Customer Reviews

Hilary Burnett's MIND BODY MAT - Exercises in the tradition of J. Pilates [VHS]

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is a wonderful video. When I started doing "Mind Body Mat". I was not sure I could do it, as I had gotten really out of shape and not exercised for a long time. I have been doing the exercises for 6 months now. I am stronger and making progress every single day.The most amazing thing to me is I have stayed with it. Each time you do the exercises you find something new- so it does not get boring.My posture is improving, my strength is improving and I find I look forward to doing this exercise.I have started swimming again, and I notice that the muscle awareness I have gained doing Pilates has improved my strokes and my endurance. Since I started this exercise I have lost 23 pounds! Hilary gives very clear concise directions for each exercise so it is easy to follow.

I've been using this tape for over a year and believe that I will continue for the rest of my life. Hilary and the exercises she takes you through, provide an endless opportunity to improve muscle strength, flexibility and body awareness. I find myself bored with most tapes after a few viewings. Not this one. I learn something new everytime I do these exercises. I'm taller - I'm stronger - I'm leaner. I love this tape and these exercises!

I workout regularly (running, interspersed with soccer, some yoga and tennis) -- attempting to fill my schedule with one of those exercises 4-5 days a week. After a lot of rave from friends who are taking pilates classes, I thought I would introduce myself to it through a tape (as opposed to the cost of 10 mat classes in a studio). Admittedly, I didn't think the tape was seemingly too difficult while "doing" the excercises (with the exception of my undeniably weak, tremoring stomach muscles). After doing Hillary's workout, I did built up a sweat and was surprisingly VERY sore the next day (not the typical "two days" after as what I would be accustomed to with something challenging) - prooving to me that this was an area that I've long needed to work on (and Pilates just may be the long-awaited challenge I've needed that's been missing from my workouts). Pilates is a regimine I want to continue to tone, define and lengthen my abs and torso - I highly recommend Hillary's tape as an introduction - and I have a feeling it's one that I'll stick with even as I get further developed in the art of Pilates -- it's that good. She consciously forces you (in a serene way) to spend the time to concentrate on your breathing and focus -- very relaxing yet influential in her manner and tone.

I exercise regularly and part of my routine is the use of fitness videos. I own several Yoga videos so I beleive I have a good basis of comparison. This video was awful and expensive too (compared to the Yoga Journal series). Hilary's queing was OK for the first mat work section although it was difficult to know when to inhale and exhale. You are well into the video before Hilary mentions that you will need a towel, weight and bar. They should put that in the video description. The worst part was the "Power Stretch" where the was NO queing at all. How can you follow along!? It was great if you want to watch her dance. I wanted a video I could work along with.

This video is designed to gradually build up your stamina, flexibility, and energy level. It offers noticeable results in a matter of weeks. A wonderful tool for those who can't as easily break away and get a work out at the gym.

This video is a perfect complement to the aerobic exercises I have been doing. It challenges you to a higher level of awareness of your body as you stretch, strengthen and tone your muscles. Hilary's movements are very fluid, especially in the power stretch section, and I found her manner instructive, encouraging and even soothing! This is one I will use to round out my exercise diet. The length is just right for starting out your day, or to help you unwind at the end of a long one. I highly recommend it.

This disapointing video was not the introduction to the Pilates experience I had hoped for. The production quality is poor (filmed in the author's living room)and the number of exercises showcased is scant at best. Even the few movements we see are not shot well and the author's instructions are occasionally unintelligible because she brushes against her clip-on mic. Definately not worth your time and especially your money.

Good video for introduction to Pilates. Focus on ab muscles great and you begin to feel it the next day. A few of the movements could be a little more detailed, but overall very well explained. You don't need additional equipment to do these exercises - but a mat is very helpful.

I found this video to be a great disappiontment. Like a B rated movie. The audio is poor and the material is only fair. I think it will sell because it has the word "Pilates" in the title. It appears the instructor is a beginner herself. She seems exhausted or strained while doing curtain exercises and her form is off. I think Karen Vioght, The Method videos and the videos from The Pilates Studio would be a much better chioce for anyone truly interested in The Pilates Method.

I have taken Pilates for slightly over a year. I was fortunate to meet Hillary at our club in Washington and engage in group instruction with her. When I am not able to make it to class I use her 'Mind, Body,Mat' video. The Pilates way has helped to curb my ongoing back pain and make me feel stronger, more flexible and more in tune with my body. I have actually grown an inch since I began taking Pilates! I highly recommend Hillary's video to anyone at any age...