Caribbean Workout: Core Pilates (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)I recently picked up this program after really enjoying the previous Caribbean Pilates/Pilates Plus DVD's (which I've already reviewed on Amazon).
This set contains three twenty-two minute self contained workouts that were formerly on the Caribbean Workout Show. Being from a TV show there are commercial breaks which fade in and out, sometimes more smoothly than others. Still, in spite of a few rough spots in that regard, these programs are really some of my favorite Pilates based programs along w/ the Caribbean Pilates and Pilates Plus.
Their length makes them easy to fit in, the price is super low and you get a lot of workouts for that low price.
The first workout has a abs/back focus and it's very well sequenced. Jennifer Tilley, who leads the workouts w/ Shelley Mcdonald as the "student", alternates between Abs exercises and Back extension exercises. Jennifer Tilley has an interesting approach to varying the "classical" Pilates exercises as well as the way she sequences them. For me it works very well and keeps things fresh.
The second segment is a mix of Yoga type poses and Pilates exercises. It starts standing and then moves down to the mat. There's a nice mix of Ab core and back extension exercises as well a mini Sun Salute where you go from cobra into child's pose (she refers to these as up dog and down dog, but they are actually cobra and child's pose).
This segment is very much a blend of Yoga and Pilates, more so than any of the other Caribbean workouts that I have.
The third segment is primarily focused on the lower body and features a fairly extensive side lying series.
It starts w/ the hundred to warm up and then moves into the side lying position.
The one thing that I wanted to point out is that Jen Tilley first does 4 or so exercises on the right side, then switches to the left side and does the same exercises. BUT then what happens is that she continues on the left side and starting with the Développé on does a whole bunch more exercises and ends w/ small leg circles.
At that point after some gentle hip stretches, then she goes to the other side, starts with the Développé and then completes the leg series on the right side. The thing I don't like about this is that even though the same exercises are eventually done on both sides they are not done in a symmetrical order which means the left side is really maxed out by doing them all in a row while the right side gets to rest and then complete the series after the left side is done.
Fortunately, if one is aware of this and wants to make it symmetrical, what you can do is, switch back to the right side when she starts the Développé and then switch back to the left side when she does the Développé on the right side. In spite of that workable imperfection, this is an enjoyable and fun DVD to work with that definitely works the areas intended. I gave it five stars in spite of the few imperfections because overall I think it delivers what it promises and does so at a ridiculously low price!
I enjoy the personalities of the two teachers, the spontaneity of the way they interact and the scenery as always is beautiful. There is always nice gentle music during the Pilates sessions which enhances the overall atmosphere of the sessions.
If you are looking for a more "classical" Pilates approach I would highly recommend Hilary Burnett's Intermediate program. If you've never done Pilates before I would recommend Stott Basics program for excellent detailed instruction. I have heard great things about the Hilary Burnett Beginner program but unfortunately don't have that one.
Ana Caban has some nice beginning and intermediate programs as well which are based more on Joseph Pilates approach.

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Yoga Inside Out: The Healing Way Review

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(More customer reviews)The instruction on this DVD is classic, and so incredibly helpful. It doesn't stray too much from the Hatha yoga I learned from an Indian nun decades ago, in its simplicity and deep health benefits, with the additional advantage of Paula Tursi's knowledge and teaching abilities, which are exceptional, as she makes us understand the "why" as well as the "how." You will need 2 small blankets to fold or roll to accommodate yourself and be comfortable in some of the asanas, a strap or thin scarf about 4' long for a leg stretching exercise, and a mat or rug to lie on. Tursi has 2 other people demonstrating with her who are on different levels of accomplishment, so you have a choice of following either one, and it's made clear that you are to acknowledge your own uniqueness and work at your own level.
After the introduction, and a section where Tursi explains (with a skeleton) how important hip mobility is with a few exercises, we get the main instruction, starting with a terrific breathing lesson, which gives us inner clarity and total relaxation. Tursi then gently begins with floor work to increase flexibility and strength, leading up to the basic "Sun Salutation," and going on to much more, slowly increasing in difficulty. The lesson is planned perfectly, with a balance that keeps building without ever causing stress. The final meditation is beautiful, and you can feel your body healing as you relax.
Well produced, the demonstrated movements are always easy to see, the music good, and the meditation visuals a delight, should you want to keep your eyes open. Tursi's soft voice and excellent enunciation makes her instructions easy to follow and pleasant to the ear, and she is aesthetically wonderful to watch. This "Yoga Inside Out" DVD is about as good as you will ever find, and with 90 minutes of superb instruction, you really get your money's worth.

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Yoga Inside Out - The Healing Way focuses on yoga body mechanics and optimal alignment as the keys to unlocking the healing power ofyoga. The program consists of a lesson on yoga body mechanics and an 80-minute beginner-intermediate therapeutic practice.


Paula Tursi, Founder and Director of NYC-based Reflections Yoga,built this healing program with a special emphasis on discoveringtherapeutic benefits of yoga for improving the condition of the lowerback, hips, and knees. The body mechanics lesson explores the anatomy of the pelvis and points out the causes of tension, tightness, andaches coming from incorrect carriage and imbalanced pelvic posture.



Tight hips, gluteal muscle gripping and misaligment of the spine aresignificantsources of lower back and knee pain.Opening the hips can create stability in the knee joints and help to properly align the lower back.



Paula teaches awareness of the four separate bones that form thepelvis, and prompts understanding of the differences between postures where two halves of the pelvis move as one unit or move independently. She teaches how to stabilize the spine whileincreasing the opening and mobility of the hips through maximizing the effectiveness of inner and outer hip rotation exercises.



Paula teaches simple techniques that transform familiar yoga exercises into deep therapeutic experience through additionalawareness of the anatomy of movement.



The 80-minute practice features Paula's instructional method ofbuilding a developmental progression of movements to awaken thebody's innate dynamics, expanding the range and depth of motion whereit may have been left underdeveloped, and prompting one to move notjust from the muscles and joints but also through drawing supportfrom the inner body, organs, and breath.

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