Customer Reviews

Classical Stretch - The Esmonde Technique: Full Body Workout Volume 1 / Athletes Intense Stretch

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I've never posted a review here but after seeing the "terrible video," "too much guesswork," and "for old ladies" comments, I decided to put in my two cents.

I am 47 years old, have never had a weight problem and have, in the past, done years of martial arts training. But I am lazy by nature and suddenly, my age caught up to me and I realized I was flabby and out of shape.

About two months ago, I started doing the Classical Stretch workout on PBS. The routines look deceptively simple, but there's a lot going on under the surface. Do them for a week or so and the benefits will start to kick in. At first I was doing it because it looked easy and because it's on when I wake up. I considered it an old lady workout, too. But then I got hooked on it, so I bought the DVD. Alternating between the Full Body Workout and the Atheletes Intense Stretch, I am well on my way back to the strength and flexibility I had 20 years ago. I've also noticed that my posture is better and I never get back aches anymore.

The excercises aren't strictly stretching. They're stretching and toning combined. Although they don't seem that difficult, they really work and it's just about impossible to injure yourself doing them. The workout is not an ordeal. After doing it I feel great all day.

This is the first time I've worked out with a video and I really enjoy it. Miranda Esmonde White is in her mid 50's. Maybe that makes her an old lady, but she looks great.

FANTASTIC!!
I started using the Esmodne Technique videos after a major surgery and while suffering from Chronic Fatique Syndrome. The instructions were easy to follow. I felt more limber after each workout. Within a 6 months, I had better posture, was more limber and lost 6" around my waist without a corresponding weight loss. I dropped two pant sizes. I've been recommending her series to everyone that noticed my changes.

My husband lost weight, but couldn't get his waist down. He was using multiple gym machines and lifting weights. He started Miranda (as we call it)and dropped 2" on his waist (a pant size).

My 80+ year old petite mother-in-law complained about her hip size and her decreasing flexibility. She started Miranda and dropped a pant size and no longer complains about flexibility.

Recently my 20 something year old son asked for the videos, he decided that if his mom, dad & grandmom could do her videos, then he should try too. He dropped a pant size.

I object to several previous whinny reviews. Miranda only mentions ONCE her sponsor in each of her tapes. One needs to remember that a sponsor helps to keep the price of the videos down.

I do several different DVD workouts when I travel, mostly yoga, and this is a great addition to my top 3 or 4 DVDs. When I do it in the morning I feel better all day. I'm very active in the gym and outdoors and this provides the balance to my workouts that I need to stretch my muscles. I like both of the workouts. When I want a gentle stretching I do the Full Body Workout, and if I'm feeling more energetic I do the Athlete's Intense Stretch. If I've tweaked some joint skiing or biking, I feel like I can do these routines without causing further injury. Great DVD!

I have been using Classical Stretch 2-3x/week for six weeks now. I love this video! It has profoundly changed the shape of my body. The results are far more dramatic than any I have gotten from hard-core weightlifting and cardio regimens. I hate going to the gym now, but I exercise regularly at home--cardio and floor work--and this is a wonderful addition to my routine. My upper body has slimmed all over. My arms are "buff" and my legs have become sleek and shapely. My neck and back are vastly improved. My upper thigh and hip area has been totally re-sculpted by this video. This routine has resolved the lower back pain I was having from my desk job. I had a muscle spasm in my upper back recently, which I treated with this video instead of muscle relaxers, and it went away! I cannot say enough good things about this video. If you're looking for something relaxing that will also improve and shape your body, then Classical Stretch is for you. If you want a routine that's just easy and relaxing, try A.M./P.M. stretch instead. A.M./P.M. feels nice, but won't produce the same rapid results.

My one complaint is that the first leg/hip segment isn't hard enough. But at the same time, it gives me a chance to relax again and catch my breath and make it through the remaining 30 minutes. At the end of the video, I feel absolutely marvelous, which is why I'm giving it all 5 stars.

