CallaneticsEvolution DVD

I purchased the original Callanetics VHS in high school and was thrilled to find this updated DVD with more Callanetics.

If you''re not familiar with the exercises, they''re slow like yoga, but very effective and with no inverted poses. The moves are isolated and you consentrate on a few areas at a time, but what you feel later (and believe me, you''ll feel it) is that you''ve worked your entire body. The cool thing is that it gets you a workout to your very core. It feels like you''re toning your muscles at a very deep level (I''m not a personal trainer, so don''t know proper terms) but you can tell it''s really working the muscles.

Some of the positions will feel awkward at first and takes a little time to adjust. Definately go with the woman demonstrating at your level (There are three to choose from). They give lots of instruction and reminders on how to position yourself, which is helpful.

This DVD is relaxing, while strengthening, and you will need some time to complete it all the way through. It is divided into sections if you want to concentrate on one section at a time.

While not as high tech and fancy as some of the exercise DVDs out, this one gets results that I''m happy with. I highly recommend this DVD.

This workout attempts to update Callanetics, but I''m not sure they succeed.

Is it a terrible workout? Not really. If you''re looking for a hybrid of yoga, callanetics and pilates, it''s not so bad.

If you love straight up Callanetics, stick with the older, Callan-led workouts. Callanetics at it''s core is very simple, and the older workouts tend to flow quite nicely, which really means that once you learn the moves, you should be able to work on your own without an instructor, book or dvd. It''s all about working at your own level, at your own pace, nothing scary. If you''re looking for Callanetics, I''d say to look at the original ''10 years younger in 10 days'' (an hour long), or the AM/PM (2 20 minute workouts, definitely doable as morning/evening workouts, it''s most of the 10/10 workout spread into two workouts).

In this ''Evolution'' workout, three exercisers work simultaneously, each doing a slightly different level.

There''s not much in the way of guidance, so in order to know what to do, you have to really look at the screen and try to puzzle out what''s going on. This is much easier for some moves than others. The transitions from one move to another don''t always make sense either, and you won''t know what''s coming up based on the instructor. More than once I''ve had to stop the dvd, figure out what position to get in, get myself there, and then restart the dvd. This kind of thing really ought not to be necessary.

There''s a section that purports to give tips on proper form, but it''s a discussion of theory and principles, not a step by step, here''s how you do moves x, y or z.

I do like some of the ideas for modifying the pulses, but again, the lack of proper cuing makes it impossible to figure out what to do unless you stop focusing on your workout and look at the screen.

Given that the original Callanetics workouts were all about getting in to the proper position before doing the pulses and maintaining proper form throughout, easing gently back out, the lack of advice and structure here seems kind of sloppy.

Some of the flow of the workout just seems odd, and in my view, if you want someone to do a particular yoga or pilates pose, use that name for it (cat, dog, downward dog, etc.) so people know what''s expected.

I''m assuming that some of this new ''Callanetics'' is all about marketing, continuing the business Callan Pinkney began, but honestly, I''d have preferred an old-school Callanetics routine.

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I did callanetics when I was in my 20s. I came upon records and photos I had kept of my progress back then and was shocked at the results I had obtained in reducing saddle bags, toning thighs and lifting my derriere. Why, I asked myself did I stop? So, I was delighted when I found there was an updated callanetics and promptly bought it. It still works and it is even better than the original because the positions are much easier to hold. I saw results in a week. I have tried it all and frankly, I don''t like the gym scene, I hate lifting weights and I don''t like exercises like the "fire hydrant," which do little or nothing for saddle bags and are awkward. My legs tend to bulk up easily if I use machines, and I am sick of hearing trainers tell me it is all in my head. My jeans don''t lie. After doing this routine, I feel relaxed. There is no jumping around with throbbing music. It is ballet based. You work at your own pace and gradually build strength...elegantly. More than likely, your muscles will not be aching the next day. "No pain, no gain" is not in this equation. Lastly, the legs are balanced and take on feminine curves, not angular with some parts over developed, like when you work out on machines. If your life is already hectic and you are seeking a lovely experience to shape up, I highly recommend this. If you have neck or back issues, this should not be a problem except for the stomach section, which I skip. Lastly, you will lose inches, some people go down several dress sizes, however, this is not cardio, so you might on off days do something else.

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I did Callanetics in my teens and although the goal then was to sculpt my butt into a bas-relief of a real dancer''s, I remember how great the program was. I recall the intense but simple exercises and how I would occasionally become frustrated that I never completely mastered them. They were subtle, but a challenge. So I was thrilled to see this updated version, CallaneticsEvolution. This DVD is a great way to reboot a flagging exercise program, and it is an ideal inauguration for those wanting to start a new one.

Instructor Sandra Hanna''s unobtrusive but confidently delivered tutorial maintains the gentle tone of the exercises (and her British accent provides an extra nudge of authority). Like the original VHS version, the movements remain gentle without being easy and the after-effects leave you feeling refreshed, never depleted or sore. But don''t let the mini-movements fool you... the pulsing actions, when performed correctly, add up!

Added bennie: The DVD''s relaxing background music puts my dog to sleep! This is great if, like mine, your dog sees floor exercises as an invitation to wrestle. (Try doing restorative yoga poses while an 80-pound maniac Labrador jumps on your abdomen. Enough said.)

I would highly recommend this DVD to anyone looking for gentle but effective exercises.

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These are the things I appreciate about the Callanetics Evolution workout: This DVD has pleasant, non intrusive music that''s not too loud, creating a gentle, relaxed background to the narrator''s voice. The atmosphere the music creates allows you to do the exercises at your own pace, without feeling like you need to keep up with the demonstrators. Three women demonstrate 3 levels of each exercise, giving you something to work up to. After a few times of using the DVD, you can easily remember the exercises and incorporate them into your daily schedule. Some exercises are appropriate for stretching out your muscles or correcting your posture at the workplace or wherever you are. The movements are ballet/yoga/pilates based, and work deeply in your muscles.

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