Chi Kung: The Healing Workout with Dr. Jerry Alan Johnson Review

"The Healing Workout: Chi Kung - soothing easy-to-learn exercises for lasting health and vitality. The sharpness of the mind, the strength of the body, and the clarity of the spirit are all essential for health and vitality. Chi Kung exercises work on all three. Chi Kung training combines the quiescent state of meditation with graceful Ta Chi-like movements in order to form energy building exercises. So effective are these exercises that today in China, Chi Kung is prescribed for ailments and illnesses as readily as medicine is administered in the West. So powerful are these exercises that for centuries Martial Artists have use Chi Kung to empower their fighting and athletic abilities. Yet these exercises are simple, gentle, easy-to-learn and are for all ages and levels of fitness and coordination. This program combines an award-winning collection of stunning nature footage with exercises demonstrated by Master Instructor Jerry Alan Johnson." 

How awesome are these images?  May seem a little cheesy- kind of cult-like, but it's not.  The movements are well explained and after you watch/do the workout many times you will not tire of the instruction.  The images in the background are of forests, lakes, glaciers, the sky- all natural and beautiful and I find them to be soothing and calm.  Same with the music and their dress- meant not to distract, but to sooth. Definitely different vs my Tracy Anderson workouts as you have to take it down a few notches, but the benefits are not any less- just different.  It's somewhat like a reset, coupled with relaxation, and I find myself with more clarity and aware of how present I am.  I love this workout.  You may too.  :)

Tracy Anderson's Metamorphosis Trampoline (Rebounding) Cardio DVD Workout Review

I was super happy to receive my Tracy Anderson Mini-Trampoline (rebounding) Cardio workout as it has been on back order for about a month.

I have been rebounding on a daily basis for almost a year now.  Mostly with my own routine of jumps and kicks whilst watching TV or listening to music or an audio.  From time to time I kick it up and will use Tracy's YouTube trampoline workout, which is awesome- just quite intense and probably intimidating for one starting out.  It is also broken up into parts and not as fluid. The DVD rebounding workout seems easier or rather more user friendly vs her YouTube one.  If you are familiar with her Metamorphosis Cardio workout you will find it is practically the same... just adapted for the rebounder, which makes sense since it is part of the same series.  It has a simple grey computer generated background.

Unlike the other Metamorphosis DVDs... you do you not have control over the setting selections ("full audio mix, music only, tracy's voice only"). There are in fact no selections aside from "play".  The workout is 30 minutes.  For the entire 30 minutes the music is on- same track that is on the cardio workout.  For the first 3 minutes you have Tracy's voice talking about the workout. After so many times using the DVD I am sure some will tire of the message... but at least it's only 3 minutes long.  You have the option of muting and using your own music.

My rebounder is by Jumpsport, which I LOVE and use almost daily (review/details HERE).  It has bands vs coils as is as quiet as a rebounder (mini trampoline) can get.  Rebounding has many benefits and I have become somewhat addicted in a good way to the bounce.  Though I really like her cardio workout, I cannot currently use due to insufficient insulated floors and I prefer rebounding.

I rebound barefoot.  I do not wear shoes as she does.  I am into barefoot running/research that has come out and thought I would share as it might work for some of you.  Tracy does all her workouts in shoes.

All in all I am glad I purchased the DVD.  Some will prefer just to jump on their rebounder and come up with their own routines as I have, but it's nice to have a cleaner version of her workout. Tracy's intensity definitely brings your workout up and rebounding is so beneficial to your health.  I think it's worth $30.  Cheers!

Tracy Anderson Rebounder Workout + Jumpsport Rebounder Review

I have wanted a rebounder for a VERY long time.  Lots of health benefits to boot and easy to do at your own convenience.  I waited because the Bellicon, that was at the top of my list are quite pricey (but quiet- bands vs springs)... and I wanted to test them out before committing, which wasn't easily possible.  As luck would have it I found one, the Jump Sport 350i with bands for about 1/2 the price, and it's fantastic!  Yeah!

I purchased mine from Costco HERE.  It is very quiet and has a great bounce.  It's the 2nd to the top of the line 370 model, comes with a 4-in-1 workout DVD, and handle bar great if you need more stability.  The DVD is a good place to start and the handle bar is great if  you need more stability. 

The only downside is the legs do not fold up for easy storage or if space is an issue, and they take a little time to take off/put on (allen wrench- included). Other models available on Amazon.com and Jumpsport.com.  

Aside from wanting a rebounder, I have also always wanted to try Tracy Anderson's Trampoline workout- which I can now report is pretty intense.  I've always had so much respect for her workouts, but this takes it to a whole new level.  Her intensity, the pace of the bouncing and switching it up- she makes it look sooo easy, but it takes a bit of coordination and practice.  You will work up a great sweat and feel fantastic.  I love that you have access to this workout all the time (as long as you have internet + a rebounder of course)- no excuses.

Here is her workout in full - some nice person put it all together.  About 32 minutes.

Links to her workout in the 4 original parts:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vkfj06zTafQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRtHouFbHu4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqdTLShnECA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLejQkeSZRE&feature=related

Happy Happy Rebounding!!!

Ashley Borden Demonstrates Her Fitness Techniques

(Photo: Ryan Forbes)

Ashley Borden, star trainer, demonstrates her fitness techniques on Elle.com. What caught my eye was this picture (above) and this claim... "But by doing rolling out every day before your workouts, your legs will not only feel much lighter, they will also begin to de-bulk."

Borden is using a PVC pipe. I've used the softer-sided foam cylinders for rolling out before and thought they were painful enough- so I suggest you try them first and see how you feel before investing in a big 'ol PVC pipe. But I am excited to try this again. I think the Tracy Anderson Matt method really helps de-bulk as well, but this might just be an added bonus.

(Photo: Ryan Forbes)

I also liked that Borden talked about the benefits of rebounding. It has been on my list... so one of these days I'll bite the bullet and get one. I just always wonder how often I will really use it...

"Even though it looks easy, 10 minutes of concentrated, balanced bouncing elevated my heart rate equivalent to that of running a couple of miles on the treadmill. In addition to firming your body, rebounding is also highly beneficial for your internal health. A boost to your lymphatic system and a stimulus to your internal organs, rebounding is also recommended for being such a low-impact workout."

You can find Borden's complete series of fitness techniques HERE. Sculpt, de-bulk and rebound away!