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65 of 65 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very thorough stretching routine...., April 10, 2005
This review is from: Karen Voight - Pure & Simple Stretch (DVD)
This is one of the best stretching videos out there, it is very calming and will stretch you from head to toe.
This is one of Karen's earlier videos from 1991, you will see a much more serious Karen than in her more recent videos. I don't think she smiles once in the video, but for me it doesn't take away from a great stretching routine. The entire routine is 40 minutes, starting out with a 10 minute standing routine, then 30 minutes of floor stretching. All the stretches are held for 20-30 seconds, and Karen offers a lot of details and helpful tips for each stretch and also giving options to for deeper stretches. A towel is used to aid stretching for those less flexible. Karen has 3 exercisers with her, one of them is a man who is good to
watch for those with limited flexibility. Those looking for yoga should look elsewhere as this is athletic type stretching. But if you are looking for a relaxing stretch video, this is a good one. The music is new agey/jazz type music which suits the atmosphere well.
The DVD also offers some of Karen's walking tips, you will see a more recent Karen in this segment. There are also clips of some of her other videos featured as well.
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46 of 47 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Purely and Simply Good, March 11, 2005
This review is from: Karen Voight - Pure & Simple Stretch (DVD)
This is the transferred-to-DVD version of Karen's classic Pure and Simple Stretch video and it shows in the less-than-smooth transitions between the stretching chapters. The costumes and hairstyles are dated, so if that sort of thing bothers you, stay away. Karen's pinky-lavender and bright blue ensemble is a good reminder of why the 80s haven't come back--yet. The cover design is the same as it always was.
There are two stretching sections, one standing (10 minutes) and one on the floor (30 minutes). You can do them in one continuous 40 minute program or do them separately. The stretches flow smoothly from one to the next and are held a good, long time, much longer than in most stretching videos. Karen's very serious demeanor isn't everyone's cup of tea, but her cueing is excellent; after you've done the routine once or twice, you can do it without watching, just listening, and she gives tips for proper form right at the places where you need them. All you need to do the stretches is a mat (if you want one), and one or two folded towels for the floor stretches.
There are two women and a man doing the stretches with her. Karen gives different levels of some of the stretches, encouraging you to do what is comfortable for you and stop when something pulls or hurts. Unlike in many videos/DVDs, the others are not demonstrating the different levels of stretching, with one doing beginner and one intermediate and so on; all three just stretch along with her, doing what seems comfortable for them. There is NO chit chat at all on this DVD; Karen is all business and the others never open their mouths.
The music is New Age (if you like New Age, you will recongize some of the names)and is relaxing and unobtrusive; the set is plain. There are some extras on the DVD that are not on the video, but they aren't anything to write home about. The walking tips are nice but nothing special and the rest are just ads for Karen's other products.
If you like yoga-style stretching, this will probably not be the DVD for you. This is an athletic-style stretch. But if you want a good, sound stretching video that will leave you feeling relaxed and energized at the same time, then this is a great choice. There's a reason that the video is considered a classic and I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in a solid stretching program.
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27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
not many stretch dvds to choose from, but this is pretty good, May 9, 2006
This review is from: Karen Voight - Pure & Simple Stretch (DVD)
I give this 4 stars because the menu function is faulty - you have the option of doing the full workout (40 mins) the standing stretch (10 mins) and the floor stretch (30 mins) but when I click on 'full workout' it stops after the standing section and goes back to the menu again! A minor glitch, but still annoying as I have to keep the remote handy. None of my other Karen Voight dvds do this, so it is their fault and not my player.
I bought this as I find most workouts have only a few rushed minutes tacked onto the end for stretching and I need more. Karen is the only one that holds the stretch for the recommended 20-30 seconds and this is what you need to get results.
As for the stretching, the standing part is ok, but the good stretches are in the floor section where she works all muscles from neck to calf - great hamstring, quad and inner thigh work.
Yes she is a little deadpan in her delivery and the costumes and make-up are very 1980's but the workout is safe (no ballistic stretches) and effective. I don't look at the screen much when I'm stretching so it doesn't bother me - I like to concentrate on my breathing and close my eyes to help me relax into it. Great for those of us who want an athletic stretch and aren't keen on the mind/body focus of yoga.
This is suitable for beginners to early intermediates, but if you want more of a challenge, try Stott Pilates Simple Stretches (not simple, more intermediate to advanced) as this is a more current dvd and beautifully produced - see my other reviews for details on this one.
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