This DVD is the first by Brooke Siler, one of the "second generation" Pilates instructors (i.e., she was taught by Romana Kryzanowska, an instructor who learned directly from Joseph Pilates himself). Siler is featured alone in the same ocean-side garden setting used for the other Element workout DVDs, and she instructs via voice.

The Main Menu offers the following options:
*Play Pilates-Conscious Cardio
*Play Pilates Prep & Matwork Section
*Play Complete Program

The first segment, Pilates-Conscious Cardio (18.5 minutes), is perhaps better described as an extended warm-up stretch. Siler begins standing with a review of Pilates breathing and then moves into shoulder rolls, one-arm circles, side stretch, windmills, standing twist, standing saw, and standing swing. She also does what she calls a "squat series," actually a series of plies adding in a windmill and a twist. This is followed by a set of lunges plus a lunging hip flexor/hamstring stretch. Siler concludes with a brief set of push-ups (on knees), star (side plank variation), and finally, swan prep.

The Pilates Prep & Matwork Section is 29 minutes long. Here Siler begins with half roll back and pelvic lifts to prep for a partial roll up. She then moves into what she describes as a beginner's matwork series. This includes the hundred, full roll-up, single leg circles, rolling like a ball, series of five, spine stretch forward, hip circles, saw, heel kicks, side kick series (up/down, circles, hot potato), teaser prep, one-leg teaser, seal, and full push-ups.

Siler performs all of the exercises in a flow, moving almost seamlessly from one to the next. Although she provides excellent information on form, those who are brand-new to Pilates may find that this video does not provide quite enough instruction. (In this case, I would suggest Siler's first book, The Pilates Body, as an excellent accompaniment.) However, this DVD might be more ideally suited to those who are experienced exercises yet new to the practice of Pilates.

Personally, although I have been practicing Pilates on and off for over ten years and consider myself to be at a more intermediate level, I appreciated the pace of this program, and I found Siler's instruction to be an excellent refresher.

Instructor Comments:
I enjoyed Siler as an instructor. Surprisingly, however, I didn't think her personality was quite as engaging on film as she seemed through her books.

Beth C (aka toaster)