For those of you who are just beginning Metamorphosis, this may feel like a life-time away but you'll be here before you know it. For others of you who have graduated from the Metamorphosis program and are into Continuity and like my lovely and totally hilarious Tammy put it "are feeling like it's taken a dive", don't panic, everything from 2.1 and on is pretty much golden. And finally, those of you that are right up here with me, this is a level that you can very much look forward to.
If you've read any of the previous reviews you know that I think the entire 2.2 series was very impressive. I loved nearly every sequence the ladies put together for us and it seems we're going to be joyously in for more of the same. Continuity 2.3 level 1 does not disappoint. It's a Love Day people. I've done the workout a handful of times now and I am loving it. Absolutely loving it.
 |
| Fitting T-shirt as well! |
It's lead by the stunning and strong Stacey McDermott and it feels a little old school, very classic Tracy Anderson and let me tell you, you are working but it feels so good. The warm up is focused and steady and the arms incorporate the abs beautifully so there isn't a separate standing abs section. But that's okay. The first time I did this workout, I hadn't worked out in nearly two weeks because of being sick, so not sure if it was the time off or the actual workout or both, but man could I feel it in my arms and shoulders the next day.
The floor abs are terrific. Again, a very classic and simple and hard-working series that targets the obliques as well but isn't so fast or complicated that you wind up more frustrated than worked out.
If you've been doing the Method for any length of time you are not going to believe me when I tell you that the legs are my favorite part of the sequence. That almost never happens. But it's true!! The legs are familiar. These are moves we've seen before with slight tweaks to them so you really feel them working but there is a real understanding of your positioning. What's different about this segment is that during three of the six legs moves, you don't really have a resting leg as both legs are working. So it's even more of a challenge over all. Don't get me wrong, there are one or two moves thrown in there that have so many moving parts that you're like WTF?! the first time through, but once you work it out, they aren't so fussy that they're irritating. Even these more complicated moves have familiar working parts so once you break it down and understand it, it becomes simple. Never easy, but simple.
Stacey has a slight wardrobe malfunction near the start of the workout, but she handles it like a pro, with absolute grace and she never misses a beat. Then when we jump into floor abs, it's all good again. Just a little humor added into the workout increases it's charm all the more.
I can't wait to see what Maria has in store for us next.
Plus, oooooooh this is pretty great. I have jumped ahead a little bit and in 2.4, the cardio series features Tracy again after she's had Penelope and she looks so fantastic. It's great to have her back! I hate cardio but am starting to do it once again for a little Tracy injection. So far I don't hate it and that's saying a lot! Review to follow. And we're going to be jumping through hoops soon too (not literally but almost). More on that later too.
Hope this gave you something to look forward to.
Hang in there and remember... it's only a matter of time before a resolution becomes a habit and a habit becomes a lifestyle.
Love,
Shan
Wow! You have no idea how happy I am to hear Tracy is back doing Cardio. I am in my last days of 2.1 and am terrified/anxious of doing this workout each morning without her. Thank you for giving me something to look forward to
ReplyDeleteOh Jolene I went through the exact same thing. I didn't want to do Tracy's Method without Tracy. What the hell's the point in that? In fact I almost flat out refused.
DeleteHowever...as much as I do miss her Stacey and Maria are amazing. And it's like when you take a yoga class with a new teacher, you may learn a slightly different technique to better get into a position, with Stacey and Maria, they each have a different way of explaining things so you may just gain a better understanding over all.
Ah yes, I used to be a huge yoga girl as well and I would panic every time a substitute teacher showed up. But it's true, you do learn a different perspective from each teacher. So I'll be changing my attitude and embracing the change that is in my near future. Thank you for the encouragement.
DeleteJolene, I'm confident you'll find your stride with Tracy's lovely stand-ins.
DeleteI absolutely love that last line, my dear. I may have to quote that somewhere! It is so true, and I'm starting to feel it happen. <3
ReplyDeleteJessica, isn't it so great when you sort of wake up one morning and realize that you've changed? I love that you're experiencing that.
DeleteGreat review Shan. Sounds like more fun ahead for us. I'm glad you're going to give a review on Tracy's cardio section too. I like Tracy's cardio she is just so coordinated...not that the girls aren't, it's like you said, it's just not Tracy.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I just finished my mat & cardio and I really whipped the cardio tonight. Had a late workout due to continuing to work on our remodel. Got new faucets in! I played nurse to my husband's doctor plumber handing him tools. I'll send you a pic of the kitchen faucets.
Well, off to have a bath and maybe a small snack. Thanks again for the reveiw.
Cardioaholic, JAH
Jah, that image of doctor nurse plumbers really cracked me up. Thanks for the terrific visual. Keep knocking those workout outta the park!
DeleteI am on level 9 of 2.2, ready to start 2.3, 3 more months of Stacey and Maria. I do love them! Their moves have been very challenging and have kept up the results. However, I did not enjoy their cardio routines, I kept finding myself going back to 1.1, 1.2,1.3. I was trying to figure out why??? Tracy's moves seem to go to a beat that I can find on all my tunes, Stacy and Maria's routines were more choreographed, but seemed to go with the off beat or double time... I could never seem to figure out the routines.
