Product Details

• Format: Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Peter Pan
• VHS Release Date: September 12, 2002
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00006AULZ
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #448,974 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Instructor Lisa Wheeler takes viewers through a blend of yoga's sun salutations, ballet's plié and relevé, and Pilates's seal and scissors--with a dash of kickboxing--in the first of these two 20-minute sets. Pilates purists will no doubt object, but for those looking to strengthen their balance and work on their abs, Wheeler's routine get the job done. In the second routine Jennifer Kries employs more true Pilates moves: roll-ups, leg circles, criss-cross, spinal stretches, and the 100 (though her brief version could be better characterized as the 10!). Both series feature brief warm-ups and cool-downs. The live drumbeat accompaniment is less intrusive than in other New Method offerings, making this a good way for exercisers of any age to start or end the day. --Kimberly Heinrichs

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Great New Method Program!, July 23, 2006

By 

CPTScott - See all my reviews

This review is from: The New Method 20/20 - Perfect Pilates (DVD)

I have become a big fan of the New Method programs over the past few months. For almost 10 years I've done Yoga daily and for about the past year have added Pilates before doing my Yoga practice. I have a very large collection of Yoga programs (over 100) and a growing number of Pilates and "Pilates based" programs. I would consider these New Method 20/20 programs to be "Pilates based" rather than strict Pilates.

I really enjoy doing practices which are a mixture of Yoga and Pilates and the New Method Programs answer this need and then some. The "then some" is the fact that the New Method programs integrate other types of movements besides Pilates and Yoga. Many add Ballet type exercises which are excellent for coordination and balance and in this particular program one of the sequences adds some kickboxing type moves, though done in a slower controlled fashion.

The first program on Perfect Pilates is led by Lisa Wheeler and is actually more Yoga movements than Pilates plus it has some of those kick boxing moves I had mentioned. I have her on other New Method programs and really enjoy her as a teacher, she explains clearly and demonstrates beautifully. She also has an upbeat personality but isn't overly perky.

The second program led by Jennifer Kries is definitely more Pilates oriented but there is a lot of Yoga in it as well. It has a real intense abdominal focus (particularly in the last two segments) which I found really targeted that area. Jennifer Kries is an amazing teacher and an inspiration to work with!

Both programs are in a class setting and there is one student designated to show the exercises in a more modified form. The set is a studio setting but is not sterile by any means. I believe all the New Method programs come from a Television show so the set is always consistent. There is live drumming in the background which helps to establish the rhythm of the exercises.

If you're looking for traditional Pilates then this program won't be what you're looking for, there are many excellent programs by Jennifer Kries, Hilary Burnett, Ana Caban, Moira Stott and others that focus on that more "classical Pilates" approach. But if you like the fusion of Pilates, Yoga, Dance and other elements in short (20 minute) practices then I think you'll find these practices to be enjoyable and effective.

Highly recommended!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 20/20 Method Series, December 16, 2006

By 

Maya Elena "Maya Elena" (Chicago, Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The New Method 20/20 - Perfect Pilates (DVD)

After constantly hearing about how the rich and famous are getting and staying in shape with Pilates I decided to check out a few tapes at my local library. Amongst the tapes I checked out was one from the 20/20 Method Series. I liked it so well that I have go on to purchase almost all of the tapes in the series. After doing aerobics and cardio exercises for years I was conviced Pilates could do nothing for a person. Was I wrong! Not only have I lost inches and shaped up my body, I have tons more energy and my asthma has done a complete turnaround. Whether it's Lisa Wheeler or another of the instructors, they are all easy to follow and do not lose you in quick or complicated moves.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice Stretching Intro To Pilates and Yoga, February 16, 2004

By 

Paul Horan II "Happy in Honeoye" (Honeoye, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: New Method 20/20: Perfect Pilates [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I am Maureen, a 40 year old woman who has been pretty sedentary although never overweight. This tape is perfect for me to start stretching out those shrinking muscles of mine and work towards strength and flexiblity. Very nice pace and nice drum music. Though they switch quickly from floor excercises to standing excercises so you have to be ready with a blanket or mat to roll out quickly on the floor. One tip...when I first started, the excercises seemed so easy I thought "wow, I'm a natural" then after about a week I decided to put a mirror out to watch my form and the excercises got much harder. I was "breaking in the mid section" over and over on almost every excercise. Once you dicipline yourself with the mirror not to break in the mid section while doing the movements, they aren't so simple any more. And on the floor excercises like the scissors, I was really bending my knees badly, Once I used the mirror and learned to keep the knees straight, I got A LOT more out of the excercises. My stomach muscles are developing definition in only about a month. I really like it. I do the 1st workout one day and the 2nd workout the next day which keeps me from getting bored. In 4 months or so I hope to be able to go through both workouts, in correct form without tiring. Here's to your health!