If you have been working out for years and have tried Pilates, Yoga, Ballet and a wide variety of traditional exercises, Kristin McGee will take you to an entirely new level of fitness. Throughout this workout you will recognize Pilates exercises, but they have creative twists and present new challenges for the intermediate level.

The creativity in this workout is stunning and mediocrity is not an option. Kristin presents challenging isometric exercises to test your highest level of patience. Yoga definitely prepared me for the concentration needed to count to ten.

So, the first time I tried this DVD I thought for sure I would never complete the exercises. My mind tried to tell me I was not young enough and that I should probably go back to a milder form of exercise at a slower pace. However, I'm back to say that you can do this if you watch this DVD first, then try the exercises at your own pace. By the third viewing you may find you can almost complete all the exercises with a few modifications.

This workout is in a club setting. The fuchsia mats are set on larger purple mats with white stars. The dark floor and the sapphire backgrounds make this an aesthetically pleasing workout.

Routines

Routine 1: This is a ½ hour body shaping routine with a focus on strengthening core muscles, toning the arms and working the abs like never before! Combine this routine with the second routine for a full-body workout. The beginning of this workout is deceptively easy. You quickly warm up and then move from standing to the floor in a quick sequence of movements you may recognize as a type of Vinyasa. Then you spend a lot of time doing push ups without really realizing you are doing push ups. This is wonderful because the variety helps you tone up your arms without boredom.

Your wrists may start to tire out if you don't give yourself enough breaks. I did wish she had alternated with exercises you could do on your back because I started to feel that I was spending too much time looking down at the mat. However, the bonus is a test for your patience level.

Due to the fast-paced style, I'd recommend this to anyone who has a basic knowledge of Pilates and Yoga. A Yoga mat is needed, even though this is presented as a Pilates workout. There are many Yoga postures and while you are in the isometric positions it is helpful to be working out on a secure surface.

Routine 2: This is a ½ hour workout designed for the legs and abs. You will feel your entire body being strengthened and toned. The beauty of Kristin's teaching style is in the motivational quality of her challenge. She presents the challenge and gives you more options. You can follow her and go for the advanced routine or you can choose beginner or intermediate. I found I was alternating between all three, depending on the exercise.

Bonus Routine: You could add this to the hour workout (Routine 1 and 2) or you could use this routine when you have less time. I'd actually say it is filled with creative interpretations of Pilates exercises.

Create Your Own Routine - Step-by-Step selections lead you to your perfect exercise routine.

Audio Setup - Want to listen to your own music? You can select the Instructor-Only Audio Track. I enjoyed the music on this DVD and it kept me motivated. After exercising, you may enjoy the music-only audio track for stretching. There is not a lot of stretching or a cool down section at the end, so that might be an option.

This DVD is not only a true test of your physical strength, the exercises will test your endurance and willingness to push your body to the next level. I was very determined to make it through this workout and on the second try I made it through most of the exercises. It brought out an entire level of competitiveness I didn't even know I was capable of and I was determined to make it through this DVD as if the world would end if I didn't complete the exercises. Now I look forward to incorporating this workout into my weekly routines.

Definitely an intermediate to advanced workout to try after learning the exercises in the MTV Yoga, MTV Power Yoga and MTV Pilates DVDs. The Music on this Pilates DVD is perfect and compliments Kristin's teaching style. Whatever will she think up next? I can't wait for the next DVD and I look forward to the challenge.

~TheRebeccaReview.com

Pilates for the Lower Body

Relaxing Classic Pilates Workout, December 21, 2005

This is an excellent place for beginners to introduce themselves to Pilates. It is also a relaxing workout for intermediate Pilates students. Kathy Smith creates a beautiful caring environment with a garden patio and beautiful mat colors.

The Hundred - a breathing exercise you do while you are on your back with feet in the air. Challenging for the stomach muscles.

Roll Ups - from a completely flat position on your back, you roll up. Once you accomplish this, the satisfaction of being able to do this is immense! It is really challenging at first, but then you develop core strength.

Single-leg circles - while on your back, you circle each leg
Double-leg Kick - laying on your stomach, you bend and extend your legs

Shoulder Bridge - laying on your back, you raise your hips
Shoulder Bridge with a Kick - with hips raised you raise and lower one leg
Knee Squeeze

Side-Kick Series - a series of toning exercises for each leg
Swimming - you lay on your stomach and swim
Mermaid - a nice stretch you do side to side while kneeling

The entire experience is comforting, all while seriously toning your lower body. There are enough strength challenges to keep you focused and the exercises are classic. This is not fast enough for advanced Pilates students, but could be used
for a relaxing workout in the evening.

