How do you fall in love with exercise and make it part of your life?! Comments

Mareesa! How have you been enjoying the New Body! Pilates?! Happy New Year!

Hi Mareesa! So glad you are trying the New Body! Pilates-- please let me know how you like it. :) Have you ever tried Pilates before? and as far as where to purchase the magic circle, go to <url removed> and you'll find them there-- you will want to buy the "4 ring" and if you have any trouble, just get in touch again and I'll be happy to help you! So, onto your friend ... if her doctor has advised her to take it easy, she should definitely clear working out with him, but what I will suggest for now are my Hot Body Cool Mind, Level 1 and Waking Energy DVDs ... the two DVD are a virtual exercise library with great selections that she can pick and choose to see which suits her energy and capability levels. Any of the workouts on these two DVDs can be done by pregnant women as long as they feel up to doing the given workout they choose and as always, your friend should tune in to her instincts and listen to what her body is telling her. Exercise and movement during pregnancy is so important, but the watchword should be "insctint!" Every woman is different and she should try the different workouts on the two DVDs and see which one(s) suit her. She can order them through my site: <url removed> and I would be glad to answer any questions she might have once she purchases them. Please keep me posted! Best wishes~ !

Thanks Jennifer! I just purchased the New Body Pilates DVD from your site and I can't wait for it to arrive. Please do let me know where I can find the magic circle. I'd love to be able to benefit from the entire DVD work out. I do have another question... one of my girlfriends is 8 weeks pregnant with her second child, the Dr. has advised to take it easy, she is looking to stay in shape during this pregnancy and hoping to not develop gestational diabetes like she did during her last pregnancy. Which one of your DVD's would you say are the best for women that are pregnant? I'd like to recommend one of your DVD's to her to help her stay in shape during and after her pregnancy. Thanks :)

Hi Mareesa! If you want to try a pure Pilates workout, then my New Body! Pilates, released just this month would be just the thing. And along with the mat workout in this DVD, I included a magic circle workout, which is a lot of fun. Once you check it out and watch it all the way through, if you would like recommendations for where to buy a magic circle, I'd be happy to help you. Just note that you do not need the magic circle for the main segment of the workout. It's really just a bonus workout that requires the circle-- it is an amazing tool, however. Joseph Pilates, the originator of the method invented the circle to help pregnant women strengthen the muscles of their pelvic floor in preparation for childbirth and then to help them tone their inner thighs, legs, abdominals and pelvic floor post partum. And as far as when to workout-- either morning or evening is great and 3-4 times a week is optimal, but you will start to see results even after practicing the workout even twice a week! Let me know how you like it after you buy it! Best wishes~

Hi Jennifer! I was checking out the different DVD's you have listed on your web site and I would like to purchase one, I've only taken yoga a few times and pilates once or twice, so I am very much a beginner. Would the New Body Pilates or the Hot Body Cool Mind workout be best for a beginner like me? Would you recommend doing the work outs in the morning or evening? How many times per week should the work outs be done? I look forward to your feedback. Mareesa

I love the name Charlotte! ... yes and funny about Lotte Berk, right? She practiced Pilates and then started her own movement that was a derivation of the work ... I think that would be a great first step to get back into yoga-- I think you might really like it this time around. Give it more than one try, though--- commit to at least 3 times and see how you do! I am curious to hear which DVD you try and what your experience is-- please stay in touch, Charlottte! Best wishes~

Hi. (Lottelotte is a nickname. My name is Charlotte. I didn't know who Lotte Berk. But I looked her up on wikipedia. She sounds interesting.) Thanks for the recommendations. I do want to explore Yoga more. I think I will start with the DVDs first. ;)

By the way, the yoga DVD by Anna Brett and Ravi Singh is called "Yoga Beauty Body"-- It's GREAT!

Wow-- thanks Jane for your compliments! So glad you like my DVDs. I think you mentioned that you follow my Pilates workouts, and I just released a brand new one called New Body! Pilates that just came out this month that you would probably love-- and of course my new Yin Yoga DVD is also a great one to try as a compliment to the Pilates--- deeply relaxing stretching poses. They are both available on my site: <url removed>. Let me know how you like them! And all my best. :)

Hey Lottelotte (love your name, by the way--- how did you come up with that? Is Lotte your first name? :) It makes me think of Lotte Berk-- do you know who she is? And you mentioned that you felt clumsy taking yoga-- and you are not alone! It's very common to feel that way when you first attempt the slow, graceful movements in yoga-- they really require a lot of control, which is something you acquire literally each time you practice. It's an amazing process to feel your body gaining strength and flexibility when you engage in a regular yoga, or yogic stretching routine. Here's my advice: Give yourself one more chance to try a DVD and I want to recommend two actually-- one that I really love by Anna Brett and Ravi Singh-- they teach something called Kundalini yoga, which is great for your energy and moods and one that I released just last year called Hot Body Cool Mind: The Life Force Power Workout--- it has a really wonderful, easy to follow, inspiring yoga practice for beginners and I think you will like it very much. Either that, or tell me where you live and perhaps I could recommend a studio in your area!