I love this tape! It has an interesting concept: the box (which is a really space-agey clear plastic with a type of silk-screened thing on it) claims it mixes yoga and pilates in with traditional strength work. This is only partially true. The first section, which is floor work and last about 30 minutes, does this very well. A move like squats with bicep curls segues into a tree pose. Or lunges into warrior pose. This is very good for someone like me who hates stretching and will skip it if I can. Some of the moves she uses are misleadingly NOT traditional strength work, but they are quite challenging balance poses and modified yoga poses with movement (i.e. a yoga-type balance pose that you hld for a minute, then start flexing at the knee). I felt these the next day. Parts of this first section reminded me of Christi Taylor's SBF tape.

The last 15 minutes is floor work followed by stretches. This is where she stops mixing stuff up: it's pretty much plank work and pilates. I didn't like this section as much. I am a pretty solid intermediate with very poor flexibility, and I found the first section challenging, but in a good sort of way. I found the last section, the floor work, MUCH harder than the standing work, and I think that could bother some people. She does about 8 minutes of continuous plank work, and it was too much for me to handle. Also, I don't think this section was cued as well: I found it hard to focus on the breathing because I had to look up at the TV so much.

Minna seems like a very nice person, and she knows what she is doing. The reminders she offers (feel free to modify, remember your breathing) always come at opportune times, and she has an easy rapport with us and with her background exercisers (one of whom does modified versions of all the moves). My only real issue is the fact that the floor work is so much more difficult than the rest of it. Otherwise, I heartily recommend this tape.

Joanna