Moira Merrithew Stott
This video is 50 minutes long, but I usually do only the middle 30 minutes. Moira Stott instructs while two others do the workout (a man and a woman). It is similar in format to other Stott Pilates videos with a long warmup (about 10 minutes)where you practice correct breathing and form and get your abs and back warmed up a bit. For the next 30 minutes, you move on to the usual pilates mat exercises but they are done with the BOSU. The final 10 minutes consists of working on your balance with standing exercises on top of the dome.
You use the BOSU with both the dome and the flat side up. You do some exercises with your hands on the BOSU, some with your feet, some standing on top, some with your front or back draped over the dome, some sitting on the dome, etc. Some examples: side leg scissors with your hip resting on the dome, a roll up while resting on the top of the dome, single leg circles sitting on the flat side of the dome, and pushups with your hands on the flat side. To me the most challenging are the single leg pulls and v-sits while balanced on top of the dome.
Using the BOSU for Pilates exercises changes the flavor of the exercises a lot for me. I have a lot of trouble with the swan dive but I'm able to do one pretty easily with the BOSU. Some exercises are much more difficult for me. The single leg pull requires a great deal more abdominal strength and balance while you're on top of the dome, especially when she adds rotation.
I enjoy using this video. It doesn't flow as well as some other pilates videos because you are changing the position of the BOSU a lot, but I find it challenging. The BOSU lends itself quite well to a lot of the pilates mat exercises but there are a few where it seems as though they had to think long and hard about how to integrate the BOSU. I may go back to the mat for a few of them after I've done this a few more times.
Grade: A
Instructor comments:
She knows her stuff! Others complain about her lack of warmth but I happen to like her presence on camera. She is calm and precise and teaches good technique and form.
kathy s
04/28/03
