The Yoga Bootcamp Box: An Interactive Program to Revolutionize Your Life with Yoga

I have been using Baron's Videos and DVD's for years and he's definitely my overall favorite instructor out there (I have over 80 Yoga programs on Video and DVD so I am very familiar with a good deal of what is out there).

My main purpose for purchasing the Bootcamp box was for the Yoga flows. I have been practicing yoga 7 days a week for about the last 8 years and am always looking for more short practices to use along with my longer practices. The three 20 minute flows "Vinyasa Flow", "Hip Flow" and "Core Flow" are wonderful sequences that anyone can fit into their daily lives. The Yoga Cards that come with the set are excellent for helping you learn and remember the poses along with the verbal instruction on the CD's.

I haven't done the 75 minute practice yet but I am looking forward to it because I have done Baron's longer video practices such as "Soul of Strength" and "Power and Precision" and they are really great (and really tough).

Still, if you did nothing else but rotated among the three different 20 minute flows on a daily basis, it would be enough to keep you strong and flexible from head to toe. As Baron even stresses in "Journey Into Power", "A little bit of yoga done a lot is better than a lot of yoga done once in a while".

Also, I would HIGHLY recommend getting Baron's Video called "Transform Your Life, Yoga with Baron Baptiste" which is from a PBS special where he takes 40 students through a week long bootcamp. It is very inspiring and also has a bonus 20 minute "Power Yoga Basics" practice after the feature. It's a great routine and very easy to fit into any morning.

The overall Bootcamp concept is very interesting and I would love to go one one of his actual bootcamps someday, but for a very small price one can implement much of those practices right now at their home. Even if you can't devote yourself to the complete bootcamp experience, just incorporating his basic principles of eating and the yoga flows (and meditation) can make a difference in your daily life from the moment you receive the Bootcamp Box forward for the rest of your life.

The great thing about a home Yoga practice (especially a vinyasa power yoga approach which will eliminate the need for weight training) is that you NEVER have to miss a day of doing your practice. It doesn't matter what the weather is like, you don't have to drive to a gym or class, you can't make excuses for not having enough time (since anyone can spare at least 20 minutes). Just roll out your mat before you eat and shower each day and you are ready to go :)

I have even found it possible to squeeze in 20 minutes of yoga at home when I've had to be at the airport at 6 AM (which means waking up about 4:30 AM and starting my practice at about 4:40 AM :) ). The microscopic amount of sleep you sacrifice by rising a bit earlier will be nothing compared to the benefits in terms of well being and energy you will reap from the 20 or so minutes of Yoga. I have also found I can always bring my mat with me on trips (by folding it flat a few times rather than rolling it) and have even practiced in tight spaces in Hotel/Motel rooms.

I'm only writing all this for the purpose of emphasizing just how realistic it is to have some form of daily yoga practice under almost any circumstance.

Even if you're not up for a more physical Vinyasa practice, I'd recommend trying some of the "Yoga Zone" basics tapes (all have Two-20 minute routines which are very good, or Suzanne Deason's "Stress Relief Yoga For Beginners" which is about 20-25 minutes and will put you through a full range of movements. In the least you can do Rodney Yee's AM yoga which is about 15 minutes long, his Power Yoga Set is also quite excellent, less than 30 minutes each, "Stamina" is my favorite of the three).

Along with many of his Video/DVD programs, I also have both of Baron's books, "40 Days to Personal Revolution" (his latest) and "Journey Into Power" (my favorite of the two). I would highly recommend purchasing "Journey Into Power", it is very comprehensive and inspiring, it also has a section on a "Cleansing Diet" which if followed will not only help you lose weight but give you tremendous energy.

Since using his approach to nutrition (which is really very simple, it's based eating whole fresh foods, staying away from processed foods) I have been able to up the level of intensity of my Yoga practices, only rarely having to do a more gentle practice. This has increased my strength considerably and has built a lot of lean muscle.

So, lose the excuses, roll out your mat and jump start your day and your life!

