Yoga Pilates

Pilates Yoga and Balance Ball For Weight Loss

2007-01-30T13:10:00.000+10:30

The Gaiam Sustainable Weight Loss Solution... Offered exclusively on Amazon, Yoga Conditioning for Weight Loss Begins the weight Loss process by reducing stress, a major contributor to overeating and a substantial barrier to weight loss... Suzanne Deason presents 3 fitness level variations that allow a person at any fitness level to begin enjoying the therapeutic benefits of Yoga, including the power to naturally loose weight and keep it off... Commit to follow this 45 minute program of safe, natural weight-loss methods and start looking and feeling great in no time!

Balance Ball for Weight Loss, and Pilate's core training and sculpting benefits are artfully fused with the cleansing benefits of Yoga... The Balance Ball, personal favorite of many fitness enthusiasts seeking a little fun in a workout, also serves to support the back and core... Balance Ball for Weight Loss supports the body allowing a person of any fitness level to build into a more strenuous Pilates Workout on the ball.

Pilates For Weight Loss, America's number 1 selling Pilates and number 1 selling weight loss program! Pilates is a dynamic system of exercise that integrates mind, body and breath to help you achieve your goals... Each exercise targets deep abdominal muscles to develop core stability while toning, strengthening and balancing your body... Pilates Conditioning for Weight Loss offers two workout variations to focus on muscular isolation, breath awareness and correct movement... This method gives maximum results for all fitness levels and allows you to progress at your own pace.

Get Moving! Walking for Weight Loss... By eliminating common reasons for skipping workouts and increasing your strength and metabolism Get Moving Walking for Weight Loss offers 4 ten minute calorie burning workouts designed to fit fat burning into anyone's busy schedule... Studies show that three 10-minute workouts deliver the same fitness and health benefits as a single 30 minute workout.

Each ten minute workout includes two minutes of strengthening to help you build and shape lean muscle, boost calorie burning efficiency and keep your fitness routine balanced.
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The Complete Yoga and Pilates Whole Body Workout

2007-01-10T10:47:00.000+10:30

Each program works to improve flexibility, promote longer and leaner muscles, enhance strength, improve coordination, increase energy, prevent injury, resolve postural problems and allow you to achieve better body control... For thousands of years, people all over the world have used the simple movements of Yoga to achieve a more balanced life, both physically and mentally.

Pilates, another powerful form of conditioning, was developed over 80 years ago to help dancers condition their bodies for the rigors of performing, providing a full-body workout while enhancing core stability... Now you can receive the amazing benefits of both these timeless conditioning methods from certified instructors in Complete Yoga and Pilates.

This 4 DVD suite includes Basic Yoga: Strength and Flexibility, Power Vinyasa: Whole Body Workout, Basic Pilates Mat: Core Essentials, and Intermediate Pilates: Whole Body Conditioning. Watch your body, mind and spirit transform with Complete Yoga and Pilates on DVD. More Information

Pilates Mix and Power Yoga MTV Fitness Four Pack

2007-01-03T12:51:00.000+10:30

Includes MTV Pilates Mix, MTV Pilates, MTV Yoga, MTV Power Yoga... Every serious exerciser should strive to achieve that which cannot be fully executed the first time (or first few times) a workout is tried... MTV's Power Yoga and Pilates Mix are very in touch with this concept in that they are difficult enough for even the most advanced of users, but include beginner and intermediate poses and options for those striving to become advanced... Exercisers at all levels will be challenged without being discouraged, and results are fast... The journey towards fully executing each pose with full power is an exciting experience.

Mcgee is an excellent instructor whos verbal cues are detailed enough to perform on without even watching the screen (for a newbie maybe after the first one or two times through watching, you could go without)... Yet, unlike some other DVDs I have tried, Mcgee is not overbearing or annoyingly repetitive with her instructions.

Customer Review: Awesome!

These workouts were great, the instructor is energetic and encouraging... The power yoga video was fast-pased (newcomers to yoga should probably watch it a few times before doing it), and the pilates mix were 2 great 30 min... Workouts if you are in a hurry... By far the best pilates and yoga workouts (video or in person) that I have ever done!

Customer Review: Excellent!

I've only tried the regular pilates and regular yoga DVDs (as opposed to Power Yoga and Pilates Mix) but I'm a beginner... They're definitely challenging but there are only one or two things that I can't do on them, one great thing that I love on these DVDs is that you don't have to pick and choose beginner or advanced levels between different DVD chapters or anything... There are 4 people doing the exercises and 1 is for beginner, 1 for advanced and 2 for intermediate.

If you can't do some of the exercises at one level, you can just watch another person and do them at a lower level... I think this is definitely a great item and definitely don't be afraid if you've never done pilates or yoga before (like me!). More Information

Denise Austin Pilates and Yoga Trainer System

2006-12-30T15:43:00.000+10:30

Whether youre a beginner or experienced with Pilates and Yoga, the Pilates and Yoga Trainer System has patented, bio-support technology that guides your body with perfect Pilates positioning to maximize your results... Even the most difficult Pilates coordination movements are easy with the Pilates and Yoga Trainer! It helps to reduce the risk of neck and back strain as it focuses in on the target ab zone... In no time at all, youre on your way to increasing your flexibility and getting that long, lean, sculpted body you desire!

System includes Pilates and Yoga Trainer Unit, Pilates and Yoga Workout DVD, Pilates and Yoga Exercise Guide, Pilates and Yoga Nutrition Guide, Large 24" X 66" Exercise Mat... Anyone who has ever tried Yoga or Pilates before knows that these two schools of conditioning are great fitness solutions that offer excellent results... The problem of course, is that most moves are difficult and maintaining proper form becomes hard... The Denise Austin Pilates and Yoga Trainer offers a great piece of equipment that helps you maintain proper form for a easier and more thorough workout.

The trainer is molded to offer maximum support when performing crunches, leg lifts, back stretches, and other moves where additional support is beneficial... After performing difficult moves with The Denise Austin Pilates and Yoga Trainer one notices the reduced strain on neck and back which allows you to truly focus on the target muscles... The trainer also comes with a workout DVD hosted by Denise Austin and exercise and nutrition guides.

Whether you are a beginner or advanced student of Yoga and Pilates, The Denise Austin Pilates and Yoga Trainer gives you that added support you need... With the inclusion of a great DVD by the fitness expert herself, you get a terrific piece of equipment and an exceptional workout video giving you the total package for fitness success! More Information

Dynamic Yoga and Pilates Body 6-copy Sleeve Display...
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Yoga Pilates Mind Body Solutions Lower Body Conditioning

2006-12-17T17:27:00.000+10:30

Sculpt and stretch your lower body with this set of three 30-minute, beginning-level workouts for the legs, thighs, hips, buttocks, lower back, and abs... Lower Body Yoga with Suzanne Deason presents a gentle series of yoga poses... A separate segment shows less flexible exercises how to modify the poses using a block and strap.

Pilates Lower Body Workout with Jillian Hessel targets the abs, thighs, lower back, and buttocks with a slow-paced series appropriate for novices... BalanceBall Lower Body Workout again features Suzanne Deason in a gentle workout focusing on the core muscles of the abs and back using a stability ball, with some lower-body exercises that use the ball for balance but rarely for resistance.

The workouts take place in peaceful, outdoor settings. Also included are interviews with the instructors... Recommended for beginning exercisers looking for a variety of approaches to their lower body, abdominal, and lower-back muscles.

Customer Review: Nice variety of workouts

All of the workouts are challenging, but enjoyable... I especially like the yoga workout... The scenery is beautiful, the instruction good (albeit fast for a beginner), and the workout, refreshing... The balance ball workout too has all the same ingredients, a nice balance to rotate into your workout schedule.

Customer Review: Choose yoga, Pilates, or stability ball to work the lower body

This DVD provides a nice variety of workouts for the lower body: a yoga practice, a Pilates practice, and a stability ball workout... The DVD is well-chaptered, with individual menus for each of the three workouts... The first workout, Yoga for Lower Body, has three sections, an introduction, a 25-minute yoga practice, and an explanation of modifications; start with the latter if you are relatively new to yoga.

Because instructor Suzanne Deason moves along at a somewhat brisk pace, I wouldn't recommend this practice for those with no prior yoga experience, as they are likely to have difficulties following along... The practice includes some nice standing balance poses such as dancer and half-moon, although Deason doesn't hold the postures for very long.

