Product Details

• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Goldhill Home Media
• VHS Release Date: April 9, 2001
• Run Time: 28 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000059YSD
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #258,341 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

"In the same way that a tree needs to be strong to support its limbs, the goal in Stott Pilates is to develop and maintain core stability as you work towards optimal strength and flexibility," says Moira Stott-Merrithew. Pilates uses the core muscles of the abdominals to develop a strong, streamlined body and help you move with ease and avoid injury. This 28-minute introduction to Stott Pilates is for beginners; instructor Moira Stott-Merrithew introduces you to the principles and techniques, such as breathing, "imprinting," and shoulder stabilization. She then teaches a 20-minute workout consisting of 14 (although the video cover claims 22) exercises in their most basic forms. For example, she teaches "the 100s" by first having you do just the arms, then add the correct breathing, then add the abdominal contraction. Although she explains each exercise patiently, she sometimes performs them quickly, so you may want to pause the video and practice at your own pace. She rarely offers modifications, and some of the exercises demand strength and flexibility even at the beginning level--it might have been helpful to have another demonstrator showing modifications. The production is nice, with clear visuals and soft music. --Joan Price

Product Description

The "first lady of pilates" master instructor-trainer MOIRA STOTT-MERRITHEW, brings you her progressive approach to Joseph Pilates' original exercise method. ESSENTIAL MATWORK 2nd Edition introduces you to the principles and exercises that are fundamental to the STOTT PILATES system. You'll feel strong, streamlined and invigorated after this thorough workout! Demonstrated and Narrated by Moira Stott-Merrithew. Requires Equipment: Exercise Mat Covers 45 exercises Length: 63 minutes. Copyright 2001

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yoga mat+sweatpants+VCR=a brand new you!, April 23, 2003

By 

A. L. Kennedy "sugarplum29" (Brooklyn, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stott Pilates - Basic Pilates (formerly: 22-Minute Matwork) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Since I live in NYC, I attend Pilates studio classes with instructors who are accredited through Stott's school. I was tickled to see one of my instructors in these tapes! This is an excellent supplement to core strengthening that is essential to Joseph Pilate's teachings. The review "too little substance" irked me, since he/she missed the entire point of this work. You cannot have core strength without proper breath and support. Posture, standing, even the way you sit will change with this type of exercise. Slow and steady is the way to go for injury prevention. If you want a mindless, sweaty workout (and a possible repetitive stress injury), stay at the gym. You will sweat with this workout, it's proper BREATHING that gets you there. Pilates is for thinking exercisers, not mindless hamsters huffing away on a stair stepper. After 2 knee surgeries, a hip that clicks, and a pinched nerve in my neck (all from dancing, skating, gymnastics and yes, stairmasters), I wouldn't think of returning to my gym. There is no need to keep pounding yourself into a sweaty heap once you change your view of exercise with these tapes. 3 times a week at 20 minutes minimum will give you the look, the feel, and the strength you need. Moira Stott (and her modifications) is a godsend.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Introduction, September 26, 2004

By 

Ellen Weaver (Maryland USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stott Pilates - Basic Pilates (formerly: 22-Minute Matwork) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

After having had a friend demonstrate a few Pilates moves I was interested enough to buy this video. It is, I believe, the most basic mat video in the Stott Pilates series. I found the instructions clear and easy to follow, and the workout very approachable -- though as a real beginner, I couldn't do all the moves -- after two weeks I'm getting closer AND people are asking if I've lost weight (I haven't) and I take that as a good result. If I were Stott pilates, I wouldn't have put the intimidating equipment moves in the introduction to the tape though -- it almost scared me off. I like the tape enough to have ordered a few more and to be looking for a Pilates studio locally!

I felt Moira Stott gave a really nice lesson and, given the limitations of video, was quite encouraging.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Introduction to the concepts, not a good workout, February 21, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Stott Pilates - Basic Pilates (formerly: 22-Minute Matwork) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I have been practicing pilates at a Stott studio and though I'm a big fan of Stott Pilates, this and there other beginner tapes are disappointing. It's useful if all you want is information on the pilates concepts, but I don't see how anyone can get a good workout from them. The level 2 tapes, and up, are all very good and guarantee a good workout. If you don't know anything about pilates, such as imprinting, neutral spine position, and correct breathing, this is a good tape.