(Gaiam)
2002
What is it?
A half-hour intermediate Pilates workout, with Ana Caban instructing.
Who is it for?
Advanced beginning to intermediate Pilates enthusiasts. You are expected to know about breathing and correct form.
What to expect:
Ana Caban has put together a good traditional intermediate mat workout. After a brief introduction, she gets right into the routine. Advanced beginniners and those who have newly graduated from Caban's Pilates Beginning Mat Workout will find some of the moves, such as the Teaser in its fuller form, a bit challenging but not overwhelming. Most intermediate Pilates exercisers will find it a good fit. Caban sticks to the moves as originally taught by Joseph Pilates - there are no unconventional variations or newfangled exercises. It's just a real, solid Pilates routine that flows from move to move. Since there is little detailed instruction you really do need to be familiar with all the basic Pilates exercises and their proper forms. The director and cameraman try to get a bit "creative" with the photography and editing of this workout. This is never a good idea in an exercise video - the whole point is to make sure the viewer can see the moves without a lot of edits or odd angles. Fortunately, the crew doesn't get so out there that the workout suffers, but those who are used to a more straightforward shooting approach may be a bit annoyed. Caban manages to overcome this fault with a nice presence that doesn't overwhelm the workout itself. In addition to the 30-minute workout, the DVD includes a 13-minute bonus routine.