However, I enjoy Deason's calm, supportive manner and find her to be warm and engaging... Although I would prefer if she had held the poses a little longer, I love that I can do this varied practice when I'm short on time... This was my favorite workout on the DVD.

The Pilates Lower Body workout is led by Jillian Hessel, and it consists of an introduction, a short (1 minute) posture segment, Pilates matwork, and a balance challenge to finish... The workout begins with some nice foot a leg stretches while lying on your back... You then perform some of the tradition Pilates mat exercises, doing only those that focus mainly on the legs such as leg circles and bicycle... There also are some more unique moves such as opening and closing the legs in a stradle position.

Next comes the Pilates side kick series, including exercises that focus on both the outer and the inner thighs; there are also a few movements performed lying face down to work the back of the legs... The workout ends with a short standing balance segment, coming in at just under 29 minutes... This workout wasn't very challenging, but if you enjoyed the thighs segment from Crunch Pick Your Spot Pilates, you will probably enjoy this as well... However, this was my least favorite workout on the DVD.

The final workout on this DVD is Balance Ball Lower Body... In this workout, instructor Suzanne Deason leads you through a nice, moderately challenging routine to work your lower body on the ball... She begins with a 5-minute instructional and warm-up section and then moves on to the 27-minute workout... The workout starts sitting on the ball for balance challenge work such as knee lifts and leg extensions, which Deason makes progressively more difficult... She also does some dips with the ball behind your back to work your butt, but I didn't feel much wiht this move.

Next comes some work lying face down over the ball, including leg lifts and extensions... At first, this felt easy to me, but Deason then goes on to more challenging moves from an elbow plank position, and I could really feel my butt working... Lying sideways over the ball for Pilates-like moves comes next; for some reason, this position did not feel comfortable to me... Deason finishes with some inner thigh work by holding the ball between your thighs in a seated position.

The final 5 minutes of the workout consist of stretching, including forward bends over the ball, bridge pose with your feet on the ball, and hamstring/leg stretches... Plus, Deason includes many stretches throughout the routine, making this a nice workout if you want to gently challenge your muscles while providing plenty of opportunity to make them more flexible as well.

Overall, I think this DVD provides great variety at a bargain price... The workouts are not overly challenging and are mostly appropriate for advanced beginners to intermediates... One final note is that the DVD includes a program reference guide which provides a complete list of exercises for each of the three workouts... Definitely a recommended purchase.
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Louise Solomon's Yoga and Pilates Workout DVD

2006-11-26T08:54:00.000+10:30

A combination of yoga and pilates offers a great workout... Customize your workout for the fullest range possible including posture improvement, muscle sculpture, balance, clarity, vitality, structure, and grace.

Customer Review: This workout does everything it promises

Seven months ago, I was exercising religiously with high impact workouts... Then a bookcase fell on my lower leg/ankle... I could still walk, but high impact aerobics were definitely out of the question... For about six months, I didn't do any exercising at all.

My muscles got weaker, and I gained weight... I decided I had to do something to get back in shape, so I started looking for lower impact workouts... This one sounded good, and the price was unbeatable, so I decide to give it a try... I am SO glad I did!

For the past month, I have been doing this workout at least 3 times a week... My muscle tone is almost back to where it was when I quit exercising, and I have lost over 5 pounds without drastically changing my eating habits (in fact, I tend to eat a little more than I used to - my metabolism must be speeding up)... The clothes that were once tight on me are now falling off. Even my injured ankle has been strengthened by the workout... I am now able to do some of the high impact workouts I was doing (although not quite as strenuously as I used to).

Louise Solomon promises that you will lose weight and tone muscle through this workout, and she certainly does not disappoint... Plus, this a great way to relax after a stressful day at work... I recommend it to anyone who wants to be healthier.

Customer Review: Relaxing and Taxing

I agree with everyone else... I love this DVD... I did some yoga in my twenties, so I am little familiar with it... But I was totally unfamiliar with pilates... I am also no longer in my twenties, but overweight and out of shape... So I was looking for an exercise program that I could actually do and one without a lot of jerky/straining movements.

The pace on this is good , I never feel rushed... It may, at first, even appear easy, but some of the poses/exercises are rather challenging... I am still working on doing all of them correctly, especially those in the second workout.

There are two workouts... The first one uses bands and is mainly pilates, the second one incorporates more yoga and less band work, only a few of those exercises use bands... I have found I really enjoy using a band, it enables me to do some exercises I might not have been able to do otherwise and it also offers resistance... Resistance seems to speed up the toning process.

Note that no bands are included, so I recommend the Gaiam bands... After using this dvd a month, I have found that I am standing straighter, it seems my back has more strength, and my stomach is flatter... I also feel more energized... You can't ask for much more than that. More Information

Deluxe Sticky Yoga Mat and Pilates Mat Reviewed

2006-11-13T14:08:00.000+10:30

This is the original sticky yoga mat that everyone loves to use! Thicker and cushier than the standard 1/8" mats... Its sticky tectured surface gives you the grip and cushioning needed for all Hatha and restorative yoga styles... Yoga mats come in three basic thicknesses, and at 3/16" this mat is one of the thicker ones designed for those who need or want extra cushion.

Sticky yoga mats that are about one third as thick as this one (1/16") are good for travel or placing under a thicker mat to provide more traction... The average mats are about 1/8", at 24" x 68" it's of standard width and length, washable, lightweight, and very durable.

The sticky yoga mat is also available in 2 thickness and 6 colors: Purple, Royal Blue, Sky Blue, Emerald Green, Autumn, and Black... The original sticky yoga mat is also available in 100' roll that makes 17 mats.

Customer Review:Not impressed!

This 'sticky' yoga mat is dreadful... To say that this mat is very slippery is a total understatement... It's basically unuseable! I wound up throwing it aside the first time I tried it out, a complete and utter waste of money. More Sticky Yoga Mat Information

Mat Tube Yoga and Pilates Exercise Mat Carriers

2006-11-07T13:47:00.000+10:30

This is a truly innovative, modern rendition of the traditional 'duffle' style yoga exercise mat carrier... We have used a unique extended zipper design to provide maximum ease of entry and exit for your exercise mat... Plus using special 3-D mesh material, the bag is ventilated to keep odors out and the bag smelling fresher... Light and easy to use, the Mat Tube makes the perfect yoga and pilates exercise mat carrier! More Information

Pilates and Yoga Audio Cassette...
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Yoga and Pilates Workouts for Dummies Reviewed

2006-10-23T14:25:00.000+09:30

A workout that balances both the body and the mind can be found in Basic Yoga Workout for Dummies... Fundamental postures are explained and demonstrated slowly with an emphasis on breathing and motion... Sara Ivanhoe teaches 12 basic poses that are termed the "daily dozen" and offers challenges and modifications to each of these moves... Ivanhoe presents these concepts in an approachable and calming manner that adds to the overall relaxed feeling that this session exudes.

Newcomers to the practice of yoga will learn jargon, essential postures, and focusing techniques... Experienced participants may find some information redundant, but Ivanhoe offers such thorough explanations about each posture that you can't help but expand your existing knowledge of yoga... As the mountain pose, standing forward bend, and downward facing dog are explained (not to mention the nine other poses within the "daily dozen"), proper body alignment becomes the focus.

Meticulous attention is given to the connection between breathing and body movement with several reminders to keep the spine in "neutral alignment"... This session ranks great for safety and content and makes yoga accessible to anyone who "always wanted to, but never did"... This is a substantial program that can introduce the basics and build your understanding of yoga.

Customer Review: Pilates Workout for Dummies

A 60-minute DVD, ideal for both the first-time and intermediate Pilates exerciser... In the Basic Workout, well-toned instructor Michelle Dozois clearly and patiently presents 18 classic Pilates mat exercises, first demonstrating and explaining, then doing 6 to 10 repetitions... She explains what the Powerhouse is and how to use it, and covers the basics you'll need if you've never done this before (or need to be reminded), offering alignment tips, breathing, and extremely clear instructions for executing each movement.

