Rating: 
Summary: Too short....
Review: After nearly 49 years of a sedentary life, I decided I was going to get in shape. This was a great video to start with since I had not been physically active. I could not do a lot of the Yoga moves or keep the pace of the dance moves at first, but I can do most everything now after several months. I have "advanced" to some of Denise's fat-blasting tapes, but I still do this one several times a week. Excellent for lower back strength and flexibility!
Rating: 
Summary: Slow and effective
Review: After nearly 49 years of a sedentary life, I decided I was going to get in shape. This was a great video to start with since I had not been physically active. I could not do a lot of the Yoga moves or keep the pace of the dance moves at first, but I can do most everything now after several months. I have "advanced" to some of Denise's fat-blasting tapes, but I still do this one several times a week. Excellent for lower back strength and flexibility!
Rating:
Summary: A very deceptive title
Review: As much as I like Denise Austin's workouts, I have come to believe that she is too hyperactive for yoga. I am returning her MIND, BODY, SOUL DVD, and here is why: I wanted a slow paced, meditative session of yoga, with rhythmical breathing and sustained stretches. This is aerobics and gesticulation. The theatrics of the cavernous decor did not deceive me. Autin addresses the mind with quick stretches and the soul with disco dancing antics. I can do as much addressing the mind without Austin's help. And if getting loose is her version of exploring the soul, there are some clubs I can go to, or salsa music I can play at home. What Austin handles like no one is the body, so I'll keep the other videos I have of her. She is tough, she is fun, she is entertaining. But she is no yoga instructor. So I would like to say to her: Denise, either you take some valerian before you do a yoga program, or you leave the yoga to someone who will not mind stretching and stay silent for more than two seconds. And no more deceptive titles, please.
Rating:
Summary: A nice fusion workout blending yoga, Pilates, & dance moves
Review: Denise Austin's Mind Body Soul is a 40-minute workout which nicely blends different exercise styles. It is filmed on an outdoors-y looking set, and Denise works out with two background exercisers. The first section, Mind, begins with a 5-minute warm-up which concentrates on breathing and spine stretches and then moves into an additional 5-minutes of standing yoga postures. The poses (warrior II, side angle, triangle) flow nicely and include some more challenging balances such as warrior III and dancer. Denise gives good reminders to focus on your breathing, although she overuses trite phrases such as "your spine is your life line."
The middle segment, Body, consists of Pilates movements performed mostly in a standing position. In the first 10 minutes, you will replicate Pilates matwork moves such as single leg stretch, criss-cross, double leg stretch, spine stretch, and saw, all while standing erect. However, you will also perform some challenging plank work from a push-up position on the floor. The following 10 minutes require the assistance of a wall. Initially, the wall is used for support during 1-legged moves such as leg kicks, leg circles, rear kicks, and heel beats. Next, the wall is used for some strength moves, including a wall squat, a triceps isometric exercise, and wall push-ups. Throughout this section, Denise repeatedly reminds you to "zip up" your abdominal area so that you really feel the work in your midsection.
The final section of this video, Soul, was a 10-minute dance-type stretch. The exercises performed included mambos, lunges, and additional warrior poses, but the moves seemed to serve as more of a cool-down function rather than cardio or toning. This was my least favorite section of the video; it may have worked better if the Mind and Soul segments had been reversed. Overall, however, I found this to be an enjoyable workout for light toning and general stretching. Denise's personality is a bit more subdued than usual here, and because the workout moves slowly, I found her much easier to follow than in her aerobic workouts.
Rating: 
Summary: Way to easy
Review: For someone who has been a couch potato for the last couple of years - I wanted to get back into shape. I heard about Pilates and wanted to try a DVD, but also get some aerobics in as well. The concept of this video was good (mixing yoga, pilates and a little dance) but for the price - way too short and way too easy. In about 3 sessions I could complete the full workout and was often bored by the time the "Soul" part came on.
I am used to Denise's "enthusiasm" so she did not bother me in that way.
All in all - good DVD if you are REALLY out of shape and want to get started/
Rating: 
Summary: A Great Workout Find
Review: I first heard of Denise Austin's Power Zone workout from my January 2004 Fitness Magazine. In this issue there was an article listing the best workout videos according to the areas it focuses on . Power Zone was listed best for abs....an area I could definitely use. I researched further reading the reviews on Amazon's site and decided to give it a try. Both didn't steer me wrong. I LOVE IT!!!! This is my first Denise Austin workout video. At first I didn't know if I could handle her voice, but got use to it quickly. In fact I found her very motivating and like the way she cues you throughout the workout. Her best reminder..."zip up those abs" was very helpful for me. I enjoyed it so much I'm getting her book "Shrink Your Female Fat Zones" and checking in to some of her other DVDs.
Power Zone has three sections to focus on the mind, body, and soul.
