Check it out

American Fitness, May-June, 2004

Yoga on the Ball (Healing Arts Press; $18), by Carol Mitchell, combines yoga with the exercise ball to create a total body workout that can be tailored to all fitness levels. It allows you to simultaneously engage several muscle groups and lose weight naturally as your metabolism increases with special breathing techniques.

The ball provides a cushioning base for yoga movements and rolling it slightly alters stretches to target different muscles. The workout combines stretching and breathing exercises with cardiovascular and muscle-toning exercises to create a rejuvenating energy flow that will realign your mind and body, leaving you feeling calm, strong and centered ... Do you only want to focus on stretching? In Essential Stretch: Gentle movements for stress relief, flexibility and overall well-being (Perigee Trade Paperback; $17.95), Michelle LeMay shows how to use her stretching techniques to not only relieve tight muscles, but also de-stress and improve health. Essential stretch is a movement technique grounded in achieving balance, peace and harmony. With this unique blend of yoga, mind-body focus, breath awareness and flowing movement, readers can reduce muscle soreness, tone the body, improve sexual function and much more ... If you are considering making improvements to your aerobic studio or gym, check out Stagestep/Aeson's new Web site--a comprehensive guide of permanent and portable floor surfaces, floating wood subfloors as well as floorcare and installation products. Appealing to both Stagestep's dance and theater clients as well as Aeson's health and fitness customers, the site features a new search engine and cost estimator. It also highlights a line of specialty items, such as ballet/stretching barres. A "Hot Tips" section answers frequently asked questions and e-newsletter has the latest maintenance and installation tips. For more information, visit www.stagestep.com ... To help couples plan worry-free destination weddings and romantic honeymoons on Hawaii's Big Island, the Happily Ever After Romance Guide highlights favorite ceremonial sites, perfect reception locations, planning details and contact information for hotels, resorts, inns, bed and breakfasts, wedding planners, coordinators and vendors. Let the legendary sunsets and hula moons set the mood for a memorable wedding and honeymoon. To order the free guide, call (800) 648-2441 or visit www.bigisland.org ... For the couple returning from their honeymoon, family member who has everything, friend who has lost a loved one or neighbor who has just given birth, finding the appropriate gift can be challenging. Jackie Keller, founding director of NutriFit LLC, Los Angeles' healthy gourmet meal delivery service, says meals are an ideal way to show you care. "When life can seem overwhelming, it's nice to have one less thing to think about," she says, "and knowing you've given the gift of health makes it all the better." Keller suggests a week of dinners or three days of breakfast, lunch and dinner as a reasonable, affordable gift. For more information, call (310) 473-1989, (800) 341-4190 or visit www.nutrifitonline.com. Do you have the inside scoop on people, places or products in the fitness industry? Send a fax to (818) 990-5468 or e-mail americanfitness@afaa.com.