Does anyone do Pilates and/or Yoga?
I have just rejoined JC. One of my problems over the past 2yrs during a bad time in my life was that I stopped working out consistently. Time was not an issue - motivation was!!! When I was working I went to the gym and did an aerobics class at lunchtime. Then I stopped working - you can guess the rest.
Now I've made the momentus decision to get back to JC and get this weight off again, but am concerned about getting motivated to work out. I have a couple of Pilates tapes that I like, one of which includes weights. But just can't seem to make the time on a consistent basis. However, joining a gym is not an option for me right now due to financial constraints. That may change when I start seeing some results from being on JC, but I just can't do it right now.
Any thoughts?

Jane,
I started doing both Pilates and Yoga, each once a week at a women's gym.
While they are not aerobic workouts (although at times they can be, haha, Down Dog to Plant to Cobra to Down Dog and repeat), they have loosened me up, strengthened me up, inspired me, and generally make me FEEL better. When I started doing these classes, I found that my pace on my morning walks was picking up, I was popping in my Jenny Craig Strength Walk tape more often, and even taking "break walks" at work (while everyone else smoked )
I love both classes!

I've been taking a weekly yoga class for about a year and I couldn't live without it! It has not only increased my flexibility and provides me with a good gentle workout, but it gives me a mental and spiritual "anchor" every week. Even when I slack off on my cardio & weight training I won't miss yoga -- I WANT to do it. I have some good yoga videos but I much prefer class. I also have some Pilates videos and it's a goal this year for me to use them or attend a class regularly.
Kathy Smith has a great article about the two modalities at http://www.ivillage.com/diet/experts/kathy..._408029,00.html.

I too took yoga and pilates classes at my gym. I love both of these forms of exercise.
Yoga I no longer do at the gym because I just didn't care for the instructor and the music she always played grated on my nerves, but I do use Rodney Yee's A.M./P.M. yoga tapes.DVDs. I just find it's a great way to start your day and wind down at the end of a hectic one.
Pilates on the otherhand I still do at the gym once a week. When I first got into this I thought it looked easy and couldn't possibly be a good workout. After the first class, 2 days later it hurt to breathe!! I was hooked!
I look at my gym/exercise time as my ME time, and I am worth every second of it.The more you do it, the more you miss it when you you can't exercise!

I love the AM/PM tapes.
When I was recovering from an ankle problem, I started yoga.
Now I do it Sundays while the commercials are on durning my fav show.

Thank you for posting this. I've never done either yoga/pilates but hear so many rave about these. I was wondering if you do this in conjuntion with a cardio program or is this a substitute?
Thank you!

Absolutely... thank you for posting your questions!!
I've not done much pilates, but I love yoga. Because of a ridiculously busy time schedule, I find that using tapes is very convenient for me, butI'm actually getting a bit tired of the few tapes I have right. I really appreciate suggestions of others! One of my favorites is from the Crunch series, and is entitled "Joy of Yoga." Sara Ivanhoe is the instructor. I also have a few of Susanne Deason's that are good, including "Yoga for Women."
Does anyone have any favorites they'd like to share? I'd appreciate some experienced input!!

You would do yoga and/or Pilates in ADDITION to cardio. Yoga is for flexibility and balance and provides lots of mental/spiritual benefits as well. Pilates is primarily for strengthening the core muscles to tone and give you a good foundation for other movement.
I also have some Susan Deason videos, both "Yoga for Weight Loss" and "Pilates for Weight Loss." I like them both -- there's lots of modifications offered and it's a good intro to either discipline. I haven't found many other yoga videos I like; they move a lot faster than my class, and I like more sustained movements. I do like Rodney Yee's Yoga for Back Health, even though I don't have back problems.

Thanks, funniegirl... I'll definitely take a look at the one with Rodney Yee. I don't have a bad back, either, but preventative measures are good to take, because it's definitely not something I want later on, either!

I have the Winsor Pilates DVDs, it's a basic set and was a good way for me to get proficient in all the exercises in my spare time. It includes a 20 minute basic workout that gives your muscles a good run for your money. It's good for beginners (modifications are shown) as well as more advanced exercisers.
PatrioticMom, you'd want to do pilates and/or Yoga in conjunction with a cardio program.

I have the Windsor Pilates dvds too! They are great. I do them 3 days a week and cardio 3 days a week. I have always loved running. so exercise is not my problem, it is food quantity!!! I love to eat sweets! So I'm so excited about JC!!!

Have any of you ever tried Bikram yoga? It's often referred to as "hot yoga". It's a 90 minute class in a room that's appx. 108-112 F. You will never sweat so much in your life. (I run at least 5 miles daily, and it pales in comparison to Bikram.) I started hot yoga about a month ago just to add some variety. It's brutal while you're in there, but you've never felt so good once you're out. The toxins are released from the mass amount of sweat, your complexion will look better, etc. Try it and tell me what you think.