New workouts

— Title: Christine Felstead’s Yoga for Runners: Intermediate Program

What’s the goal?

Increased flexibility where runners need it most: the hamstrings, hips, quadriceps and lower back.

Who’s it for?

Runners who do not have bad backs and who have already done enough yoga that they can handle her warm-up, which includes holding a forward bend (to tax the hamstrings) and holding ... and holding ...

In theory, you hold this bend for more than 2 minutes while Christine Felstead explains how you should contract your quadriceps to lift your knee caps. She segues right into a bent-over side twist without giving your hammies a break.

Also, those who mastered Felstead’s first disc, The Essentials: Beginner Program.

What do they want from me?

Mighty good hamstrings. But she assumes you understand your limits.

Format:

Total running time is 1:25:35, but that’s not all yoga. The menu page lets you select “play all” or youcan play all while skipping the uneventful introduction. You can also use four chapters individually: sun salutations (about 36 minutes), standing poses (13 minutes or so), seated poses (20 minutes) and a seven minute cool down.

A final chapter, “Quick Program,” is merely a list of suggested moves.

Necessary gear:

a mat, a strap and, depending on your body, a towel and a block to prop up your tushie.

Floor space required:

You’ll stand and also lie flat with your arms extended overhead, and you’ll sit with your legs open in a wide V.

Can I do it barefoot?

Yes

Developer’s credentials:

Canadian fitness entrepreneur whose business trains instructors in a program she developed based on her own experience with running and ashtanga yoga. She took up yoga after a twoweek workshop in Hawaii in 1999 and eventually was trained to teach. She provides continuing education credits for Canadian fitness teachers certified by Can-Fit-Pro.

Who demonstrates?

Felstead and five slender unknowns in nonaggressive gym attire.

The presenter’s voice is ...

oddly accented in that she prolongs vowels; but she has a reassuring manner.

Music style:

unobtrusive loop of upbeat monotony.

Annoyances?

When she stands to adjust one of her students, the camera moves over that student’s face and body. If you happen to be glancing up at the screen during one of these closeups, you can’t see the whole posture.

Price:

$19.99

ActiveStyle, Pages 27 on 03/05/2012

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