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DVD Review: Trudie Styler's Warrior Yoga

FitSugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 07:00:35 -0700

Although I enjoy practicing yoga in my living room, I rarely have the time - and to be honest, the discipline - to complete a whole 90-minute session alone. For those reasons, I really enjoyed the DVD Trudie Styler's Warrior Yoga ($15). The full practice is 50 minutes long, and the verbal instruction is so professional and specific it felt like a private lesson. Although yoga enthusiast Sting is her hubby, Trudie invited celebrity fitness guru James D’Silva to help lead this video. His unbelievably calming voice coupled with the gorgeous backdrop of Trudie and Sting's eco-friendly Tuscan villa inspired me to move with strength and serenity.

Warrior yoga is a type of vigorous Vinyasa yoga, where postures flow one into another. I like how D’Silva repeated the same poses a few times, holding each one for a breath, so you could feel your body opening deeper every time. The sequence included challenging poses that targeted opening commonly tight areas of the body including the hips, hamstrings, lower back, and shoulders.

Is this DVD one of my favorites? Find out when you read more.

This video set a spark under my already burning fire for yoga. I've reviewed many yoga DVDs, and this one is definitely top on my list of faves. It included all the essential aspects of yoga - attention to breath and moving with strength and control, a variety of postures to target all areas of the body, repetition of postures to deepen your stretch, and awareness of the connection between your mind and body. By the end, I felt calm yet energized, and I was covered in sweat, so I know I worked my body well. Beginners and advanced yogis will love this video, and I know it'll be one I can come back to over and over again. You can order yours from Gaiam.

DVD Review: Prenatal Yoga With Desi Bartlett

FitSugar — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 03:30:00 -0700

If you're expecting a baby, hopefully you've heard about the benefits of yoga for pregnancy, labor, and delivery. If you can't find any prenatal yoga classes near you, then try a prenatal yoga DVD, like this one, Prenatal Yoga With Desi Bartlett ($15). This flowing, gentle, 45-minute yoga practice is designed to be used through all three trimesters.

It begins with a sweet, two-minute meditation to help connect with your breath and your baby. The meditation is followed by 10 minutes of postures on the floor that gently begin to open your hips to increase flexibility and strength in your core. This sequence moves quite slowly, but it's really relaxing. Desi then leads you through 20 minutes of standing postures that include - as you'd guess - lots of squats and hip opening postures such as Goddess and Warrior 2, which are good preps for labor. I like that she included modified push-ups to strengthen your upper body, "which you will need for carrying your little one in your arms." There's also 10 minutes of restorative poses on the floor, using blankets and blocks.

I really enjoyed Desi's gentle nature, her encouraging voice, and how she held poses for a long time so you could really experience the sensations in your body. I remember pregnancy being a time for inner reflection, and this DVD is a great way to allow for some much-needed time to yourself.

To see a video clip of Prenatal Yoga, read more.

If you have never tried yoga before your pregnancy, be sure to check with your doctor before starting an exercise program.

DVD Review: Shiva Rea - Creative Core + Upper Body

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 11:00:00 -0800

Shiva Rea is one of my favorite yogis, and I love both her Creative Core Abs, and Creative Core + Lower Body DVDs. So, of course, I was psyched to try the third DVD in her core series, Creative Core + Upper Body ($10). It involves a flowing sequence of core-focused postures that are all about sculpting your abs, back, arms, and shoulders.

The first section of the DVD is 25 minutes long and involves doing nine rounds of 12 push-ups for a total of 108 (108 is a sacred number). In between the push-ups, you do variations of Warrior 1 to work your legs and shoulders, and poses on your belly to work the muscles in your back and chest. I fell in love with this DVD after the first part! It was an amazing upper-body workout that incorporated a brilliant combination of yogic and nonyogic moves.

The second part of the video leads you through eight minutes of work on your back, doing variations of crunches and Pilates core exercises, yet encourages you to be creative with your movements. My belly was burning in the best way. Then it ends with two minutes of Savasana, which you are so ready for, since your entire body feels worked. Once I woke up, I felt vibrantly energized. This is my new favorite Shiva Rea video, no doubt about it.

