love burnett workouts
I really like this and other Burnett workouts. They are not easy, but don't wear you out either. I bought all three of her workouts and you can make them as easy or as hard as you want. I love them! I prefer these videos over the windsor pilates tapes. I really like that it is just me and Hilary working out together, I enjoy the personal attention and has great cueing. I recommend this and all Hilary's videos.

Pilates by Candlelight
"Pilates is about fine tuning your whole body and mind..." ~Hilary Burnett

Hilary Burnett's calm teaching style amidst a room of pillows and candles provides a relaxing escape into Pilates. This is a perfect way to be introduced to Pilates because the exercises also have variations which are very helpful when you are first starting to learn Pilates exercises and especially while doing the pull up. Most instructors don't give the modifications and this will be very helpful.

The exercises features on this DVD include:

Breathing exercises while sitting
Breathing exercises while laying on your back
One Hundred
Leg Circles
Rolling Like a Ball
Single Leg Stretch
Double Leg Stretch
Spine Stretch Forward
Side Series - 2 exercises, kicking back and forward - lifting leg to ceiling
Seal

During the breathing exercises, Hilary Burnett accesses your imaginative powers to teach breathing techniques. She also uses visualization in places to enhance the exercises, like describing lifting your leg as moving through water, to emphasize the feeling of resistance.

Not an overly strenuous workout for intermediate and advanced unless you ride a bike for 30 minutes before starting and haven't yet had breakfast. I'd say this is perfect for a relaxing late afternoon or evening workout. Due to the candles and beautiful room, this could also be a "slowly awakening to the day" retreat. All the pillows make this such a cozy workout and I love the mood.

~The Rebecca Review

Perfect for Beginner (and/or) New mom
As a pilates beginner and mother of a 3-month-old, I think Hilary's video is excellent. She includes very effective verbal cues to remind you of what you should be doing (i.e., "zip your legs up in a mermaid suit"). Also, with the 20 minute length, I'm able to complete the workout while my little one watches.

Read before purchasing
Workout background: I am a step-aerobics, elliptical runner, weight-lifting kind of girl, 2-3 days per week, with half-hour walks on off days. I have only attended an hour-long Pilates class twice at my fitness center, after which I felt invigorated and challenged to the core. Thus, I decided Pilates was something I wanted to pursue further.
Being a careful buyer, I spent hours reading the reviews for around 50 Pilates videos before I came to any conclusions about which one to purchase. The reviews for this video were so positive that I decided it was the one. While many of them proved true, I would like to reiterate that if you are in shape at all, or have had any basic instruction in Pilates, this video will probably bore you. I came to the end of Hilary's Basic session saying, "Is that it?" She did give very vivid description about how some of the breathing and moves should feel, which is important. But I'm currently somewhat out of shape (been out of the routine for a few months), and I felt the 20 minutes felt like 5 and left me wanting a real workout. And yes, I did it correctly, but just didn't feel it as deeply as I'd hoped. Reps were few and challenge was at a minimum.
Perhaps I'll try to borrow the Intermediate from someone before deciding if it's worth spending the money on...

Excellent Instruction, Technique, and Setting
Hilary Burnett's PILATES BASICS is a thoughtful and attractive introduction to Pilates. Her instruction and explanation of proper technique are creative and highly effective. After being disappointed with other Pilates DVDs, Hilary Burnett's series is a welcome change. It is a solid, enjoyable foundation for anyone interested in beginning Pilates-based exercise. The PILATES INTERMEDIATE DVD is also excellent.