CALLANETICS CHALLENGE APRIL 2008

[fiji]

Originally Posted by Sandrahanna

To all LCF

I want everyone to know that I'm not on this site to promote Evolution. I love Callanetics. I've always been and I still am a huge fan of Callan's original program. I teach these exercises in my studio every day.

It was pointed out that I made a statement regarding using weights. And, after going back and reading what I wrote I have to concede that it was a ridiculous statement. I was caught up in Ben's funny description and the visual and responded hastily and definitely unprofessionally. I apologise for this.

Of course, as newbody stated, it is always possible to injure oneself using weights - even small, light handweights. This is why, in the DVD, only the advanced position shows weights being used and in my studio only the advanced students use them.

Like newbody, I have never had a student injure themselves in my studio practising both traditional Callanetics and Evolution.

Actually, we don't define the exercises this way in a studio we just call them Callanetics
Exercises which is what they are.

My purpose on this site is to help everyone get as much out of their workouts as possible.

Have a great weekend all and happy pulsing.

Sandra x

Sandra,

Just wanted to say thank you for all of the time and help you have been giving to so many. Please continue to help and motivate us along this journey of Callanetics magic.

[ajay]

Twyla and Siamesegirl, your progress is amazing, did you diet as well as use callanetics? If so, what was your diet and how much weight did you lose since your "before" photos?

[cassie2]

Hi all!

I've been a follower of these Callanetics threads for a long time, and I thought I'd finally jump in and say hey!

Right now I'm alternating 10 in 10 with Callanetics Evolution, doing them 3-5 times a week, and the results are simply amazing. My weight is going down (ever so slowly), but my size and body shape are changing seemingly day to day. I'm a believer!

For those posting about sore necks- I have a huge head and a weak neck lol. Callanetics has definitely helped me strengthen my neck. When I started, I couldn't hold my head in position for maybe 20 pulses on the abs before it started to hurt. I'd say it took about 25 sessions or more before I could make it through the first set of stomach exercises without my neck hurting. Now I make it through the first set with no problem, and half the second set. When my neck tires, I just put my hands behind my head. I'm looking forward to making it through all the sets with no problem. I LOVE the neck warmups. I carry a lot of stress in the back of my neck/shoulders, as I'm sure a lot of people do, and these help tremendously.

Sandra, I was so excited to see you posting in this thread! I really concentrate on everything you've been saying in here, and I think my results are speeding up now. My jeans that were tight a few weeks ago are falling off me. My PF is weak, but I find myself practicing engaging my PF all throughout the day. I'm working on contracting my PF muscles while keeping everything else relaxed.

I have a question for you on the exercise where you're lying on your side with legs bent. You say to arch your back a little. Do you mean arch it spine to belly button, like a saddle? Or belly button to spine, like a cat? Are we to curl our pelvis under like in 10 in 10, or to engage the PF muscles with a small saddle-type arch?

Thanks to everyone in this thread for all your enthusiasm!

[nefercat]

Originally Posted by planetbenjamin

Wow this thread is always so busy, it's so great. Just finished another hour of Super Callanetics. I also took a friend swimming today. She is so overweight and I'm desperatley trying to get her fit and healthy before it's too late. I showed her a few Callanetics exercises but she found it impossible because of her size. So we tried them again in the pool. It was great. The water helped to support her body and I got her doing some stretches and hip & behind exercises. I was really proud of her. Has anyone ever tried Callanetics in the swimming pool?

Also, Sandra do you have any suggestions for stomach exercises for people who are really overweight? My friend can't do the normal ones at all. I've got her doing lots of walking which is helping the weight come off.

Hi Benjamin,
It's been a long time since I've looked at it, but what about the Beginning Callanetics DVD? My recollection is lots of modifications for beginners and/or those with physical limitations. Also the Callanetics Countdown book might be useful. Every exercise is demonstrated in 4 phases, from a beginner position through to full Callanetics position as on 10/10. The photographs are large and very clear. HTH

[nefercat]

Originally Posted by CallanFan

sandra,

i'm having some trouble figuring out the direction of the classic callanetics pulse in the evolution hip & behind exercises. in the first one (knee bent), i could swear you say "up & down" (which i interpret as meaning from floor to ceiling) but it looks like judy is moving back and forth, as in 10 in 10. i am certain the straight leg variation is up & down, but in what direction is the pulse for the bent leg?

Thanks for asking this! I am also curious. I can't tell if they are essentially the same exercise (10/10 and CE), or if the direction of movement is completely different in the two exercises.

