A 40-minute blend of flowing Yoga and Pilates, meant to strengthen and lengthen your muscles. Ellen Barrett instructs.

Advanced beginning through intermediate exercisers — you should have some experience with both Yoga and Pilates. A mat is the only equipment you'll need.

Ellen Barrett is such a nice, supportive instructor, so you may be deceived into thinking this Yoga-Pilates blend is a nice, easy workout. Easy it is not. Barrett cheerfully talks you through exercises with innocent names like the Willow or Little Piece of Heaven, but your muscles will be quivering when you're doing them. You start off fairly easy with variations on a standing Yoga flow to warm up and then you hit the floor for matwork that combines Yoga and Pilates. This is one workout where the floorwork is tougher than anything you do on your feet. The aforementioned Willow starts you off in Child's Pose, but then requires that you raise your whole upper body with no help from your arms — and while (hopefully) keeping your rear end somewhere in the vicinity of your heels. Other moves challenge your upper body strength (Little Piece of Heaven involves tricep pushups), balance and, of course, your core muscles. Even those who exercise regularly will find themselves challenged in new ways. This is a very creative workout. Barrett's cueing is excellent and she is encouraging without being cloying or corny — no mean feat. If you're looking for a Pilates-Yoga blend that definitely not wimpy, you've met your match here. Very highly recommended!

 

 

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