Customer Reviews

Stott Pilates - Firm and Fit [VHS]

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I've been doing Pilates for several months along w/ my daily Yoga practice and it's been an incredible and effective addition to my program!

At this point I have collected about 17 Pilates programs (along w/ my 90 Yoga programs) and there are certain teachers that have shone above the rest. For me Moira Stott is one of those special teachers that has a way of communicating so clearly and putting together such sound practices that I always look forward to spending time with her programs.

I had purchased the four DVD pack w/ "Basics", "Fit and Firm", "Secret to Flat Abs" and "Sculpt and tone", and just this morning did "Fit and Firm" for the first time. For someone brand new to Pilates I HIGHLY recommend the "Basics" DVD, it's the single best beginners DVD/VHS I've worked with since starting Pilates.

As always Moira starts with detailed explanations and warm ups and with the help of a student who demonstrates beautifully, leads you through a wonderful, well paced pilates practice.

This practice basically follows the intermediate Pilates series with some additional advanced poses added in as well. It's about 45 minutes long but flows so beautifully that the time really flies by.

Some people find Moria Stott to be dry or boring, but I find her to be a pleasure to practice with. Perhaps because I'm from a Yoga background (daily for the past nine years) I'm used to teachers who are less "rah rah" (I also don't like blaring music when I'm practicing Yoga or Pilates)so Moira's approach fits me well. If you like teachers who have a more hyper "in your face" personality then this may not be a good fit for you. But if you want a teacher who knows her stuff and who will guide you in a way that is sound and effective then Moira Stott is someone you will truly appreciate on so many levels.

Other teachers whose teaching style I really enjoy are Hilary Burnett (her Intermediate program is incredible) and Jennifer Kries.

I also like Ana Caban and Michelle Dozois for variety in my practice.

Highly recommended!

Another excellent Pilates instruction!! Moira truly is the best at instructing you to safely perform the Pilates exercises. I have been doing this DVD for a couple weeks now and it is still a challenge to get through. I still have to do 3 of the exercises how they did it in modified form in the level 1 DVD (I have reviewed that one on Amazon as well :) )but with a little more strengthening of my core I know I will be able to do them the way they are performed on this DVD. Moira again instructs as another is performing the exercises and she doesn't leave you hanging between exercises with idle talk. If you are a beginner definitely start with the level 1 DVD as there is a lot of modified exercises to help you from over-straining your back and neck that will strengthen you and prepare you to be able to do the versions on this DVD. I also love that Moira keeps reminding when to breath in and out during the exercises because it is so important to be breathing properly. Keep up the good work Moira!! I already have the level 3 and 4 and can't wait to be able to say I have completed the whole series!!

This dvd provides a good overall pilates workout. Moira provides good detailed instructions. My one complaint would be the camera sometimes would concentrate so much on a specfic body part that you would miss what you should be doing with the rest.

If you're looking for a toning pilates workout that is relaxed & paced to increase endurance rather then getting your heart rate up & getting tired fast, this series is for you.

The DVD has a lot of options including a bous 5 min workout for the next level & 1 min previews of 27 of their other titles.

The chapters/exercises done are:

Warm up: breathing, pelvis placement, hip release (straight leg), spinal twist, cat stretch, scupula isolations, rib cage posture, cervical posture, ab prep & breast stroke prep

Exercise: child's pose, hundred, half roll back, roll up, one leg circle, sitting spinal twist, rolling like a ball, ab crunch with 1 straight leg, oblique crunches, double leg stretch, scissors, bridge pose prep, plow, modified plank w/1 leg up, breast stroke, child's pose, saw, open leg roll like a ball, neck pull, oblique reverse crunches, side leg kicks & lifts, sitting straight leg stretch, cobra, swimming, child's pose, plank w/1 leg up, seal, side bands, push ups (reg) & ends w/cross legged side stretch.

My abs were killing me the next day & my arms & legs felt like they got a decent workout.

There's a preview at collagevideo com

I have a herniated disc in my neck so my physical therapist recommended this cd for me since it was designed for guarding your neck and back.I really enjoyed this cd, I just wish instead of the 40+ minutes they would cut back to about 30, it's tough to find time to workout that long.

This workout was the next step for me, after I had been doing the introductory Stott Pilates that I got years ago for free with Special K boxtops (Seriously!). I found the intro wasn't challenging me any longer so took the plunge to this level 2 mat workout....No problem being challenged now!!! All you need is a good thick exercise mat & you can do this great conditioning and toning routine...I already see a difference in my body after just a couple of weeks.

She does a great job explaining and demonstrating the proper techniques. I appreciate this in the beginning but after awhile the pace is way to slow. I still have not found a video that equals the workout I get from my YMCA class that only takes an 1/2 hour. I suggest the moria have two segments on the DVD. A get to know the workout segment and then the workout itself.

This was my first pilates DVD. I bought it for home practice and love it. Great work outs and suggestions and made my pilates practice outside of class better. Once I learned the routine I was able to make it harder on myself by adding appropriate variations or changing it up.

I like this workout. The instructor directs you doing the right pose, and the exercises are challenging. The only disadvantage is that there is not enough time for the stretches through the workout. It seems like they were cut down during the editing. So I don't feel relaxed at the end of the workout.

I bought two Stott Pilates dvd's and opened the first, Mat Essentials, and liked it. I used it regularly for a couple of months between classes so didn't open this one, "Firm and Fit", until later. As another reviewer found, this has skips and it stops so much that it's unviewable. If you do buy it, be sure to watch it all the way through soon after your purchase so you can return it within the 30 days required by Amazon. I seem to have wasted my money in this case!