Product Description

Certified fitness instructor Madeleine Lewis guides you through targeted morning and evening stretching programs. AM Stretch is an invigorating way to start the day with emphasis on restorative flexibility. PM Stretch helps you to relax and to re-align your body. This deluxe DVD includes two 30-minute stretching workouts bonus Power Stretch workout separate music track and an instructor interview. System Requirements:Running Time 90 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: HEALTH/FITNESS Rating: NR UPC: 029956016705 Manufacturer No: 120-1289

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6311 in DVD
• Brand: GAIAM AMERICAS
• Released on: 2002-12-16
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: 1.00 pounds
• Running time: 90 minutes

Customer Reviews

3 Workouts to Improve Flexibility, Core Strength, & Posture
Workout Description: 2 30-minute routines & 1 20-minute routine (DVD bonus only).
Workout Level: high beginner to mid-intermediate
Instructor: Madeleine Lewis (Certified instructor and personal trainer; Nike Elite Athlete; has designed and choreographed many fitness videos, including those by Kathy Smith) by voice-over. Madeleine's voice is clear and pleasant. She cues well, and the cues are well coordinated with the movement. However, she is not always very precise with her description of movements or naming of muscles.
Class: Madeleine only.
Music / Set: The instrumental music is pleasant. All workouts are filmed outdoors in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
Equipment Needed: mat. Workouts can and should be done barefoot.
Caveats: Familiarity with stretching is helpful. Even though each stretch includes a warm-up, you will get the most out of these stretches if you do more of a cardio warm-up (such as marching in place) for a few minutes before starting.
Additional Comments: You do not need a lot of space to do this workout. You should be able to lie down with your arms and legs extended and be able to move your limbs around without hitting anything..
The A.M. stretch is good for not just the morning; you can also use it as a warm-up before other exercises. It includes some core (abdominal and lower back) work and posture awareness series in addition to the stretches, meaning it's more energizing than relaxing. The P.M. stretch is good for relaxing at any time. It includes a quick foot and lower leg massage and brief relaxation segment in addition to stretches. The Power Stretch has some yoga-inspired moves but isn't yoga, so if you want the benefits of yoga but don't like that discipline, this might be the thing for you. I've added it on to a strength training workout either as part of my warm up or cool down.
The DVD allows you to choose your workout, with or without music, or your chapter and has an interview with Madeleine about her background. The short booklet included breaks down of the A.M. and P.M. workouts and has a few helpful suggestions about how to use the routines.

My favorite stretching routine
I was looking for a good stretching routine and I've found it! Madeleine Lewis instructs the stretching. She is very clear in her instructions and is good for either beginners or intermediate students. The scenery is absolutely lovely in the practices. You have your choice of three different routines. One, the AM is a fairly gentle routine. I use it quite often in the morning to get me going. You do a short warm up and then get into the stretching. There are about 25 stretches and the practice lasts about 25 minutes. The second one is a PM stretching routine which again starts with a warm up, then about 15 stretches and then a relaxation/cool down, about 25 minutes. The third routine (extra) is a power stretch and very uplifting, lasts about 20 minutes. All of them are very good and useful for every time of day.

Wow!
I am in my late fifties, overweight, out of shape and have arthritis in my knees. When I previewed this DVD, I was sure that I would not be able to do the stretches. However, with some modifications for my inflexibility, I was able to do all the stretches.
Pros:
Beautiful and peaceful scenery
Very professionally produced
She gives instructions with voice-over as she does the stretches silently - very easy to follow her instructions and movements
Calm, soothing voice
Reminders to breathe correctly
Reminders for good body alignment and form
Not impossible moves for the inflexible
Good sequencing of stretches
Just makes you feel good!
Cons: Her voice-over tells you to use one leg or arm while she is using the opposite leg or arm on the video. Not really a big deal,though.