Namaste

This was a great purchase-4 yoga routines and a meditation. One disc has 3 twenty minute routines, perfect for busy days. A 20 min. vinyasa flow that covers the majors. A 20min. that works the core like nothing else-it burns but not in a "please stop now" kinda way. A 20min. hip routine that feels so good. And lastly a 10min meditation that is great for developing a practice. Disc two has a 75-yes, 75 minute class. This class works you top to toe. The audio format does take some getting used to especially if your practice is usually in a class or video. Familiarity with the poses is a must! The set contains flash cards which detail the poses and their modifications. The book is basically a cliff notes version of Baron's books.

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This is an awesome package!! So nobody is confused: this package consists of a small paperback book, flash cards, and 2 AUDIO CDS (not DVD) with 4 yoga programs and 1 meditation practice. I love it and use it all the time. I have looked at other reviews here and found that I disagree with most of them, but I think it is because you will view this package differently based on how much yoga you know. If you are a true beginner, it will be too difficult to understand the poses just from listening. If you are a beginner, I highly recommend "Journey Into Power: Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga, Level 1:Beginner" (it is a DVD that also has the extra benefit of showining 9 of the basic poses in detail on a pose tutorial). Once you get comfortable with the poses and the techniques, movements, and breathing, then this CD set is really awesome!!! I find that it is very easy to use. For me, now that I know more yoga, it is more distracting to keep looking at a video screen to see what is comming next. As far as the cards gothey are very helpful. I found that they are completely in the proper order and are very helpful. The best thing is not to spread the whole deck out in front of you. Go through the stack a couple times before the practice to familiarize yourself and then take the stack and put it at the front of your mat and flip to the next card for each pose. This way you won't get confused. The first couple times you may fumble around a bit until you get the hang of it, but this is certainly no reason to give up. The rewards are great because this set helps take the yoga more into yourself and away from a video screen or other people. Only then can you see the true benefits to yogathe inner self and inner peace. I have found that now that I have used this set for a couple months, I do not even need to refer to the cards and now I am really able to get a good yoga practice because I have no distractions. I highly recommend this. If you are a beginner, please try the DVD I recommend and when you feel like you have mastered that, then come back to this set.

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I bought this set because I didn't like having to crane my neck to look at the TV during yoga videos, so it seemed like an audio guide would be a good idea. However, I find the routines hard to follow you really have to go through the flash cards and memorize the poses and their names beforehand. Otherwise Baron Baptiste will say "now, chatttarangadanda vinayasana" and you are like WHAT? And you have to scramble through the cards, which kind of breaks up the flow. Also, maybe I am slow, but having done each of the routines about three times, there are still points where I miss something and suddenly I am supposed to be standing but I am laying on the floor. This makes it very hard to maintain the rhythmic breathing. If only they would include a list of the poses in order for each routine! This seems very simple and I can't believe it is not included. I also like being told when to inhale and when to exhale the Yoga Zone DVDs (for example) are very good about this and I miss it here. HOWEVER, I find the routines to be very nice, and the cards are lovely and include modifications of the poses for beginners. I think that once you know all the poses and have some idea of the flow of the routines so that you're not scrambling to keep up and can relax enough to focus on flow and breathing, this set will be super. But it's not something where a beginner can just open the box and have a satisfying experience.

Also, the set is meant to be used as a three-day intensive experience where you change your diet and devote your weekend to yoga and meditation. I have not done this but it seems like an interesting idea.

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Prior to pregnancy and having my 6 month old daughter, I was a regular practicer of yoga. I was used to going to intense heated power yoga classes and because of time was looking for something intense yet doable with my unpredictable schedule. This was exactly what I was looking for -the yoga practice is intense yet invigorating. The CDs are perfect and so much better than trying to watch a TV screen. It allows you to get more into your practice as if you were in a class. The 20 minute programs have been my favorite and no matter what kind of day you have had you can fit 20 minutes into your day. For me it has been the perfect thing to do right before bed. Baron's voice is slightly annoying but you quickly forget and then don't notice it. The 75 minute CD is good and thorough like a normal class. I would recommend you are familiar with the poses and their names prior to getting so you don't even have to bother with the cards but just jump into practicing. I would highly recommend this product to people familiar with yoga and looking to practice at home.

