By Nicole Rogers

For the DVD Standing Pilates, The PhysicalMind Institute has developed an entire routine of classical Pilates mat exercises modified for the standing position. The idea of spending an entire class standing is smart, and it certainly improves balance and control. Some of these exercises make a lot of sense for people who have a hard time lifting their heads off of the floor in a traditional mat class. Gravity plays a completely different role when standing as opposed to lying flat on your back. Try this DVD’s version of the Hundred and you’ll get the “connection” without lifting your head against gravity.

Though the exercises are rather gentle and suitable for a beginner, the DVD assumes some prior Pilates knowledge. Cues about “connection” and “lift” are common and may be difficult concepts for a beginner to understand, particularly in the standing position.

Exercises like Hundreds, Single Leg Circles, Single Leg Kicks and Sidekicks are particular standouts. They are very true to the standard mat exercises, and standing challenged my balance and coordination. Stabilizing the hips for single leg circles while standing actually informed my understanding of the exercise on the mat.

The PhysicalMind Institute has also developed an apparatus—called the Tye4—to be used with this DVD, but the DVD can certainly be used without it as well. It resembles a vest, with attached bungees that loop over the hands and feet. The bungees and vest are adjustable, and even with the instructions it took me one run-though with the apparatus and the DVD to get the fit right.

Upon seeing the Tye4, I had envisioned countless sitcom sight gags involving me wrapped in bungee cords, but once I finally got the arm and leg bungees to the appropriate length and resistance for my body, the Tye4 did create good, gentle resistance, and it wasn’t cumbersome.

It is ironic that while the Pilates matwork is probably the most difficult thing to do correctly, it is what most beginners start with. The Tye4 is somewhat helpful in this respect, gently coaxing the body into using resistance. I’m sure The PhysicalMind Institute plans to incorporate the Tye4 into other types of mat classes, and I would be interested to see what else they come up with using it to mimic the resistance of the springs.

For those with prior Pilates experience, the Standing Pilates DVD by itself, or with the Tye4 apparatus, is an innovative approach to the traditional matwork with gentle benefits. Standing Pilates ($19.95) and the Tye4 ($39.95) can be purchased together for $49.95.

Nicole Rogers enjoyed an eight year career in television production with work featured on PBS, MTV VH1 and Comedy Central. While recovering from sports-related injuries in 2000, Nicole Rogers discovered Pilates as a form of rehabilitation and exercise. It made such an impact that she eventually decided to switch professions. Nicole completed her teacher training at BodyTonic in Brooklyn, NY, and has continued her Pilates and anatomy training with Bob Liekens, Nicole Dooley-Collet and Irene Dowd. She teaches in the New York area and also studies yoga, meditation and trapeze.