( 8 reviews )
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Posted: 07-16-2009
Because this is entitled "The Complete Magic Circle Mat Series," I expected this to be a DVD filled with exercises that are unique to the Magic Circle, as there are a plethora of them. If that is what you are looking for please know, this isn't what you'll get with this DVD. What you will get is an excellent DVD that incorporates the use of the Magic Circle into every exercise of the classical mat routines, from Beginner to Advanced. For me, that was a major disappointment. Yet it's hard to complain about a DVD with such high standards. The exercises are extremely well demonstrated. One of the most valuable tips I picked up was to use the Magic Circle in the sidekick series to gauge how much I am relying on my arm rather than the powerhouse for stability. Also, the Reformer mat routine is incredibly creative and again, expertly demonstrated. Because I own a Reformer, I don't think I'll actually use this portion of the DVD much but just watching it was a real treat. If Amazon allowed an individual rating for value, this would be off the charts. It's amazing how much you get for the price on just this one DVD. The producers of these DVD's deserve major kudos-- it's obvious they are motivated by the love of their art (Pilates) rather than seeking to simply cash in on the home exercise/Pilates phenomenon.
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Posted: 02-08-2009
The intermediate routine in this DVD presents the exercises included in a studio mat class using a magic circle. As someone who takes studio classes 3 times a week, I was familiar with the routine. Nonetheless, I found the pacing too fast with insufficient time allowed to transition from one exercise to the next. (The DVD assumes that you can transition immediately from one move to the next.) Also, I thought that the audio guidance was insufficient. For example, for the single leg circles exercise, the instructor does not tell you when to change legs. If you are doing the exercise, you are on your back and you can't look to see when the demonstrator changes legs. If someone who has been taking classes for about 3 years finds it difficult to keep pace, I think this DVD would be unmanageable for a beginner.
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Posted: 01-11-2009
I have been doing Pilates for two years now and the last year at home. I have been looking at different additions to ramp up my routine. I travel to my home town a couple of times a month and that prompted me to look for another video and buy another pilates magic circle to have there. I love this video for the fact that it is such an advanced workout and uses the cirly in EVERY move. I have not tried the reformer workout on this video yet but I am sure I will love it...
