Rating: Summary: Shiva is not my role rodel, too dull Review: Dull, that's about all I can say about this workout. Shiva Rea was so flat and dull, the workout was even worse. Not sure how this made it to the stores, as she is pitiful. Time to try another pregnancy video, and this didn't do it for me at all.
Rating: Summary: Really solid workout Review: I really enjoy this video. I find it to be as challenging (in terms of toning) and relaxing as you make it. The more I do it- the more I am able to deepen my streching and my breathing.
Rating: Summary: A great yoga video Review: I have done very little yoga in the past, before I was pregnant, so I needed a video that was suitable for a beginner - and this one is, although it is still suitably challenging! It starts with a nice warm up and you gradually work up to poses that are more hard work. It's good to be able to choose which of the three women (one in each trimester) to follow. I'm in my second trimester and sometimes follow the first trimester woman, and sometimes the second. It has very little of the 'spiritual' side of yoga - which for me is a good thing, but if you're into that, you'll be disappointed. My only gripe is that it sometimes moves too quickly. It's of course OK to use the pause button when you want a little rest in between poses, but it's a little more difficult to press pause when you want to hold a pose a bit longer!
Rating: Summary: Life Saver! Review: I agree with other reviewers that this tape is great used throughout your pregnancy. I am not new to yoga, and when I tried it at 3 months I despaired at my wasted money. However, I tried it again at 4 months and was surprised at how much more challenging it had become! By the 5th month I was having a lot of back pain, and this video became my link to sleep, sanity and mobility. I am now in my 7th month and do this video every morning without fail. I would highly recommend this video.
Rating: Summary: Great for all those pregnancy aches and pains Review: I used this video all the way through my twin pregnancy. I did it almost every day up until the day I went into labor. My pregnancy went the whole 40 weeks and the babies were born at 7 and 7 1/2 lb. Needless to say, I was huge the last few weeks! I looked forward to doing this video every day because it gave me an hour of relief. It really helped loosen up stiff joints and tight muscles. A lot of the poses were especially good for opening up the chest and relieving the major rib pain that I had from the upper baby that always seemed to have his feet stuck in my ribs. I have done yoga for several years, and didn't really need to do any of the modifications for the poses until the 7th or 8th month. I rarely did the 3rd trimester modifications except on days when I was especially tired.
Rating: Summary: Invaluable Review: I began doing this tape at the beginning of my second trimester. I have kept up a continual schedule of cardio and toning but had heard about all the benefits of yoga and decided to try it. Now I look forward to going home each day after work to do the tape. It eliminates all the tightness in my back and helps with my shortness of breath. The instructor seems very knowledgable and the poses are easy to follow (I hadn't done much yoga before). There's also nothing embarrassing or "new-agey" either! The actual exercises last about 50 minutes but the time goes by quickly, and you're left feeling stretched out and relaxed, your aches and pains gone. I highly recommend it!
Rating: Summary: Love it! Just yoga -- no chanting!! Review: This is a great yoga video. I've been a yoga fan for about 3 years now, although I'm no power yoga guru. The instructor is down to earth without being spacey (she represents the first trimester routine), and there are two other women in the background (one in the second trimester, one in the third) to demonstrate the different modifications you should apply in each trimester. All of my favorite poses are here...down-dog, plank, triangle, warrior, lunges, potted palm, squats,cat, child, and the video begins with some gentle moves to encourage flexibility in the lower back. My ONLY gripe is that I found a few moves a little too awkward, and some I felt weren't even safe...such as the deep squat done after the regular squats...granted the first two women sank right down into this pose and held it for quite some time, but it violated a lot of things I learned were "no-no's" in yoga (hips should never go below knees, knees should never go past ankles...). I love how the instructor included time for Kegels, although they were done in a very awkward position (sitting wide-legged on the floor) and may have been more effective sitting in the chair, sitting cross-legged, or standing, which is how I plan to try them next time. All you really need for this video is a mat (or some other non-slip surface), a sturdy chair, and a strap for the second trimester and beyond. I plan on applying my own modifications with my next session with this tape. It lasts almost an hour and is set in an earthy living-room type atmosphere with nice music and nice natural scenes between segments. I wish the there had been a little less floor work and a little more time for relaxation and meditation at the end (the position they get into is sooo comfortable) but again that's something you can modify on your own. I'll probably continue using this video well after my baby is born!
Rating: Summary: The yoga program that grows WITH your pregnancy! Review: I really enjoy this exercise tape. I do it on days when I can't quite make it to the gym, but want mild exercise and stress relief. I love the fact that it has modifications for each trimester, too. I wouldn't recommend this tape to women who have never tried yoga or who want to start doing it well into their pregnancies. Although it is a very basic beginner-type yoga program, a minimal amount of yoga experience helps, so that you know how it is supposed to feel and you can adjust for your changing center of gravity. I'm glad I started doing it early in my pregnancy because although the poses for later pregnancy are modified, I have a feeling for what muscles to use and what the full stretch feels like. I really think this program is meant as a progression throughout pregnancy, and the third trimester model helps you maintain (not attain) tone and flexibility.
Rating: Summary: Great prenatal video Review: I love this video! I'm a couple weeks from giving birth, and have been using it almost daily from month three. It is relaxing, easy to follow, and helps you feel confident, knowing that the exercises are appropriate to your trimester. I started using this tape in desperation because of some extreme pregnancy related sciatic nerve pain. After one week the pain had lessened considerably, and after two it was gone. (Note: it isn't supposed to go away until after birth if you have it, so my dr was pretty shocked.) I'm pretty large at this point, but the pain has never returned, and although I'm feeling more awkward as my due date nears, I have had a much easier pregnancy, with fewer aches and pains, and I sleep more easily than any of my pregnant friends. This video includes every exercise recommended by our lamaze instructor and doctor. The duration is 50 mins, but goes quickly. It is not taxing, but does stretch and tone muscles. I hate to 'work out' and it is at a perfect tempo to exercise without getting sweaty (hey, I get enough of that just because I'm pregnant ;-). Also, it isn't so new-age as to be annoying. -Oh, as you get bigger, I would suggest buying a yoga mat too. It helps keep your feet from sliding during some of the exercises as your weight increases. I would highly recommend this video.
Rating: Summary: Great prenatal workout Review: I found this video to be easy to follow. The exercizes involve a lot of stretching, which has eliminated any low back pain that I was having. You'll still need to do aerobic activities to stay fit during pregnancy, but this video is a good complement to what you are already doing.
|