Dozois suggests modifications for making the exercises easier (or, occasionally, more challenging), and includes cautions against common mistakes and reminder tips for doing each exercise effectively... This is a fine first workout for Pilates novices... The Intermediate Workout consists of some of the Basic exercises and several new ones, all done at a faster pace and with more challenging instructions... This is a workout you can progress with! More Information

The Total Mix Combination Yoga and Pilates Workout

2006-10-09T13:30:00.000+09:30

A compete, total body workout, the Total Mix Yoga DVD from Video Action Sports contains the Quick Fix Blender which allows you to create your very own customized workout from nine separate segments, to produce over 100 different combinations ranging from 10 to 30 minutes.

Customer Review: Quick Fix Total Mix: Versatile and Convenient Pilates/Yoga

Quick Fix total mix is a versatile program that contains four ten minute Pilates and four ten minute Yoga routines... You can mix and match between all the various sequences via a matrix feature which lets you program 3 sequences of your choice in a row... It's very easy to use and makes it so that you don't have to keep messing around with the remote once you decide on the order you want to practice at any given time.

I wouldn't recommend this for stone beginners in either Pilates or Yoga... I would suggest getting something like Stott Pilates Basics to learn the fundamentals of Pilates... I would recommend something like Yoga Zones Basics for Beginners (which contains 2 twenty minute routines) to learn some fundamentals of Yoga.

Once you have a basic background in both Pilates and Yoga I think this Quick fix DVD is a great tool to be able to use in order to have a lot of variety in your practice while fitting it into a short amount of time... You can determine the emphasis you want... For example, I always do two Pilates, I always start with the Abs and then select one of the other Pilates routines and end with one Yoga routine as a nice finish... That's my personal preference but of course you have the option to do whatever you prefer... You can do all Pilates or all Yoga as well.

Anyway, this program is very well done, both the Pilates and the Yoga instructor (who actually appears in a few Yoga Zone Videos, she is a Yoga Zone Senior teacher) do a great job leading through the practices along with two students... One of the student's is always a modifier showing a less intense version of the various poses.

Another program I enjoy that's set up in a similar way (though only pilates) is Liz Gillies Progressive Pilates... It's a wonderful program with ten minute sequences as well... It doesn't have the matrix, but you can easily select the order you want via the remote, it's slightly less convenient but so well done in terms of instruction (she builds all the routines incrementally to warm you up into each movement) that it's worth the miniscule amount of effort required to use it.

If you have 30 minutes available to practice and you're ready to move into the next level of Pilates, then I'd highly recommend Hilary Burnett's Intermediate Pilates program... It covers the complete Pilates intermediate series plus includes poses from the advanced series as well... It's beautifully done, has a great flow and Hilary Burnett is an amazing instructor!

Customer Review: Duller than dull...

I have most of the rest of the quick fix series and I love them... This one is horrible... The Pilates person spends about 8 minutes explaining and about 2 minutes doing, and the exercises weren't that great... The Yoga person tries to talk in this soothing voice, but it just comes out stilted and weird... The exercises are OK... Both instructors use a lot of weird, descriptive terminology (like "lower your body down on to your sit-bones", translated "sit on your butt")... Overall, you can do better than this DVD.
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You Can Do Abs, Yoga, Pilates with Leslie Sansone

2006-09-20T09:59:00.000+09:30

This series is the easiest method of learning yoga, pilates and ab work with the balance ball... I have thus far only done the Yoga and Pilates, but both are incredibly simple and surprisingly effective... A good way to add variety to your workouts, especially if you're already doing alot of Leslie's other workout programs... I recommend this series and commend Leslie for doing a service to the fans who love her workouts, a little change here and there challenges the body and keeps the mind motivated and fresh.

Customer Review: Leslie does it again!

I was looking for ab work to do after my walk and this set is perfect! I can do the ball workout or the Pilates and then use the yoga for a great stretch... You can tell Leslie is a real woman with a real life, her products help you fit fitness into your life.

Customer Review: Easy to do...

I was looking for a yoga and pilates dvd that was short and simple... Leslie does a great job showing how easy yoga can be. More Information

How to Combine Pilates and Yoga for Balance

2006-09-07T10:44:00.000+09:30

All the benefits of Pilates and Yoga in one invigorating workout! Your health is in your hands... The answers are in your body... Follow the flowing movements of this complete and energizing workout and gain greater flexibility, strength, and balance.

Begin with Pilates exercises to develop core strength and spinal flexibility. Move into Yoga postures to link the power of your breath to your body... Combining Pilates and Yoga for Balance will re-educate your body so you can tap into the deepest sources of your body's natural intelligence... As you learn to move correctly, you'll experience the benefits of reduced stress and enhanced awareness in every facet of your daily life!

Customer Review: wonderful...

A gentle workout, and the 45 min flies by! Tom McCook is a great instructor... I do this workout on my tired days and take the time to work on form... I definitely feel it the next day.

Customer Review: Fabulous for the busy mama

I have grown to rely on this great video... I get a full body workout and feel relaxed and centered afterwards... Tom McCook's voice is smooth and encouraging and he definitely knows what he is doing, I read somewhere that his studio was rated #1 in the entire Bay Area... I love this video and would definitely recommend it! More Information

Yoga Pilates Quarter Inch X-mat Yoga Exercise Mats

2006-08-30T11:24:00.000+09:30

Durable and lightweight yoga exercise mat, X-Mat is easy to use, is hand washable... Don't pay more for the slick packaging... We get the X-Mat straight from the mat manufacturer and don't repack it with any "house" or gym brand name... That means you get more mat for your money. More Information

Hugger Mugger Citrus Yoga Mat Remedy 4oz... More Information

Buns, Jazz, Pilates, Yoga in Bellydance for Beginners

2006-08-11T08:29:00.000+09:30

Belly dance has come into vogue again, so of course there's been a rush of belly-dance fitness videos... Most market the same simple moves, performed to cheesy music, a kind of belly-aerobic crossbreed complete with fixed smiles and devoid of art.

Salimpour's videos go beyond those beginner moves to the isolations and exercises that will improve the viewer's dance... In other words, she doesn't offer the usual hip-twist, chest-lift routine meant for someone who's taken six weeks of belly dance class at the gym... Instead, these videos include drills meant both to exercise those muscles most pertinent to belly dance and to develop mastery of the shimmy and undulation... A beginner might benefit from following along, but this isn't the usual mechanical review of basics.

As a bonus the videos offer some great performances by Salimpour, a uniquely expressive and powerful dancer, and some inspiring advice and anecdotes about her weight gain and loss, motherhood, career pressures, and time management.

Customer Review: Hard to rate...

For an experienced dancer, I am sure these videos would be a perfect integration excercise... For a beginner: aside from the jazz, there is not a lot of actual dancing and the isolation excercises are really hard... So I think a beginner would be disappointed and discouraged.

The mood of the set though is very encouraging and Suhaila emits this unexpected maternal interest in her viewers, I felt like I was being mentored to by a personal friend... Although a exceedingly challenging workout that might make you feel like you are missing muscles (particularly in the bum region) that other people seem to have, Suhaila is a fantastic dancer and teacher because not one of her girls had a single flinch through the whole routine, and they are all such amazing dancers and really in-shape.

As a performance dvd collection, simply AMAZING! The zill performance on the pilates dvd was absolutely incredible... I have heard her called the Bruce Lee of bellydance and now I know why.

Customer Review: I love Suhaila!

This is my 1st introduction to belly dance, so I am a true beginner... Suhaila is wonderful! She is very genuine and explains things well... My favorite of the 4 is the Pilates, it really works stomach, legs, and buns... The Buns DVD is good, too, if you don't mind the repetition... Jazz looks great, but as a true beginner, I will need to watch it tons of times before I'll come close to keeping up... The Yoga DVD is a little slow.

On each DVD, there are performances by Suhaila and her dance company, very beautiful... She also has a short interview section on each DVD, and she is so honest and encouraging... Over all, I have been quite pleased! Oh, and after just a few weeks with the pilates DVD, I have new muscles in my legs and stomach! More Information

Pilates Yoga Blend Super SlimDown Crunch Review

2006-07-25T09:19:00.000+09:30

I was pleasantly surprised with this workout, it is invigorating and relaxing but you will feel it working too... Ellen Barrett, who is known for her Crunch and more recently Self magazine workouts is back in what I feel is her best workout ever... Ellen is joined by 7 other ladies including Marni who shows some beginner modifications.

