Search - Romana's Pilates - Ultimate Challenge Mat Workout on DVD

Not Worth The Wait

02/13/2004

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I pre-ordered this DVD, waited almost two months to receive it, and I may never watch it again. I am trained in the New York tradition and have heard many stories of the legendary Romana, and I had hoped that this DVD would be as incredible as the woman for whom it is named. The section titled "One on One with Romana" was the best part and definitely worth a second look. It provides a voyeuristic glimpse of what it would be like to take a lesson from this Masterful Instructor -- certainly not for the faint of heart or weak of Powerhouse! -- by watching her teach Moses Urbano, an obviously talented Pilates professional. It is the "Workout with Kathi" section, which is meant to be the complete workout of the DVD, which is the most disappointing. I bought this DVD under the premise that the instruction would be provided by Romana herself, but it is not. There is virtually no instruction at all! I do not consider repeating the phrase, "Circle down and up, circle down and up," throughout the entire Single Leg Circles, or "Roll back and forward, roll back and forward," for each repetition of Rolling Like a Ball to be quality instruction. Some of the transitions are edited out of the routine, so it could be a challenge just getting from one exercise to the other if you were to follow along with the tape.This DVD includes the Intermediate exercises performed at an extremely Advanced level. It is not for the average Pilates enthusiast. It is, however, a wonderful opportunity for those truly devoted to gather a few pearls of wisdom from Romana.If you are looking for more in-depth instruction, including flowing transitions and powerful imagery, and a DVD that you can work out to, I recommend Classical Pilates Technique Complete Mat Workout Series rather than Romana's Pilates."

Still Inspired!

Daria | NY | 06/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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. From what I can tell, many individuals who possess more experience with Pilates than the average person or are instructors by trade have very lofty expectations and are looking for a video product that will help them learn more advanced exercises or become better Pilates teachers. Simply put, these folks are missing the boat; with the exception of the Mat Challenge Workout video, this series is geared towards beginners or folks who are new to Pilates, not certified instructors or experienced students. As my grandmother tells you at the very begging of each video, this series wasn't designed to replace a private lesson with an instructor, let alone a seminar of any kind. This is because you can?t put your hands on someone or adapt to their specific body type or ensure the student is applying the appropriate rhythm and dynamics on tape like you can in person. Also, the vast majority of Pilates exercises should be learned and practiced under the direct supervision of a certified instructor, otherwise individuals can take on unnecessary risk when trying to work out at home. While later videos may focus on more advanced pieces of Pilates equipment and exercises for more experienced Pilates students and teachers, this series does not. 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 beginners are most likely to buy and use videos; therefore Safety was the primary driver of the exercises that were selected and taught in the first series. If you?re new to Pilates, buy it and begin your Pilates journey in a safe manner, while learning more about Joseph Pilates and Romana Kryzanowska in the documentary; experienced instructors and students get yourselves to the studio and take a lesson with a certified instructor."

A good beginner's workout

LaurieR | Washington, DC | 08/06/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"*Overall: An interesting, but short, DVD for beginners to promote interest in Pilates, with some intermediate/advanced exercises.

As I will never be able to study in New York or take intensive private lessons, I found this DVD to be a great opportunity to learn a small part of the real Pilates method from the best there is. Although I was a little disappointed that the exercise shown in the cover photo was not performed anywhere in this DVD, Romana is fun to watch and her instruction is invaluable. The 'workout with Kathi' section contains basically the same exercises that Romana goes through in 'one-on-one with Romana', but with the transitions so you can follow along a little easier. The advanced workout shows beginners another level of what can be achieved, and also demonstrates additional exercises that get left out of simpler programs like Mari Winsor's series. Proper form is continually emphasized here, and Romana shows that even the top instructors can still improve theirs!"

"E" for Effort

Laney | Ohio | 07/10/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This video is good, but there's only one workout. There are many videos now that have several levels. I like to 'grow' with a video to make progress. How can you increase your skill level by watching a single advanced workout? Also, it's good to return to intermediate levels sometimes."