Classical Pilates Technique with consideration of the NECK & BACK

In the span of five years, I underwent major surgery that required cutting my lower abdominal muscles, was hit by a car while out jogging that affected my left lower leg and back, and was in a head-on car accident that herniated two discs in my neck. At that time, diagnostic tests revealed I also have degenerative disc disease which is progressively compromising my already limited flexibility.Fortunately, I was already familiar with Pilates and had a home reformer and other equipment before my surgery and accidents and over the years, I have found Pilates to be more beneficial than either chiropractic or physical therapy.With time, I have recovered amazingly well but I do have issues when working out that can be extremely frustrating. I was hoping to find some new pointers in this DVD that would help my progress and performance, but that just wasn't the case.It's not that this is a bad DVD, not by any means. It's just not for someone, especially a lifelong exerciser, who has been released from physical therapy long ago and is now coping with the residue of old injuries.That said, the pre-Pilates segments are excellent for someone who is rehabilitating and has been given a medical green light to exercise, or even an older person just beginning to exercise. I also wish I would have had this DVD just after my abdominal surgery. It would have been the ideal workout to ease back into an exercise routine. I also think the DVD in its entirety could be extremely beneficial for those who are overweight and are limited by girth and/or heaviness from performing standard Pilates movements.But for someone like myself, a seasoned exerciser (or athlete) who became injured and now has ongoing limitations, I think it misses the mark.On my own, I have learned to not only stretch before each workout, whether it be a class or a DVD, I often do brief and very specific stretches BEFORE each exercise, which deviates from the flow a little but helps immensely. For example, I will pretzel stretch on each side BEFORE (as well as after) the sidekick series. I stretch my hamstrings (I've incorporated a mat version of The Tree)before performing 1-leg circle series. This helps immensely. I would no more approach Pilates or any other workout without preparation than I would walk out into a blizzard without a coat.I do think the DVD has a few flaws. There should be more visual cuing in the introductory workout especially because people respond better to visual/verbal than verbal cuing alone. It may sound silly, but this DVD also didn't repeat pain warnings enough. I can tell you, though, that often the biggest mistake with rehabilitation is pushing too hard. This is particularly common among athletes and seasoned exercises who are accustomed to challenging themselves, often to the max. This mentality just doesn't work in rehabilitation-- there's a very fine line between working hard enough and too hard which can knock you back to Square One-- and it can be a hard one to relinquish.I also think a brief discussion of the pillow used is in order, as is a visual demonstration of the performer removing it, as it may actually aggravate a neck injury. This is true, in my case (probably due to the location and nature of my injured discs) while the more ergonomically friendly Reformer headrest eases my trouble spots.Also, if you watch the initial pre-Pilates section on this DVD, take note of the medical terminology. Because after giving the layman's terms for the medical ones ONE TIME, they opt to use the former in the rest of the DVD. This is, quite frankly, a mistake when trying to appeal to the masses. In Communications101 the very first thing you learn is to always uses the simplest language possible when trying to communicate with a broad spectrum of people from varying backgrounds.All in all, this is a good DVD, just not for my specific needs. As an aside, if you are reading this because you are recovering from an injury or surgery, I would like to offer you hope and encouragement. For every day you are frustrated and discouraged with rehabilitation (and I know, there are many) you will have others where you are absolutely amazed and thrilled with your progress. Given the right tools, the body will heal whenever it can, and when it cannot heal, it will adapt. In my opinion, Pilates, along with practice, patience and persistence, is one of the right tools, if not the best, for encouraging both.