This 40 minute workout begins with some power breathing and standing backbends before moving into the first yoga series... You will move into warrior 2 and pulse while in that position, therefore called the "warrior pulse", then you will move into side angle pose, then reverse warrior, and sweep your arms around and down to the center for some power breaths up before repeating on the other side... This series is repeated a few more times, but with less warrior pulses... More power breathing finishes this series.

The next series is somewhat similar, but you will begin in triangle pose this time... Once in triangle, you will move back to warrior 2 but twist to the front and raise the arms up, hold them before lowering and twisting back to the front... This is repeated several times on the same side before doing on the other side. Next is the zigzag, Ellen's favorite move which targets the core... You will face front and extended your arms from side to side then scoop down and do the same thing, then you will repeat the triangle series on each side again followed by the zigzag once more... Then you will move to triangle once more before moving to plank pose then do some knee cross crunches... Then you will stretch out first in downward facing dog, then childs pose.

The next series is the willow series which is much harder than it looks... You will begin in childs pose, then lift up your torso up while trying not to lift your rear from your heels, I need to work on this one... You repeat this several times before moving to the dolphin float (elbow plank)... The willow/dolphin series is then repeated several more times... Then you will do a variation of extended cat pose, you extend one arm and the opposite leg, and lift and lower each one, then you will extend them out to the side slightly and do the same, then you will alternate front and side... This is then repeated on the opposite arm/leg before stretching out in childs pose.

The next series starts on your front, you will first do leg beats, then a back extension, then a little piece of heaven which is a pushup on the knees, hinging back, then returning to start which your elbows are held inward... This really targets the triceps and I was definitely feeling it after a while... This series is repeated several times before finishing out with pilates leg circles... Then you will lie on your side for some more leg work... You will lift the bottom leg off the floor, then lift and lower the top leg, then you will lift and lower the bottom leg... The option of taking the supporting arm is there to make it tougher, side passe alternating the leg to the front and back follows... Then you will do the side bend twist, then the knee drop progression. Here you are propped up on your elbows and you will drop knees to each side while extending the top leg, then you have the option of straightening both legs while lowering to each side... Then you do a brief stretch before repeating the lying side leg series and side bend twist on the other side and do some more knee drops.

To finish out the workout, you will do some ab work... You will roll down and up halfway before going into modified teasers, then you will roll halfways down again while pulling the elbows together... Then you will move into the single leg stretch, some more oblique work where you drop your knees to each side and climb an imaginary rope and finally the ballerina criss cross... Then you will do some brief stretching and breathing.

While I am extremely active and aim to do weights, cardio, yoga and pilates each 3 times weekly, I do have to force it somedays... This is one workout that I truly look forward to doing... It is exhilarating and I feel great afterwards... It isn't hard, some experienced in yoga/pilates might feel it is way too easy but it is perfect for me and I have a blast doing it... This is Ellen at her best, she does an excellent job leading this workout... 5+ stars for this one.

Customer Review: Way to go! Keep working out!

An excellent combination of pilates and yoga... Yoga is for relaxation and flexibility; Pilates is for slimming down and body sculpting... Ellen Barrett is a great instructor, easy to follow for beginner and intermediate.

Customer Review: fantastic instructor

I started using Ellen Barretts dvds a couple of months ago and I find her to be the best instructor I've worked out to... I own many exercise dvds and I really enjoy hers... She is positive, without being bubbly and keeps you focused... I definately recommend any of her dvds. More Information

Jonathan Monks' New Exciting Fusion of Yoga and Pilates

2006-07-01T12:30:00.000+09:30

Yoga and Pilates workout... We all aspire to the body beautiful, and that is now possible with this new and exciting fusion of yoga and pilates devised by Jonathan Monks. More Information

Exercise with Pilates and Yoga... More Information

Yoga + Pilates/Yoga and Pilates... More Information

The New Guide To Therapies: Pilates, Yoga, Meditation, Stress Relief... This book is the ideal introduction to four of the most popular therapies used today... While each section can stand alone, together they provide a comprehensive, practical guide to maintaining health, regaining vitality and achieving peace of mind.

Pilates: the gentle exercise system for all... Yoga: harmonizes mind, body, and spirit... Meditation: creates inner serenity... Stress relief: frees your body and mind. More Information

Pilates Yoga Disciplines Create a Personal Exercise Style

2006-06-23T11:13:00.000+09:30

Yoga and Pilates are two of the hottest workout methods of this century... This book uses both yoga and pilate disciplines to create a personal exercise style, a style that can be adapted and practiced anywhere.More Information

The Book of Yoga and Pilates... More Information

50 Ways to Work Out on the Ball Deck... Sculpt and tone your ideal body with pilates, yoga, and a workout ball... 50 easy-to-use cards, illustrated with full-color photos, for mix-and-match ball workouts! More Information

Classic Yoga and Pilates Positions for a Powerful Workout

2006-06-15T10:50:00.000+09:30

Get the combined benefits of yoga's breathing and relaxation techniques and the core strength training of Pilates... Diana Holland has many years of experience as dancer and teacher, and here she presents her own unique form of yoga/Pilates... She offers a proven mix of classic positions such as the Eagle, Child and Palm Tree along with uniquely developed sequences that provide a thorough mind-and-body workout.

Every move is precisely broken down in the Flowmotion photographs, making them clearly visible and easy to follow, almost as if Holland were right there training you in person... The beginning routines show how to find your center and do a moving bridge, simple abs, leg raises, roll-ups, a downward dog with a walk back, and more.

Then try more extended exercise combinations, with connecting movements that target every muscle in the body... This fabulous course will take you from beginner to advanced skills, safely, quickly, and effectively.
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The Practical Encyclopedia of Yoga and Pilates Recommended

2006-06-08T18:49:00.000+09:30

A complete program for toning and stretching the body for all the family, including 50 specially devised safe and enjoyable exercises for children. More Information

Yoga and Pilates for Everyone... A complete sourcebook of Yoga and Pilates exercises to tone and strengthen the body, with 1,500 step-by-step photographs.

Customer Review: Complete Yoga and Pilates resource

This is an excellent all-inclusive sourcebook for yoga and pilates with wonderful easy-to-follow, step-by-step photographs. More Information

Pilates and Yoga High-Energy Physical and Spiritual Exercise

2006-06-03T18:40:00.000+09:30

Pilates and Yoga illustrated paperback... A high-energy partnership of physical and spiritual exercise techniques to revitalize the mind and body.

Customer Review: An invaluable reference, modern and integrated approach to fitness

In a 252 pages of artistic display of photographs and text, the authors strived to present the best of strengthening and flexibility exercise routines of modern times... They integrated yoga and Pilates in well explained historical and technical scenario that combines the Indian contribution by Iyengar and the German, by Pilates.

The following are general observation about the book content and style: (1) The authors do not claim that their book is a substitute for taking classes in yoga or Pilates... The authors displayed modesty and genuine reasoning in almost every aspect of delivering information to their prospective readers.

(2) The book clearly states the need for refraining from eating for at least four hours before starting exercise... They even recommend waiting for three hours after taking a snack before engaging in exercise, this shows the real depth of the authors' insight into realistic fitness practice.

(3) Each exercise is demonstrated by four to five colored photographs that occupy a separate page for each exercise with legible and well chosen title depicting the purpose of the exercise.

(4) The language of the book is simple and accurate, which makes reading enjoyable.

(5) The photographs are chosen to show close-up views of relevant parts of the body as well as overall views of poses... It shows the dedication of the authors to facilitating the understanding of alignment of spines and posture during the performing of technically challenging exercises.

(6) The book has two sections that describe individual exercises on yoga and Pilates... That is followed by a separate section addressing designing daily routines.

In all, this book is a real addition to the literature on body and mind fitness... It offers practical solutions to the universal health problem of modern times; that is stress and anxiety... The authors have demonstrated the need for patience and consistent training in order to reeducate the body and mind to endure repetition and gain awareness about the bad habits acquired during routine daily activities.

The number of authors and participant who contributed to this book has indeed poured their best knowledge and talent in neat and appropriate photographing, book design, and display of information.
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Core Awareness Enhances Yoga, Pilates, Exercise and Dance

2006-05-31T17:57:00.000+09:30

A 174 page perfect bound soft covered book explores somatic awareness as an active and essential element of movement education... Shifting the standard mechanical paradigm within the movement arts and fitness training to a wholistic perspective, Core Awareness: Enhancing Yoga, Pilates, Exercise and Dance focuses on cultivating awareness as the vital key for preventing injury while developing flexibility, increasing strength and cultivating resiliency... Includes self-help explorations for developing inner somatic awareness.

