I just finished doing this video for the first time and felt compelled to write a review. This is an EXCELLENT stretch tape, and I personally think it should be a "Hall of Fame" video or at the very least a "VF Favorite". I think this tape should be the first athletic stretching tape one should get if looking to increase flexibility. I wish I'd gotten this one before "Pure and Simple Stretch" because the moves are held longer, more modifications are shown, more muscle groups are stretched, and more information is given about each muscle group.

I recently broke down and purchased this tape because I was looking for a good stretch tape to improve my flexibility (which is horrible!), and had seen many favorable reviews. Boy am I glad that I did! Nearly every muscle is stretched (except maybe your fingers!). The *only* group I feel was neglected were the shins. I wish she'd done stretches on the shins, which can be a problem area for many walkers and runners (I'd been having problem with shin splints from walking, myself), she mentions how the other muscle groups are tightened by running, so it puzzles me why she forgot the shins! Nevertheless, everything else is great.

As others have said, Charlene is very chatty (as usual) in this tape, so you don't get the relaxing ambience as much as with "Pure and Simple Stretch". However, I've already planned to just turn the volume down, and put on some nice New Age music to go with the tape when I really get tired of hearing Charlene talking :-) The only catty comment I have to make is the attire of the cast, but this was 1988, *although* I can't believe any guy would wear the outfits that were featured in this tape even in the 80's, but it didn't distract from the superb stretching, so I'll say no more.

Modifications--both easier and harder--were shown for every stretch, and a towel is needed, and a table--but a tall box or step would probably do. I know that I personally have *much* work to do as Charlene would do a stretch and tell you that you would only feel it if you were very inflexible, and boy was I feeling it! I liked the fact that she would also tell you that you might not feel certain stretches, depending on your level of flexibility, then demonstrate more intense exercises to feel the muscles. This was the case for quite a few stretches I've seen done in other videos and wondered why I didn't feel the muscle group being worked.

All in all an excellent video. I give it an A++ (I would've given it A+++, but she forgot to stretch the shins :-))

Genelle