Type of Workout: Pilates

Fitness Level: Intermediate

Equipment Needed: None

Release Date: 2010

Region: 0 (Worldwide) - This is a DVD-R

For beginning and intermediate Pilates students, Darien Gold presents this two-disc set, which represents the heart of the Classical Mat repertoire. The Basic Pilates Mat and the Intermediate Pilates Mat routines are here together for the first time, so students can practice and continue to condition at home or when traveling. In The First Seven, four of Darien's clients demonstrate variations of these seven Basic Mat exercises - Hundred, Roll up, Leg circles, Rolling like a ball, Single leg pull, Double leg pull and Spine stretch forward. All participants are at different fitness levels so their mat variations provide distinct forms from introductory to the most challenging. In addition to these exercises, Darien includes two stretch sections of her own design, meant to prepare the body for The First Seven and help students move with greater ease from one exercise to the next. In Studio Darien Pilates, Darien demonstrates two versions of the Intermediate Mat repertoire. The first has the full mat in a non-stop workout including all transitions. The second showcases the same twenty- three exercises and presents them individually so students can work at their own pace. Darien provides audio and text cues, as well as the preferred number of repetitions. If students are new to the Intermediate Mat or are unfamiliar with the non-stop routine, Darien recommends beginning with the individual exercises so they will eventually have the knowledge and confidence to tackle the non-stop mat workout.