First off, let me say I DO NOT use this method exclusively for weight loss. My interest in breathing techniques affecting exercise performance was peaked when I found out about Pilates and "the hundred" a few years back, and then some of the doctors I worked for suggested breathing exercises (some specifically the Body Flex tapes) for sufferers of allergies and/or tension headaches (I have both).

Oxycise consists of three tapes. The first tape shows you the basic breath which is belly breathing, with a little twist.

Part one of the basic breath is as follows: You would make a kind of "fake" smile and take in a deep breath through the nose, then lift your rib cage, tilt the pelvis under squeezing your buns, and take three quick sniffs through the nose.

Part two is putting your mouth with flat lips with a little hole, kind of like blowing through a straw, and blow out the air, then do three quick puffs using your abs.

That describes the basic breath. Four of these equals one repetition. The tape further explains the infamous "study" and has a lot of testimonials about people who have lost weight.

Oxycise level one is next. It is basically fifteen positions where you do one repetition each; i.e., four basic breaths. The positions are varied, such as standing, kind of a standing lateral stretch to the right then the left, a push up against a wall, a reach against a wall, a lie down on your back arms overhead with toes flexed and then toes pointed, a seated straddle in a chair, a deep plie, etc. The claim here is that where your muscles are being worked, i.e. in the plie the inner thighs; that is where the work is being done to tighten and tone them--I don't know if I believe this but that is the claim.

Level two is just more flexible positions, i.e. a standing quad stretch, a lying quad stretch, doing the plie with one arm extended in a lateral stretch, etc. The basic breath is the same in both videos.

As far as weight loss, I don't know if will help people lose weight. I DO know my headaches have lessened from the breathing alone and my allergy symptoms as well, but my belief is because it moves phlegm. It is relaxing for me. It does make me feel more energized but, a good yoga tape does the same thing. In my opinion Oxycise is kind of Americanized yoga, but not as strenuous as Power Yoga. I think the breathing could be adapted to any stretch routine and only enhance the stretches.

The only complaint I have about the videos is they are not Firm quality production-wise and the exercisers wear loose clothes so it is difficult to see the exact movements, luckily you can refer to the instructional tape if need be.

I have also tried the Body Flex workout, but don't feel I could give it a fair review as I went in not liking Greer Childers and in doing the tape discovered many weird obnoxious noises which I simply don't like. Plus the fact that it is unsafe during pregnancy and for people with glaucoma indicates to me that there is some risk and that's not something I would want.

Instructor Comments:
Jill is a good instructor. She seems motivating and very interested in good form, she points out when to hold your abs in and reminds you to tuck your buns for the pelvic tilt.

Stephanie Bridges