Yoga/Pilates Help

[Stacy]

I need your help! I tried incorporating Pilates into my routine a few months ago, but just couldnt get into it. I've done both Stott and Kries Advanced Mat workouts, didnt care for either of them and I didnt feel worked out at all. Anyway, I did Christi's Strength, Balance, and Flexibility today and really enjoyed the deceptively hard isolation work in this video. So I got to thinking, maybe I should try out yoga or pilates again, but I really cant stand all the spiritual/mind-body talk etc in some of these videos. Also, I've noticed that in some reviews "advanced" yoga in some cases means doing moves like standing on your head, etc...not for me!! Is there another tape out there similar to Christi's Strength, Balance and Flexibility?? I want to sweat and feel the burn, with no impact, not necessarily feel "relaxed" and "connected" with my body. Thanks for any input, I'm new to this area!

Stacy

 

[jgoycoolea]

I've never been able to get yoga either. The closest I come is doing a stretch tape now and again--and only when I am really tight. Jeanne

 

[thebonniegirl]

Hi Stacy,
I'm sort of new to the whole Pilates/yoga thing also. I bought Brian Kest's older three video series (Energize, Tone, Sweat) and like it. I've only been using it for a few weeks, and I've noticed a difference in my strength.....I can finally do "guy" push-ups (about 10!), and I haven't even worked up to the last video yet.

Bonnie

 

[arogerson]

I recently decided to try yoga to increase my flexibility. I don't think you will sweat when you do yoga like you do when you do an aerobic workout. I am trying out the Yoga Zone videos for beginners. You can buy a 4 box set for $39 at yogazone.com. I didn't find the first video to be overly spiritual. I really enjoyed it. He did many different poses, one right after the other, and I really felt stretched out and great afterwards. Good luck on your quest.

 

[R_Lam]

Another vote for BKest's original set of videos. They are well produced and he doesn't talk too much. I like beautiful videos and this set is one of the ones I'm glad to own. He isn't too hokey either and that's real good for a yoga video. Plus it doesn't hurt that he is good to look at as opposed to old bearded guys or that chinese guy in briefs. His volume 2 works really well for me when I get too tight from lifting. It does wonders for my back ( eases knots away ) and my hams. I don't like yoga very much but I know it helps.

 

[KathyH]

Hi Stacy! I highly recommend you try Karen Voight's Yoga Sculpt and Hilary Burnett's Intermediate pilates tape or the beginner's tape. Yoga Sculpt is a 40 min. tape that concentrates on moves that are geared more for athletes rather the spirtual type tapes of yoga. Karen has precise cueing and I advise you doing this tape over and over again until you've perfected it. I learned a lot from Karen and she put me on the path to Rodney Yee's tapes. I don't recommend that you try him (his intermediate tape has inversions, i.e. head and shoulder stands) and he's very quick at going from one pose into another. You really have to know the poses by their names as you won't have the time to look up at the tv to see what he's doing. Hilary Burnett's Pilates tape is only 30 min. This tape has a zen feel to it due to the fact that she uses pillows and a lot of candles for the scenery. You also have to know a lot of the poses that she takes you through on her intermediate tape. Maybe you should start w/her Beginner tape. Check these out on Collage and see what you think. Kathy