~TheRebeccaReview.com

Ultimate Pilates

Pilates On The Go

Winsor Pilates

Weekly Workout	Shaping up for Summer
Karen Voight - Pilates - Abdominals &...	Dynamic Body Makeover

Learn Winsor Pilates

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        Savon Health   Click on "Health Quizzes" to find your Body Mass Index (BMI) test. 

        Bowling Shirt Custom bowling shirts and bowling-related items.

Dance

Goddess Veil Workout

White Sands, Red Veils and Ocean, February 7, 2006 If you imagine the life of a goddess, living say on an island of white sand and ocean breezes, then you have captured the mood of Bellydance with Veils. This is an escape to a land where red veils dance in the breeze as you flow to ancient rhythms, awakening the inner goddess or joyful feminine essence. Dolphina captures the playfulness of dance all while making dancing with veils a celebratory and sensual experience. The movement of the veil allows a freedom of feminine expression all while seriously strengthening the upper body, enhancing posture and giving you a confidence-enhancing workout. The joyful expression of bellydance is enhanced with veils and not only will you be enjoying a 30 minute cardiovascular routine, you also shape and sculpt your body. I love Dolpina's warm soothing voice and her approach to bellydance is always enlightening and engaging. This is a nurturing workout to return to again and again and is a true bellydance escape for when you want to escape the pressures of modern life. If you have time, follow this with Barbara Biziou's Momentary Meditations. Your stress will completely dissolve and with dance and meditation you may find a sense of calm descending over the rest of your day. ~The Rebecca Review   Bellydancing Kit   An easy way to acquire "Zils", February 15, 2007 I can't tell you how many bellydance DVDs I've gone through without zils and I really wanted to try them. There is something intoxicating about the sound and the rhythm and in a class setting they are fun to use or you can try them out with this book. I'd advise you find a bellydance video if you are trying to learn the moves because it is simply easier to experience the flowing beauty of this dance when you can observe a dancer in motion. This kit provides you with the finger cymbals (zils) and a 32-page (really tiny) booklet about how you can learn a head circle, head slide, shoulder shimmy, rib slide, rib circle, belly roll, hip shimmy, hip circle, hip drop, snake hips, waist circles, snake arms and figure eights. The short section on finger cymbals explains how to put them on and then how to use them to "gallop" or "run." The advantage to having this small box is that you have a place to store your zils. If you are looking for some fun Bellydance DVDs, you might enjoy the Veena & Neena Belldance Fitness for Beginners series. I especially enjoyed the Basic moves & Fat Burning Routine. Here are some to try if you want to try the DVDs: Ultimate Bellydance Fitness Bellydance - anything with Rania Bellydance for Beginners Fitness Fusion The Goddess Workout with Dolphina: Bellydance with Finger Cymbals Bellydance Magical Motion Discover Bellydance Bellydance for Fitness and Health - Level 1 ~The Rebecca Review     Soul Sweat Workout   Ecstatic Electronica Workout, December 25, 2006 SoulSweat is a few levels beyond bellydance and just about any other dance I've ever tried. The creativity in this form of dance frees the soul and takes you back to the beginning of time where you connect with the earth and the flow of energy through the body. Chantal Pierrat excels as an instructor and she not only takes you through the initial introduction to give you a full awareness of each dance move, she infuses you with curiosity so you can't wait to see what she will do next. The set is beautiful and the workout clothes are by Autumn Teneyl. Working out with this DVD is perhaps one of the most enjoyable experiences of any exercise routine I've ever tried. The reason seems to be the feeling of freedom of expression and the release of all stress to embrace a completely new experience. You can even improvise at any time as your body may in fact want to move slightly differently and as long as you are working out and keeping up with the pace, you will burn a lot of calories. After the first 10 minutes the music starts to energize you and you gain the confidence to try new and exciting dance routines. No traditional dance training is required, but the dance steps do seem based on a variety of world flavors including Latin, African and Indian traditions. Chantal Pierrat has an extensive background in ballet, jazz, modern dance and yoga. Experience with yoga, ballet, pilates are definitely the basis for many of the evolving textures throughout SoulSweat. So if you have been working out with those types of routines you are going to absolutely love the Deep Sweat (45-minutes) and Quick Sweat (30-minutes) workouts. The music is an absolute highlight in this workout and include music by Maneesh de Moor, Nawang Khechog, Aine Minogue, Ustad Sultan Khan, Shaman's Dream, One at Last, Gypsy Moon and Shiva Rea. If you enjoy electronica or world music, this is heaven and I can't wait to find more workouts with this type of music. When they say sweat, they mean it, although this is more like a gentle mist radiating off your body while you are dancing beneath the trees in a rainforest. ~The Rebecca Review

Fun to Wear During Dance Workouts

Chiffon Wrap Dance Skirt

Surprising Find - No Dancing. Just an amazing workout to prepare you for dance! 

