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Children's Video/DVD Review:
Fitness
Fun: Pilates for Kids (Stott Pilates) |
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Stott
Released: 2003
Reviewed: December 2004
Our Recommended Age:
8-14
Our Rating: A
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Buy: Fitness Fun: Pilates for Kids
(VHS)
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After
years of a push towards intense aerobic exercise, the appeal
of pilates—a safer, healthier, no- to low-impact
workout—is large. Pilates requires practice and a
certain level of patience, but it helps improve strength,
flexibility, tone, balance, and a whole lot more. In
fact, pilates helps to ease stress, and its
posture-improving benefits are of great appeal to people of
all ages, especially with increased TV and video game
habits.
With Fitness
Fun: Pilates for Kids, all you need is a mat, a ball (a
beach ball or basketball will do), and some time. Moira
Merrithew is the instructor, and four kids (including
Moira's son and daughter) help demonstrate a variety of
exercises. Olivia demonstrates a warm-up, George performs
exercises for the 5 and under crowd, Michael (who is 9)
demonstrates a workout, and
An adult
should definitely be on hand to help children perform the
exercises correctly. Some concepts could have used a little
more explanation (such as "lengthening up through the
ears"), so an adult might need to make sure kids are
doing these properly. Although there is some instruction for
children ages 5 and under, this program is more appropriate
for slightly older kids. Although the video is generally
warm and friendly, it is a tad more serious than others on
the market. Because many children's attention spans are
short, the low-key exercises may not be appealing enough to
do more than once.
This
video helps kids make the mind-body connection. The routines
involve gentle stretching and strengthening exercises that
are sound and useful.
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