Search - Jennifer Kries:Hot Body Cool Mind Level 2 on DVD

Keep em coming Jennifer

poetry peach | colorado | 07/17/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been using Jennifer Kries' videos, and DVDs for about 9 years now. I first bought the Method's 'Dance To Fitness'. I have tried many other fitness gurus/video trainers, but I always come back to Jennifer Kries. I love her easy going style and her knowledgeable direction.
I bought Hot Body, Cool Mind level 1, and began using it about a year ago. I liked it, but it was really not challenging enough. I finally got level 2 about a month ago. This one is very interesting to practice and a lot more challenging. I am looking forward to buying the level 3 version. I have rented it and loved it as well.
This workout is broken up into very convenient segments, which is how I usually use it. Jennifer has created combinations for different purposes, as well. Though I like and am intrigued by the 5 Tibetans and Waking Energy (standing), I am time crunched, so I prefer to focus on the Pilates, Yoga, ballet, and Jazz segments. I also love the Yin Yoga meditation and intermediate deep stretches at the end. My favorite warm up routine is the Jazz warm up that Jennifer leads. I was a little disappointed that she didn't develop a whole new, more challenging Jazz routine for the second level, but it is still fun. I love using dance, her style of dance, for working out. It is fun cardio and breaks up the monotony of always doing pilates and Yoga. Not that I don't enjoy those segments as well. Particularly the Yoga segment, with new movements and poses.
Also included on this DVD is a Cardio Sculpt segment that was on a previous DVD, but now lead by one of her students and friends. I really like having a free weight segment included.
All in all, I found this to be a challenging, fun, energetic, toning and stimulating workout with great, relaxing stretches at the end.
I will continue to purchase her workout DVD's. Thanks Jennifer!"

Don't let the Intermediate fool you

dnk | Boston, MA United States | 08/19/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is still a challenging practice, and given people's time constraints and chronic posture problems, probably where most people should stay.

Although this workout clocks in at a little over three hours- sort of doable for some, but not realistically for everyone- it's broken up into eight different sections: Qigong, the Five Tibetans, Pilates, Yoga, Jazz Dance, Cardio Sculpt, Ballet and Yin Yoga and Meditation. With the exception of the Pilates section, all of them are under 30 minutes, and many are under 20. Therefore, there are a number of combinations you could use in under an hour that range from cardio and strength to stretchy and introspective. Kries also supplies seven of her own premixes if you're not sure what combinations to use. And of course, you can just use the menu and pick and choose.

This includes many of the sections that were on the Level 1 disc, but includes more challenging variations and movements. She also includes a Cardio Sculpt segment which is very similar to her 2000 release, Perfect Mix. I love that segment and searched for years for something like it, but couldn't find anything. I had hoped for some entirely new choreography, but she does include some new movements here.

This is a challenging, varied practice, and if you've been practicing for a little while now, this could keep you busy for a while."