Stretching DVDs
dancing in the gray started this discussion ·
Any opinions on the Felix Cane versus Alethea Austin stretching DVDs? Thanks!
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dancing in the gray started this discussion ·
Any opinions on the Felix Cane versus Alethea Austin stretching DVDs? Thanks!
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I havent done Felixs dvds yet, but Ive just recently started Aletheas splits dvd. Its AMAZING! Ive done it 5 times, and im practically in a split. She goes thru lots of different variations, and you can really follow along with the dvd. I dont need to start and stop. I LOVE that! Its totally getting me where i need to be!! Ive been tracking my progress on FB with pix. If you would like to see, add me at facebook.com/lizbeautyinmotionfitness 🙂
I have both sets of DVDs, and I like them both a lot. They don't do the exact same exercises, so they can definitely companion quite well. One thing to note, Felix's flexibility DVD does not use a pole, while Alethea's DVDs do. Depending on what I want, its good and bad. I just got a pole for Christmas so until then I just had to try to modify some of Alethea's stretches to a wall, which was difficult for some of them and I used Felix's more at that time. While the content is great on both Alethea's and Felix's, there is a considerable difference in the production. There are lots of little errors in Alethea's production/editing, which could be attributed to flying under the radar during the issues that she encountered in finishing up that project. However, that said, the content is pretty fantastic. She does recommend ballistic stretching, though, which seems odd given that everything I had read recently about flexibility says that is an injurious method of stretching. I am not an expert by any means though. I like that Felix's dvd seems very comprehensive with stretching and she seems really familiar with proper stretching technique. Her dvd is really pretty and pulled together very well production-wise. I think that Alethea's dvds will get you to a specific flexibility faster, ie your splits or flexible back, and Felix's dvd seem more general in flexibility. In choosing one or the other, knowing your specific flexibility goal would be important. I love that I have both. I like them each for different reasons. :)
thanks lizzy and corby for the helpful reviews. i think i'm going to order alethea's, since i really need to work on splits and back flexibility.
My back needs a jump start. I will be getting the Alethea ones for sure.
I love Aletheas- like corbyOconnor said though- be careful w the ballistic stretches in hers- they are containdicated, otherwise I really enjoy them. I dont have Felix's - looking into those myself as well. There are production errors in Aletheas as she also pointed out- sometimes youre holding a pose where you can watch the screen at the same time and she changes position w out cueing- but after you do it a few times and become familiar w it, you can figure it out! The music I like, but the fading in and out I found very distracting. I follow along now w out the sound and catch up on some shows while I do it- or listen to my own music. I wasnt previously aware the ballistic stretches were dangerous and I did along w her- I found them to be starinful and I wish there had been a warning becasue I followed along trusting- Now I know better and modify! ALl in all, I enjoy her video (s) Just be careful and listen to your body! They are very advanced!
Thanks ladies!! I think I will be getting Alethea's dvds, and once my tax return comes in I will grab some of Felix Cane's.
Ok. I am going to sound a bit dumb here but what are ballistic stretches? I want to make sure I know when I get the DVDs so I dnt get hurt!
Ballistic stretches utilize fast movements/drops/kicks to bring a joint beyond its typical range of motion. Alethea uses them in the DVD after her splits on back stretching and during the gravity middles stretching on the wall. Don't worry, she calls out that she uses them, so there shouldn't be any confusion.
ahlemh2001 ·
hey everyone!!I ordered my DVD from Alethea, waiting for it to make that long journey. I am in France. But I got worried abt ur review, Alethea uses a lot the pole,coz i don't have any, I just go to pole dance "school". And I thought of practing the splits the days I was not attending. like how much of the exercices are pole based please?
In the pure splits DVD's anything that is done on a pole (towards the beginning of the DVD) can be done with a doornob or a wall. The stuff at the end of the video that requires a pole is REALLY advanced and you probably won't be able to do it unless you already have the splits or over splits (I don't so I just skip it.) In the stretching for pole DVD, there is more pole streching, but I think it was maybe 3 stretches that required a pole out of all the stretches, so it's not too bad. Those ones you can't really adapt. Actually, 1 you can, but the one where you wrap yourself around the pole (preparing yourself for the ballerina) and the dove stretch (to prepare for the dove/ bridge on the pole) I don't see how you can adapt off of the pole. Most of the DVD is off the pole though.
ahlemh2001 ·
thank u very much for the answer. :)!:) no I am far from having my splits!lol the gap is as wide as the ocean between the two of us!;)so I think I'll skip that advances level. I just bought the "pure splits "dvd, that's what i want to get my splits and more back flexibility.
Then you will be fine. The other DVD, "stretching for pole" has stretches for your back. Pure splits is all leg.
ahlemh2001 ·
Thank u very much!yeah I could not afford both DVD, plus the school classes:thats a bit too much for me.jus ont more question and I leave u alone :)!How long have u been practicing alethea exercices and how far are u from getting the splits?
I did them twice and it increased my splits dramatically (really onthe first go around.)
ahlemh2001 ·
ohmy!!I am so excited to put my hands on this DVD!!!!why Australia is so freaking far away!lol Thanks for answer and sorry for bothering with all my questions. btw (am also bellydancing ;) am arabic (and french):)!.
I ordered some DVD's from Australia and it took about 3 - 3 1/2 weeks for me to get them. I am just now getting back into bellydance after a several year break. It's nice to do it again.
