The glut of Pilates videos on the market today makes it very difficult to figure out which ones are good and which ones are not so good. It has been the policy of Symmetrical Energy Arts to refrain from specifically recommending any particular video or video program. The possibility of injury from incorrectly following a videos instruction (or in some cases a complete lack of proper instruction on the video) is very high. Our first recommendation will always be to use Pilates videos only as a supplement to work with a certified Pilates instructor.

However, every once in a while we find a video or series of videos that are very good and follow the principles of Pilates and movement that are in line with those of our studio. Such is the case with videos we have come across from Center Studio Director Kj Luker. Center Studio is a large and comprehensive Pilates, Teacher Training, and Physical Therapy studio in Los Angeles. The videos that have been developed by KJ Luker are done with an emphasis on you and are geared towards helping you to develop a lasting Pilates practice in your home. This link http://heartofpilates.com/index.html will take you directly to Kj Lukers "Heart of Pilates" website. In addition to her instructional videos, Ms. Luker was also the producer, writer, and instructor for a PBS television special titled "The Heart of Pilates". This special will continue to be aired on PBS affiliates across the country into 2006. It has also been announced that a second installment of the program has been ordered from PBS for 2007-2008. Excerpts from the current special are available at this link http://heartofpilates.com/pbs.html.

Pilates infomercials are showing up everywhere. The usual program starts with the obligatory "model personality" wearing clothing geared to accentuating their body outlines. Typically these "model personalities" never have a "typical" body style. They are almost always slim and tan and they go to great lengths to convince you that they got that way by working out to the Pilates video program that they are about to "show you". Do you really believe that! Remember they are getting paid to say what they are saying. Please do not be fooled by slick TV infomercials promoting Pilates video packages that claim all you need to transform your body to look like the model personality that is hosting the commercial is their video.  These programs are developed by high powered marketing professionals with one thought in mind - how to make the product and package attractive enough for you to plunk down money to buy it. Very rarely has a lot of thought gone into the presentation of the Pilates material to assure accuracy and to avoid the end user causing injury to themselves. The simple fact that they frequently show classes that are way overcrowded is enough reason to doubt their validity as a credible, quality instructional video; no matter whose name is on the package. SEA does not endorse these types of videos and strongly recommends that they be avoided.

The videos represented on this page and anywhere within our website are the only videos we would recommend.