Product Details

• Actors: Peter Fiasca, Alycea Ungaro
• Directors: Colin Webb
• Format: Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: All Regions
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Bayview Entertainment/Widowmaker
• DVD Release Date: April 2, 2006
• Run Time: 75 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000F7MG3M
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #84,199 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

From the Actor

PETER FIASCA, Founder of Classical Pilates Inc., is from Southern California and began the Pilates method in 1988. He continued training with 1st generation master instructor Romana Kryzanowska and was certified by Romana in 1998. Over the years, Peter has continued to study with 1st generation master 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 four DVD titles, Peter is a guest instructor at Pilates training centers all around the U.S. and internationally. Peter demonstrated Pilates, and was a guest co-host on QVC from 1997-2002. In 2001, Peter was featured, with two other instructors, on a Pilates mat video with Romana Kryzanowska. During the 1980s & 1990s Peter earned two masters degrees as well as a Ph.D. degree in psychology, working at well respected health centers in New York City and Philadelphia area.

ALYCEA UNGARO, Narrator, is the owner of Real Pilates™, and the author of several best-selling Pilates titles including Portable Pilates™, Pilates: Body in Motion and The Pilates Promise. Alycea has personally trained many celebrities including Madonna, Uma Thurman, and Christy Turlington with whom she has also collaborated on a Pilates Bootie for Puma™. Alycea presents seminars and workshops nationally and also serves on the advisory board of Fitness Magazine. Alycea is a featured personality on iamplify.com where you can download her signature workouts to your desktop or iPod.

Product Description

Classical Pilates Inc., producer of the industry's most popular DVD reference collection of the historically accurate technique and syllabus, preserves another essential dimension of Joseph Pilates' original method. We demonstrate a progression of safe and educational workouts for the entire mind and body that are uplifting for the spirit. Each workout level attends to the most common stress-related concerns in today's society: neck and back complaints.

This DVD contains a full Pre-Pilates section, as well as three complete Classical Pilates modified mat levels to help facilitate safety and stability of the neck and back while you enjoy your refreshing workouts. Another goal of this program is to help you safely increase strength, stamina, coordination and flexibility for the entire body.

All workouts demonstrate the purely classical forms of Joseph Pilates' original method, and are performed in real time with flowing movement, technical clarity and rhythm. As each exercise is presented, the name and number of repetitions are shown on screen.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pilates for the rest of us, May 3, 2006

By 

Tom C. Floyd "Tom Floyd" (Austin, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Classical Pilates Technique with consideration of the NECK & BACK (DVD)

The Classical Pilates Technique series of DVDs has long served me as an important adjunct to my knowledge and skill in Pilates. As a Pilates practitioner, trainer, and studio owner, these DVDs have been indispensable as both a review of correct technique and as an inspiration of the technique performed as an art form.

The latest release, "Classical Pilates Technique with consideration of the Neck and Back," continues all the strengths of the original titles, but surpasses their technical quality and aesthetic interest. It is expertly shot with a beautiful background. Like the other Classical Pilates Technique titles, this DVD presents all workouts in real time, with voice-over commentary provided by best-selling Pilates author Alycea Ungaro, P.T. and Megan Rich, P.T. The commentary is precise, thorough, and easy to understand.

This DVD contains three full Classical Pilates mat workouts that focus on the stability of the neck and back. For those individuals who are unable to safely exercise within the Classical Pilates system, the DVD also contains a full pre-Pilates section aimed at facilitating the movement of the spine in a full and comfortable symptom-free range of motion, as well as bringing awareness to posture, alignment, and correct usage of the abdominal muscles.

As a previous reviewer suggested, this DVD is also helpful to people without neck or back issues. For an older person or someone who hasn't exercised in a while, this DVD provides a very thorough and safe introduction to Pilates.

There is a presence within the Pilates Community that believes the Classical method of Pilates is bad for the neck and back. This DVD should dispel that myth, as it demonstrates that most beginning and intermediate mat exercises can be modified within the Classical system to accommodate anyone.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All this and more!, August 20, 2006

By 

Janet Knori (Eugene, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Classical Pilates Technique with consideration of the NECK & BACK (DVD)

If you have been thinking of buying a Pilates video but are a little bit scared by the reputation for toughness and difficulty getting into it, this is THE one for you! And for me, too. I bought this, the regular Classical Pilates Mat Workout, and the Magic Circle Mat Workout. All three have multiple levels of workout given, but the other two go at a much faster pace, and you really need to know more before you can be comfortable with them.
This video starts with wonderful pre-Pilates work that is very easy to follow, and which you can do by itself if, like me, you sometimes overstrain your back. The people doing the demonstrations are great. I especially appreciate that the man in the Basic Workout is not a buff hunk, but looks like a normal, not-terribly fit human being. (He may BE in wonderful condition, but he does not look so intimidating)
You could think of this as just for beginners, but you may end up using it as your central all-round workout!
Can't recommend it highly enough!

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An indepth study of using the Pilates Method in it's most rehabilitative form, August 6, 2006

By 

Maureen "MKM" (Phila., Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Classical Pilates Technique with consideration of the NECK & BACK (DVD)

Classical Pilates DVD for the Neck and Back is an in depth study of how to use the Pilates method in it's most rehabilitative form. This valuable DVD demonstrates the fundamental movements and exercises with clear, slow, gentle and precise instruction.
The viewer learns how to safely start step by step to introduce movement and release the stress and tension in the body.

I began learning Pilates because of a back injury and more recently have benefited from my regular practice as I recover from a neck injury. I have been free from back problems and pain due to my having been taught the method as presented on this DVD. I am now finding the same relief and rehabilitation for my neck as I use this valuable DVD to continue my workouts.

In this DVD you will learn how to un-stress the muscles that have overprotected the injured areas by doing exercises the re-align posture, increase abdominal strength, flexibility and range of motion. This DVD guides you through careful movements by the use of modifications to give you a gage to do the exercises at the level your body can safely and comfortably handle and then move to the next level of exercises when you are ready.

As recommended on the DVD consult with your Doctor before starting.

Basic Mat - this workout you use modified positions to increase spinal movement. A pillow helps eliminate the tendency to hold tension in the neck. You can easily follow
the slow precise movements and the amount of exercise sets that recommended.

Intermediate Mat - the focus is on the neck using modifications with the aid of a pillow to give support while you learn to slowly and progressively increase movement. It also
shows you how to gain strength in the neck without straining or overworking it. You can do the exercises at your own pace and level.

Modified Intermediate Mat - teaches how to stabilize the pelvis and spine for good abdominal support and strength and how to do transitions correctly and slowly as you move from exercise to exercise. Correctly done transitions protect you from sudden unnecessary movements that can strain the body.

This DVD is beneficial for recovering from a number of injuries and you can adjust the exercise to benefit your individual situation. With practice your whole body will be strengthen and in optimal condition to support the body in healing the individual injured parts. Any changing or watering down of the Pilates method renders it ineffective so I recommend carefully following this DVD which teaches the original method.
I highly recommend this DVD for recovery and maintaining good physical health.