"Actor: Louise Solomon"

• Yogalates - Total Body Toner | DVD | (23/12/2002) from £6.71   |  Saving you £8.28 (123.40%)   |  RRP £14.99

  Louise Solomon's logical blend of pilates and yoga in the original Yogalates was presented as a tool for weight loss aimed at professional women. The Australian expert's second offering Yogalates: Total Body Toner is a curiously--and most definitely welcome--softer approach. Although billed as a total body toner, the graceful Solomon ensures that this is no pounding quick-fix. Far from glossing over details crucial to both pilates and yoga (namely an understanding of one's anatomy and breathing), Solomon creates a fundamental respect for the body by attaching great importance to detail. It's an attitude which benefits newcomers, without alienating the more advanced. Similarly, seamless editing that cuts to less advanced positions is helpful for beginners without being intrusive to others. The first three segments work thoroughly through abdominals and waist, upper body, and lower body, in an obvious blend of the two disciplines. The crucial difference for Yoga devotees is that there is more repetitive movement within postures, whilst the Pilates stretches are within a Yoga framework. The fourth all-round programme is more of a straightforward Yoga session, and as a result is perhaps weaker. However, all in all, Solomon's method delivers results. What's more the combination of a white studio and no soundtrack other than Solomon's own voice makes this a rare workable substitute to a real lesson. On the DVD: Yogalates: Total Body Toner has chapter selection that enables you to choose which part of the body you want to concentrate on, or which combination of programmes you prefer. An additional "Energy Booster" designed for combating stressful days and jetlag is likely to prove enormously useful and highly effective. --Lorna V

• Yogalates Energizer | DVD | (20/12/2004) from £7.55   |  Saving you £7.44 (98.54%)   |  RRP £14.99

  Filmed on location in Australia's Byron Bay Louise Solomon's new programme will contain two core workouts and a section on guided body relaxation and meditation.

• Ultimate Yogalates | DVD | (22/12/2003) from £6.05   |  Saving you £8.94 (147.77%)   |  RRP £14.99

  Ultimate Yogalates is the most effective workout yet for toning the body losing weight and invigorating and energising the mind. Filmed on location in Byron Bay Australia it delivers a more advanced workout than ever before. Divided into three 20 minute workouts each individually designed to specifically sculpt & tone the buttocks legs arms and abdominals while enhancing spinal alignment & posture. In addition there is also a 5 min warm-up on the key Yogalates principles to en

• Yogalates - Firm, Fit And Flexible | DVD | (17/04/2019) from £7.60   |  Saving you £8.39 (110.39%)   |  RRP £15.99

  'Yogalates: Firm Fit & Flexible' is a unique exercise programme designed by Louise Soloman to increase flexibility and tone your body. A cutting edge and ground breaking approach to the established Yogalates method it combines the core firming dynamics of Yogalates with the stretching postures and spiritual aspects of Yoga for the complete mind and body workout. It will also eliminate excess tension and strain on joints while helping to aid body detoxification. Filmed in beautiful

• Yogalates | DVD | (24/12/2001) from £5.38   |  Saving you £9.61 (178.62%)   |  RRP £14.99

  Australian Louise Solomon has combined the ancient system of yoga with the modern system Pilates, resulting in her own Yogalates. Her intention is to unite yoga’s breathing, its internal workout, and its benefits for stress and anxiety together with the Pilates focus on strengthening deeper muscles. But her promise that this can help you lose weight in 28 days cheapens her premise. The implication that neither system is adequate is also misleading. Nevertheless Yogalates will appeal to older, professional women looking for a toning regime. Solomon is not at ease as a presenter: as a teacher her style features constant talking and instruction, which is good if you want your mind occupied, but stressful if you want to clear your mind and relax. Her strengths lie in encouraging knowledge of the body, notably the spine and the natural curves. Those familiar with yoga will gain most from this, otherwise following it can be confusing. The other key problem is that many of the stretches involve a particular resistance band. You can try and make do with a pair of lycra leggings, but eventually you’ll give up. This looks deceptively easy--it’s not. If you can stick it through, the chances are you will tone up in 28 days. But don’t expect it to be fun. --Lorna V