Customer Review: Great information, poor presentation

Liz Koch knows what she is writing about, having worked with her own 'core awarenss' for many years... For myself, as someone professionally involved with yoga, Pilates, exercise and dance for years, the book was an instant fit... There is much valuable information in this book, and the general approach to movement that it advocates is something that desperately needs to become more widespread.

On the down side, I wish Ms. Koch had paid attention to the amazon reviews of the previous book (The Psoas Book,), which suffers from the same production problems as this newer one does... I hope her next book gets professionally published (or even republish this one professionally)... There are many typos, grammatical problems, and other errors that a good editor/proofreader could help with.

Also, the incredibly simplistic line drawings that illustrate her sophisticated "movement explorations" don't begin to do justice to the material... Even I, an experienced movement professional, could not understand the proper body positioning on many of them... Please, please, some good photos!!

In conclusion, this book is definitely worth reading for the information, but it is sad that the production of the book was so amateurish... But don't let that hold you back from getting the book, there aren't many books out there with this in-depth approach to core awareness... Most of what passes for 'core training' out there is nowhere near this level of somatic understanding.
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Pilates Yoga Fuses Eastern and Western Traditions in One Exercise

2006-05-25T18:38:00.000+09:30

Pilates + Yoga fuses eastern and western traditions in one exercise approach... The author's method uses the best of both disciplines to give a workout that produces strength, suppleness and weight loss while promoting emotional balance and a sense of well-being.

Movements achieved with Pilates machines are replicated with resistance bands and mat work and, as in yoga, individual movements and poses are linked in a seires to unlock energy flows and promote relaxation... Pilates + Yoga will improve posture, balance, flexibility and strength, while calming the spirit, reducing stress and alleviating many serious ailments such as back and neck pain.

Customer Review: Learning Pilates and Yoga is Fun ,Easy and Rewarding

An informative, fun approach to pilates and yoga with exceptionally easy step by step picture instructions... Also along with each exercise,there is an AIM that describes what the exercise will accomplish, a chiropractor's comments, so you know it's safe and beneficial and a REMINDER noting the common mistakes people tend to make doing the exercise... A great book! It works for me!
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The Complete Guide to Pilates, Yoga, and Meditation

2006-05-20T15:38:00.000+09:30

Complete Guide to Pilates, Yoga, Meditation and Stress Relief... Enhance your physical and mental well-being with this selection of powerful exercises and practices... You will discover how to clear your mind of everyday clutter, energize your body, and strike out on a new path that will bring harmony and clam to your life.

Customer Review: Great resources...

This small wonderful book cover all important aspects of the four disciplines appeared on its cover (Pilates, Yoga, Meditation and Stress Relief)... I have had some Yoga classes before so I found this book a very good refreshment for my previous experience... However, its clear explanation and illustration will be equally helpful for the beginner... I also found that the stress management and meditation parts are very helpful.

If you are perfectly happy with your life and feel that everything is under your control, you may not need this book... But if you feel that everyday is filled with stressed, you are always tired (like me!), and your works are somewhat overwhelming, this small book might be a good thing to look at!

Customer Review: Invaluable resource

Beautifully illustrated, easy to understand guide to these practices; full of information about relaxation techniques, spirituality, world issues, massage, aroma therapy, time management, improving self-worth, relationships, "the power of sound" (photo of orchestra, page 179)... Extremely valuable resource. More Information

Ultimate Yoga, Pilates, and Ballet Workout for Sculpting Your Best Body

2006-05-17T17:14:00.000+09:30

It's the ultimate yoga, pilates, and ballet workout for sculpting the sexiest body... A total-body workout that is both challenging and invigorating, Hot Bod Fusion will give you the svelte, toned body you long for, and all the energy needed to maintain an ultra busy lifestyle.

Customer Review: Highly recommended!

Let's face it, there's so many different approaches to getting in shape that it's easy to get frustrated with what route to take... One person suggests yoga, another says Pilates, another says something else... That's why this book is so great... It integrates several different styles, giving you the best aspects of yoga, Pilates and ballet... It just makes sense, so if you're concerned with getting and staying in shape, I highly recommend this book!

Customer Review: Newly Flexible Runner

I come from a runner background and have been looking for a workout to improve my flexibility... I saw Hot Bod Fusion and bought it since it includes pretty much every discipline known for flexibility... What's great about this book is that each chapter only takes me about 10 minutes, cool... Exercises also include 'tips' from the author that help keep me on track and focused... I've done the routine 8 times now, do I feel more flexible? Yes definitely, and my `core' is stronger to boot! More Information

Pilates and Yoga for Complete Fitness, Strength, and Flexibility

2006-05-15T15:14:00.000+09:30

Every day more and more people who are burned out from their exercise programs turn to yoga and Pilates.

Traditional yoga focuses on breathing, flexibility, and quieting the mind, while Pilates matwork concentrates on strength and power from the center... But what if one program offered the best of both? Pilates and yoga instructor, dancer, and personal trainer Jonathan Urla has done just that by creating Yogilates™.

Fully illustrated with black-and-white photgraphs, Yogilates™ is perfect for those looking to improve their health and well-being with the latest, most effective mind/body exercise program... Emphasizing safety along with fitness, Yogilates™ shows you how to assess your posture and flexibility and gives guidelines for progressing in a sensible manner... Yogilates™ delivers an accessible and efficient fitness regimen you can do for the rest of your life to achieve the best of your life, regardless of age or fitness level.

In a straight-forward and intelligent manner, Jonathan presents the Yogilates™ philosophy and shows the Essential Awareness Exercises that will introduce you to his unique blend of Pilates and yoga techniques... Let Jonathan be your guide as you discover your physical potential, whether you are working with the Beginner Series or advancing your Yogilates™ practice... See and feel your body get stronger and longer, gain a better sense of balance and greater flexibility... Feel the difference in how you perform all kinds of physical activities from athletics and dancing to walking and even sitting.

Learn how to correct poor posture, breathe more effectively, relieve stress, and tone the entire body with Yogilates™... No special equipment is needed... No costly gyms to join, and no previous experience in yoga or Pilates is necessary... All you need is some floor space and Jonathan to take you through the Yogilates™ prgram and on to a new level of health, fitness, and well-being.

Customer Review: Great combo book

As an instructor of both pilates and yoga, I found this a great and simple way to apply both practices to my classes... The author really explains it nicely.

Customer Review: Great book, prefer the video

This is a great book, but I have a lot of trouble following books and so I bought the video, which allowed me to learn better... Both the book and the video are great... Yogilates™ is a calming yet invigorating workout... Not too easy, not too hard, and one of the few exercises I've actually been able to stick with consistently... Enjoyable and well-taught. More Information

Yoga, Dance, and Pilates Plus Combination Review Part 2

2006-05-13T16:43:00.000+09:30

Pilates Plus' is a revolutionary new workout, a fresh new combination of Eastern yoga principles, Pilates, dance techniques, and strength training... This unique program starts from and focuses on the abdominals-creating core strength-and in one hour gives you a total body workout from head to toe.

Customer Review: Best Pilates Book on the Market

When Pilates became the craze a few years ago, I immediately elected to apportion it a critical segment of my allotted exercise time... Using Amazon.com as an information springboard, I chanced upon Jennifer Kries and her set of Method sessions on VHS and DVD, purchased "The Method Precision Toning" and have been strengthening my abdominal powerhouse ever since... "Precision Toning" moves fast for a duration of what seems like an hour, despite the 20 minutes cited on the jacket.

As any Pilates advocate knows, each position follows a rigorous sequence where doing the exercise correctly matters much more than doing it with infinite repetition... Ms. Kries' instructions, although impeccable, however can become a little overwhelming on both an envisioned and executional level, especially when attempting to pull the navel to the floor, raise the shoulders so they crest off the floor, squeeze the inner thighs, relax the shoulders, breath properly and then actually facilitate the physical movement of each position.

The perfect solution to understanding and performing each exercise to the best of your ability comes in the form of Ms. Kries' 280+ page paperback book, "Pilates Method Plus: the Unique Combination of Yoga, Dance, and Pilates," complete with enough photos, illustrations, step-by-step instruction, motivational quotations and helpful imaginative `insight' sidebars to provide just the right mind-body connection to ensure positional perfection.