If you're curious to see a clip of this video then read more.

DVD Review: Duncan Wong Yogic Arts - Source Power

FitSugar — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:00:00 -0800

There are so many beginner yoga DVDs available, but not many for the experienced practitioner. So when I discovered Duncan Wong Yogic Arts - Source Power ($20), I was ecstatic. Yogic Arts combines yoga, martial arts, and massage, so it adds a nice twist to your regular yoga practice. Source Power is designed for intermediate to advanced levels, so it involves moving at a quick pace between challenging poses.

The video is broken down into several chapters including pranyama (breath work), how to engage to your bandhas, and then moves onto individual sequences that focus on the wrists, shoulders, legs, hips, core, and buns. On a rainy weekend morning you could opt to do the full 212 minutes of the DVD, but you can also pick and choose a few sequences to practice.

I learned some wonderful variations of basic poses and new unique stretches that I've never tried before. Combining martial arts with yoga made me feel powerful and full of energy. Since Duncan's practice is so advanced, it's inspiring to have him demonstrate poses to work toward like Handstand, Crow, and Rotated Triangle. If you can't get to a yoga class, this video is a great alternative. At the end my body felt stronger and more open, and my mind felt calm.

Fit Tip: If you're looking for a beginner version of Yogic Arts, check out Duncan's first video, Awakening Level.

DVD Review: Body Target - Abs

FitSugar — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 08:00:00 -0800

Want to work your core but aren't sure if you're in the mood for yoga or Pilates? Get a taste of them both on the Gaiam DVD, Body Target - Abs ($15). It's broken down into two segments: Yoga for Abs (with Rodney Yee), and Pilates for Abs (with Ana Cabán).

The yoga section starts off pretty slow, guiding you through a seven-minute relaxation exercise to help you connect your breath with your core. Then it moves into challenging variations of leg lifts and Boat pose. The workout involves slow, concentrated holds so not only did I feel my abs working, but I also felt completely relaxed. The 25-minute routine ends with Savasana, to calm the mind and recharge the body.

The Pilates section wastes no time and moves right into a demanding workout that targets your "powerhouse" (core). It includes 26 minutes of basic Pilates exercises such as the Hundred, the Roll Up, the Roll Over, Single Leg Circles, Double Straight Leg Stretch, and the Open Leg Rocker.

Yoga and Pilates all on one DVD - it's the best of both worlds. If you have time, you can do both routines, or just turn on one for a quick ab workout. I'd recommend this to anyone looking to strengthen and tone their core. To see a clip of Body Target - Abs, read more.

DVD Review: Yoga Link - Core Integration

FitSugar — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:00:00 -0700

Looking for some new moves to tone your core muscles? The DVD Core Integration ($19.95) is designed to strengthen you from the inside out. The exercises are meant to not only target your abdominal muscles, but they'll also strengthen weak muscle tissue, awaken sluggish organs, stretch scar tissue, and cultivate vibrancy in your nervous system. It's important to strengthen your core for spinal stability and digestive health, but it also makes us feel good about ourselves to have tight abs.

I'm a fan of this DVD because the instructor gives you a little three-minute anatomy lesson of your core muscles, and describes how each muscle moves your spine. Very cool. Then in the workshop portion of the DVD, she shows you how to use props (a mat, block, wall, and a foam roller) to do some really awesome core-strengthening moves that target your rectus abdominals, obliques, and your transverse abdominals, and psoas (you'll learn what these are if you watch the video). She does a great job of explaining each move as she's doing it, and describes what's happening in your body as you do each exercise. I haven't learned this much from a yoga DVD in a long time.

After the 71-minute workshop portion, she guides you through a 57-minute core practice, which includes a flow sequence of all the exercises you learned in the workshop. These moves were amazing, and I worked muscles in my abs I never reach with regular crunches. I definitely recommend this video if you're really into strengthening your core.

DVD Review: Shiva Rea - Creative Core Abs

FitSugar — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 04:00:00 -0700

I'm always looking for ways to sculpt and strengthen my abs without having to do crunches, so I was psyched to try Shiva Rea's Creative Core Abs ($9.99). I've loved her Yoga DVDs in the past (especially Fluid Power - Vinyasa Flow Yoga), so I had a feeling this would be just as great. Her voice is calming, her instructions are clear, and her routines are always challenging.

