TotalMindBody Pilates Advanced Program

Allan Menezes
Year Released: 2004

Categories: Pilates/Core Strength


I’m reviewing this workout after previewing it only.

General workout breakdown: Kerry has already done a great job of describing this traditional Pilates matwork routine, which lasts just over 50 minutes. I also want to point out the start and stop nature and leisurely pace of this workout.

Level: I’d recommend this to someone practicing at least at an intermediate. I think this would be a good way to make the transition from intermediate to advanced. I consider myself almost a solid intermediate; I have about three years of Pilates experience but am still working on improving my flexibility and strength. I could probably tackled this workout, but its length might be a bit overwhelming for me right now.

Class: 1 man and 1 woman, who seem to be members of Allan’s classes, demonstrate the exercises while Allan walks around.

Music: none.

Set: interior space with orange-red walls and neutral floors. Participants are on different kinds of mats.

Production: good picture and sound. The camera angles sometimes cut off feet and hands. The name of each exercise is inserted on a separate screen between each move, and form tips will appear underneath the exercisers during part of the move.

Equipment: mat (or equivalent). Participants are barefoot, while Allan wears socks.

Space Requirements: You should be able to lie down with arms and legs extended as well as to sweep your limbs to each side.

DVD Notes: The main menu allows you to play the whole program, select your chapter, or preview other Total Mind Body series.

Conclusion: This is a nice program for someone who wants more instruction and/or who has all or almost all of an exercise session to devote to Pilates alone. It’s too long for me; I prefer to do shorter sessions of Pilates daily. I also prefer more flow and less “hang time” in my Pilates videos.
I have to admit I was a bit peeved when I saw this for $1 at Target after deciding I would not get my $20+ out of this program.

Instructor Comments:
Allan has a soft, easy to understand Australian accent and a nice voice. He includes a lot of instruction, form tips, etc.

KathAL79

03/07/2006