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Louise Solomon combines the meditative strengths of yoga with the muscle and flexibility improving qualities of pilates which has lead to this crossover fitness genre: yogalates. From .co.uk ----------- Louise Solomon's logical blend of pilates and yoga in the original Yogalates ( /exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005RKRZ/%24%7B0%7D ) was presented as a tool for ed 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