The DVD includes three short workouts: Water Core (10 min), Spontaneous Core (8 min), and Fire Core (10 min); you can do all three in a row, or choose which ones you want to do. The sequencing is very fluid and dance-like, so the time goes by really quickly. It definitely doesn't feel like yoga. Shiva encourages you to explore your range of motion, and even though this video was focused on the abs, the movements strengthened and stretched my upper and lower back, hips, quads, shoulders, and neck too. Cool to know that even Shiva Rea is all about the core.

If you're looking for a DVD that works your abs in a unique way you can order it here or rent it through Netflix.

Move It at Home: Kundalini Yoga to Detox and Destress

FitSugar — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 12:30:00 -0800

The DVD Kundalini Yoga to Detox and Destress ($14.99) is designed to wake up the dormant kundalini energy that lies in your fourth chakra. Once you wake up this energy, it will awaken your spirit, energize your body, and relax your mind. Too bad this DVD totally put me to sleep.

I did really like the calming all-white background and the melodic music Maya Feinnes (the instructor) made herself. The actual movement part was what didn't do it for me. She basically did 40 minutes of seated warm-up exercises to work the neck, spine, and hips. Forty minutes of sitting down! This is not at all like the butt-kicking yoga I'm used to. The movements were really repetitive, so it's great for beginners and if you're in the mood to move slowly, but really boring if you're expecting to move more.

She also says a lot of spiritual affirmations like "challenge yourself; release your old stagnant energy; your future is clear; don't give up; you're almost there," which are a little weird. The breathing and sound exercises really added to the whole snooze factor for me. This wasn't much of a workout at all, so it'd be perfect for someone who needed to release tension and stress.

Want to see a clip of this DVD to see what I mean? Then read more

If you're still interested in checking it out it, you can by it through Acacia.

Move It at Home: Better Sex Through Yoga - Volume 2

FitSugar — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 04:00:00 -0800

A while back I reviewed the beginner yoga DVD, Better Sex Through Yoga, Volume 1. Well, I decided it was time to get a little more advanced, or rather intermediate and try Volume 2 ($14.95), the Intermediate edition. This isn't an erotic video with explicit instructions of the Kama Sutra sex positions. It's just like any other yoga video, except this 46 minute workout focuses on opening your hips, hamstrings, and lower back.

Although I really did like the creative sequencing of postures, I must say I found the close up shots of the instructor's shorty shorts, not only unnecessary but unprofessional as well. I thought Volume 2 was a bit more cheesy than the first volume since it included the same annoying music and even more repetitions of the instruction to "Breathe deeply into your sexual core." It also has more of a hint of sexuality, which aggravated me since yoga isn't about sex (for me anyway). I think I might buy this for a yoga friend as a gag gift, or for newlyweds, but aside from that, I'd rather practice along with the many other better yoga videos out there.

Move It at Home: Power to the Peaceful Yoga

FitSugar — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 04:00:00 -0800

If you're a fan of Jivamukti Yoga, or have always wanted to check out this style of yoga, here's a video for you to try called Power to Peaceful Yoga ($14.99). Sharon Gannon and David Life, the founders of this invigorating type of yoga, collaborated with musician Michael Franti (from Spearhead) to bring you this DVD. Jivamukti Yoga isn't limited to just stretching your body. It connects yoga with music, social justice, the practice of non-violence, vegetarianism and laughter for a more fulfilling practice. It's for people looking to deepen their self awareness, strengthen their relationships with others, and work towards a more peaceful world.

The practice opens with chanting and yogic breathing, and then moves right into Sun Salutations variations. Sharon and David give very specific directions and descriptions of the poses and movements, so even though this video moves quickly (which I love), it's easy to follow along. This flowing practice focuses on following the breath and opening the body, so you feel strong, calm, and centered.

This is one of the best yoga DVDs I've tried because it involves a challenging practice, but also brings in the spiritual aspect of yoga which can get lost in mainstream yoga videos. I recommend this to yoga newbies and experienced practitioners as well. You can buy it directly from Acacia.