This is a new video by Jennifer Kries, a ballet-trained fitness instructor who is well-known for her The Method Pilates videos. Here, Jennifer expands her teaching and adds a new element, the concept of Yin (cool, relaxing) and Yang (hot, energy).Thus the concept of this DVD is to provide exercise segments which are designed mainly to relax, energize, or both. There are a total of 7 different individual workouts, each of which are designated as Yin or Yang; 3 of these segments involve use of "Pilates Toys," including a magic circle, dumbbells, and a stability ball. The DVD offers a variety of workout options, including 7 "custom" premixed routines which combine two or more of the individual segments.Here is the main menu for the DVD:
*Welcome to Hot Body Cool Mind
*Complete Waking Energy Life Force Workout
*Waking Energy Workout Segments
*7 Custom Waking Energy Workout Combinations
*The Yin Yoga and Meridian Theory Interview
*Credits
*About Jennifer
I didn't try any of the premixed workout combinations, as most were a bit too lengthy for me (3 of the 7 were under 50 minutes, the remainder were 52 minutes and more, up to 87 minutes).However, I did mix and match until I had used each one of the 7 individual workouts.When you select the option for the individual segments from the main DVD menu above, the breakdown is as follows below (note: the times are all as given on the DVD insert, and the 5 segments labeled "on the go" are less than 25 minutes each):
*Waking Energy Introduction
*Waking Energy "Before You Begin"
*Waking Energy Sitting (21 min.) -on the go
*Waking Energy Standing (24 min.)
*The 5 Tibetans Introduction
*The 5 Tibetans (11 min.) -on the go
*Pilates Magic Circle (14 min.) -on the go
*Pilates Sculpting Series (10 min.) -on the go
*PhysioBall (10 min.) -on the go
*Yin Yoga Introduction
*Yin Yoga and Meditation, Full Yin (28 min.)
*Yin Yoga and Meditation, Shorter Practice (21 min.)
Okay, now I will provide my impressions of each of the above:
Waking Energy Sitting (actual time 28.5 minutes).Jennifer states that this is the "full list" of waking energy exercises (as opposed to the shorter series on the Level 1 DVD).The moves here are based largely on Chi-Gong and focus on awakening chi, or life-force; the exercises involve activities such as rubbing the hands together to generate energy and actually slapping and punching the body to loosen trapped chi (Jennifer provides detailed instruction on these moves both during the workout itself and in the accompanying booklet to insure that they are pleasant). Self-massage movements are also included, from loosening the muscles of the entire face by massaging the eyes, cheeks, jaw, and ears to massaging the feet.Overall, I think this segment would work great for a warm-up, although it is a bit lengthy to use regularly for that purpose.
Waking Energy Standing.This segment is also based on Chi-Gong as well as Makko-Ho (active meridian stretch).Performed standing and including various spinal rolls, I found it to be more energizing and stretching than the seated version (although both Waking Energy segments are supposed to serve dual Yin or Yang roles depending on when they are performed).Although not labeled this way on the menu, it is actually shorter than the seated segment.
The 5 Tibetans. These 5 exercises are known as the "Rites of Rejuvenation;" they are practiced by Tibetan Monks and are supposed to stimulate the chakra system to provide age-defying benefits. Some of the moves are recognizable from yoga, such as camel pose and down dog, but all are performed in a series of flowing repetitions (the goal is 21 for each exercise) with breath. Assuming that you've already worked with her previous DVDs, Jennifer does 14 reps of each move here (she starts with only 7 reps on the Level 1 DVD).Despite my prior experience with both yoga and the 5 Tibetans themselves, I found it a bit difficult to keep up with Jennifer's fast pace, although she does instruct you to relax with two full breaths between each exercise set.She also shows some modifications for each movement prior to starting the exercise, but I thought this disrupted the flow of the workout, especially when she could have included this information in the 5 Tibetans introductory segment.This workout ends with the goddess breath.
Pilates Magic Circle.This was a nice short workout using the Pilates circle or ring.It begins working the upper and the lower body from a standing position, using some unique variations on the exercises that I haven't seen in other ring workouts.There is also some work for the abs from a seated position as well as additional moves performed on one side only.
Pilates Sculpting Series.Here Jennifer leads her two background exercisers through the standard standing arms series developed by Joseph Pilates.She moves briskly from exercise to exercise, sometimes pausing before a new movement to give a form demonstration.Jennifer notes that 5-10 repetitions are the usual recommendation, and she does 8 of each exercise here (although the reps were slightly off on a few occasions).
PhysioBall.This third short "Pilates Toys" segment was more challenging than I had expected!Jennifer begins seated on the stability ball for abs crunches, moves to feet resting on the ball for hamstring work, and finishes with some tough plank work on the ball (she briefly demonstrates even more advanced variations).
Yin Yoga and Meditation, Full Yin.Jennifer describes Yin Yoga as "needle-less acupuncture" in the sense that it targets the meridian areas of the body to provide complete relaxation (she explains this further in the interview link off the main menu).Jennifer alternately refers to the postures as "makko-hos" and explains which meridian pairs are addressed by each.Although she recommends holding the poses for up to 15 minutes or at least 8-10 breaths, they are NOT held that long here; rather, she frequently reminds the viewer that she and her helpers are offering an overview of how you would practice on your own.The postures are performed entirely on the floor and include butterfly (cobbler's pose), a choice of seal (similar to cobra) or saddle (similar to 1-leg reclined hero), seated forward bend, dragon (wide-legged seated forward bend), a choice of shoelace (bull seat or the legs from cow-face pose) or eye of the needle (thread the needle) or ankle to knee (double pigeon), pigeon, wide-legged child's pose (Jennifer actually recommends performing regular child's pose between every posture, but this is not shown), dragonfly (wide-legged forward bend), quarter dog, reclined twist (revolved stomach pose), dead bug, cross-legged seated forward bend with crossed arms, and relaxation/final meditation.
Yin Yoga and Meditation, Shorter Practice.This abbreviated Yin Yoga practice (21 minutes) is not listed on the DVD insert.It contains the same footage as the Full Yin practice above, but a few of the postures are left out, and others don't seem to be held quite as long (the end of the practice in particular felt a bit more rushed).Poses here include butterfly, choice of seal or saddle, seated forward bend, choice of shoelace or eye of the needle or ankle to knee, pigeon, dragonfly, reclined twist, and relaxation/final meditation.
In summary, this is generally a very well-done DVD with a variety of practice options. I think that ideally, it would appeal to someone with prior experience in both Pilates and yoga who is interested in incorporating additional Eastern principles and philosophies into their workouts.I can see myself using the waking energy segments whenever I want to feel gently refreshed, the Pilates segments as add-ons to my other workouts, and the Yin Yoga practices when I want to get the benefits of relaxing yoga postures with extended holds.My overall rating is about 4 1/2 of 5 stars.
One final note:Hot Body Cool Mind "Waking Energy" was released at the same time as another Hot Body Cool Mind DVD by Jennifer Kries, Level 1 (or "Embark on the Journey").Apparently, two other DVDs in this series, Level 2, "Harness the Power," and Level 3, "The Life Force Power Workout" are yet to be released.Also, during her instruction for this Waking Energy video, Jennifer sometimes refers to it as Level 4 and assumes your prior experience with the other DVDs in this series.
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Product Description:
She taught you how to speak Pilates.Now Jennifer Kries,America's #1 Original Pilates expert, is ready to teach you body thelanguage of Waking Energy!Look and feel younger with greater energy andvitality! Tone and Sculpt, lengthen and define! Enhance flexibility, corestrength and stamina!
