VideoDigest.com April 2007

Hot Body Cool Mind: The Life Force Power Workout-level 1 - ***1/2
(2006) 150 min. DVD: $19.99 (booklet included).
Razor Digital Entertainment (avail. from most distributors).
ISBN: 1-59552-351-0.

Jennifer Kries is the real deal. Her award-winning The Method series still sets the bar in the instructional fitness genre. In her new series, Hot Body Cool Mind, Kries has combined the disciplines of Pilates, yoga, and dance with a deep appreciation of Eastern

philosophy (including the body meridian theory-concerning the energy paths that carry the life force or chi throughout the body-adopted by acupuncturists). After an introduction describing the yin/yang of body wellness (correlating outer and inner health), Kries kicks off the instruction with "The Waking Energy," an interesting warmup exercise based on elements of Chi-Gong (waking up the body by rubbing her hands together, and slapping, punching, hammering, and massaging her torso-which is meant to be invigorating, not painful). In the next section, Kries shares the secret of "The 5 Tibetans" (five yoga poses that help stimulate the body's chakras), followed by a fairly standard workout series combining Pilates, Vinyasa yoga, and jazz/ballet moves, before closing with cool down and meditation segments. An accompanying booklet briefly outlines the program and includes helpful tips from Kries. Although some will find the "harness the energy of the universe" chat distracting, Kries' fitness instruction is still right on target. Offering several workout combination options from the menu, other DVD extras here include a discussion of meridian theory. Highly recommended. [Note: Kries' companion program Hot Body Cool Mind:

Waking Energy is also newly available.] Aud:

P. (N. Plympton).

YourExerciseDVDs.com, June 2007

Jennifer Kries: Hot Body Cool Mind — Waking Energy
(Razor Digital), 2006

What is it?
Over two hours' worth of mind-body exercise, spread out over seven mix-and-match segments. Styles include Qi Gong, Pilates, Yoga and Makko-Hos (meridian stretching). Jennifer Kries instructs.

Who is it for?
Advanced beginning through intermediate exercisers. These routines are gentle, for the most part, but you will get more out of them if you are at least somewhat familiar with a few of the above exercise styles. You will need a sturdy armless chair or stool, a mat, a Yoga block (optional), a pair of light (3 to 5 pound) dumbbells, a stability ball and a Pilates Magic Circle (if you don't have some of the last three items, don't worry — the routines that use them only take up a small part of the DVD, so you will be able to do the other, very beneficial segments anyhow).

What to expect?
This is the second in Jennifer Kries' "Hot Body Cool Mind" workout series, and a slightly more advanced version of what you saw if you have the first one (Hot Body Cool Mind — Level 1). If you don't have the first DVD, it's really not all that important unless you are a true exercise beginner. Kries is pretty thorough with her instruction on this disc. The first two segments, Waking Energy Sitting and Standing are meant to invigorate you with Qi Gong massage and moves, and they are longer versions of the routines in Level 1. Sitting actually runs closer to a half hour than the 21 minutes listed in the program. Because they are fuller segments, you feel much more energized than in the Level 1 routines, so the extra minutes are time well spent. In Level 1's Five Tibetans, you did the Yoga-influenced, anti-aging exercises 7 times each; in Waking Energy's 11-minute segment, you do them 14 times, plus a Pranayama exercise called Goddess Breath. This is actually pretty challenging, since Kries has you working at a very quick pace. If you haven't done the Tibetans before, you may need to work up to 14. The next three routines are the "Pilates toys" segments and run between 10 and 14 minutes apiece. Here's where you use the Magic Circle, dumbbells and stability ball in short but effective toning routines (if you don't have a Pilates Magic Circle, please allow this DVD to inspire you to get one — it's a great body-shaping tool!). Last is a Yin Yoga and Meditation segment that is a little over half an hour. It's basically restorative Yoga and includes shoulder and hip opening poses such as Quarter Dog and Pigeon, but they're also meant as meridian stretches (Makka-Hos) to open up your energy pathways and enhance joint mobility. Any of these segments can be done on their own, or you can choose from several different ready-made combinations, depending on your focus (energizing, calming, toning, etc.). Some of these combinations run for over an hour, so if you're in a hurry you may want to just choose one segment or a combination of your own. As always with Jennifer Kries, the instruction and production quality is excellent, and this DVD is highly recommended.
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YourExerciseDVDs.com, June 2007

Jennifer Kries: Hot Body Cool Mind — Level 1
(Razor Digital), 2006

What is it?
Nearly 2-1/2 hours' worth of mix-and-match, mind-body workout segments from Jennifer Kries. Some segments are stand-alone workouts, or you can choose from 7 different combinations. You get a quite a variety here — Qi Gong, Pilates, Yoga and dance.

