Category Archives: Fitness and Yoga

Out already – The Track List for Les Mills Body Balance release 68

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Yes it’s leaked already.

I haven’t posted my review of the current Body Balance release yet. And here is the track list for Les Mills Body Balance release 68. We’ll get to see this in March.

If you don’t want to be spoiled look away now. Otherwise have a look.

Track List for Les Mills Body Balance release 68

Click here to TWEET this Track List.

Good to see the artist Sia back again. She last appeared on a Body Balance release back in number 35 with her early hit “Breathe Me”.

Now it’s your turn:

What do you think of the Les Mills Body Balance release 68 tracklist? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.

Listen on Amazon:

If you want more spoilers you can click on the links above to see the music on Amazon. They won’t be exactly the same mixes because Les Mills often edit the tracks, and some are Les Mills cover versions and not available commercially. But it will give you a good feel for what’s on its way.

First Impressions of Les Mills Body Balance release 67

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It’s nearly 2015.

After the excesses of Hogmanay, fitness classes will soon be packed with people trying to work off “holiday bloat”.

What better way to get started than to see the New Year in with the latest Les Mills releases.

Are you ready for Les Mills Body Balance release 67? I’ve been learning the moves and listening to the music for a few weeks now. Here are my first impressions.

First Impressions of Les Mills Body Balance release 67
Tai Chi Warm Up
  • Diana Mills, one of the programme choreographers, was pregnant during the shoot. You can be sure that this release is perfect for expectant mothers. Plenty of options. Though I did cringe slightly when I saw Diana deep in Swan Pose with her heel pressing deeply into her tummy.
  • “Back to basics” is the theme of this release. Perfect for a New Year with many first timers coming to class.
  • Our warm up consists of a lovely simple Tai Chi sequence and a traditional sun salutation flow. No complexity allows you to master the basic moves quickly.
  • We hear two completely different songs for the Standing Strength routine. A departure from the usual, “play the song twice, once on the right and once on the left”. You’ll see a new version of Warrior 2 pose here. The Joyous Warrior. And although they don’t mention it by name that looks like a Humble Warrior to me.
  • At 8 minutes, the hips track delivers intensity. Glorious stretches and we spend a long time in Swan Pose. The song is a lovely one but becomes weird during those swan poses. What do you think of that long Outro?
  • At only 2 minutes 30 odd seconds it’s the shortest Core Abs track ever. And it’s not a trick like last time. There’s no second, longer one to surprise you.

Looks like another solid class. Can’t say I’ve been blown away by it and I’m struggling to decide what’s the stand out moment. Probably the hips track.

Now it’s your turn:

Did you go to the Quarterly Workshops? What do you think of Les Mills Body Balance release 67? Are you a participant? Have you been to the new class? Please leave a comment below or a link to your review.

First Thoughts on Les Mills Body Combat Release 62

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Christmas is almost here. In my Body Combat classes I’m dusting down old classic favourites and we’re having great fun as everyone winds down for the holidays.

But Les Mills Body Combat release 62 is out, and I’ve started learning it for a January launch. It’s certainly going to kick-start 2015 with a bang.

Les Mills Body Combat Release 62
Check out those Side Kicks.

Here are my first impressions.

  • If you enjoyed the last few releases, you’d love this. It’s similar in feel and intensity.
  • The Upper Body Warm up demos the basic punches in simple fashion. It may be the first ever Upper Body Warm Up not to feature shuffling in any direction at all.
  • Track 3 is shorter than normal but packs power. You’ll be sweating like a tap by now.
  • I can’t believe how many kicks and knee strikes there are in Track 4. Cool Kata at the start too.
  • More Capoeira in Track 6 and that means more muscle burning leg conditioning. Like the “slow motion front kick”.
  • I love the music for the Muay Thai. It’s almost upbeat progressive rock.
  • An abs only conditioning is going to hurt.

Look out for Les Mills Body Combat release 62 coming to a club near you in the New Year. Until then, as programme directors Dan and Rach always say, “Keep it real and stay with the fight.”

Now it’s your turn:

Did you go to the Quarterly Workshops? What do you think of Les Mills Body Combat release 62? Please leave a comment below or a link to your review.

5 Reasons to Start Yoga Before the Holidays

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It’s a great time of year to consider taking up yoga.

I’m serious.

I know you’re thinking the opposite. With wind howling and rain lashing against the windows the last thing you want is to go to a yoga class, right? Plus you have Christmas presents to buy, parties to go to, and Christmas dinner to plan.

Although it’s fun, Christmas brings stress into your life. Yoga helps you relax. If you’re busy with work you might have stopped exercising. Yoga helps you strengthen and tone your body.

5 Reasons to Start Yoga

Yoga is exercise for your mind and your body.

Here are 5 benefits of yoga. 5 Reasons to start yoga before the holidays.

Less stressed

You combine the physical exercises you do in yoga with relaxation and breathing techniques creating calmness and a lower heart rate.

Enhanced mindfulness and mental calm can leave you feeling less stressed.

Re-energised

Apart from the more cardio-based forms of yoga, such as Power Yoga, you won’t find that your energy fade during a yoga class. Indeed you will find yourself re-energised and feeling quite vigorous after class.

Better flexibility

You don’t need much flexiblility to start doing yoga, but every class you attend will make you more flexible. Yoga moves stretch your body and over time will increase your range of motion.

Better muscle tone

Yoga tones your muscles. Most of the poses involve either strengthening or stretching. You can develop long lean muscles with yoga. In fact you can work pretty much every muscle in the body.

And the flow of exercises mean you’ll get a cardiovascular work out as well and getting stronger.

Better posture

Improved flexibility and increased strength improves your posture. You will find that your balance will get better too.

And finally everyone benefits. Don’t listen to the clichés. You don’t have to be a bendy girl to do yoga. No matter what your age, size, shape or level of fitness you do it and see results.

Now it’s Your Turn:

So even though it’s nearly Christmas and you’re busy. Even though you have a hundred things to do. Get yourself along to a Yoga class.

Or at least book yourself a block of classes for the New Year. Make Yoga your Christmas present to yourself.