Reach

Just to clarify, this is not a workout dvd with routines to follow along with.Video quality is fine for an instructional video (neither poor nor excellent) and looks like it was filmed on the stage of a church or small hotel. Mainly you see the instructor sitting in a chair and explaining or demonstrating the moves and explaining (mostly the latter.)Instructor demonstrates moves and gives pointers for three levels of stretching: everyday, athletic, and extreme (these are my terms, not necessarily the ones in the video.)The everyday stretches are for anyone and can be used if you are on a plane or at your desk. Athletic is where splits and those types of stretches come in. Extreme are those acrobatic moves that only the chosen few will aspire to. The instructor was low key, engaging, and informative.For myself, coming from a marital arts background, I wondered if dance approached stretching differently (instructor's background is listed as ballet and cirque) or if there are any other tips to be learned. I enjoyed watching this and plan to try some of the moves he is demonstrating.Only downside is that I wish the price were a little lower (nowdays workout dvds run around $15) . . . but specialty type videos are often priced a bit higher so it was not that shocking, either.

This is a great DVD for those who are already flexible and those who want to be flexible. The instructor gives many great exercises of all levels, many of his stretches I have never seen before. He also gives a quick tutorial on improving ballet technique. Great DVD.

Yes. He spends a lot of time exalting ballet as some form of "superior" dance technique. I take it he is neither well travelled nor enlightened otherwise he would know that ballet is just a different style and in no way superior or a "grandmother" to many more ancient practises that are still used today.Like some other reviewers have pointed out, this is not a follow along video. If you have the time, watch the dvd through. Feel free to fast-forward a bit to get an idea then make some time to practice.I must add something here: there is no "mild" contortionism anywhere in sight. This is just like many other "extreme" stretch dvds the likes of Stacey Neymour, Pavel Tsatsouline and Thomas Kurz. What do they and a MILLION other "full body" beginner stretching dvds have in common? 99% of the dvd contents are lower body stretches. That's right! Even full body programs don't realize that your back and shoulders should be stretched. The most you get is a warm up with roll downs and neck rolls and MAYBE a bridge but the actual stretching practise is ALL lower body! Yes, I would like to transform my lunges into splits but what if I want to transform my bridges into backbends or chest stands?!!I only mention this since they claim to give advanced flexibility and this dvd claims to have mild contortionism and the last time I checked, contortionists are marked by what they can do with their backs/spines and shoulders. At the very least, dedicate a significant portion of the dvd to BASIC upper body stretches OR name your dvd appropriately- Reach: LOWER BODY Flexibility and Stretch! I wish all these instructors would take a pointer but doubtful.

wow this is a great stretch dvd. if you are working on really getting your range, well here it is. don't try this with any previous pulls or tears.

I like very much this DVD and find it excellent. I like the way the Craig Hempsted explains all the details of each exercise, insisting so much on the safety. I think he is a very good instructor and a talented communicator.

This DVD is an excellent and simple to follow step-by-step guide through the fundamentals of flexibility and stretch offering a range of exercises from relieving stress in your neck, shoulders and legs, proper warm-up, improving your flexibility to mild contortionism. Very informative and well done.