Mind Body Mat Pilates - Advanced

Hilary Burnett
Year Released: 2005

Categories: Pilates/Core Strength


This tape is a pleasure. The best time I've ever had with a pilates video. I would recommend it to people who have a good foundation in pilates. Hilary gives evocative and precise instruction - but I wouldn't call it detailed. To learn form fundamentals and build up core strength, I'd spend some time with the Stott 2d Edition Matwork series. But if you've been there and done that, whip out that credit card and head over to http://www.mindbodymat.com - I ordered the Intermediate, Advanced, and Zen Stretch - and I love all three tapes.

Unlike most pilates videos, there's never a dull moment! The program is short - less than 25 minutes and moves very very quickly through an advanced mat series that includes some of the more exotic routines (the crab, the corkscrew, jacknives). Part of the work of pilates is learning to hold your core while moving with grace and speed through the various exercises, and thats what Hilary emphasizes here.

The set is really lovely - dark, candlelit, with animal prints - a bit on the ski lodge side - but it works. The music is very nice, original, classical guitar. Hilary is poised and elegant. You feel like she's letting you in on dancer secrets Jennifer Kries would never tell you. The core abdominal work is very powerful and effective. The movements are beautifully executed. She's an inspiration.

I felt noticeably better after I did this tape. Tall, strong, stretched and centered. The next day I actually found myself daydreaming about doing the tape again! Some might balk at the $19 price tag for a 25 minute tape, but wow, its 25 minutes that will change your day, and your body.

Jane C

01/23/2002