As stated in the title of the book, the Method, however, is not just about Pilates... Ms, Kries, as a trained ballet dancer, knows the importance of stamina, endurance and determination to achieve that ultimate purely athletic moment in space... As a seeker of that unique mind and body integration where the mind and body become one, Ms Kries extols the value of detachment, anatomical awareness and balance taught by the discipline of yoga.

Her comments with regard to the various types of yogic breathing allow this ancient art to aid you into moving into territories of your body that you have never before explored... 'Pilates Method Plus' provides the insight necessary to utilize a triangle of activity that will enhance your range of motion while developing strength/injury protection that will allow a free flow of energy to flood into your everyday life.

Book follows a simple format... First four chapters are dedicated to explaining the interface between the three disciplines, the nine essentials elements needed to attain heightened physical and emotional power (complete with instructions and exercises to help understand each of them) and a series of all important pre exercises that will provide a base for the more complicated series that follow.

The bulk of the book, Chapter 5, contains the actual exercises which Kries divides into three progressive stand-alone routines, lasting from 30 to 45 minutes each... With the help of a full-page chart where each position is labeled either 1, 2 or 3 Kries stresses that eventually the entire sequence of positions will be performed once all the exercises have been mastered... Two pages which include step-by-step analysis and photographs of Ms Kries in time-sequenced action are dedicated to each position.

Take my word for it, this extensive explanation utilized as an adjunct with one of Ms Kries many exercise DVDs will provide more than adequate fodder to integrate brain with muscles to achieve exercise nirvana.

The book's last chapter, what Kries' calls "On the Fly" Sports Specifics and Time-savers' presents a platform for individual sports cross-training in the areas of golf, tennis, skiing, skating, cycling, running, walking, basketball, swimming, and climbing... Each contains a full listing of those exercises necessary to help prevent injury while broadening range of motion with added strength, energy and confidence.

Compare this comprehensive list of activities with those found in Brooke Siler's 'Ultimate Pilates Body Challenge', there is no comparison; Siler's book covers only a bare minimum... To finish up, two 'on the fly' workouts provide a Beginners or Intermediate and Advanced routine sequence for those who are short on time.

Bottom line: This is my favorite exercise how-to book... Kries' exuberant personality and love of what she does prevails throughout the text and are epitomized in the bright smile she wears in all her photos... While I don't recommend using the book as a stand alone unless you have been trained in Pilates or in any of the other disciplines beforehand, I do recommend it as an accessory to any Pilates-based DVD, Method or otherwise... Brava Ms, Kries on a well-spent $17.95 permanent addition to my exercise library. More Information

Pilates Plus is a Unique Combination of Yoga, Dance, and Pilates

2006-05-11T16:40:00.000+09:30

A revolutionary new workout... Pilates Plus' Method is a fresh new combination of Eastern yoga principles, Pilates, dance techniques, and strength training.

This unique program starts from and focuses on the abdominals-creating core strength-and in one hour gives you a total body workout from head to toe.

Kries' years of teaching and dancing, as well as her wildly popular video series, have helped her develop a cohesive program that is unlike any workout on the market.

Both accessible and rigorous, Jennifer Kries' Pilates Plus Method will give you the body you want in the easiest way possible, including: Flat, firm abs with no strenuous sit-ups or crunches... Defined buns with no lunges, squats, or machines... Lean, sculpted legs and thighs with no high impact aerobics... Toned and trimmed arms without heavy weights or boring repetitions... And more!

Yes the secret to the world's most beautiful bodies is out, and it's Jennifer Kries' Pilates Plus Method... In just one hour a week, Kries brings her readers hard bodies, calm minds, and complete fitness.

Customer Review: The Definitive Pilates Guide by America's Pilates Expert

"The Method relies on your brain as much as your body; it is a thoughtful and introspective approach to working out." ~Jennifer Kries... After discovering Jennifer Kries' workouts you might want to delve into her new book focusing on fitness for the goddess that you are... Not only will you finally meet Jennifer Kries through reading about her fascinating life, you start to gain a deeper understanding of the Pilates principles... Jennifer also explores the world of Eastern yoga and dance techniques.

What is especially exciting about "Pilates Plus Method" is the abundance of inspirational quotes... There are William James quotes you will want to remember and post in your workout room... These are quotes worth collecting, although Jennifer's writing style is the highlight of her book... She is precise and disciplined, all while showing care and giving you the support and encouragement you need during each exercise... I am truly impressed with her writing! Up until now she has been a mysterious goddess to me and to read about her life has made me realize what an amazing instructor she truly is.

This book is very useful while working out... You might want a more detailed explanation for "Single-Bent-Leg Teaser" and you can quickly look up any of the poses/exercises in the index... Of course, Jennifer is featured throughout the book and her well-toned beautiful body is a true inspiration to me... I see her picture and have to get to my workout, pronto... You will find pictures of all the exercises and enjoy detailed instructions, the "Insight" sections lead you deeper into an understanding of the pose/exercise and I enjoyed reading about the inspiration for the "seal" exercise.

Jennifer is excited about her fitness discoveries and Pilates truly is an exciting workout because you start to see results in record time... She also explains the basics of dance and includes the most healing yoga poses... There are pictures with the names of muscles clearly marked, this is extremely helpful when using the videos so you can focus your efforts on specific muscle groups... Through reading this book, you will in fact be gaining an understanding of how exercise heals your entire body.

Her book is divided into 7 main areas: The Birth of Jennifer Kries' Method Workout... The Magic Triangle: Pilates, Yoga, and Dance... The Nine Essential Elements... Dipping Your Food in the Pool: Pre-exercises... The Method Workout... "On The Fly": Sports Specifics and Time-Savers - lists of specific exercises to improve sports performance. (Skiing, Skating, Cycling, Running, Walking, etc)... Taking It With You: The Method For Life.

If you are looking for great results you simply must try three workouts: Jennifer Kries' Pilates Method - Perfect Mix, Precision Pilates and 3 Dimensional Toning... One of the main benefits of these Pilates-based workouts is that you suddenly have improved posture, you walk differently, you feel sexier and basically you watch your body take on a new shape... No matter where you are today, you can improve your body with Jennifer Kries' insight and instruction.

If you are interested in a personal consultation, you send a completed form on page 271 to Jennifer... In a few months, I might send in a form myself! In order to fill out this form you might want to start keeping track of all your exercise habits.

Jennifer Kries is a native New Yorker, dancer, Master Instructor, orator and choreographer... She also studied with three of Joseph Pilates original disciples, Eve Gentry, Romana Kryzanowska, and Ron Fletcher... She is the artistic director and founder of Contemporary Dance Theatre New York and the Founder of the Balanced Body Center at New York's World Gym... She has a talent for creating challenging and interesting workouts and her personality makes her book so enjoyable to read... This book is quite essential when writing about any Pilates subject and I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who writes about fitness.

I see this book as a compliment to all of Jennifer Kries' workout DVDs/Videos... However, for teachers and anyone who wants to develop a customized routine, I can't think of a more definitive Pilates guide... If you are new to Pilates, this book is essential reading. More Information

Integrating Pilates, Hatha Yoga, and Ballet in an Exercise Routine for All Fitness Levels

2006-05-09T09:27:00.000+09:30

BalleCore® is unique in that it combines three tried-and-true disciplines into one optimal workout... Pilates strengthens and stretches the major muscles, activates your core (the band of muscles below your chest), and energizes your body.

Hatha yoga helps quiet the mind through breath, fortifies the nervous system, builds stamina, and produces mental equilibrium... Ballet increases blood flow, develops poise, promotes good posture, and improves balance.

Fitness dynamo and faculty member of the Boston Ballet for the past seven years, Molly Weeks is the woman behind BalleCore®... She has chosen an array of effective exercises from each of these three disciplines to create a fulfilling workout that can easily be done in your own home and in under an hour.

The results? Reduce backaches and stress... Develop stature, support the spine, and feel steady on your feet... Sculpt your arms, legs, hips, and core, plus look trimmer than ever... Loosen those tight spots in the shoulders, neck, and joints... Gain an incredible sense of ease throughout your body... Experience inner calm, self-confidence, and renewed optimism.