ReplyDeleteSaturday I went to the mail, and my 2.4 came! I couldn't wait. I ripped off the plastic cover and slip in the new Tracy cardio. I was reminded of Shan's image of herself about the epileptic bee... Well that is how I felt. The beat was awesome and Tracy threw in a few moves/routines from her Dance cardio- which by the way I never mastered, becasue I got META at the same time. So day one, i was back to how I was when I first started DC, two steps behind Tracy. Well, I was feeling a little deflated, like, crap, this one stinks too. But Sunday I gave it another try, really focused on counting 8's. Well, it didn't take long to slip right back in with TA. I am not perfect with this routine by any means, but I do love it. Give me two weeks and it will be a favorite. She also borrowed the set she used on teen meta with the light-bright in the back and the 70's pink, blue and white colors... very "crazy" set, but it is nice having TA back! 3 months and I will be doing the MS with her.
Shan, can't wait to hear what you thought.
Tricia, I know that I am not a huge cardio fan to begin with, but it made me feel a little bit less like a freak to read that you didn't love the girls' cardio either. Just could not get into it at all. But I really do quite like Tracy's and the lightbright set is ripped off of teen meta but it takes me back.
DeleteHave yet to write the review but will get to it. I like the little routine she throws in but glad she still free-styles it a little bit. Does make it more fun to follow along for sure!
Tricia,
DeleteHi. I noticed the same thing with the cardio of Stacey and Maria. I first attributed it to them being younger and so full of 'bounce' and not so much full of knowledge...ha! Anyway, for me, Tracy's cardio is much better. Glad to have it to look forward too again. I like a beat of about 130-140 bpm best. I love Tracy's 1.3 cardio and do it a lot, it's the spinning part at the end (just makes you happy!) and some of the other moves as well. Glad to know you are doing the cardio too, and you Shan and anyone else out there (Hi~)...sometimes when I'm half way through a cardio workout I envision everyone else dancing away, huffing and puffing with me, it helps me keep going and trying to 'perform' as Tracy says.
I've been re-reading Tracy's book The 30-Day Method again, you always learn a lot by going back to it. Tracy says, TAM straight up is for professionals! Ha.
Cheers, JAH
Jah, that's a brilliant trick. Imagine the rest of us huffing and puffing along with you. Am gonna try that.
DeleteI prefer the free-style so much more than the routines! We have so much in common. :)
ReplyDeleteI know, right?! xoxo
DeleteTricia/Shan/Everyone, What do you mean by "free-style", are you just dancing on your own for a 1/2 hour? Or do you have Tracy on and do the routine on and off? I sometimes free-style when I go slightly 'crazy' doing the routine and the music really moves me, I mean I am really into it with a cross between epliliptic bee=disco queen=punk rocker=so-you-think-I'm-sexy vibe! Or, I'm totally out of breath and must catch it again! Ha. But, I mostly try and follow our girl Tracy/girls and her/their sometimes damnable moves! Everyone out there, you do eventually pick it up, just keep trying, and of course you don't have to follow exactly; the cardio heart rate, keep moving, changing angles is the most improtant thing...and performing comes eventually? I can do the cardio all the way through (barring I have to have a potty), but 'perform' all the way through is still a someday, someday that will happen, I can feel it, it's coming now. Sort of an exciting moment to look forward to, and my friends I will so tell you when it happens. Tracy watch your back you little swaggering, dancing vixen! Really, I do love her...
DeleteOk, had to come to town and I'm sitting here in a favorite little STA internet cafe typing this...(also downloading next episode of Downton Abbey). I had a piece of spinach quiche and a salad with vinegette, and brought my own water. Also, had a glass of red (so sue me!!!). So enjoying myself but must get home and do my workout. Today I fit back into my Levi shrink-to-fits...oh, yeah, I'm the one who Tracy has shrunk however...smile. Feelin' pretty cocky again. Also, made a Ralph Lauren order of about $400 on his 70% off famous Winter Sale!!! Yea! Got about $1,500 worth of super nice stuff...this is when you can get the Black and Blue Labels girls. Can't wait for them to get here, I ordered a few really small, that's my next goal, going for it totally now...this is it... Ok, gotta go, see ya all in the movies...or should I say videos? Whateva, wine has gone to my brain.
Love you all, JAH
Hey Jah, What I mean by freestyle is that the moves are really simple, like attitude lifts to the front back or side, grapevines, or jumping jacks, they are not so choreographed as in a routine where you sache and spin, then jump kick - although all of that is in there too. It's just an all around generally great routine that requires you to learn some moves but then throws in a few easy things so you can get caught up and don't feel completely lost.
DeleteI define freestyle the same as Shan. The freestyle is when she does 8 counts and changes, (jacks, knee-lifts, jog in place, grape-vines)compared to the dancy choreographed moves that last 8 minutes or so like on the Cardio DVD. Hope this helps.
ReplyDelete