First comes the mind in the form of Yoga. I have done some yoga and found the moves are fairly easy. It uses some basic moves and involves lots of stretching. The only thing there is no other person showing an alternate way to do the moves. I think though that if you found a move difficult you could conquer it rather quickly with some practice.
Next comes body. This section uses Pilates which I love. I have a few pilates mat DVDs. This one is standing pilates. It incorporates many of your mat moves only standing. Its a great addition because doing the same moves standing works the area in a slightly different way. Also during this time you do moves using the wall and chair or something to hold on to.
Last is soul. This is covered through a light aerobic salsa dancing routine.
Overall this DVD is a great find. I'm so glad I took the chance and tried it. I wish I could say that on all my workout video purchases. I really enjoy working out with this DVD and actually look forward to it. If your looking for a great yoga/pilates workout look no more and purchase Denise Austin's Power Zone.
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorite Denise Austin workouts!
Review: I have been working out to Denise for over two years and I love what she offers in her videos. Currently, I do her "Fit & Lite" and "Daily Workout" shows on Lifetime daily, as well as own her "Mat Workout Based on J.H. Pilates", "Power Zone: The Ultimate Metabolism Boosting Workout", and her Abs workout videos. I am pretty satisfied with those, but Denise's 2003 release of "Power Zone: Mind, Body, Soul" video is probably one of my favorites.
The first workout, "Mind", is a warm-up that is absolutely great to do in the morning - "Mind" is filled with concentrated breathing, slow stretches, and focus on pulling in the abdominals.
The second workout, "Body", is a Standing Pilates segment. If you own a video or have ever used the Pilates workouts, these moves should be familiar - the difference is you're standing up while doing it. Sounds strange, but you sure feel the burn more than you would if you were doing them on the floor. This one's terrifc for the abs.
The third workout, "Soul", is a salsa-inspired segment - I wouldn't really call it cardio, but it sure gets your heart pumping. It's pretty fun. You really feel this in your torso.
The last workout, "Spirit", is a sort of a cool-down; great for doing right before bed. It's a real soother.
Overall, I wouldn't recommend this video to someone who just wants ONE fitness video - this video is awesome, but I suggest you get another video to go along with it to get in your essential cardio in.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Workout
Review: I have quite a collection of Denise Austin videos. She is my favorite and with such a variety of workouts I never get bored. The Power Zone workout is one of my absolute favorites!! I saw it at our local store and grabbed it. Its wonderful! You get a great workout and you feel so relaxed afterwards. I cannot say enough about it. I've let all my friends borrow this DVD trying to get them to buy it because it really does make a difference. I do this workout in conjunction with her Blast Away 10lbs and her Power Kickboxing. I have noticed a difference and my flexibility is amazing. This is so worth the money!
Rating:
Summary: Good workout for light days
Review: I love Denise Austin. She is very motivating and I enjoy her talk thoughout the video. She does get cheesy at times, but for some reason I am not put off by it.
That being said, this workout won't really get you sweating, but it does tone and make you feel better after you do it.
Rating:
Summary: Good introduction to Standing Pilates
Review: I've been a Denise Austin fan for a while. I've been pretty impressed with many of the releases she's had in the last three years, since she took on choreographer Lisa Wheeler of Method fame. I've found the workouts to be innovative and challenging, and I love the Pilates focus.The workout could be described as classic fusion, combining yoga, Standing Pilates and a little bit of dance. The centerpiece, of course, is Standing Pilates, an innovation of Physical Mind (a Pilates organization with which Ms. Wheeler is affiliated). To the best of their ability, trainers turn the classic Pilates matwork on its feet, challenging balance as well as some core strength. The Standing Pilates used here eliminates some of the moves that challenge balance the most, like the Standing Hundred and Corkscrew. However, it does add some new ones, like the Standing Swan and Single Leg Pulls. The feel of this workout is dancy rather than athletic. I would call this a high-beginner/low-intermediate workout. The team seems to have gone out of its way to eliminate or modify some of the more challenging moves, including the Pilates Pushup. In the Physical Mind syllabus, this is done on the floor (as in the Classic Mat sequence) but here Austin uses the wall. No modifications to make the work more difficult are shown. The Soul part is where most of the dance comes in, plus a little bit of yoga. I felt this was the weakest section of the workout- nothing wrong with the moves, but something about Austin's voice overpowered the flow of the moves and the music, and it wasn't as much fun as it could have been. I'd give this workout 3.5 stars if I could. The biggest problem I have with Austin's workouts isn't that they are too easy, but that they include intermediate or sometimes advanced moves without a lot of instruction. Her directions for breathing are minimal, and she spends almost no time discussing the need to stabilize the muscles of the torso (the focus is on balance here, but balance is easier when you consciously focus on the muscles of your powerhouse). I'd still recommend this as a jumping off point for Standing Pilates, but only for those already versed in the mat Pilates principles.
|
