In an effort to be gentler on my body and increase flexibility while firming, tightening, and changing my body shape I have discovered Callanetics. About eight years ago, I was floating around the world wide web, researching my favorite topics, health and fitness, when I found this vintage workout called Callanetics. It claimed to help you lose '10 inches in 10 hours' and 'lift muscles, tone skin, resculpt the body, and blast cellulite.' I was intrigued. Of course, the promises seemed a bit far fetched but I'm the kind of person who loves to experiment with myself as the guinea pig and find out for myself if a product or program works. Before trying it out, I did a little bit more research on the founder of this wonder working program: Callan Pinckney.
She was a fascinating woman. She was born with a twisted body-one hip higher than the other, turned in feet, and spinal curvatures. This caused her to have to wear braces in an effort to straighten out her body as a child. Even with her physical difficulties, she spent ten years studying classical ballet. Rebellious by nature, she longed to travel the world. After two years of college she left America and began an eleven year pilgrimage of adventure traveling Europe, Africa, and Asia. While exciting, this experience was difficult and ravaged her body. By the time she returned home, the effects of her travels had resulted in constant pain and malnourishment.
Out of these physical difficulties, Callanetics was born. Callan was determined to heal her body, so she spent years perfecting a series of exercises that were gentle on her back designed to actually rebuild her body. After writing a book and teaching classes out of her apartment she began to gain recognition. Her original video released, 'Callanetics,' became the number 1 on the UK's Best Selling Fitness Videos of All Time chart.
Back to Brianna and her Callanetics experience.
I obtained the 'Callanetics: 10 Years Younger in 10 Hours' dvd and jumped right in. The exercises look deceptively simple. Most of them consist of tiny, pulsing movements that are supposed to reach deep into the muscle, firming, and shaping. These movements are to be repeated up to 100 times per exercise. The series of exercises consist of stretches, warmups, stomach exercises, hips and behind exercises, leg exercises, and an underarm tightener exercise. The entire workout lasts for one hour, but I soon learned that by skipping the instructions and working at my own pace I could complete it in thirty-forty minutes.
I was definitely sore the first few days that I did the workout. My muscles were not used to to the movements- they are definitely different from most exercises people use today. I began to notice results right away! Callan likes to say that our butt should look more like a 'perfect peach' instead of a 'pear'-high and tight, not saggy and bottom heavy. I did begin to notice my butt lift and take on a more defined shape! Also, the stomach exercises were killer at first. There are three of them-meaning that I am pulsing/rounding my stomach muscles 400 times during the workout! You will get stronger abs with this routine, trust me! Another favorite exercise of mine is the underarm tightener. After doing this the first few times my underarms were VERY sore, which told me it was working. Pelvic twists were also a challenge for me. In this exercise you sit on your knees, lift your butt off your heels and rotate your pelvis one way ten times and then reverse the other way ten times. This exercise alone really helped create definition in my thighs. Scattered throughout the harder exercises are various stretches, which I really appreciated. I highly value flexibility, and Callanetics will stretch your body and give you longer, leaner muscles.
Callan Pinckney, as the instructer, is very careful about form. Do not skip her instructions at first. It is very important that you do them properly, especially if you suffer from back problems. Remember, her workout was designed to rebuild her own body and back, so this is an excellent program if followed correctly for chronic pain sufferers.
I stopped doing Callanetics for years, just because, as with everything else, it's easy to forget what works and stick to it consistently. This year, after overdoing harsh, intense exercises, I decided to scale back and pick up Callanetics again. I am very glad that I did so. After three weeks now, I am noticing my butt shaping up into that perfect peach, as well as tighter underarms, and better, overall flexibility. Did it help me lose ten inches in ten hours? No, but that's because I'm not trying to lose ten inches! I am at a healthy weight. I am just trying to firm up and tone problem areas, as well as maintain a certain level of flexibility and fitness.
Finally, if you are looking for a workout plan that is calming, I highly recommend Callanetics. It is easy on your joints, and when I have completed my workout I am always more relaxed and better able to focus on the day ahead.