Who is it for?
Beginning through intermediate exercisers. Although Kries is very thorough in her explanations, it helps if you're familiar with Yoga, Pilates, and ballet and modern jazz dance terminology. You will need a mat, a sturdy chair and (optional) a Yoga block.

What to expect?
Jennifer Kries has taken the Pilates/ dance-based approach of her Method workout videos and infused it with a mind-spirit focus that enhances the workouts without ever compromising on the physical benefits. On this entry-level DVD, you'll find 8 segments — a total of 148 minutes of exercise and instruction. There are seven different combinations for whatever you're looking for — energizing, recharging, flexibility, tone, or a balance of elements. Most of the segments also stand on their own. The DVD starts off with two Qi Gong-type routines — 17 minutes of sitting moves (including a light "hammering" and slapping technique) and 13 minutes of standing moves to awaken your body. Next, Kries introduces you to the "5 Tibetans" — vigorous, Yoga-like moves meant to balance your chakras and tone your body. There's a 34-minute beginner's level, classic Pilates routine, a 22-minute flow Yoga segment, and a 21-minute restorative Yin-Yoga segment. And it wouldn't be a Kries workout without a couple of light cardio dance routines. The Jazz and Ballet sections will tone your lower body while giving your heart rate a little bump. Kries refers frequently to meridians and Traditional Chinese medicine — concepts that may seem a bit strange to Westerners, but which form the basis of highly effective approaches to health and wellbeing in the East. If you are willing to keep an open mind, and open your body and spirit to the routines on this DVD, you'll find yourself feeling stronger and more energetic in ways you've never imagined.

Jennifer Kries' HOT BODY COOL MIND: THE LIFE FORCE POWER WORKOUT: WAKING ENERGY and her HOT BODY COOL MIND: LEVEL 1 each pack in powerful workouts from a Pilates expert who blends exercise with the healing arts of China, India and Tibet. Flexibility, stamina and relaxation come from calming 'un-workouts' which seek to replenish and restore rather than to challenge and force. LEVEL 1 is the first step, introducing a workout with all seven 'hot''and 'cool''specialty routines. WALKING ENERGY furthers the cause, with more routines: both are perfect picks for any fitness library.

February, 2007

Dr. Fitness Gives Thumbs Up To Lisa Drayer's New Book, Jennifer Kries' Pilates Workout, and Jones Soda!!!!

The Fat Guy and I had to work a little harder last night since we had three cool guests rather than our normal two. Our first guest Gregg Todd, www.fatguyblog.com is blogging about his weight loss journey and everything along the way....the losses, the gaines, the plateaus, cool new food products he may enjoy, interesting articles. I love these blogs because I really do think they help people lose weight by staying connect with other people and accountable to other people. We talked to him last night and thought you might enjoy what he had to say....especially about his pet goat!!!!! Hey, He lives in Tennebama(Somewhere close to Tennessee and Alabama)

Registered Dietician and Hottie, Lisa Drayer, author of "Strong, Slim, And 30," a wonderful new read and great resource of information, was our second guest and she did not disappoint with great practical tips from her new book especially about how what we eat affects our skin complexion. Check out her web site at www.lisadrayer.com for more information about contacting her as well.

Our last guest was the most surprising, in a very good way, America's #1 Pilates instructor, Jennifer Kries joined us and after watching her DVD's, I know why she's #1. They are awesome and never watch DVD's to exercise. She has a bunch of them and I love how she incorporates the asian influence of healing and well-being into them. The DVD's are done in high quality with multiple camera angles to make them moving along, visually appealing, and it doesn't hurt that Jennifer is quite easy on the eyes!!!!!You will learn a lot like I did and will keep popping them back into the DVD player. She has a Hot Body Cool Mind Series plus many others but this is the one I checked out. Also check out her web site www.jenniferkries.com for more info and if you live in Philadelphia, she has a private studio there called Hot Body Cool Mind, The Studio. So eat go there work out and grab a philly cheese steak on the way out!!!!!

I tried Jones Soda for the first time upon Lee's(The Fat Guy) request. They are ones who have pictures of actual consumers on their soda. Good Stuff....I tried the Root Beer and Cream Soda. It rocked!!!!!! Yes, Dr. Fitness drinks soda, not often and not a lot but in moderation like I tell all of my listeners and patients. So, if you come across any so-called fitness experts that say they don't eat chocolate or pizza or drink soda or french fries, just remember, they are full of shit!!!!!! Moderation is the key, my friends!!!!! Stay away from the all or none groups!!!!!

Check out the show