This DVD is led by Lisa Hubbard. It offers two Pilates routines, one 20 minutes and one 30 minutes (different footage), both using a small inflatable mini Pilates ball. Hubbard instructs both routines via voiceover cuing. She is teaching in the same outdoor set featured in the other Element workouts--a pretty garden overlooking the ocean in the background.

The Main Menu offers the option to choose either the 20 or the 30 minute routine; I have described each in detail below.

20 MINUTE TOTAL BODY PILATES
Hubbard begins this routine seated with the ball between the knees for partial rollbacks. Moving the ball to between the shoulder blades, she performs chest lifts, adding in a twist, and a version of the single leg stretch. She then switches the ball to between the feet for the hundred. Following this, Hubbard completes a sequence with the ball placed under the sacrum: exercises here include the scissors, helicopter, and bicycle. After a brief mermaid/side stretch and a set of tricep push-ups (hands on the ball), Hubbard transitions to lying on her stomach for back extensions and butt lifts. She concludes the workout with single leg Teaser 2 and a hip flexor stretch.

30 MINUTE TOTAL BODY PILATES
Hubbard starts this workout standing, transitioning to the floor with a hamstring stretch. With the ball between the knees, she performs a modified rollback, hip raises, knee drops, and pendulum. Moving the ball to under the shoulder blades, Hubbard moves through several modified series of five exercises. She then returns the ball to between the knees/feet for rollover, corkscrew, and rolling like a ball. Coming to a seated position, Hubbard performs the spine twist, spine stretch forward, saw, and open-legged rocker. She then moves into a side series which includes oblique lifts, clam, and additional glute work with the ball behind one knee. The final series is performed face-down with the ball placed under the sternum for breast stroke prep, moving into full breast stroke. Hubbard concludes with push-ups and the same hamstring stretch from the beginning of the routine.

I really enjoyed both of these routines. Hubbard uses the mini ball much more effectively than some of the other Pilates workouts I've tried; I found that the 30-minute routine incorporated the ball particularly well into the movements.

Hubbard teaches both workouts on this DVD in a steady flow. I have been doing Pilates for years and am at an intermediate level; I found the pace ideal, but it would probably be too fast for beginners who are unfamiliar with the exercises. Therefore, I would recommend this DVD for advanced beginners/low intermediates and beyond.

Instructor Comments:
This was my first exposure to Lisa. Although you don't get much of a sense for her personality through these routines, I liked her, and I thought she instructed well; I also did not find her to be overly chatty (mentioned on some reviews elsewhere).

Beth C (aka toaster)