Pilates Resources

[Shadow]

link to online pilates demos (excerpts from the site's video inventory)
http://www.heartofpilates.com/videxcerpts.html

demonstrations of pilates moves (click on the title of the move for instructions)
http://www.sissel-online.com/exercise_search.php?command=search&product=All&category=23&val=except

PilateStyle magazine (need to register an email ID to see the full articles and use the archives)
http://www.pilatesstyle.com/

explanations, definitions and many videos all in one place:
http://www.allaboutpilates.com/
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Gaelen

[Gaelen]

For those who are interested in getting their own pilates home machine, I have a sneaking suspicion that http://www.qvc.com will be offering a deal on a machine on Sunday, April 9. (Those special-customer advance emails are *such* a tip-off!) The machine they will offer will be available starting at 12:01 Eastern time, April 9, and they will also be featuring special prices throughout the day on other equipment and videos. Also, if you've never seen pilates done on a machine, watching one of the shows (check the website for showtimes) is a great way to see how the exercises can and should be performed, and get tips and tricks to incorporate into your practice.

[Gaelen]

Picked up the May/June 2006 of Pilates Style, which has a really good leg series workout, and an interesting article about combining pilates moves with other things (yoga, cardio, walking, swimming, etc.) It also has a good article on incorporating pilates into a post-pregnancy workout program. But I was intrigued by this ad from www.powerpilates.com

"FREE for a limited time! Experience Power Pilates at home--visit our website to download our beginner's mat workout with Dana Eisenstein."

Okay, FREE is one of my favorite prices. ;) So I visited the website, created a store account and 'purchased' the free download. Unfortunately, I'm having some tech problems getting to the download (haven't gotten the url, so I dashed off an email to support, and I'll keep you posted.) But what I liked in moving around the store was the discovery that they have downloadable mp3 workouts that are iPod compatible for a whopping $4 (okay, not free, but close enough. ;) )

The site does offer something unique in pilates workouts--I've so far never seen a downloadable pilates workout or a downloadable instructor-led class. This site featured several, at all levels, and on mats and apparatus and with props. For people who aren't anywhere near certified pilates instructors or can't afford a private session or class, the downloadable classes and workouts might be a really good solution...and I know I'm going to try buying and loading one of the mp3 workouts onto my new iPod shuffle.

I'll let everyone know if I can get the kinks worked out of the free download...fingers crossed.