This is a great DVD to add to your collection. I do a lot of cardio (kickboxing, step, dance) and weight lifting at the gym and wear high heels all day. My muscles, although toned, were really tight and really needed to be stretched out properly but I never seemed to find the time to do it consistently. This video saved my life. I love the Athletic Intense Stretch (1 of 2 workouts on the video) and saw and felt results in the first workout! She does the best floor workout to stretch hamstrings, legs, hip flexors, even feet! And the upper body arm stretch - I didn't even know my arms needed stretching! This is 50 minutes of pure bliss. I am definitely getting the legs and butt stretch DVD as well. For all you former dancers out there, this stretch mimics the stretching you do before a dance class.

Excuse my gushing, but after trying a countless number of exercise videos (i.e. the entire Buns of Steel library, the Bellytwins videos, Pilates for Dummies, MTV yoga videos, Kathy Smith various videos, Hula for Health, and the list goes on), this is the only workout that has had immediate results for me.

I went down one whole size in just 2 months without changing any eating habits. After getting whiplash in a car accident, some of my other exercise activities were limited, but doing this workout 5 days a week not only healed my back and neck pain sooner than expected, I started shrinking slightly all over. This is partly due to the scientific muscle contracting followed by immediate stretching, which Miranda explains in detail. Her persona and the atmosphere are both equally soothing, and you feel like you're being guided by a warm friend rather than an annoying, grating instructor.

The music isn't my idea of "classical" per se (more New Agey), but you'll find more classical-type music on her 23-minute daily workout shows on PBS (which I do on days when I'm short on time). Miranda's down-to-earth patter is very cute, but you'll soon find yourself reciting along with her the lines about being regular; about her daughter bugging her to do something about her flabby arms; and about her makeup artist Steven Shmenk. The slight Canadian accent and use of the word "bum" could be perceived as absolutely charming for those of us in the States.

This workout is by no means easy at first, especially the arms section and the plie section; but what's great about Miranda is she talks so fluidly throughout the workout that you hardly notice how long you've been doing a movement, and there's none of the "just 8 more!" countdowns that can be tiresome and distracting.

Without a doubt, this is the ONLY video workout that I have actually looked forward to doing on a daily basis. You should probably supplement this with other cardio-type exercise to get a well-rounded program, but for those that want an alternative to Pilates, Yoga, and Tai-chi, this is for you.

I was seeing a chiropractor for 20 years and did this video a few times. Right away I liked the way she combines movement and stretching. By the end I felt like I'd had a massage and all the tension in my lower back was gone. Really extraordinary. Can't recomend it enough. Now I do the video a few times a week and haven't seen a chiropractor for over a year and my back feels great. It also helped me rehab a rotator cuff injury. Thanks Miranda!

I bought this video to lose weight. I used to do ballet when I was younger so I figured it would be perfect. I have only been doing the video for a month and a half, along with 30 minutes of cardio, and I've already dropped one pant size. And yes, you will find yourself talking along with her becuase you know everything she will say, but that's with any workout video that you do religiously. Over all this is a great workout. I feel great after doing it and it shows. Definately check this one out.

I work out to videos and DVDs regularly, and I have never had a DVD with the same refreshingly old-fashioned, yet well-thought-out approach as Miranda Esmonde brings to these workouts. Her Canadian patter is just gorgeous, especially when she starts telling us how the abdominal stretching keeps her regular. So motivating. These are no-nonsense workouts, but they are so graceful and fluid, and it's wonderful to have time in a DVD to really wait for the stretching to work. It's also a tough strength workout, but I feel so stretched and relaxed, it's really unlike any other exercise routine I've tried.

One caveat is that Miranda isn't always on your back about posture (well, she is, but I found myself relying on me to make sure my back was well-placed, to avoid strain). So if you're new to exercise, although this DVD is perfect for that, I would check out a Lotte Berk workout (Lotte Berk Method or Bar Method), or go over Pilates' "neutral spine", first just to make sure you're clear on that.

Buy this DVD--you'll feel blissed out and I promise you'll love it!

I like it. I have had dance classes in my younger days. The tape is run like a dance class. I have been using it for about a month now and I am starting to see the effects. The best part is she has exercises for "Old Lady flabby arms" and they work. The worst thing about the CD is she talks about her daughter and her makeup man too much. All in all I Love it.