pilates - dvd vs class

RE: pilates - dvd vs class

Hi Fatcat - it's better to go to a class, where the teacher should keep an eye on your alignment, and correct your mistakes. A well-trainedteacher shouldhave plenty of ideas about how to help scoliosis, and the class should be small enough for all the attendees to have attention.I'm quite flexible in my classes - as long as I know what's going on and it's not going to take me over my numbers I let people change class from one week to the next. You might find a teacher who will let you do that.

That said, if you have the self-disciplineto work on your own, and you havePilates experience behind you, so that you know which side to lengthen out more, which buttock needs a bit more work, that you always need to correct your head to a certain position etc etc then a DVD will be helpful.

Hope this helps,

Sharon.

RE: pilates - dvd vs class

Hi Fatcat,

I'm a 'user of a pilates dvd' rather than an expert, but I bought my dvd years ago; Lynne Robinson's Body Control + one other - it's all on the same dvd. I began by doing what I normally do with any workout video, and sat on the settee watching it. The next day I tried the techniques but got so frustrated because I didn't know whether I was doing it right or not. The dvd then sat on the shelf with all the rest for maybe 2 years. Then I ended up in physio with a bad back and part of the treatment was to undergo a 'core stability' class - or pilates. Once I'd gotten my techniques corrected by a qualified physio, I felt extremely confident about doing them. Out of curiosity I put my dvd on again, and this time, could do most of the stuff, no problem.

So, I'd recommend getting to a class when you can initially - so you can be happy that you're doing it correctly (sorry, don't know what your experience is already) and then do your dvd after that. My physio class was an hour a week for 6 weeks, and I've been fine doing my dvd since.

Hope this helps

RE: pilates - dvd vs class

Hi Fatcat,

I could not find any Pilates classes in my area and I started doing Pilates from a dvd.I found 'Pilates for Dummies' and various 'Lynne Robinson' dvds and books helpful. I try to do this once a week and go to yoga classes once a week. I have also invested in some yoga dvds. It does take some perserverance to find good dvds though as there is a lot of rubbish out there.

I am having some shoulder/arm trouble (RSI) and went to see a physiotherapist. To cut a long story short, we started working on core stability. Heasked me to show him the varrious things thatI learnt from the dvds (contracting the pelvic floor,navel to spine to control the back muscles etc.) and said that he was impressed. If he had to give me a mark it would be 9 out of 10. So,IMHO it can be done if that is the way you prefer to do it /do not have much choice.

Working with the physiotheratpistis like the cherry on top, a bit more refining.The same thing probably applies to having a good teacher.

Does this help any.....

RE: pilates - dvd vs class

Thanks so much for your responses .... no I've never done any Pilates before, so I can imagine that I might well be worrying about whether I am doing it all right (I bought a yoga DVD a while ago and doubted my abililties then, and it is now tucked away in cupboard!) So I guess I will try and persevere and find a class as I am now becoming aware of changes in my spine/body as I get older that I'd like to rectify and improve before they get worse, and at least gain the initial understanding of what I am supposed to do. Then, later on buy a DVD. Although, at the very last resort, it's good to know that the DVD works for some (charly), so it is possible for me to gain some benefit if I do end up doing it on my own.

Thanks for the insights

Fxxx

RE: pilates - dvd vs class

I agree with your conclusion - especially given that you have scoliosis. You really need some instruction to get the best out of Pilates and to prepare you to work on your own,
Sharon.