[planetbenjamin]

Originally Posted by nefercat

Hi Benjamin,
It's been a long time since I've looked at it, but what about the Beginning Callanetics DVD? My recollection is lots of modifications for beginners and/or those with physical limitations. Also the Callanetics Countdown book might be useful. Every exercise is demonstrated in 4 phases, from a beginner position through to full Callanetics position as on 10/10. The photographs are large and very clear. HTH

Thank you! I'm gonna watch Beginning Callanetics tonight and remind myself of the variations. I have the Callanetics Countdown book but haven't looked at it for ages. I'll have a peek tonight and get some inspiration.

[siamesegirl]

Originally Posted by ajay

Twyla and Siamesegirl, your progress is amazing, did you diet as well as use callanetics? If so, what was your diet and how much weight did you lose since your "before" photos?

Hi!
When i started Callanetics last May i had changed my WOE to include more fruits & veggies. I lot close to 10 lbs.
Just in the last 2 weeks i started Super Callanetics and my body had changed once again! Bum got higher and rounder,tiny little saddlebags disappeared!!! Overall my body is going through a dramatic change.

[lisabinil]

Originally Posted by cocosmama

One more hour of 10 in 10 completed.......It would be a lot easier if my cat would leave me alone

Me too-mine lay on my stomach when I am trying to do abs exercises. I did notice a pic in the 10 in 10 book where a lady has a cat on her tummy too.

[happyladi]

Just a quick check-in. Thanks to all for what you share. I was curious about the Amazon.com feedbacks for the two new Callanetics (that's where I purchased mine) and for Evolution, with 13 comments, it has a 4 star rating (out of 5 possible), the rating only being lowered because of DEFECTIVE DVDs, not the workout! There were no negative comments about anyone being injured, that I could find. CardioCallanetics has a 4.5 star rating, here again, the only negative was because it is "different". There are a couple of comments that people still prefer 10/10, but most are like me in that it's a wonderful addition (not replacement) to the Callanetics program. Happy weekend, everyone.

[planetbenjamin]

Originally Posted by happyladi

Just a quick check-in. Thanks to all for what you share. I was curious about the Amazon.com feedbacks for the two new Callanetics (that's where I purchased mine) and for Evolution, with 13 comments, it has a 4 star rating (out of 5 possible), the rating only being lowered because of DEFECTIVE DVDs, not the workout! There were no negative comments about anyone being injured, that I could find. CardioCallanetics has a 4.5 star rating, here again, the only negative was because it is "different". There are a couple of comments that people still prefer 10/10, but most are like me in that it's a wonderful addition (not replacement) to the Callanetics program. Happy weekend, everyone.

I just had a look at that Amazon feedback too. All looks pretty good to me.

[missmattie]

Just finished the cardio portion of Cardio Callanetics. My goal is to do that 3x a week and then either 10/10 or Evolution 3x a week. The cardio one is kind of hard for me, last time I tried it my lower back started getting stiff on me. Sandra gave me some good tips, which I tried this time. I concentrated on just the leg movements (still get lost during the waltz steps ) and following Mackenzie for the beginner movements. I also think I might have been arching my back too much and this time made a point of trying to keep my PF engaged and "listening to my body" especially my back. I'll see as the day wears on how my back does. It never actually hurt before, just got very stiff in the lower area.

Kathy

[missmattie]

Originally Posted by planetbenjamin

I just had a look at that Amazon feedback too. All looks pretty good to me.

I had read the reviews on Amazon before ever purchasing the DVD's and there was nothing but positives (except the defective DVD, which isn't about the exercises so doesn't count in my book). ALL the Callanetics in the series are GREAT!

[CallanFan]

Originally Posted by happyladi

Just a quick check-in. Thanks to all for what you share. I was curious about the Amazon.com feedbacks for the two new Callanetics (that's where I purchased mine) and for Evolution, with 13 comments, it has a 4 star rating (out of 5 possible), the rating only being lowered because of DEFECTIVE DVDs, not the workout! There were no negative comments about anyone being injured, that I could find. CardioCallanetics has a 4.5 star rating, here again, the only negative was because it is "different". There are a couple of comments that people still prefer 10/10, but most are like me in that it's a wonderful addition (not replacement) to the Callanetics program. Happy weekend, everyone.

happy lady & ben, i noticed the same thing (but i didn't want to restart a ruckus, BEN! ). it's funny that only 13 people have reviewed it. surely there are plenty of us on this site now with enough experience with evolution to impart some useful insights to people wondering if it's REALLY callanetics. i know i would not have purchased it without the feedback i read from you all here on these threads.

