February 21, 2007
By Rebecca Johnson "TheRebeccaReview.com" (Washington State)

Jennifer Kries' new workouts combine energy enhancement with elegant exercises to inspire within an environment of emotional healing. The exercises boost your metabolism and tone you all over, but they also heal your spirit and nurture your entire being.

The set is interesting with a circular wood platform set against a horizon with a sunrise or a cloudy sky. The open-air feeling gives the workouts even more energy and freedom. Jennifer Kries gives you all the individual attention you could wish for and unlike "cueing" she actually seems to guide you into a space of total awareness so when she moves, you move and you are completely in tune with everything she is teaching you. This is to me a sign of a master teacher who intuits your every move, takes care of your every concern and knows exactly how to motivate you to reach your highest goals.

The first section explores a unique series of "waking up" exercises which include a gentle tapping of the body with the hands and you can really feel the energy start to move and vibrate through your entire being. This is when you start to massage your feet and awaken your "chi" or life force. "Waking Energy Standing" progresses into a warm-up dance that feels like an all-over body massage from the inside out. Side stretches lead into exciting challenges like the wing tip flex and then move to elegant purposeful exercises.

The 5 Tibetans are the "Rites of Rejuvenation." These exercises remind me of yoga and there is a focus on the breathing and the flow of the motion. I found that a towel on my yoga mat made the exercises comfortable and these time-saving exercises help to balance the chakras.

To correct postural problems, Jennifer Kries leads you through her classic Pilates series and in 34 minutes you have gone through a variety of exercises with an added sense of precision. The invigorating teaser is like a reward for keeping up with your training sessions and rolling like a ball is rather fun. A short side series is also included.

The set is beautiful, but in the Yoga section the beautiful cherry red and black outfits along with the turquoise mats makes this visually stunning. This is a traditional Vinyasa style routine with flowing postures and the integration of breath and movement.

The Jazz section is the most energetic and creative section because it involves a few unique dance steps that are fun to learn. The dance flows with a jazzy sensuality and you can let go and just enjoy your aerobic workout while working your way into a choreographed routine. A classy Ballet routine follows with classic dance exercises to make you feel like a real dancer.

You may want to find a big comfy blanket to put on the floor for the Yin Yoga and Meditation session. This 21-minute segment is perfect if you have been wishing for an extended stretching session. Here you enter into a deeply healing series of stretches that can bring out a variety of emotional reactions as your patience is tested. What this section really does is it allows your body to relax and then stretch while warm. This was exactly what I needed and you may find this is perfect as a daily stretch to increase flexibility.

Hot Body/Cool Mind has 8 exercise routines with 7 variations. When you start the DVD it will progress through all the routines or you can select a specific workout combination:

Hot (Yang) Energizing, Cardio-Pumping Power

Cool (Yin): Calming, Gathering Recharging

Hot (Yang) & Cool (Yin)

Dance to Fitness - both dance routines

The Perfect Balance - Yang and Yin: Pilates, Yoga, Meditation

Original Method Pilates, Yoga and Dance - both dance routines with yoga and pilates

On the Fly - The 5 Tibetans, Short version of Pilates and Jazz dance.

To be honest, I was more than impressed with the individual routines and how they are combined in the individual workout combinations. I've always thought of Jennifer Kries as the Pilates Goddess, but this DVD takes her to the level of Fitness Guru! This workout is spiritual in a subtle way, emotionally healing and physically nurturing.

Instead of depleting your energy, this workout gives you more energy so you can face your day with renewed strength and grace. The deep breathing exercises throughout also give you clarity of mind and gives your skin a healthy glow. I think this is one of the workouts of the future as we all move towards living longer and learning about the invisible dimensions of exercise.

Highly Recommended and Truly Fascinating!

~The Rebecca Review

January 10, 2007
By dnk "dnkboston" (Boston, MA United States) -

As I've said elsewhere, I am a big fan of Jennifer Kries'. She is one of those people who gets better as I learn more. I've been waiting impatiently for a new set of DVDs for years, and I'm very happy that these long-awaited arrivals were not only as good as what I wanted but actually exceeded my expectations.

Kries is known for her instruction in Pilates, Yoga and Dance. That may be enough for most people, but she added to her teaching with the inclusion of standing and seated qigong- what she refers to here as "Waking Energy" exercise. I have loved the simple but powerful movements of qigong for quite some time, but have had difficulty finding media that motivates me to do the movements. Not that there aren't quite a few offerings, but the mood on them (at least the ones I've seen) tends to be very serious, which I'm not ready for. Kries teaches these simple movements with the gravity they require while also injecting her humor, warmth and approachability that's made her so popular in her other tapes. The Waking Energy segments are far and away what I've used the most thus far, and that's because she's made them so fun. On preview, as with most qigong, they don't look like you're going to get much out of them. I've said before that with these movements you have to believe or want to believe, but Kries' are so effective that maybe they will make you believe. Everytime I do them I feel my energy rising and, shockingly, I also feel quite a bit of work to my glutes. I love these!