Playful & Sexy Workout to Burn Calories

Playful, Sexy and Creative Toning and Tightening, March 14, 2005

Michael Carson and Carmen Electra have created one of the best total body workouts I've ever tried. Michael leads Carmen through all the exercises, bringing her a chair when needed and showing her how to do the exercises in the most effective way. At first I was disappointed that Carmen was not teaching the class, but technically they are both teaching because Carmen also makes comments throughout the workout. Then, after doing this workout I wanted to find additional Michael Carson workouts.

I had no idea this workout would instantly become one of my all-time favorite workouts. There are so many creative exercises; I can't even describe some of the moves because they are completely unique. This is exciting when you are looking for variety in your exercise routines.

The exercises are moderately intense (you will feel a burn and start to sweat) and this is definitely an intermediate challenge. I have reached a point where most workouts don't make me sweat, so I knew this was taking me to a new level.

Michael Carson has a no nonsense approach (although he also includes humor), all while making your confidence surge. When Carmen says catching your breath isn't sexy when stripping, I can say that trying to catch your breath while following Michael Carson's instructions is definitely sexy. Pant...Pant...He will make you sweat and you will love every minute.

Fit to Strip is not a strip workout, it is a workout that will whip you into shape and encourage your body to burn off those extra calories. Michael Carson incorporates signature moves, classic exercises on a more intense level, Pilates, and Yoga exercises into his routines. There are plenty of stretches to give you a break and to increase your flexibility while your muscles are warm. The stomach exercises are powerful and exactly what I've been looking for.

I was impressed at the toning and tightening and how strong I felt. You would imagine you'd be worn out, but this workout boosted my mood and made me feel stronger and more confident.

Workout Routines

1. Cardio Warm Up
2. Floorwork

Mini-Fix Workouts

3. Isolation: Lower Body
4. Isolation: Abs
5. Isolation Upper Body

Combinations & Quick Toning

6. 20 Minute Toning
7. Upper & Mid Fix Workouts
8. Lower & Mid Fix
9. 30 Minute Total Body Workout

Extras:

Photo Gallery
Interview

You are going to feel so sexy after doing this workout and the exercises are fun, challenging and effective. The setting is in front of huge windows and that gives this workout a nice open feeling.

The exercises on this DVD are some of the most effective I've ever tried. You can feel them working. I wasn't really that sore the next day because there is a lot of stretching in the workouts. The exercises move from the floor to a chair or from the floor to standing, so you are constantly moving.

The Carmen Electra workouts encourage you to get in touch with your inner goddess and that in turn makes you want to be sexy, which makes you want to workout on a regular basis. I used to think you had to workout to feel sexy, but maybe you need to feel sexy to want to workout.

~TheRebeccaReview.com

Yoga

"Yoga is not one particular method. As soon as a person 
starts thinking, 'I want to be a better person, ' that's 
the start of yoga." ~Baba Hari Dass

Illustrated Yoga - The Best Book I've Seen!

Rainbeau Mars Yoga Practice Vinyasa Flow

Total Yoga Level Three Fire

Yoga Shakti with Shiva Rea

In my current elated state, I will say this is perhaps one of the most healing routines I've ever tried to complete, for I will be working on this one for years to come. This has intermediate exercises and advanced exercises at an advanced speed. That doesn't mean you are moving especially fast, it just means there are not breaks between the poses. You are moving through the poses consistently until the floor routine where you start stretching.

If you consider this a complete aerobic and stretching routine with the bonus of meditation, you may start to consider this as one of your most wonderful Yoga experiences. Only serious yogis need apply. This is advanced and perfect in the winter because it warms the entire body, makes you feel like taking a nap and leaves you refreshed for an evening out. If you do this on a day off, try it between breakfast and lunch. By the evening you will not only feel relaxed, but even more energetic and alive. The feeling of being energized and relaxed is a thing of beauty.

~TheRebeccaReview.com
Intermediate who loves a challenge

Better Sex Through Yoga Series

Fitness Plans

Denise Austin's Personal Training System

Breathe in Clean Pure Air when you Exercise