This does use the Chi Ball, but I ended up using a 3 LB green genie ball, to make it more of a challenge. It doesn't have any of the Tai Chi moves, but is a good core workout, really burning the abs, plus you do some interesting moves for your lats, work your glutes, abductors, adductors, hamstrings, quads, triceps, rear delts, chest, upper back --- almost everything. I added some bicep curls at the end, because I felt like was the only muscle she missed. Nice stretches, too, some using the chi ball - sort of like a yamuna ball rolling feel to some of this - stretching your feet, calves, areas on your spine and neck...

Some of the workout reminded me of the TLTs - one move you're lying with your upper back supported on the stability ball, lower body off in bridge pose, and you take the chi ball in both hands above your chest and then alternate lowering one arm at a time to the side for flys, while holding the other arm up, so you work your chest, and your core to keep you from sliding off the ball.

There are tricep dips using the stability ball, pikes with push ups on the ball, lean across the ball on your belly to work upper back, lean across the ball on belly again and place the chi ball in the bend of one knee, then lift that leg for hamstring work, one of the lat moves also really work the core at the same time - kneel behind the ball, put hands on the ball with palms facing each other, keep a tight core and lean forward from the knees as you roll the ball out, then back in - very challenging to me. This isn't all the moves, or even the correct order - just some that popped into my mind now.

It was a good, sweaty workout, with some interesting moves I've never seen before, as well as some that are more recognizable from other ball workouts.

I wore my HRM, and it didn't record a great calorie burn - I think because so much of it is done supine and prone on the ball, or kneeling leaning into, from the side, or on the floor with feet on the ball, or the ball between your legs....anyway...lots of low HR #s even though I was working like a dog!

Instructor Comments:
Leigh gives good form pointers, cues well, and is pleasant. Not overly chatty, more businesslike, but she does smile and seems like she'd be a great trainer.

glavtx