Garden Fitness with Blanche Black

For some, reading and edging library shelves on a hot July afternoon is just about as Zen as you can get. But for outdoor types like Blanche Black, a strength trainer and yoga instructor, incorporating a bit of yoga into garden work is just what the Buddha ordered. In Black's new Garden Fitness program, viewers will discover that key features of yoga (such as focused breathing, extended range of motion, and balance) translate almost seamlessly to various aspects of basic garden maintenance. In this straightforward no-frills program, Black leads viewers through a series of garden tasks including shoveling, pruning, digging, and planting, demonstrating how these actions have a counterpart in many standard yoga poses (for example, the “cat stretch” is a perfect warm-up for getting on all fours and weeding). Featuring functional exercises for older viewers who may not necessarily be looking for buns of steel, but want to maintain agility and flexibility while enjoying the simple pleasures of gardening, this unique exercise program is recommended. Aud: P. (N. Plympton)