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Kundalini Yoga

I found this book to be just what excerpt on the back cover of the book states, it is an illustrated instructional book on Kundalini Yoga. This is not a book on yogic philosophy and lifestyle. Shakta Kaur Khalsa has written a great visual guide book on what Kundalini Yoga is, showing real people performing Kundalini Yoga. These photographs depict what you would do if you attended a Kundalini Yoga class. I found that these pictures give the reader excellent visual instructions on the specific nuances of how the Kundalini Yoga breathing, Mudras, and Kriyas are performed. This Kundalini Yoga book serves the following purposes, it gives the reader a clear picture of what they would be doing if they attended a Kundalini Yoga class. It also serves as a cheat sheet to help the Kundalini Yoga student who attends class to review the postures and be able to do them at home on their own, without the Yoga teacher, and it also serves as a guide to share with a spouse, children, or friends who may want to join you in doing Kundalini Yoga. If the readers is interested in finding out what Kundalini Yoga is about, or if they would like to have a visual reference for what is done in a Kundalini Yoga class, or a book of photographs which demonstrate Kundalini Yoga Kriyas, I would highly recommend this book. If the reader is looking to read about the Kundalini Yogic philosophy and lifestyle I would recommend they purchase, "Kundalini Yoga The Flow of Eternal Power" by Shakti Parwha Kaur Khalsa. "Kundalini Yoga The Flow of Eternal Power" covers Kundalini Yogic philosophy and lifestyle in great detail. "Kundalini Yoga" by Shakta Kaur Khalsa is just what the book states it is, a visual instructional book on what Kundalini Yoga is and how Kundalini Yoga is performed.

I was very satisfied with this book. I own a lot of different introductory books about hatha yoga, and this is definitely one of the best. in addition to the exercises, it contains excellent explanations of the underlying concepts and foundational techniques, it doesn't just contain a bunch of poses or a few sets, but gives you a wide variety of exercise sets and meditations a long with descriptions of the benefits and purpose of each one. the book provides a great deal of flexibility and room for experimentation, which is extremely rare in a "beginner's text." the photographs and instructions are clear and of high quality, and the book provides a good introduction to the practices and lifestyle of Yogi Bhajan's devotees.

some points of clarification may be warranted from the reviews of the other readers. first of all, "kundalini yoga" as referred to her is the name given by Yogi Bhajan to the style of yoga he developed. it is not the same as the various forms of yogi developed within hinduism expressly oriented around the development of divinity through the cultivation of kundalini. this form of "kundalini yoga" is modern, and bears a much stronger resemblance to hatha yoga than it does hindu kundalini yogis, which are primarily meditative. like hatha yoga, as taught by Swami Sivananda and the Ashtanga lineage and others, Kundalini Yoga represents a fully developed spiritual system and set of lifestyles practices. however, unlike other popular forms of hatha yoga, kundalini yoga is not grounded in Hindusm. also, whereas other types of yoga are some times taught with an emphasis placed on the exercise aspects, with the spiritual and lifestyle aspects deemphasized, Kundalini Yoga is always taught as a complete system.

a great deal of controversy surrounds Kundalini Yoga, 3HO and Yogi Bhajan. as one other reviwer wrote, a number of scandals have occurred within the community over the last thirty years, and these are chronicled on Rick Ross's website. however, a self-proclaimed deprogrammer and cult investigator, Rick Ross himself is a controversial figure and has been investigated and sued on a number of occasions. none of the actions following from Yogi Bhajan's alleged misconduct ever resulted in a conviction.

finally, Yogi Bhajan's credentials as a yogi teacher have been called into question, as has his claim to be the spiritual representative of the Sikhs in the Western hemisphere. these allegations are more or less true. Yogi Bhajan's lineage is completely unknown and many of his teachings violate the basic tenets of Sikhism. to my knowledge, Sikhs do not practice hatha yoga, and many of the beliefs and techniques in Yogi Bhajan's system were clearly borrowed from Hinduism.

all that said, I and many people I know have practiced Yogi Bhajan's Kundalini Yoga for years and have found it to be healthy and emotionally and spiritually uplifting. on that grounds, I recommend this book to anyone interested in yoga, spirituality and mind-body exercise. with regard to the other issues, I suggest you draw your own conclusions about 3HO and Yogi Bhajan, without being overly swayed either by his devotees or his critics.

