Product Details

• Format: Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Goldhill Home Media
• VHS Release Date: December 16, 2003
• Run Time: 37 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0000E1WK6
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #581,294 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Joseph Pilates developed a unique fitness system combining aspects of martial arts, gymnastics, yoga and ancient Greek training techniques, focusing on the coordination of the body, mind and spirit. Joseph Pilates, practiced what he called "The Art of Contrology" until his death in 1968, at the age of 88. He left his studio – and his legacy as a trainer, teacher and innovator – to his student and colleague Romana Kryzanowska. Today, the conditioning system bears his name, is one of the most popular and fastest growing fitness methods in the world. Known simply as PILATES, its leading teacher and practitioner is also recognized by only one name, ROMANA. For nearly half a century Romana has traveled around the world, teaching this Authentic Pilates method that she learned directly from "Uncle Joe". Her clients include athletes, dancers and celebrities. Even the most successful Pilates teachers and other fitness experts regularly come to Romana for advanced instruction and certification in the Pilates method. Now, for the first time, Romana has created a video series for home use.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Adequate Not Stellar, February 26, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Romana's Pilates - Introduction to Pilates Matwork (DVD)

I am a certified instructor who studied with Bob Liekens and Romana Kryzanowska during the 1990s. With out a doubt I am fortunate to haved trained with both of these famous Pilates instructors.

When I first heard that Romana was going to be on video, I thought, WOW, this is great! Unfortunately, this video does not live up to the excellent teachings of Romana. It seems like the producer and director didn't have a focued purpose: did they want to create a documentary, or, did they want to creat a mass market Pilates video? It's a little of both, and somehow, this video is neither a documentary nor a mass market video. Watching this video, I wondered if Romana had control.

As I watched the performer demonstrate Pilates, she seemed self-conscious and a little nervous about which exercises were coming next sometimes.

I was hoping to get a first rate documentary, and a good instructional video. Instead, I bought a lackluster mixture.

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still Inspired, June 16, 2004

By 

Daria (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Romana's Pilates - Introduction to Pilates Matwork (DVD)

I'm the granddaughter of Romana Kryzanowska, and I've been surprised by a few of the not so favorable reviews some folks have issued here. I think this video series is great, if you're a beginner and have not had much exposure to the Pilates method, then this is a great way to start the learning process and have something you can follow at home. Because this is Romana's first video series, many individuals with existing Pilates experience have very lofty expectations and are looking for something that will help them become better Pilates teachers. Simply put, these folks are missing the boat; this series is for beginners, not certified instructors or experienced Pilates students. This series wasn't designed to replace an advanced or Continuing Education seminar, those require supervision or individuals can take on unnecessary risk when trying to work out at home. Later videos may focus on more advanced pieces of Pilates equipment and exercises for more experienced Pilates students and teachers, just not this series. My grandmother has always been reserved about providing instruction through video, for one simple reason...Safety. As a result, her video series takes into account the range of people who may buy and use them with Safety being a primary driver of the exercises that were selected for the first edition. If you?re new to Pilates, buy it and begin your Pilates journey in a safe manner; experienced instructors and students get yourselves to the studio and take a lesson with a certified instructor.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stretch, Strength & Control, June 24, 2005

By 

Rebecca Johnson "The Rebecca Review" (Washington State) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Romana's Pilates - Introduction to Pilates Matwork (DVD)

I was quite excited to learn about the lessons taught by Romana Kryzanowska, the last living disciple of Joseph Pilates. It is not every day that you have someone teaching you Pilates who actually studied with Joseph Pilates.

The Introduction to Pilates Matwork introduces you to the magic of Pilates and I must say this seems to be more for serious students of Pilates or for anyone interested in seriously changing their body shape.

If you are new to Pilates, this will also gives you the basics and some of the history I was not aware of when I first started exercising. I started to get a sense of how everything evolved and how Pilates has become so prominent in the exercise culture.

There are many segments in this DVD, so it is not only informative, you get two exercise sections. In one, you have a one on one lesson with Romana and then there is a Workout with rapid sequences that will be enjoyed by intermediate students.

Other special features:

Wall alignment warm up
History
Special Wakeup Routine
Documentary

Mari Windsor appears in the documentary. It was fun to see her talking about Romana since Mari first introduced me to Pilates in her Accelerated Body Sculpting videos. While I had done other Pilates exercises in many workouts, that was the first time I actually realized the exercises were part of Joseph Pilates innovative techniques for body sculpting.

Some of the basics you will learn in this workout:

The Hundred
Leg Circles
Rolling Like a Ball
Roll-Up

The results of Pilates are long-lasting and healing. You can literally resculpt your entire body with a good routine. When you see Romana at 80 years old and how flexible she is and how she moves like a dancer even while walking, you will be very motivated to keep up with your exercises.

Romana's energy and zest for life is refreshing and I lament the fact that I did not have anyone like her in my life as a teenager. Sometimes you need a little extra motivation and for someone to care enough to show you how to take care of your physical form. Romana stated Pilates at the young age of 15 and her life is an inspiration. There are quite a few secrets in these DVDs that I have not seen in any other Pilates workouts.

This DVD put everything into perspective and I think this is one of the essential Pilates DVDs to watch because I learned so much about the history and the introduction to Romana's life was magical. She made me want to keep up with my exercises for the rest of my life.

~The Rebecca Review

P.S. If you enjoy this DVD, you may also want to read Ultimate Pilates by Dreas Reyneke.

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