Exercise! - Pilates, Yoga, and Ballet oh my

Has anyone tried pilates, yoga or ballet? What do you think about them? I'm really flexible but I need something to gain some muscle, and these look more fun than just weights. :p Oh and reccomend some dvd's to try out too! thanks

I've done yoga on and off for the last 3 years (I'm off now b/c of a knee injury), and think it's absolutely the best for stretching my muscles and relaxing my mind. I go to a weekly class and when I leave, I feel both relaxed and energized, if that makes sense . . . :dizzy: I do traditional hatha yoga (the emphasis is on breathing and standard poses), so although I sometimes feel sore in a few of my muscles after a session, it's not really a muscle builder for me. Perhaps "power yoga" may do more of this? I haven't used any DVDs, though, so can't recommend any. For me, yoga is perhaps more important as a mental break than as exercise. Have fun, whatever you decide to do.

Hi Pink!

I'm thinking of buying a ballet workout video but haven't done so yet. But I think it will help me with strengthening my core and improving my grace which is non-existent at this point lol.

Hi Littlepinksock,

I have danced Ballet and Jazz for over 20 years and I enjoy Pilates, but if you want to build lean muscle and strength I recommend you to do Vinyasa Yoga or Power Yoga. There are a lot of yoga dvd's out there, Baptista is good, and if you like Martial Arts try Budokon that is a combo between Power Yoga and MA. I got several on ebay, pretty cheap. I go to yoga several times per week and I have a Pilates Reformer at home and I really enjoy the present feeling Yoga brings and it seems I get more of a workout from it than Pilates. Email me direct if you need more info.

Maria-Paz

I've gone on a workout DVD kick lately and bought pilates, yoga, and the New York City Ballet workout. I remember before that when I tried yoga it really agrivated a knee injury I had since the specific tape I had involved jumping from position to position instead of the smooth transitions I expected. I'm not sure any of them would be great for building muscle though. They all seem more geared towards flexibilty and toning.

Check out Yoga Booty Ballet - from Beachbody.com - wonderful ballet moves - great yoga (and I am not a fan of yoga but they make it so easy)
I feel that the ballet moves have really helped me change my core section and with this 10 week program I have lost 18 pounds.
Oh and if you decide to order the program go ahead and get the "goddess package" the added workouts are great sculpt and are fun.

I saw a pilate DVD on an informercial one nite. even though I try to avoid informercials, this caught my attention and I thought "I can do that." I ordered it. it came in about a month ago. it's still waiting to be opened. LOL.

tell ya' what. I'll try to give it a whirl by this weekend and let ya' know.