These segments are just about a half hour long, with 17 minutes for seated exercises and 13 minutes for standing. The next segment is the 5 Tibetans, five yoga sequences that, she says, are supposed to mimic the rotation of the earth. These hit all of the major muscle groups, including the abdominals. Although later tapes will build up to 21 repetitions, these are only done for 7 repetitions and hence only take about 9 minutes. Still, they can be very powerful, and you'll be sure to feel your triceps and buttocks muscles.

A high beginner/low intermedite Pilates matwork segment is also included that clocks in at about 34 minutes (25 or so if you don't need the initial setup). I've been practicing (and sometimes teaching) Pilates for years, so the level of instruction provided is a little long for me and it's unlikely that I'll use this segment very often. However, the instruction is excellent and I recommend it for those who haven't been doing Pilates for very long.

One of my favorite segments from her last series is the Total Body Conditioning from Three Dimensional Toning, which combined jazz, ballet and yoga and clocked in at about thirty minutes. The Vinyasa Yoga, Jazz and Ballet on this DVD can be seen as an extended version of that segment. The yoga is about 28 minutes, the jazz 18 and the ballet 14, totaling just about an hour. Kries offers a little more balancing and work for the legs in the yoga, and offers more movement and choreography in the dance sections. I like to move, but my choreography skills are limited, so this was great for me. I felt my heart rate go up and my muscles working. If I can tear myself away from the Waking Energy sections, I see myself using these a lot.

The last exercise segment is Yin Yoga. This is about 21 minutes long and includes 6 asanas which, as I understand, is short by Yin Yoga standards. There is much less emphasis on precision and more, as Kries puts it, on surrender. These positions, which emphasize forward bending, are held for about two minutes, but she implies that the next tapes in her series will feature longer holds. As they are, the postures are soothing and opening, but I look forward to more.

In addition to the movement segments, Kries offers introductions for the yoga and Waking Energy segments as well as an extensive interview with a practioner of shiatsu and (I believe) Chinese medicine to explain the theory of meridians and yin yang energy. Everything offered on this DVD seems to be thoroughly thought out- nothing seems last minutely thrown together.

It should be noted that these are *not* fusion workouts; each segment is a distinct discipline, and nothing is integrated into each other. I like fusion and I hope to see more of that from Kries, but these are wonderful and valuable in their own right.

I will be using this tape for quite some time, and I'm very excited about her follow up releases.

June 15, 2007

By

B. Dudley "bea optimistic" (San Antonio, TX)

This amazing DVD has been a much needed item. I am excited how my core and mind feel at the end of the HOT (Yang) & COOL (Yin) workout. I look forward to beginning the workouts as oppose to simply "getting through" to the end. Jennifer explores the human aspect of exercising with the much needed PERFECT BALANCE-YANG AND YIN exercises rather than the simple mechanical process of workout quick cooldown routine. It is especially important to have a calm mind and a willing vessel to want to perform the exercises. I especially enjoy the WAKING ENERGY SITTING and WAKING ENERGY STANDING segments. I was especially nervous with regards to beginning this new exercising process; however, I am certainly elated I took a chance. Though I have never experienced Jennifer Kries's workouts, I have become a devoted fan of her practice. My body actually feels hot and my mind is actually cool after practicing the workouts which then prepares me for a calm and peaceful day. If one wants to balance thier emotions, please practice the YIN YOGA and MEDITATION segment, it is simply wonder!!! I do look forward to progressing to level 2.

June 3, 2007

By

tyyang3 "Marj in NJ" (NJ USA)

Jennifer introduced me to pilates. Now she is introducing us to Qi Gong. Just the sitting, standing and 5 tibetans are worth the price of the DVD. Great mind and body workouts generating powerful healing energy. I am looking forward to level 2.

March 29, 2007

By

TouchRemedy "Lena" (Nassau County, NY)

Dr. Beth Cholette & Rebecca Johnson wrote great reviews that I agree with almost 100%

Jennifer Kries really knows what the mainstream consumer is ready for, though mind/body workouts have been around, she knows the average person is ready for it.

The way she speaks to the camera says she aims this DVD in particular for those new at yoga, pilates & Qi Gong & those who are out of shape & inflexible. She encourages modifications & taking breaks.

The production (sound, lighting, etc.) is practically high-budget movie quality. The backup dancers are very poised themselves. Jennifer has a great heart & feels like a friend. The sitting & standing waking energy is great!

The 5 Tibetans I enjoyed here greatly. They are done at a great pace, to the point & get them done. The pilates & yoga was done well, again, a lot of helpful information & she stops here & there to talk & the pace is slow & relaxed.

All in all, the concept of this dvd is great & will be great for beginners or those slightly or totally out of shape.