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Having started Kundalini Yoga in Feb. of this year (2001), I was anxious to "bring home" my practice of Kundalini Yoga. My teacher is wonderful and recommend this book because I wanted to find or learn some thing so that I could do my exercies at home. Kundalini Yoga, by Shakta Kaur Khalsa, was my answer. This book is the very very best at introducing, explaining and depicting exercies, mudras and medidations relating to Kundalini Yoga, the Yoga of Awareness. The pictures are colorful, clear and the directions are precise and easy to read. I, we, are all lucky to have such an author to give us such great work and allow us to bring home our daily practice of Kundalini Yoga. My hat is off to this book and its context. Thank you.

Sat Nam

Scott Heiple Norman, Oklahoma

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I want to thank Shakta Kaur Khalsa for her incredibly beautiful books, her beautiful writing, and her beautiful teachings! Certainly her "gift number" must be 5 since she is such a talented teacher and communicator!

I bought the "Kundalini Yoga" book about a year ago and still thoroughly enjoy selecting various "kriyas" (exerices) to perform. One of my favorites is the kriya for disease resistance! The book is so beautifully produced and Shakta's writing is so lyrical. I have given many of the Kundalini books as gifts to help others discover their life potential.

Also, I purchased the companion CD to the Kundalini book and often use that music to accompany my yoga practice. The music is beautiful and the CD has so many tracks!

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the incredible benefits yoga offers. The descriptions are very clear and the writing is so very inspirational. There is such a wealth of information that even now, a year later, I am still using it as a reference as I get deeper into yoga.

I also enjoyed the nutritious recipes. I overcame a cold very quickly by preparing a delicious datemilk. I've made some of the soups as well, all very tasty and healthy!

I plan on buying more of Shakta's books. They are my absolute favorites when it comes to yoga!

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This is a FANTASTIC resource and addition to one's yoga routine. Of course, it is only an introduction, but it is informative, accurate (to my knowledge), and easy to understand. It has a wonderful design and layout. It tells you everything you need and is a wonderful guide.

If you are curious about Kundalini Yoga this book is for you:

"Kundalini Yoga, the mother of all yogas and the most powerful yoga known. As brought to the West in 1969 by Yogi Bhajan, it produces results 16 times faster than ordinary yoga.

Its power comes from the Kundalini, an enormous reserve of untapped potential within each of us. It is normally depicted as a coiled or sleeping serpent, located in an area towards the base of the spine.

By gradually and safely awakening this serpent and employing its power, you will benefit greatly from an elevation in consciousness, promotion of physical well-being and an expansion of awareness. You will feel more relaxed and at ease with yourself. Your life will be transformed into one which is happy, healthy & harmonious."

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The First Year: Multiple Sclerosis: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed

I was actually diagnosed a year and a half ago so this book was less useful for me but boy, I sure would have loved to have had it those first few weeks and months when I was going through the stages of grief and trying to deal with so many emotions and thoughts all at once. This is better than the "newly diagnosed" book I had when I was hit with this reality. I can really see myself in these pages. It walks through all sorts of things you face emotionally but also gets to aswering questions that you have when first diagnosed. The book is broken down into chapters called Day 1, Day 2, etc. Really it's more like Week 1, week 2 etc. But within each chapter it has "living" which talks about what you may be feeling emotionally and it gives good perspective on that emotion; and then it has a section on 'learning" and that's where certain questions about MS or about living with MS are addressed. Each chapter is broken out that way. So it addresses not only the emotional side but also the thinking side. I think its a great book. Even though I'm past many of these questions I keep the book around and refer to it once in awhile to give myself a kick in the pants to exercise or eat better, etc. As my doctor told me, MS is like running a marathon you're in it for the long haul. It took me a year to really understand what was meant by "chronic" illness -ie.e., yea this really isn't going to go away. This book is great though in helping to be proactive about the disease, not feeling gloom and doom. Highly recommended.

