Crunch - Super SlimDown: Pilates Yoga Blend | 
 enlarge | Actor: Ellen Barrett
Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.98
Buy New: $6.24
You Save: $8.74 (58%)
New (42) Used (9) from $6.24
Rating:  130 reviews
Sales Rank: 607
Format: Color, Dvd-video, Full Screen, Ntsc
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 42
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.5 x 0.4
MPN: 013131424393
UPC: 013131424393
EAN: 0013131424393
ASIN: B000CEXF8I
Theatrical Release Date: 2006
Release Date: February 7, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: BRAND NEW AND FACTORY SEALED
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Product Description
Certified Pilates and fitness instructor Ellen Barrett presents a workout combining yoga moves with Pilates exercises to help tone, strengthen, and burn calories.
Genre: Exercise/Fitness
Rating: NR
Release Date: 7-FEB-2006
Media Type: DVD
Amazon.com
So here's a portrait of yoga in the 21st Century: this ancient discipline, created thousands of years ago to enhance the meditative experience (the asanas or poses commonly used in hatha yoga were in fact designed to enable meditators to sit quietly, calmly and comfortably for hours on end), is now "a total body blast," with users urged to "get hard core" and "feel the groove," all so "your torso will look buff." At least that's how Ellen Barrett, the relentlessly sunny instructor featured in Crunch Yoga's Super SlimDown: Pilates Yoga Blend, sees it. But while that approach may sound pretty frightening to traditionalists, this can't in fairness be viewed as a typical yoga video; nor does Barrett, who commingles power yoga moves and what she describes as "core-conditioning power pilates," make any claims that it is. Many of the poses--including Warrior II, extended right angle, cobra, locust, and others--will certainly be familiar to yogis. But instead of holding these poses for several breaths, as is common, Barrett takes a more aerobic approach, "pulsing" in and out of positions as if this were a calisthenics class; while that doesn't do much to promote stretching, it does generate a lot of heat and calorie burning. Same goes for the pilates portions, which involve a lot of leg lifts, abdominal work, and other mat-based exercises. One might wish that the instruction were more detailed when it comes to proper breathing, alignment, and so on; it's also a bit paradoxical that while the "Crunch philosophy" states that their fitness programs are designed for "people from all walks of life regardless of shape, size, or ability," the only folks we see onscreen are uniformly attractive, bare-midriffed young women in amazing shape. But hey, whatever. Call it what you will, this is a fast-moving, reasonably challenging program that will likely find favor with many. --Sam Graham
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| Customer Reviews: Read 125 more reviews...
 Great workout and easy to follow! August 18, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I just did this workout for the first time this morning and was pleasantly surprised to have jello arms and legs afterwards. Sometimes Pilates/Yoga workouts can tend to be on the easy side but this one is definitely a challenge. I did have a decent amount of experience with yoga and pilates before doing this routine but found it to be easy enough to follow that a beginner could do it. She also does 3-4 sets of every exercise so at least by the last time, you can catch on. I would definitely recommend this to someone who likes yoga and pilates.
 Good DVD, annoying instructor July 24, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
For reference: I'm an avid gymrat--I exercise 5 days a week doing weights, cardio, and anything else that strikes my fancy. I really enjoyed this workout; I found the exercises challenging but not too crazy or hard that I had to stop. I've seen or done most of the poses from this video before so I didn't feel too out of my realm. This is not meditative or relaxing in any shape or form (hence, "SlimDown," nothing aimed at losing weight is relaxing!)--it is purely exercise. I do not consider this Yoga since a key component in Yoga is meditation. They USE Yoga poses and stretches, and they do Pilates exercises, but it is every bit an exercise video as Jane Fonda and her leg warmers.
I only gave it 4 stars because the instructor's voice is incredibly obnoxious and cheerleader-y.
Love it! July 6, 2008
Let me begin by saying for the price of this DVD it is totally worth it. Second of all, it is an awesome pilates and yoga workout! I cannot afford a gym membership so I make my home my gym. I have a treadmill, weights, and a weight bench. I also have about 20 different DVDs, both cardio (Tae Bo, bootcamp ones) and yoga and pilates ones. This DVD though tops them all! I have other DVDs of Ellen's (and they're all great) but this is my favorite. The flowing moves, the repetition, and the music is very relaxing, but it also offers an amazing workout. You can really see your core working hard. I would highly recommend this DVD to anyone who likes yoga and pilates. I would also recommend Ellen's level DVD (the one where you can pick from 3 different workout levels). I teach yoga and pilates at a summer camp and I brought the level one in to do with the kids and they loved it and kept requesting to do it again! I will be doing this one with them, too! I think I will have the same results with this one as well! Hope you enjoy the DVD!
Wow! This is YOGA? Love it! June 16, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is one of the first Yoga/Pilates exercises that I've done and I love it! It's so relaxing, yet you get such an awesome work out in the process.
Loved it June 9, 2008
Really love the combination of yoga poses and pilates moves. A great work out. I highly recommend it.
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