Given all of the Pilates classes and DVDs out there, I was searching for an introduction that would also provide modified exercises for the neck. (I had broken my neck one year ago, completely atrophying the muscles in my torso and my coordination, posture, and sense of balance were virtually gone.) So I ordered this DVD. What I didn't realize is HOW SERIOUS these people are about Pilates. They are stressing Classical Pilates EXACTLY as Joseph Pilate taught it and there are even half hour long interviews with different Pilates experts about how, and they must have some sort of issue with physical therapy, Pilates and physical therapy can "live" together or if they are too different in terms of focus to NOT be used together. I believe that they decided that the two can be used together in treating the physically-impaired with modified exercises with the goal being able to do the classic and technically true to form exercises.This is a very very long DVD because of the interviews, which you can choose not to watch if you just want to learn very serious formal classic Pilates with great emphasis on technique. There are 3 formal sections:1. Pre-Pilates- absolute beginner teaching on a set of techniques and "exercises" while seated in a chair. The focus is on technically defining and showing, using a once-injured ballerina, when to inhale and exhale and how exactly to move or not move different vertebrae and the cervical bones. It was only about 10 minutes but completely wore me out from the intellectual concentration as well. I look forward to doing it again, however.- the same thing, but on a mat. This takes about 12 minutes.2. Basic mat. Several less challenging, basic exercises (like the 100) done on the mat. Only about 6 minutes long. These exercises do not modify, as far as I could tell, on the neck or back. Yet.3. Intermediate Mat: For the Back. Not sure exactly how long it was, but it blew away the Basic Mat routine. (I'm sure I didn't get the name perfectly right, sorry.) This is an extended routine and modifies the exercises for the back. It runs through several exercises and the instructors use perfect form. It is a bit awe-inspiring to watch their precision. They mention posture and that these exercises help strengthen the neck muscles so that your shoulders are not drawn up by the neck...Intermediate for the Back. In this case, the same or a very similar routine, now modified for the back, is shown. I noticed that the gentleman tucked his chin very tightly into his neck.If you are seriously interested in precision in form, when to inhale and exhale, how to carry out movements, this is the DVD for you. The movements are carried out at a slightly slower pace to explain the details of how to breathe and move, at least in the first few sections.I am sure that this DVD will perfect anyone's posture and do some toning. But it is not the typical workout video at all. It is more academic and focuses on truly classical traditional Pilates.

This DVD is very easy to follow and does modify the traditional Pilates moves to minimize the neck and back strain that can accompany some of the exercises - especially when one doesn't have sufficient core strength when starting the program. This allows you to work on a very limited subset of moves - especially at the beginner level. Although I feel that there's a big jump from beginner to intermediate-level excercises - both in duration and complexity - I nevertheless, believe that this DVD was a really excellent purchase. I use it a lot.

Looks like a good DVD, but even though I can do a lot of things, and used to be a Mat Pilates Instructor, this just too hard on my back. I had double fusion and a laminectomy 1 1/2 years ago, and the rolling up isn't possible for me. Might help someone with just a sore back.

I've been taking mat pilates for about a year, so am familiar with the poses. This video moved at about the same speed as my teacher and used an identical routine. It was exactly what I was looking for- a replacement for when I can't get to class because of computer deadlines. It worked my back, shoulders and neck just enough to undo the knots.

This DVD is great if you are a Pilates instructor, or have previous experience in Pilates, but have neck or back issues. Instruction is thorough, clear, and direct. Wonderful to enhance instructor repertoire.

After trying to do several of the sessions, I became frustrated and disappointed especially after the reviews I had read before ordering. The transitions between the exercises were quick and disjointed making it hard to follow. My husband also found it difficult AND boring because the transitions were so quick. Just when we were doing the stretches, off they would go to another position. I returned it.

Love this DVD. There is a separate sitting down demonstration of how to roll down your vertebrae which is a must have as well as positioning and the floor exercises are not only classical but are designed with back and neck pains in mind. This whole series is terrific, I have 3 that can be done at home and I recommend and highly rate them all. Without a USA multi region they play black and white but that should not be a problem to anyone who just wants to learn the best Pilates in the best and safest way. I can't recommend enough. Absolutely essential to anyone who does any kind of work involving spine and neck and/or practices Pilates which is probably everyone. Buy buy buy and osteopaths and chiropractors will be others problems and expenses not yours.

This DVD is certainly not for pilates beginners. The actual exercise segment starts immediately with 'pilates lingo' which will mean nothing to you unless you have done pilates before. It does not teach you how to breathe properly and is very poor as far as basic instructions.If you want to listen to the people on the DVD 'TALK ENDLESSLY' about pilates then go ahead and buy it, but I would recommend that anyone new to pilates should look elsewhere and save your money. The Pilates for Life DVD's are much more focused on the exercise and are not full of chat.