This book is simplistic and annoyingly cheerful. Perhaps I know too much about multiple sclerosis after being part of my brother's struggle for 15 years and then recently being diagnosed myself. I found Blackstone's attitude like that of a kindly old aunt. Don't worry, dearie, you can overcome this nasty little problem and live a full and happy life like anyone else.

Puleese! Tell it like it is. Tell it the way Montel Williams did in his personal experience, "Climbing Higher", which was painfully honest, realistic, enlightening and inspiring.

I am stuck with this disease and must learn to accept it, but I don't need anyone to give me false hope. The author talks about the great medications they have, but doesn't spend much time on the miserable side effects. She stresses that a cure is within the near future. I hope that is true, but the doctors told us that 15 years ago and nothing helped my brother who is recently deceased.

It's nice to have a positive attitude like my amazing brother had, but it's not nice to represent MS as if it were a condition that, if you follow the author chapter by chapter, will lead you to a wonderfully fulfilling life. Living with MS requires courage, faith, endurance and hard work as you move forward into the unknown. Maybe cheerleading works for Blackstone, but I would rather have respect, compassion and an understanding of what each of us endures on a daily basis with this cruel disease.

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I am in the process of being diagnosed possibly with multiple sclerosis and have had some rather scary problems of at times of not being able to move my legs and other problems. I read another book on MS and it scared me to death. This book is honest but yet hopeful and is written to give the on the way to diagnosis or newly diagnosed patient specific information they are looking for at the time. It also introduces the reader by babysteps to the trials and ,yes, victories, that await them in living with multiple sclerosis. Very clear, honest, and precise, yet sympathetic and understanding. A definite for someone facing or given the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and their loved ones. It has greatly helped me.

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As another reviewer has said below, I was not impressed with the standard of research and referencing in this book. The drug section is indeed heavily biased towards the drug the author is taking and she even goes so far as to claim that other drugs are ineffective for most people-contrary to what the science says. I also found much of the emotional stuff moved too quickly for meshe really only deals with it in the first week, and as someone who has been diagnosed 6 weeks, I am still working towards the positive attitude that I should apparently have already. I also found the month 5 chapter on "life choices" difficultthe majority of stories are about how leaving your (bad) relationship will improve your life and I feel like the author doesn't acknowledge the immense comfort that a supportive partner can provide. I wouldn't recommend you purchase this to get you through the first yearI have found the information and counselling provided by my healthcare team and local MS society to be infinitely more helpful. If you are science-minded however, I found Multiple Sclerosis: The Guide to Treatment and Management to be an excellent evidence-based guide to the treatments out there.

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I ordered this because a close family member was recently diagnosed with MS. I wanted a better understanding of his experience so that I could be supportive. I read it first, then sent it to him. He said it's good. Lots of good advice. Well written. Author has MS herself. Reads like a memmoir but is embedded with medical and emotional insights along with practical advice.

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Life Is Short, Laundry Is Eternal: Confessions of a Stay-at-Home Dad

I enjoyed all aspects of this book, it makes you laugh, want to cry and be happy all at the same time. It goes through parts of parenthood that we all go through but don't always want to talk about out loud. Come on, we have all dropped the baby, lol. He really hit his stride talking about his daughter Arden and her having type 1 diabetes. It was a pleasure to read about his perspective from a man's point of view, without him giving parenting advice.

