On Javachick’s recommendation, I decided to find out whether “yogalates” would be as much torture for my tushie as straight-up pilates.

Happily, I liked Crunch: Super SlimDown, “blending yoga and pilates.” It was a very comfortable challenge but I finished it feeling energized and worked-out. It was interesting to see which exercises yoga had prepared me well for (shoulder, obliques, thighs, glutes), and which were butt-kickers (triceps, abs, hamstrings).

The adjective that comes to mind for this DVD is innocuous, which doesn’t sound that good but is often times exactly what you need, especially when you’re stressed or busy. It’s straightforward and passes quickly. It helps that it’s only 40 minutes long.

I don’t think I’ll ever get as much overall out of pilates as I do out of yoga. But I’m convinced that for serious spot-toning, pilates either competes or kicks yoga’s skinny butt. My triceps are still aching from Sunday’s class. The hand weights were part of it, but there’s something about that repeated, pulsing motion that just SQUEEZES the muscle into submission.

So, thumbs up on Ellen Barrett and Crunch. If there was a more advanced version of this workout, I’d try it.

Update: It’s been 12 hours since I did the workout, and the muscles around my waist are already sore. Bonus!

Second update: Now 24 hrs later, inner thighs and squatting-related muscles sore beyond belief… holy cow, ma, it works!