Rating: 
Summary: The ONLY video that has ever worked for me!
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Great Routine
Review: 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!
Rating: 
Summary: Very good, but I was looking for more variety
Review: I enjoyed this DVD, for the most part. Miranda really helps you to stretch your body. My body felt really good after doing these stretches. However, I noticed a lot of repeat stretches between the Full Body Workout and the Athletes Intense Stretch, I was hoping for more variety. Other than that the scenery was nice. I preferred the ocean scenery in Full Body Workout to the pool and garden in Athletes Intense Stretch. Miranda is very peaceful to watch and gives some very good pointers on stretching, such as "Stretching is suppose to feel good. If you start hurting stop." She does have conversation with you throughout both workouts, which I find relaxing. Some people don't like this, but I do, the workout goes by better for me than in complete or almost complete silence.
Rating:
Summary: Great Full-Body Workout
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Great Routine
Review: I love Miranda. I use her *Back Pain Relief* programme and her *Arms & Abs, Legs & Butt* ones, and have begun now with this as well. I am a chronic back pain sufferer and a daily home exerciser, and Miranda has made a massive difference to both of those things. If I stretch with her in the mornings, my pain is almost gone, I walk and look better all day, and feel fit enough to tackle my core, cardio or strength work in the evenings. As a writer, I have a terribly sedentary life; these stretch workouts go a long way towards counteracting the effects of that. If you have, as I do, tight hamstrings (which do NOT help with lower back pain!), then this particular DVD is the one for you: there is a long section on stretching them out that really works to loosen them. I can't rave enough about Miranda's work; do yourself a favour, buy this or another of her programmes, and become far more toned (really, it's amazing), have better posture and most importantly, much less back pain (for many users, anyway, I feel confident enough to claim). Oh, and it's also fun to do - which is important in any workout.
Rating:
Summary: Everyone should own this
Review: I love Miranda. I use her *Back Pain Relief* programme and her *Arms & Abs, Legs & Butt* ones, and have begun now with this as well. I am a chronic back pain sufferer and a daily home exerciser, and Miranda has made a massive difference to both of those things. If I stretch with her in the mornings, my pain is almost gone, I walk and look better all day, and feel fit enough to tackle my core, cardio or strength work in the evenings. As a writer, I have a terribly sedentary life; these stretch workouts go a long way towards counteracting the effects of that. If you have, as I do, tight hamstrings (which do NOT help with lower back pain!), then this particular DVD is the one for you: there is a long section on stretching them out that really works to loosen them. I can't rave enough about Miranda's work; do yourself a favour, buy this or another of her programmes, and become far more toned (really, it's amazing), have better posture and most importantly, much less back pain (for many users, anyway, I feel confident enough to claim). Oh, and it's also fun to do - which is important in any workout.
Rating:
Summary: I RECOMMEND THIS TO EVERYONE!!!
Review: I ordered Classical Stretch because I had a pinched nerve in my shoulder and my arm reach was limited. To my surprise, I no longer have a pinched nerve, my legs and torso section slimmed down almost instantly, and I can reach farther with my arm. I have never purchased an exercise video before. I am so pleased!!! Thank You!!!
Rating:
Summary: I RECOMMEND THIS TO EVERYONE!!!
Review: I ordered Classical Stretch because I had a pinched nerve in my shoulder and my arm reach was limited. To my surprise, I no longer have a pinched nerve, my legs and torso section slimmed down almost instantly, and I can reach farther with my arm. I have never purchased an exercise video before. I am so pleased!!! Thank You!!!
Rating:
Summary: Two beautiful workouts
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: The ONLY video that has ever worked for me!
Review: 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.
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