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Scott Benner's inaugural book, Life is Short, Laundry is Eternal. There are a lot of books out there claiming to have all the answers to parents' insecurities about how to best raise their children, and many of them come off as pedantic and sanctimonious, turning most readers immediately off. Benner's book does the exact opposite. From the first chapter, I was pulled into the book and couldn't put it down. As a pediatrician and a parent myself, I strongly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun but poignant read-Benner takes stay at home parenting, actually just parenting in general, to a whole new level. His anecdotes alternate between hilarious and touching, and the book's conclusion will leave you crying and wanting for more. Parents of kids with chronic illness will especially appreciate the anxieties and insecurities Benner reveals, and his advice for dealing with them truly comes from his heart. I can't recommend this book highly enough. You won't regret it.

Adam Naddelman, MD

President, Princeton Nassau Pediatrics, PA

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Honestly, I could not put it down. As the wife of a stay-at-home dad, the lessons Scott shares, in a very gentle and humorous way, are both relevant and moving. His words have helped me become a better wife, mother and person. Thanks for that, Scott!

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This was a fantastic book from start to finish. Anyone with kids or planning to have kids should read this book, as it will put a lot of things into perspective for you. Obviously, this book is also a must-read for anyone in the diabetes community as well. The individual stories are well put together and the book has a tremendous flow to it. You will laugh, you may cry and you'll definitely take a hard look at some things after reading this book.

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I was hooked on the first page! I read the book in about 2 days. This book is a great short read touching on everyday issues of stay at home parents. This book is a touching reminder of how precious minutes with our children are! It reminds us to take advantage of every opportunity to enjoy our children. The anecdotes presented are funny and, at times, heart-wrenching! This book is a great reminder for all of us who struggle with unfair cards we may have been dealt in life, to keep going and push through the tough times and find enjoyment in life again in spite of those cards.

Great read!

Misty B.Florida

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15 Minute Everyday Pilates (Book and DVD)

Alycea Ungaro has once again set a new standard for accessible yet authentic Pilates instruction for the home exerciser. As in her last release, The Pilates Promise, she uses smaller workouts to help introduce Pilates to the new (or time-crunched) exerciser). Here, however, she extends the at-a-glance guides into what she calls a "gatefold"two consecutive pages that open out into a four page spread with the workout. While I had no complaints about the guides she used in her previous books, this is much easier to see and use.

The workouts themselves have a slightly different twist from her previous works: definitely in the Classical Pilates tradition, but with some preparatory additions (though I can be as much of a purist snob as anyone else, I think I've even heard of Romana doing this). However, while the sequencing is traditional, it is definitely slanted toward the beginner or low intermediate exercisermany movements, such as the Teaser, are modified down, but few are modified up.

From the more advanced exerciser's point of view, Ungaro compensates for that somewhat by including some very rarely seen exercises, either from the Mat, Standing or Reformer-on-Mat sequences. The majority of those show up in the weights series (e.g., the Lunges) or the "functional fitness" workout, (e.g., the Splits). At the very least, they're a great way to incorporate variety into your Pilates routine.

While Ungaro previously used a Magic Circle in her other books and even an optional Pilates bar, here the only pieces of equipment required are a well-cushioned mat and hand weights; in other words, even more accessible for the average home exerciser.

The workouts themselves are: Day by Day, which is a modified version of the classical syllabus most Pilates practioners are familiar with (the Hundred through the Stomach Series, plus some other classics, although, again, movements like the Hundred and the Roll Up are modified); From the Top Down, which uses handweights and has a more immediate upper body emphasis, but also works the lower body if done properly; From the Bottom Up, which includes much of the well-known Side Kicks series as well as the modified Teaser and a few weightless upperbody movements); and Up, Up and Away, the functional fitness workout which includes a differently modified Hundred, some Rowing exercises, some spinal twists, some modified Reformer movements and the rarely seen Footwork and Splits series).

Because I have been doing Pilates for years, I would probably turn to the last workout the most because of the different movements. However, Ungaro also provides sample schedules for people who would like to incorporate all of the workouts into their weeks, with different time constraintsanother very useful guide.

As for the DVD, each workout takes the promised fifteen minutes, although experienced practitioners could probably perform them more quickly. Ungaro has a pleasant onscreen delivery in voice overpatient, warm, but to the chase. I think many people who want to get started with Pilates and need an AV guide would find her suitable.

