Rating: 
Summary: Innovative and challenging
Review: As another reviewer has already stated, this is an excellent book to have when you travel. Also, the workout itself is intermediate--you will sweat and get stronger. I highly recommend this CD/book set.
Rating: 
Summary: Portable Pilates
Review: Cute illustrations but for cost value a bummer. Very little information for the price of the book. The CD may make it worth the price but not the book content.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing!
Review: How Disappointing! I expected a visual demonstration from the DVD but it was only audio. Nowhere was it explained that it would be audio only. I bought this to see a Pilates demonstration!Did you ever try to TELL someone how to put on a coat and have them do ONLY and EXACTLY, what you TELL them? Try it, you'll know what I mean, it will be a farce.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Home Companion
Review: I am a certified Pilates instructor and just purchased this book and CD. I love the illustrations and sounds accompanying the exercises. The workout is well-paced and clear and is a great companion to have at home when you need some motivation. Alycea provided many helpful hints throughout the CD which we often forget when working on our own. This is a definite MUST to have and keep on track with Joseph Pilates' Mat work.
Rating:
Summary: It's Marvelous Darling!
Review: I bought this at the same time I bought the Pilates: Body in Motion book. I own the Classical Matt DVD and Brooke Sellars Book as well. At first I was not happy about the instructions that begin before each step, and I wish that they had a seperate segment without them, but I realized quickly that I needed it to hone back into the proper alignment. I worked harder than I had before at the intermediate level because her wonderful descriptions get you back in place. Obviously my errors have been made by others previously. The funky "music" is wonderful - not only are you hearing her words you are hearing what should be happening, which just takes it to another level. Somewhere between preschool and genius. I honestly just flipped through the book, which is beautiful and spiral bound. (Another great idea!) There is a great check list at the back to help you discern when you are ready to take it to the next level. I see myself using this once or twice a week, in place of the Classical Matt DVD that I use. The DVD is shorter without the intermission of learning the move. In the long run though I think it is great for the traveler and at home, u don't have to crain to either a book or a TV to make sure you are at the right spot and it helps keep your form in check. I left my living room feeling longer and taller, smiling, knowing that I had just left a class at one the best pilates studios.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: I bought this set about a year ago and (try to) use it a couple times a week. Alycea is the perfect instructor: upbeat without being an annoying cheerleader, giving you cues and pointers just when you need them, someone you wish could come to your house every day to give you personal instruction.
I had never tried pilates before, but had taken similar classes (callanetics, lotte berk) so I was fine without a video. Honestly, I think it's a lot easier to follow the cd/book than it is to focus on form while staring at the tv, craning your neck out of position or having to stop the video every couple of mintues while learning a new exercise.
Best of all, this goes by very very quickly. I also tried Stott Intermediate Pilates and that thing went by soooo slowly I could never make it through to the end--not b/c I was tired but b/c I was so darn bored.
Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: great for working out at home or travel
Review: I have taken pilates classes at dance studios and my gym. This book and CD is a great aid for when you can not get to the gym or just feels like toning your abs instead of watching TV and eating junk food. the voice instruction is clear and helpful. I feel like I have a personal instructor 24-7 now. Get it if you are into pilates, you won't regret it. It is however more of an advanced level, you can either work up to it or take a few lessons first before using this book/CD at home on your own.
Rating:
Summary: Great for travelers & at home!
Review: I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this innovative book/CD combo. A TIP - for those w/laptops and/or MP3 players with a lot of capacity, put the workout on your systems & it's ALWAYS with you! I have it on my Jornada organizer/MP3 player & now I can never "forget" to bring my workout along. I am taking Pilates classes, and this allows me to continue my workout at home & on-the-road with a trainer's voice reminding me of critical points for the movements (and not allowing cheating & slowing down!). Hotels often have lousy gyms & rooms have poor layouts for watching exercise videos & working out; but with the CD I can do Pilates anywhere - home, gym, hotel room...I truly find I've run out of excuses with this great set. Please Alycea, DO A FOLLOWUP BOOK/CD!!!
Rating:
Summary: The Ticket to Trim Travel
Review: I travel constantly. Between airline food, rich business dinners and inadequate hotel gyms it is difficult to maintain a trim waistline. A few months ago a friend introduced me to Pilates. After taking a few Mat Classes I bought a Pilates video online for my next trip hoping it was the answer to my expanding waistline. Unfortunately the only part of my body that got a workout was my neck. I went back online and found Portable Pilates. I have been using it ever since. The book provides cute and careful tips on form, but the CD is the real ticket. Instead of stopping and starting or craning my neck to follow a video, I am able to follow the voice on the CD. The instructions are clear and easy to follow. The results have been amazing. My waistline is curving in instead of out, and my inner thighs are trimmer than they've been in years. Thank You Portable Pilates!!
Rating:
Summary: The next best thing to a live class.
Review: I've always hated "How To" books of any kind. However, I decided to buy Alycea Ungaro's Portable Pilates book because it comes with an instructional cd, and I thought, "Hey, this is different!" I have a crazy schedule, and although I love taking mat classes, it is often difficult for me to get to one. Well, I opened up the book and popped the cd into my cd player, and it was fantastic! The tempo was just right, and the cues and helpful reminders were so clear, I hardly needed to look at the illustrations or read the explanations. But it's great to have them there for when I'm not exactly sure of my knowledge. Of course I still go to mat classes when I can, but it's wonderful to have the option of giving myself a good workout at home, or take it with me when I travel out of town.
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