The Method: Balanced Zones

Jennifer Kries
Year Released: 1997

Categories: Pilates/Core Strength , Total Body Workouts


Whenever I feel like I have had enough of jumping up and down or heaving weights, this is the tape I pull off my shelf. It is gentle, relaxing and challenging at the same time. The setting is colorful and pretty with a classic Grecian look to it. This workout starts out with deep relaxing breathing and moves on to a mixture of stretches like Active Potted Palm and Dipping Your Foot in the Pool, as well as the Method abdominal exercises. My favorite stretch is the Saw; it is for both the inner thighs and the side muscles. The abdominal exercises are not your typical crunches, but are unique, challenging and effective movements based on Pilates. The "lifting" segment uses a 3-lb. Method toning bar; however, I found a tautly held towel (for stretching) and light dumbbells worked quite well. A lot of the upper body toning exercises also incorporated plies and rising up to demi-pointe in first position, so the movements have a graceful, ballet-like feel to them. Then it is back down to the floor for some more great stretching and ab exercises. The spine stretch feels especially good. The last segment, Balanced/Lengthening, has a lot of movements taken directly from ballet, such as plies in first and second position and rising up on demi-pointe. There are also more wonderful lengthening and stretching exercises with a greater emphasis on the legs. I would not recommend doing this workout if your sole purpose is body shaping, but it is very effective for increasing one's abdominal strength and improving flexibility/posture. The length of the workout is 90 minutes but it can easily be broken up over 2-3 days if one is short on time.

Instructor Comments:
Jennifer Kries is beautiful and elegant and has a warm, encouraging teaching style.

Sharon H.

04/22/1999