By

TouchRemedy "Lena" (Nassau County, NY)

Beth Chollete & other reviewers already wrote great reviews so I am only going to add a few things.

The production quality like her Level 1 is amazing, on par with a blockbuster movie. Her backup dancers are beautifully poised.

The sitting, standing energy exercises & 5 Tibetans are more expanded then her Level 1 & I did actually feel my energy increase unlike her Level 1.

Jennifer seems to have her finger on what the mainstream consumer is ready for & hence this great dvds, though this style has been around though not many people were interested in the mind/body connection as much back then.

She gives great details, analogies & even best, the benefits of the exercises!

January 11, 2007

By

dnk "dnkboston" (Boston, MA United States)

This DVD is an extension of the work on Kries' other new release, Hot Body Cool Mind Level 1. While that DVD had shorter segments of everything from Dance to Yoga to Pilates to Qigong, this DVD has longer segments of Waking Energy (Qigong), the Five Tibetans and Yin Yoga and shorter segments of Pilates Sculpting, using weights, a circle and a physio ball.

The Seated and Standing Waking Energy segments will be familiar if you have used the Level 1 DVD. Here, however, she adds on more movements and more repetitions. It is even more heating than Level 1. Because there is more, the segments are somewhat longer, with about 21 minutes spent on the seated sequence and 24 minutes on the standing sequence. I found the sequences to be very calming and invigorating.

The Five Tibetans uses the same exercises as Level 1 but goes up to 14 repetitions. She also adds one exercise, Goddess or Goddess Squat (a deep second position plie). This clocks in at 11 minutes.

The Pilates Magic Circle (14 minutes), Sculpting Series (10 minutes) and PhysioBall series (10 minutes) incorporate the use of popular Pilates toys. (Please note: I couldn't find my Magic Circle, so I substituted a child's playball instead. It worked with all of the exercises she showed, so don't feel like you have to run out and buy a circle to justify the DVD.) These segments do not include anything spectacularly advanced or daunting; she shows a stability ball pike, but only as an advanced option for knee tucks/shells on the ball. The Sculpting Series will be familiar to those with her other DVDs. Having said that, it does provide an effective muscle sculpting workout- my arms especially felt this the next day.

The Yin Yoga and Meditation segment, which comes in at about 32 minutes, is more of an instructional demonstration than a follow along workout. She includes more postures than in Level 1 and explains that while she and her dancers will hold for about five to ten breaths, we're encouraged to do these on our own for five to ten mintues. I'm missing all of the postures, but among those included were Butterfly, Saddle, Side Stretch, Forward Bend, Child's Pose, Thread the Needle/Shoe Lace, Pigeon, Quarter Dog, Wide Legged Child's Pose and Savasana. She discusses the particular meridians associated with each posture and describes the practice as needle-less accupuncture. She ends with a brief meditation. Since a few of the postures are performed to both sides- and we're encouraged to insert a Child's Pose between the other postures- the full set would have been at least an hour and a half long. As it was, I found this session peaceful and stretchy, but I intend to use it instead as a guide to my own practice rather than as a follow along.

In addition to being a great tool to use to workout, the DVD is also beautiful. The film quality is some of the best I've ever seen for an exercise DVD, comparable only to the Total Yoga: The Flow Series. Production quality isn't a big deal for me- if I can see it and hear it, I'm good to go- but for those pickier it may be helpful to know.

I don't see myself using the Five Tibetan and Yin Yoga segments as done too much (and I don't think that was the intention), but I do plan to alternate the Waking Energy segments with Level 1 (great for when I'm short on time). The Pilates Toys segments are also a nice change of pace, so I see myself using those several times per month.

Another great instructional tool from Jennifer Kries.

January 6, 2007
By Customer "Consumer" (Washington, DC United States)

Jennifer is a good instructor and she's very soothing. She explained in details of each movement and type of workouts. This DVD has variety of workouts and you'll need a mat, a chair, a set of dumbbells, a physio ball, Pilates magic circle, and a towel. You can do some workouts without those props. I like this DVD because this is more like an all-in-one reference workout DVD than regular workout DVDs. I can choose a workout that fits my available time. She has 2-3 other people so you can see modification. My favorite is Pilates Magic Circle workout, about 15 min long. Just fit my schedule in the morning. If I have more time, I repeat more reps. Yoga stretch/meditation is very good after a long day of works. I haven't tried physio ball workout though. I have small space to workout at home and there are no shoes required for these workouts. All are easy to follow and music is good too.

These are the workouts:

Waking energy with chair: 28min, standing 24m, 5 Tibetans with mat: 10m, Pilates magic circle: 15m, Pilates Sculpting with weights: 9m, Ball: 10m, Yoga meditation full: 30m, short: 20m.

I'm sort of lazy to exercise (short of time and space) but have to workout and am trying. I really need motivation and this one fits my needs. Oh, I also like the cover, Jennifer and her man but he's not in the workouts :( _. Just another guy, not that hot like the man from the cover.