With step-by-step instructions and profusely illustrated with helpful photographs, The BalleCore Workout® is the ultimate path to good health, longevity, and mind/body wellness... Remember that only 50 minutes a day can change your life!
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No-Impact Aerobic and Strength Training Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, and More

2006-05-07T13:36:00.000+09:30

Take your workout to the water! Possibly the world's perfect exercise, water workouts provide a highly-effective, low-impact way to burn calories, build muscle, improve flexibility, and have fun.

International Swimming Hall of Fame board member and world masters champion Jane Katz uses a holistic approach to lead you to total body fitness, offering soothing and strengthening programs of exercises drawn from yoga, Pilates, tai chi, and popular land sports like skiing and golf... There are also high-intensity challenges and instructions for deep-water running and cross-training for athletes.

Each exercise is accompanied by a simple drawing and step-by-step instructions for doing the move correctly... Programs for twenty-, thirty- and forty-five-minute workouts, including breathing exercises, warm ups and cool downs, are laid out to make it easy to dive right in... Individual exercises can also be combined to make a complete workout that is right for you.

Dr. Katz uses toys and accessories, from old-fashioned kickboards to flashy fins, to make every workout seem like play... Full of suggestions to keep your program exciting and fresh, Aqua Fit is a complete guide to working out in the water for lifelong fitness... AQUAFIT is a registered trademark of Luye Lui and used under License.

Customer Review: Fantastic!

As a (almost) 16 year old swimmer who has been swimming before I could walk, I am always looking for ways to improve my swimmimg (which is the core of my fitness program)... This is an excellent book and I recommend it to anyone who LOVES the water! More Information

Sculpt Your Ideal Body with Pilates Yoga and More

2006-05-03T17:03:00.000+09:30

A full-color photographic book with 101 different moves you can do with an exercise ball... Exercise balls are cropping up in gyms all over the world, are sold in places like Kmart and Target, and are becoming the latest fitness craze... The thing is, what the heck do you do with the ball once you've bought it?

Pilates, yoga, and more! Liz Gillies, respected fitness trainer and star of several best-selling exercise videos, shows you 101 things you can do with a ball to tone, trim, and firm up.

Customer Review: Very Good!

I love this book... It covers all my needs for exercising on the ball so far and is great for beginners or advanced people... Just wish it were spiral-bound! It would be more durable and easier to use while I'm learning all the exercises.

Customer Review: the best, with pictures for every workout!

I really enjoy reading this book because it gives a description of how to do the workout, how to position your body, what muscles your working, and even shows a picture of Ms. Elizabeth Gilles posing on the ball for every 101 workouts! I have tried most of these workouts on my ball at work, I work at Curves, and I really enjoy them, I even show my customers a few workouts on the ball and they enjoy them too! More Information

Yoga and Pilates Based Program to End Low Back Pain

2006-05-01T15:13:00.000+09:30

Yoga and pilates... From a noted pioneer in sports medicine comes a breakthrough regimen for stopping back pain once and for all, without surgery... Eighty-percent of Americans suffer some form of low-back pain, usually due to a herniated disk, but long-term relief is rarely achieved... As a physician specializing in treating athletes, Dr. Vijay Vad has spent years researching how to cure back pain using yoga Pilates.

Profiled in The Wall Street Journal, his program requires just fifteen minutes a day for eight weeks to restore flexibility and prevent future injuries... Offering a proven alternative to invasive surgery, Dr. Vad's Back Rx provides the best of mind/body medicine by giving readers three step-by-step exercise series, demonstrated in 130 precise photographs, for implementing his popular program at home... Even readers with severely limited mobility will rejoice in Dr. Vad's gentle introductory workout.

Progressing through his self-paced program, they will discover a new range of exercises, breathing techniques, and tips for self-massage... For those who want to go even further and use this program for more than the treatment of a single injury, an advanced workout is included that puts readers on the road to peak performance... The perfect combination of modern medicine, Pilates innovations, and ancient yoga postures, Back Rx builds important new fundamentals for lifelong freedom from pain.

Customer Review: A Good Whipping...

This is an excellent book for dealing with this common problem afflicting so many people but it doesn't explain why Pilate ordered Jesus to be whipped... That is definitely not the way to relieve back pain!

Customer Review: Thoughtfulm, safe process, but does it work????

I felt that Dr. Vad's approach was safe and logical... He has you perform easy basic exercises for some time, and then graduate to more strenuous exercises... I must say, though, as someone is in pretty fair physical condition to begin with, I felt the exercises were too basic, and not at all challenging.

There didn't seem to be an abundance of info on treatments or back pain causes either... I guess though, the real proof is, "Did it work? Did following the program letter for letter improve my back pain?" And, in my case, which of course is very individual, after following the program to the "T" for 8 weeks, it really did nothing me... Decent book, but I'm still looking for the magic bullet.
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Big Advantages in Taking Regular Pilates Classes

2006-04-30T20:27:00.000+09:30

The benefits of a Pilates class... Pilates is a technique of exercising devised by Joseph Pilates, a German National who as a frail child turned to exercise to strengthen his body... When he introduced the technique to America, it instantly became a favorite among the dancers, who needed flexibility without bulking the muscles.

From there, the exercise grew to generally everyone who wants a low intensity workout... The benefits if a Pilates class is endless, not only does it help tone your body, it also helps your mind, kind of like yoga, but Pilates is most popular for its application to rehabilitation as well as to those people that are becoming weak with aging.

Pilates and Pilates classes have been done for over 90 years since its introduction in the 1910’s and the benefits have been manifesting themselves since then... Here are a few of the benefits you’ll get when you take a Pilates class.

Improvement in Flexibility - A Pilates class improves your flexibility, it focuses on stretching after all... With every day starting to get something like a picture, nobody moving, stretching is very essential to help tone your body.

Because we tend not to move so much, the muscles become stiff restricting muscle movement, Pilates classes help with flexibility by stretching your muscles, and for all those who does gym work or weights, stretching also help avoid injuries.

Better Posture - Most of the time, we only do exercises that focus on certain muscles, the abs the arms the legs, this makes some parts developed and some slightly lagging behind... A Pilates class helps you exercise all of your body parts and it can correct all the imbalances that you may find in your body.

The core muscle groups, the pelvis abdomen and buttocks, are being exercise more often giving making the body more symmetrical and aligned... Pilates classes essentially strengthen your muscles and lengthens it as well which improves your body shape as well as your posture, and with stretching exercises, it also makes your muscle elastic.

Stress Management - Stress is probably one of the most observable cons of modern day living, Pilates classes improves the body as well as the mind to help it cope with stress, it focuses your mind while doing relaxing breathing exercises, which relaxes the body and eases stress.

Mind and Mental Health - One other benefits of a Pilates Class is the overall mental wellness that it provides... By breathing correctly, you improve blood supply and flow to the brain... With the improve circulation, toxins that are in the body gets released, giving the brain more, for the lack of a better word, 'breathing room' giving you a sounder, more alert mind.

Develops Your Core - The body’s core, is one of the main focuses of a Pilates class, simply because since it is the core muscles of your body, (near the spine and the lower pelvis) it facilitates movement and carries most of parts of the body, a stronger core means as stronger body.

Smoother Motion - Pilates classes, unlike yoga, improve motion and make it, smoother to move from one position to another... By working many muscle groups at once in a continuous motion, the muscles get used to working together, making the pattern smother, and less strenuous... This smoother movement helps you avoid injuries as well as good posture.

Yoga Practice Benefits Go Far Beyond Time in Poses

2006-04-29T18:17:00.000+09:30

The benefit of yoga practice goes far beyond the actual time you spend in the poses... One of the most common reasons why people begin practicing yoga is to improve their health and well-being... Yoga means union, it is a union of the mind, body and breath, so all aspects of your life are impacted by your practice.

A major benefit of yoga is physical...

Yoga improves your flexibility, the stretching that you engage in during every practice helps lengthen and stretch muscles, which helps reduce the risk of injuries.

It helps to improve your balance - The majority of yoga practices include some type of balancing in the poses... A significant number of people, especially as they began to get older, start to have problems with balance, which can lead to major injuries due to falls... By having a greater sense of balance, you are able to move more easily and safely.

Yoga can help reduce pain - Tense muscles often contribute to pain. Relaxing muscles helps to minimize muscle tension and the pain that is associated with it. Also, breathing deeply into muscles helps lessen pain by altering your perception of it.

It tones your muscles - Yoga works all the muscles in your body, it helps strengthen and tone them and also builds endurance and stamina.

