entire 35-minute reformer sequence has been filmed. I previewed this segment only, and while I'm sure I could do some of the exercises--including the yoga-inspired moves and the arms series with light weights--others were clearly beyond my skill level, and they definitely required the use of a raised Pilates mat rather than a thin multi-purpose yoga/Pilates mat.

There is no music on this video, and each workout features a single participant following the rapid voiceover instruction. For someone who is experienced with Pilates and can follow the fast-paced movements in the intermediate and advanced programs, I think these routines could be highly effective, but for me, the low "fun" factor means I am not likely to use this video again.

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In A Class of Its Own, December 6, 2003

By 

Larry E. (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Classical Pilates Technique: Magic Circle Mat Series & Reformer Mat Workout (DVD)

Since I'm a Pilates fan, I have purchased many DVDs to practice the method. There are a few other videos that show magic circle, but they're way NOT like this DVD.

Classical Pilates shows good fundamentals of using the magic circle, and then they demonstrate a solid beginning workout. After that, they take you into a realm where only the most highly trained classical instructors can demonstrate effectively: a beautiful intermediate level and an advanced level that is superbly executed. As if all of these workouts were not enough, there is something called the Reformer Mat workout. I had never heard of this before. If you go on vacation and don't have your Reformer with you, you can practice all the Reformer exercises on the Mat! This workout is a sight to behold. The woman who performs this workout is so beautiful, strong, and pleasant in her demeanor, that she makes Pilates look like a sheer joy to do!

I have been telling all my friends and family about this DVD because it adds new interesting dimensions to regular Pilates mat exercises. If you get this DVD, you will want to tell your friends!

One last thing: the man that narrates the workouts coaches you with this really cool accent. I don't know where he is from, but his words and voice make me understand the Pilates exercises in ways I never dreamed of before. His voice lulls me into deeper wisdom about the Pilates method every time I listen to the DVD.

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cool Stuff, October 22, 2004

By 

Jay (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Classical Pilates Technique: Magic Circle Mat Series & Reformer Mat Workout (DVD)

I just started Pilates a few monts ago, and was looking for a video that added some new movements. This DVD definitely has them using the magic circle. The magic circle keeps my attention and I have to concentrate even more. Also, I feel the muscles in the "Powerhouse" area work intensely. I think this video is terrific for everyone. Yes, it moves fast, but the people show Pilates authentically. These guys don't mess around, which I like. And the workouts are seriously satisfying.