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34 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A decent beginning-level Pilates mat workout, October 2, 2007
This review is from: Jennifer Kries: New Body Pilates - Beginners Mat Workout (DVD)
NOTE. The Pilates segments on this DVD appear on previously released Jennifer Kries videos: the main Pilates workout is from Hot Body Cool Mind Level 1, and the bonus Pilates Magic Circle segment is from Hot Body Cool Mind Waking Energy.
The main workout on this DVD is a 34-minute Pilates matwork sequence. Jennifer Kries, who is instructing three background exercisers, starts by providing an overview with basic Pilates principles, including breathing and form--an important feature for those new to Pilates. Following this, Jennifer leads the class through a fairly standard mat practice which mostly follows classical Pilates sequencing, although she adds some stretches, decreases the repetitions, shows modifications, and performs only 3 of the Series of 5 exercises. Overall, this workout is most appropriate for beginners, although Jennifer includes some good form reminders that even more experienced Pilates practitioners may find useful.
Also included on this DVD is a 14-minute bonus Pilates Magic Circle segment: here Jennifer instructs one male and one female background exerciser in a nice little full-body workout using the Pilates circle or ring. The first half is performed in a standing position, first working the upper body with the ring between your hands, then the lower with the ring between your legs. There were some unique variations here that I haven't seen in other Pilates ring workouts. The second half of this workout is a short matwork sequence. Jennifer has her assistants perform abbreviated versions of Pilates exercises, such as the hundred and the rollup, and she includes with a single exercise from the Pilates side kick series. Because the ring makes the moves a little more challenging, the level of this workout was slightly more difficult than the main workout, more of an experienced beginner level.
In summary, if you are looking for a basic beginning Pilates mat workout with plenty of instruction and form pointers, this DVD might fit the bill. However, as mentioned above, keep in mind that the Pilates segments here were previously released on other DVDs, and Jennifer frequently refers to those other workouts.
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16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
New Body! Pilates, thank you!, December 30, 2007
This review is from: Jennifer Kries: New Body Pilates - Beginners Mat Workout (DVD)
Whatever Jennifer is teaching, I want to learn it! Her confidence, her depth of knowledge (of anatomy, energy and Pilates itself), her experience and encouragement shine through every exercise and every explanation. I've never been able to say this about an instructor on a fitness dvd, but it is an honor to call her my teacher. That I trust her so completely has enabled me (right from the start) to begin to trust my own body in a way that I never have before Jennifer Kries: New Body Pilates - Beginners Mat Workout and that has allowed me to make unbelievable progress.
"Class" begins with proper breathing techniques and the fundamentals of Pilates. Jennifer's "students" demonstrate correct (as well as incorrect) poses, advanced beginner as well as basic beginner, and although I am more of an intermediate Pilates practioner, Jennifer's meticulous cueing sometimes "catches" me doing something incorrectly and underscores the importance in Pilates (and everything in life) of getting the fundamentals right. Her manner of teaching is so personal, so natural and assured that although she is teaching by way of a dvd, somehow I feel as if she is speaking directly to me.
You can see by their spontaneous smiles that Jennifer's "students" admire her and are also having fun. Her teaching has the same effect on me! (I think if she could see me she would be genuinely pleased.)
I'm new to the innocent-looking Magic Circle and I can honestly say that it gives me the fastest (10 or so minutes) and most complete upper and lower body workout I've ever experienced. Jennifer calls it a "handy-dandy" tool and considering that I feel as if I am going to die while I am using it, (only kidding!) I believe she is correct.
The New Body! Pilates DVD itself is movie quality. Sometimes I actually find myself watching and listening when I should be doing the Hundred or the Seal. I'm happily going to purchase Jennifer Kries: Hot Body Cool Mind - Level 1 and any other workouts Jennifer Kries has done while I anxiously await her intermediate New Body! Pilates and Level 2. Thank you, Jennifer.
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14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beginner Pilates Workout, January 22, 2008
This review is from: Jennifer Kries: New Body Pilates - Beginners Mat Workout (DVD)
If you are looking for a workout that makes you feel taller and leaner then Jennifer Kries has a lot to offer. In "New Body Pilates" the Goddess of Pilates guides you through two workouts. While this is for beginners there are still some challenges for intermediates. In the first workout you may recognize these classic exercises:
Roll-Ups
Leg Circles
Rolling like a Ball
Double Leg Stretch
Bridge
Spine Stretch Forward
Side Series
Bent Leg Teaser
Seal
Jennifer Kries' nurturing teaching style keeps you focused while you feel like you are exercising with a personal trainer. Most of the exercises have modifications so you never feel that you have to push your body further than it will let you go.
In the second workout, the creative use of a magic circle (looks like a steering wheel) gives your thighs an excellent workout. When you stand up after this workout you can literally feel the results. Both workouts give you better posture and help you to slim, tone and sculpt your entire body.
~The Rebecca Review
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