It helps to increase your level of energy - Carrying tension in your body takes an enormous toll on your energy reserves... By learning how to relax through your yoga practice, you benefit by enjoying higher levels of energy so you can more thoroughly enjoy your daily activities.

Yoga helps promote a sense of relaxation - Most people breathe high in their chests... This not only does not allow them to get sufficient oxygen, it also triggers the stress response, which contributes to feelings of anxiety... Breathing deeply as practiced in yoga, helps relax your muscles and also brings much needed oxygen to your cells... The deep sense of relaxation also leads to better quality sleep.

Each yoga practice ends with some type of relaxation... Since your body and mind are one, by relaxing your body you also relax your mind... Many yoga experts believe that a relaxation pose is the most beneficial pose in any yoga practice.

Another benefit of yoga is mental...

Yoga clears your mind and helps you focus your attention - During your practice, you are focusing your attention on your breath and turning inward... This concentration allows you to withdraw from the distractions in your environment, a significant benefit of yoga practice is that you can take this ability to focus your attention into every aspect of your life... You can be fully present with whatever you are doing instead of worrying about tomorrow or regretting yesterday... Not only will your actions be more productive, you can also enjoy them in a greater way.

Yoga helps reduces stress - Deep breathing helps reduce the hormones that are released when you are feeling overwhelmed, overloaded, and frazzled... The internal focus that accompanies the poses helps create a relaxation response in your body.

Yoga can help release stuck emotions - Often stuck emotions find their way into our bodies... Remember, your mind and body are one, and if you are suppressing any painful emotions, you will often experience that as pain in some part of your body... A benefit of yoga is that by breathing deeply into places in your body that hold tension, you can help release the emotions that may be buried there... You can then examine these emotions and let go of those that do not serve you.

Also, as you take your body past the limits of where it has been, you start to feel that you can move past other limitations in your life as well.

You gain a sense of peace and tranquility - Most yoga practices include some time for meditation, regular meditation helps your mind reach a state of inner calm... It helps you gain control over your thinking instead of being at the mercy of wayward thoughts.

As you can see, the benefit of yoga has far reaching effects in every area of your life... Maintain a regular yoga practice, and you will see for yourself, how yoga can benefit you too.

Della Menechella is a yoga and fitness enthusiast who has been involved in fitness for over thirty years... Her website found at Beauty-Fitness-Yoga-Source.com is filled with practical information about how you can make yoga and fitness a positive part of your life... Visit the site and get your free meditation e-book, and more information about the benefits of yoga practice.

Basics of Pilates Exercise and How it Can Help You

2006-04-28T16:03:00.000+09:30

If you're highly informed or even if you're one of those people that just stay home, no doubt you have heard of the 'Pilates' exercise... Pilates exercises sometimes used an acronym for Proximal Integrating Latent Agile Toning Exercise; it aims to stretch and to strengthen your body that is why most contortionists and ballet dancers get into it.

But just because people are taking it for physical improvement, and weight loss, it doesn't mean that a Pilates exercise is a cardiovascular exercise... Pilates is basically a low intensity exercise, but you could still exert a bit, but not like how much you exert during an aerobics class... Most instructors recommend Pilates with aerobics and other forms of exercise for best effects.

The Pilates Exercise was invented by Joseph Pilates, a German National, as a self exercise... Pilates was born a fragile child, sickly and asthmatic, so he took to exercise to improve his body... When he was a bit older, he was living in France, and was arrested as an 'enemy alien'.

During his internment, he was assigned in the medical facilities of the prison and this is where he put the power of Pilates into use, as rehabilitation exercises for the sick... He attached springs to Hospital beds for Later he moved to the United States and opened his own Studio.

Since then the Pilates exercises has gained its reputation for helping improve the overall physical state of the body... Pilates exercise is a series of breathing techniques combined with stretching and a simple machine... Pilates exercises improve the body’s core, which includes the muscles in the abdomen, back, and buttocks.

Some say it is better than yoga overall because it strengthens the body through improving posture strength and flexibility through stretching... The machines used in Pilates, are there to challenge the body, by making it stay in certain positions while moving the other parts in differing directions, thereby training the body to endure strain, thus increasing strength.

The basic ideology of the 'Pilates' exercise is the use of the body's mental ability to improve movement, efficiency and muscle control, which is also why they say that Pilate exercise somehow improves one's mental state... Pilates also makes you aware of proper posture, due to the exercises that you do, it also develops the muscles in the back and abdomen, further contributing to your good posture.

Pilate exercise also uses breathing techniques, which further increases mental focus... And probably one of the greatest focuses of Pilates is flexibility strength of the muscles, it is this ideology that made Pilates popular among dancers when it first started out.

Many Pilates enthusiasts and users have testified to the effectiveness of Pilates... With regular classes, the bodies become well balanced and stronger... Some say that after each workout, you can instantly feel the difference it has made to the parts of the body, mainly the legs back and abs.

Aside from increased strength, there is also the topic of weight loss, this is what most people aim for when they do Pilates exercises, and this is achieved indeed when you do Pilates... Other results of Pilates practice include increased energy levels, higher endurance, better flexibility, great abdominal workouts, and overall physical well being.

Pilates exercises are also used for the rehabilitation of physical injuries, because of its low intensity level and focused form of exercise, some doctors say that it is best for the treatment of injuries on the limbs.

Understanding the Different Types of Yoga Practiced

2006-04-27T14:46:00.000+09:30

Yoga is becoming a more and more popular activity in the Western world today... The number of places holding Yoga classes is on the increase and there is a plethora of different types of Yoga... With a choice of Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Power Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Bikram Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga and many more it can be easy to get confused.

This article will hopefully help you to understand the difference between the most popular types of Yoga so you can choose which type is right for you.

Hatha Yoga - Pronounced in Sanskrit (an ancient classical language of India) "Ha" means "sun" and "tha" means "moon". This type of Yoga is relatively slow paced, gentle type of Yoga and is a good place to start if you are completely new to Yoga and don't know any of the asanas (poses)... Like all types of Yoga, Hatha Yoga aims to unite the mind, body and spirit.

Ashtanga Yoga - This is the type of Yoga that I practice on a regular basis and means "eight limbs" in Sanskrit... It's a fast moving, intense style of Yoga practice and is based on a progressive set sequence of asanas, synchronized with the breath... Ashtanga Yoga can be quite physically demanding as you constantly move from one asana in the sequence to the next, so you'll find that it will improve your stamina as well as your flexibility and strength.

Power Yoga - This is a western interpretation of Yoga and is based on Ashtanga Yoga... A Power Yoga class may not necessarily stick to the exact sequence of poses like Ashtanga Yoga does, but it does involve practicing a series of poses without stopping and starting.

Iyengar Yoga - This type of Yoga is based on teachings by B.K.S Igengar and concentrates on the correct alignment and form of the body... Unlike Ashtanga Yoga, there is an emphasis on holding each pose for a long period of time rather than moving constantly from one pose to the next... Iyengar Yoga uses props such as blocks and straps to help align the body into the different poses.

Vinyasa Yoga - Put simply, Vinyasa means breath synchronized movement and is another fast paced type of Yoga, with an emphasis on breathing... A practice typically starts with sun salutations and moves on to more intense stretching, throughout the practice each pose is balanced with a counter pose.

Bikram Yoga - otherwise known as "Hot Yoga", is practiced in a room heated to 105 degrees, with a humidity of around 40%... Generally a sequence of 26 different poses is practiced during a Bikram Yoga class and the hot temperature helps to loosen muscles... Due to the high temperature most people sweat a lot during the class and this helps to cleanse the body of toxins.

If you're just starting out or have never done any Yoga before, I recommend trying a few different types of yoga to find out what you like best... Remember, there's no rule that says you have to stick to one type of Yoga... I like Ashtanga Yoga best, but I also go to occasional Iyengar and Hatha Yoga classes for a bit of variety.

To find out more about the different types of Yoga please visit the Free Online Yoga Guide at YogaMentor.com

Hello there! Welcome to Yoga Pilates Information

2006-04-26T01:15:00.000+09:30

Hello there! Welcome to Yoga Pilates Information... Here you will learn about yoga and pilates, yoga poses, yoga books, yoga instruction, yoga music, yoga accessories, plus yoga clothing, yoga dvds, yoga equipment, yoga vhs video and much more.

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