PULSE.

Byline: Mariko Thompson

STRENUOUS STRETCH: Inspired by ballet, ``Classical Stretch - Full Body Workout Vol. 1'' (Navarre Home Entertainment; DVD $17.99) is no day at the beach. Although Miranda Esmonde-White has chosen the water's edge as her setting, you'll find little solace in the peaceful images as you suffer through the killer leg lifts in this 55-minute workout. The routine, performed to classical music, focuses on building strength and flexibility. Because the sand obscures the view of her feet, it can be difficult to assess whether you're aligned in the correct position. Before buying, you might want to check out her ``Classical Stretch'' program, airing on KLCS-TV (Channel 58) at 5 a.m. weekdays and 7:30 a.m. Saturdays. Visit www.classicalstretch.com for more information.

PILATES FOR MOMS: Sarah Picot and her 15-week-old son demonstrate ``Post-Natal Pilates'' (PV Partners; VHS $16.95, DVD $18.99), a workout for new moms with babies ages 2 to 6 months. Pilates builds strength and flexibility and focuses on the ``powerhouse'' muscles such as the abs and back. Picot turns the workout into a bonding experience, leading moms and babies through a simple interactive routine that runs about 27 minutes. During floor work, baby can rest on mom's torso. Baby actually becomes part of the workout for bicep curls and shoulder presses. Pausing for breast-feeding or diapering is encouraged. For more information, visit www.pilatesforpregnancy.com.

IN THE CARDS: ``The Pilates Deck'' (Chronicle Books; $14.95) is good for the posture but hard on the eyes. The deck, by Shirley Archer, contains 50 illustrated cards and suggested sequences to strengthen and tone muscles. Some of the movements are too subtle to be captured by the illustrations and force a Pilates novice (or even someone who's taken a class or two) to read and reread the accompanying text. Another problem has to do with ink choice - the illustrations on the peach-colored cards that make up half the deck nearly blend into the background. This deck might be handy for people who are well-grounded in Pilates, but it's not a good investment for beginners.

STRESS BUSTER: If a trip to the spa breaks your budget, try pampering yourself at home with ``Massage: Mind and Body'' (DK Publishing; $15). Author Larry Costa teaches massage techniques to relieve those tense shoulders, that achy back and that pounding headache. Learn how to give your partner a full-body massage. Or focus on one part of the body such as the scalp, the lower back or the feet. Costa also will show you how to make your own cleansing facial and body scrub. What better way to recover from holiday stress?

LEGAL LOWDOWN: The new year is the time for resolutions and getting affairs in order. So once the champagne and gifts stop flowing, take a few hours to read through the second edition of ``Medical Directives & Powers of Attorney for California'' by Shae Irving (Nolo; $21.99). Berkeley-based Nolo publishes guidebooks that explain the law minus the lawyer-ese. Here, Irving walks readers through advanced health-care directives, do-not-resuscitate orders and durable power of attorney for finances. Readers can use tear-out forms or the CD-ROM to set out their health-care wishes and appoint someone to handle medical decisions in the event of an incapacitating injury or illness. It's a sobering subject, but having these documents on file will bring peace of mind.

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Photo:

(1) no caption (``Classical Stretch - Full Body Workout Vol. 1'')

(2) no caption (``Post-Natal Pilates'')

(3) no caption (``The Pilates Deck'')

(4) no caption (``Massage: Mind and Body'')

(5) no caption (``Medical Directives & Powers of Attorney for California'')