Comments for Ann Smith

Comment on Sharing Exercise Experiences and More by caroline

caroline — Wed, 12 May 2010 21:52:07 +0000

Hello Ann,
How nice to see a new post from you!! Now my interest has been stirred to listen to some Bach Cello Suites!
I am still enjoying your DVD’s very much, and I am moving to music on a daily basis. I love how I feel afterwards, and my flexibility is coming back. It is wonderful.

I was wondering how I might obtain your book called Stretch that you have mentioned. I have not been able to locate it anywhere. I would be interested in any book that you have written so that I might further educate myself on stretch exercise.

Thank you -
Caroline

Comment on About Ann by June Thiesse

June Thiesse — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 01:22:39 +0000

I just got your Stretching for Seniors DVD and love it! I should have known that you went to Miami U. JLT

Comment on Contact & Purchase Info by Elisa Ritter

Elisa Ritter — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:48:29 +0000

In my youth I had taken ballet and gymnastics. In middle age, I was also able to follow Michelle Lowe’s and Marguerite Portier’s Balletcise which I love, but no longer can do. I am so glad that I found your video: Inhale, Exhale, Stretch, and Move. While it is not as intense, it reminds me of the workouts I missed so much to classical music.

Comment on About Ann by piaa of jesus

piaa of jesus — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:08:32 +0000

Dear Ann, (PLEASE get this to her-if not directly here) i want to say THANK YOU!!!! sister of soul. i am consecrated hermit in the Catholic church for nearly 20yrs now at Starshine Celestial Hermitage in Angel Fire NM (it is a guest & retreat hermitage inspired in sacred architectural form and would happily be available to you for seminars or small group retreats if you should ever desire or even want to take a holiday in the Southwest. My secular professional career (CA and Switzerland) was as classical solo cellist specializing in the solo Bach suites. i just turned 64 and have been dealing with some hip arthritis a year or so which a series of PT exercises last fall helped somewhat because of the strengthening aspect. As musician in my soul and totally sensitive to sacred form and ‘line’, i always had the inner sense to want to move the entire body aesthetically even if the PT exercises were pretty soldier-like for the will! Needless to say, i was absolutely overjoyed to watch your ‘Stretching for Seniors’ VHS tape. ( Ashamed to say although that i found it on my video shelf having bought it many years ago and not having even watched!!!!! we humans can be sooo stupid sometimes!) My entire life in my subconscious i always attended ballets and yearned so that if i were not born into a 5’9 large-boned body i would definitely have wanted to be a ballerina. Not overweight, but with cellist’s ‘marshmallow-no tone legs’ my entire adult life, i am sure that the arthritis set into my hip due to the ‘gravity’ factor as you say and lack of any muscular support around that joint and constant use of that side as the carrier/load bearer year after year. Now as well, with wood harvesting etc. and hearty chores inside and out. i recently got your Inhale, Exhale….DVD through Ebay… it sounds even more in total harmony with this soul’s aesthetic and physical needs to “tune-up, tone-up” which i well understand. i pray it is possible even at 64 to bring my physical body into ‘line’!!!!! too. You are VERY welcome here, Most gratefully and sincerely, piaa of jesus starshinehermitage@gmail.com, po box 637, angel fire, nm 87710 Again, THANK YOU, sister of soul.. . come visit!!!!

Comment on Connecting Exercises by caroline

caroline — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:25:09 +0000

Dear Ann,
Thank you for another excellent article. The beauty and grace of the moves, and how they flow from one to the next are just wonderful. I am enjoying moving with you every morning. And I find that the music stays with me all through the day which is nice too!
I still feel alot of tightness in my hips, but I’m hopeful that with time and dedication, I will be much more flexible in this area.

God bless,
Caroline

Comment on Connecting East and West Exercise by caroline

caroline — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:31:59 +0000

Dear Ann,
I quite happily stumbled upon your “Moving to Mozart” DVD in my local public library. I brought it home and did all the sessions at one viewing. I felt energized, and yet relaxed and peaceful too – I’m sure you know what I mean! Well, now I am an Ann Smith addict (it’s a good addiction!). I have purchased Moving to Mozart, Stretching for Seniors, Inhale,Exhale, and Rise and Shine. I love them all and rotate through them. I have been doing them every morning after my walk.
I am 50 years old, eat a healthy vegan diet, and have not really had any major health issues, so I feel very blessed. But I did notice that I was getting very tight and wanted to regain the flexibility I had as a youngster when I took ballet and gymnastics lessons. I am feeling more flexible already, and look forward to each morning spent with you!
I also wanted to say that I love classical music (I play the piano and love Mozart, Bach, and Handel) and so I really appreciate moving to the beautiful music. It is like a breath of fresh air! So much nicer than exercise DVD’s that have blaring rock music and the instructor shouting commands.
I hope that you will continue to blog, and I am spreading the word to all my friends about your wonderful exercise system.
Thank you so much!
Caroline

Comment on Some of My Summer Reading by Carol Williams

Carol Williams — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 18:02:17 +0000

Good Day Ann
I read with great interest a piece in our local paper.
Right away, I knew you had classical dance training and I also had lessons many years ago. Great weight gain, grief for the death of my daughter has left me heading toward my 70th birthday and needing to do something positive about my general health and an arthritic body.
Your videos would be just right for me. However, I can’t seem to find the source to order.
I would appreciate your response as to how I can purchase these.
Thanking you in advance.
Carol Williams

Comment on Relaxation is Key to Exercising by sandrar

sandrar — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:11:11 +0000

Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog. Cheers! Sandra. R.

Comment on Winter is No Excuse by Sharon Clayton

Sharon Clayton — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 21:00:53 +0000

Dear Ann, Just a note to let you know I am trying to stay active this winter. I have several volunteer jobs, and walk to most of them. Also, believe it or not, one does include singing! I want you to know that I am still enjoying the DVDS I have from you and actually I ordered two of the older ones today which I did not have. They are Stretching for Seniors and Rise and Shine. I am looking forward to your newest DVD in the future. The way you join your ballet moves with the classical music is a joy. Thank you, Sharon

Comment on The Posture Slump by Trudie

Trudie — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:58:14 +0000

Thank you, Ann, for your words that create such wonderful visuals! I’d been feeling the posture slump sitting at my computer and found this very timely. Simple moves, shifting that immediately feels better.

We have come a long way and you are an incredible example of that. I had discovered your Stretching for Seniors years ago and shared it with my mother. We each doing the stretches together each day, hundred of miles apart. I’m very much enjoying your latest dvd and the elegance and grace you display. In fact, as I read this blog, I could hear your voice and see your posture.

I am grateful for your guidance and example.

Sitting taller,
Trudie