This a great addition to the library of beginning and intermediate Pilates home-practitioners, but advanced students may want to look at Ungaro's older books.

I have been a big fan of Alycea Ungaro, for years I have purchased her books and the Classical Pilates DVD's that she collaborates on. This book/DVD combo is great. Thank you for finally giving us a book that can really open out and show everything step by step.

This is interactive Pilates, between the book and the DVD it is near impossible to not know your exact form and the page references are nice. Even though I have practiced Pilates for years I still found myself pausing and checking the book to make sure I knew what I was suppose to be doing. (Especially with the arm series which had many new exercises for me.)

The first workout is really a Pilates prep or reset. Where you get back to the basics and even into pre-basics.

The second workout is more about upper body w/ light weights.

The third workout focuses on the leg series and lower body.

The forth workout is more of a full body workout that is more intense than the first workout.

Since these are all 15 minute workouts, its easy to fit them into your day. I have been doing 15 mins in the morning after my cardio with a PM session to get the full 30 mins into my daily work week. Then on Saturdays I'll do 30-60 mins depending on how much time I have.

I liked this Book/DVD combo so much I have come back to purchase a copy for my mother.

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Everything about this book is great. For a start, the presentation is really good from the smooth cover to the well-designed page layouts and clear photographs demonstrating the exercises. The pages that 'fold out' to show each of the four workouts are also very helpful. Perhaps most importantly, the exercises are all explained in detail and each stage is described in a simple yet effective way. Overall, it just feels like a lot of effort went into every aspect of the book to make it user friendly.

The DVD is the perfect complement to the book. I didn't realise that you could move from one exercise to another so quickly and without the DVD I would have been going at a much slower speed. I was also amazed by the variety of exercises crammed into each of the 4 workouts! The time goes by really quickly because you are never just standing about waiting for the next exercise to start, you are always either doing an exercise or transitioning into the next. I really have to praise the author, Alycea Ungaro, for the wonderful way that she voices over the DVD. Her instructions are simple and her tone of voice is very pleasant and calm. She makes the whole thing a real pleasure to do and makes me feel very motivated.

As a complete Pilates beginnner, I found the workouts quite tough. I was able to follow the moves most of the time, but sometimes I couldn't do all the repetitions or get myself into exactly the right position. But nevermind, this will obviously come with practice! By the end of each of the 15 mins I often have sweat breaking out on my forehead and my muscles feel like they have had a good workout. I like the way you can do just one 15 minute section or combine them. I like to do the 'Day by Day' section followed by one of the other 3 sections (I alternate them each time) for a good 30 minute routine.

Overall, I highly recommend this product. It has a very slick and professional feel and is very efficient in terms of fitting a lot of exercise into a short period of time.

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I have done a lot of different styles of workouts, but not Pilates. Recently my doctor recommended I get some Pilates training and workouts, so this book does a great job of going into the details, so the CD workouts can be followed with correct posture and breathing. The 15 min workouts can be linked together to make a longer session, or taken on one at a time. Great explanations and photos to get you going.

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I dont write many reviews, but have been wanting to get the word out on this deceptively modest "little book". I'm a middle aged man, and I was looking for an excercise program that would help me reclaim my computer desk body. I was also looking for a program that would help me for the remainder of my life. After much research, I settled on Pilates. I learned that Martha Graham, George Balanchine, and others would send their dancers to Joseph Pilates for training and/or rehabilitation after an injury. With clients like that, I cant logically think of a better health and physical maintenance method. Since a dancer's body is their artistic medium, dance has some of the greatest athletes. We just don't hear of their accomplishments in the win/lose paradigm of today's sports obsessed culture and media. They are appreciated, but only by a smaller audience.

My next step was to find a resource that would keep me on track, while helping me gain an understanding of the Pilates method.

Ms. Ungaro provides that, and more in this easy to use, clearly illustrated book and DVD. With regular use, I've seen great results and feel much better.