[SandyDown]

Ben - I noticed you are from the UK as well, I kept looking for callanatics DVDs foreve, and only once by chance saw SC on Ebay, there are not there any longer.. I also saw the SouthAfrican Callanetics DVD, not sure how those differ also they cost a fortune (£21 that's around $42 for one DVD )- but apart from those there are no C DVDs on Amazon or Ebay only the books and VHS. How did you get hold of your DVDs?

[ajay]

Thanks siamesegirl! So ther's only bout a 10 pound difference between your before and now pictures!? My dvd came yesterday and I've got to get started..

[ADLMA]

Just did another 10/10 hour. This time, my three-year-old was "helping". I got covered up with a blanket, so I could "nap". My fav, "Oh, I sitta Mommy's tummy!" Down she tumped! Needles to say, it was fun.

[Alania]

4th hour of 10/10 complete! People have been asking me if I have been losing weight. I actually have gained a pound or two but I must look smaller!

[ThyckeCutie]

Does anyone know if the 10 in 10 book has photos? I just ordered one and was wondering??

By the way I feel GREAT today!!

[planetbenjamin]

Originally Posted by SandyDown

Ben - I noticed you are from the UK as well, I kept looking for callanatics DVDs foreve, and only once by chance saw SC on Ebay, there are not there any longer.. I also saw the SouthAfrican Callanetics DVD, not sure how those differ also they cost a fortune (£21 that's around $42 for one DVD )- but apart from those there are no C DVDs on Amazon or Ebay only the books and VHS. How did you get hold of your DVDs?

I ordered my DVDs from Amazon in the US ( .com rather than .co.uk ). They are region-free so will work on any DVD player in any country. They only take about a week to arrive. You can also get them from ebay in the US (again .com rather than .co.uk ). Look for the seller called "Callan-half" as that is the actual Callanetics company in the US. Hope that helps.

I have all the South African Callanetics DVDs too. They are not actually authorized but Callan Pinckney. They expand on the CallaneticsEvolution exercises and are good but very low budget and not as nice to do as CallaneticsEvolution.

Oh, one thing about ordering from Amazon in the US. I ordered the entire Callanetics collection and then had to pay customs duty on them. Best to only order a couple at a time.

Where are you based in the UK? We have an amazing teacher called Agnes who posts on here sometimes. She's in Maidenhead (30 mins from London). I did a class with her and it was amazing!

[CallanFan]

Originally Posted by ThyckeCutie

Does anyone know if the 10 in 10 book has photos? I just ordered one and was wondering??

By the way I feel GREAT today!!

yes, plenty of step-by-step, black&white photos. you have to try pretty hard to open the book randomly and not see at least one photo...

[SandyDown]

Originally Posted by planetbenjamin

I ordered my DVDs from Amazon in the US ( .com rather than .co.uk ). They are region-free so will work on any DVD player in any country. They only take about a week to arrive. You can also get them from ebay in the US (again .com rather than .co.uk ). Look for the seller called "Callan-half" as that is the actual Callanetics company in the US. Hope that helps.

I have all the South African Callanetics DVDs too. They are not actually authorized but Callan Pinckney. They expand on the CallaneticsEvolution exercises and are good but very low budget and not as nice to do as CallaneticsEvolution.

Oh, one thing about ordering from Amazon in the US. I ordered the entire Callanetics collection and then had to pay customs duty on them. Best to only order a couple at a time.

Where are you based in the UK? We have an amazing teacher called Agnes who posts on here sometimes. She's in Maidenhead (30 mins from London). I did a class with her and it was amazing!

Hey Ben - thanks, yes the custom thing is annoying, that's why I tend not to order DVDs from outside the UK. I just have to do with the SC for now, its challenging enough for me - I've been doing selective movements integrated in my exercises, but doing the whole thing is a killer, just finished the SC now and my legs are shaking.

I am based in Oxford UK, I am a contractor so my work takes me a lot of places, but at the moment got a contract in Wiltshire. So Maindenhead is a bit far

thanks again

[missmattie]

I am so excited! DH and I went out shopping and I bought a new pair of pants that were a 6. I usually wear an 8 and those sometimes were getting a little tight. I'm going out shopping again with my mom tomorrow and will try on more 6's just to see. Yea me.
Kathy

[siamesegirl]

I just checked out amazon myself, there was not one comment about injuires with weights! The reviews were quite strong and very positive!

[ScrtGrl]

Thank you to Sandra & Twyla for answering my question about the order to do of Evolution & 10/10 dvds!

[ScrtGrl]

I know I'm a little late in the game but I also just wanted to put my 2 cents in that I NEVER felt like Sandra was here to try to sell me anything at all. If anything, I have been completely amazed & touched at her generosity of time in answering our questions. That's my story & I'm stickin' to it!