It wasn't easy to start rebuilding a body that had been neglected for so long. My body wasn't strong enough to perform the excercises correctly. With patience, and without force, I slowly began to gain greater control over my body's movements and my breathing, 15 minutes each day. Thanks to Ms. Ungaro's no nonsense program, I was able to work up to doing the excercises correctly. Holding the "Pilates stance" is not easy, but once I was able to do so, and sync my breathing, the power of Ms. Ungaro's book was revealed to me. It was then that my real Pilates work began. I was humbled since it requires great strength, concentration, and commitment. In today's gym culture, the focus is on the outside. "Wow, they've got some guns" is a phrase we in the culture when referring to people who are working ther arms, shoulders and pecs with weights. Not that there is anyting wrong with that, but the Pilates practitioner has their guns on the inside, not the outside. They do not stand out as a person who is in "great shape" by stereotypical tape measure standards. Since the practice focuses on the inside out, and weights are rarely, if ever used, it can appear to be a method best suited for the weak, uncommitted type who can't handle a workout that lacks chutzpah. This couldn't be further from the truth.

My workout efforts were noticed over a year later when I was heading into work one day, I dropped my glasses just as I was getting on an elevator. I had an open coffee in my hand and without thinking much about it, I quickly leaned over, balancing on one leg, and scooped up my glasses up from the lobby floor in one smooth motion. I didnt spill a drop of my precious morning coffee. Another office worker making his way onto the elevator saw me make the move, and he could not refrain from complimenting me on my agility. I didnt know the person, so I will confess that it was a little awkward to receive such a sincere and unexpected compliment. What has become a natural movement for me was a graceful, physical feat in the eyes of a younger, heavier set man.

If you want to change your body, and possibly your life,get this book and stick with it.

Naturally, before starting any excercise program, Ms. Ungaro recommends checking with your doctor.

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Ginger Book: The Ultimate Home Remedy

I absolutely LOVE this book, I cant wait to read some of the other books Fulder has written. I happened across it in the library when looking for other herbal informational books. The Ginger Book is packed full of helpful and specific information from where it comes from to what it is good for, and everything in between.

Chapters:

1. ginger as a medicine

2. ginger and the circulatory system

3. ginger and the digestive system

4. ginger for coughs, colds, aches, and pains

5. growing and trading of ginger

6. chemistry of ginger

7. history and folklore of ginger

8. ginger products and preparations

9. ginger up your cooking

10. conclusion

it also includes further reading and an index

my favorite part is probably the history and folklore, which includes the gingerbread man story, as well as information like how popular it was in country fairs and festivals and how women used to bake gingerbread men and they called them "husbands" for their 'obvious warming qualities'.

there is also information on many different cultures uses of ginger, from the ceremonial to the every day cooking and harvesting of. ginger through history, gingers cultivation, and also explains that ginger is NOT in fact, a root at all, but a rhizome! 9ok, so maybe i already knew that but its still SUPER cool ;) very interesting, not at all hard to read, and Fulder makes it easy to get excited about ginger!

recipes at the end include:

main disheschicken chow mein, chinese ginger fish, chinese ginger steak

vegetable disheschanna masala (spiced chickpeas, ginger vegetable, matar aloo, ginger sweet potatoes

chutneys and picklescarrot pickles, ginger pickles, ginger chutney, coconut chutney, tomato chutney

desserts and snacksginger ice cream, ginger pumpkin pie, light ginger pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, gingerbread men

beveragesginger ale, ginger wine, ginger punch

I have this on my wish list now to buy i love it so much. I recommend it to anyone into herbal remedies that are easily available, and for anyone who just loves learning new things or just LOVES GINGER! I think anyone can benefit from this book and i encourage you to check it out it will be worth your while :)

You can tell the author really enjoys this spice and wants others to learn of its many virtues. It is a fun read, has some interesting facts and tempting recipes. Luckily I reside in an area that has Indian and Asian markets, so I plan to put this new knowledge to work for better health.

Buy Ginger Book: The Ultimate Home Remedy Now

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