Crunch - Yoga Mama

Rating:
Summary: No thanks.
Review: I love yoga and have a few Living Arts and the Ali McGraw tapes. I am not a certainly not a master yogi, or even close, but this tape was way too basic. The music and the studio backdrop get old after about 5 min. Finally, I could not handle the instructor telling me to say "Hi" to my baby while performing the cat tilt pose. I have to give this a thumbs down-way down.

Rating:
Summary: I love this tape
Review: I bought this tape during my first trimester, and I am still using it 24 weeks later. I have yet to become bored. I like the fact that they use women of all shapes and sizes. As I get closer to my due date, it has become more challenging, but I feel relaxed, and it helps with back pain and leg cramps.

Rating:
Summary: Perfect for all body types and for all trimesters!
Review: I bought this tape in my 1st trimester and enjoyed the relaxation and streaching. Now I am in my 2nd and though it is becoming a bit more challanging it isn't overwealming. I still enjoy it very much and more so now that I am bigger. I feel great every time I do the video and for hours afterward. It is nice because it has a variety of women of all sizes as well as trimesters. The instructor is also wonderful in that she can truly motivate you. This is a great introduction tape into yoga and is easy and fun to do.

Rating:
Summary: a good video for days you don't feel like working too hard
Review: I have two videos, this one and the Living Arts prenatal video. I found the exercises in this video to be easier, and chose this one on days when just wanted some light exercise. The video is fun, efficient, and relaxing. The stretching exercises definitely made me feel better.

Rating:
Summary: Suited me very well...
Review: This video was not too strenuous. I have another prenatal video which i found to be a little tiring (but that could be because i was doing it in my first trimester). I am now in my third trimester and find after this video i am stretched and relaxed. In addition, I think it is helping to reduce the back pain i have been waking up with in the middle of the night. I like to see the modified poses for the days when i am not quite myself. The only thing i am not too keen on is seeing the instructors cleavage when she is leaning forward...i know it is nice to finally have cleavage, but save it for your husband :)

Rating:
Summary: Good Tape
Review: This is a good, shorter-length, very positive and upbeat yoga video. The instructor is knowledgeable and the class showcases a nice range of women, both in body types and in trimesters. I am almost into my third and have found this tape to be a good weekly source of stretching and relaxation. I have not had any of the problems many women complain of in pregnancy (back pain, leg cramps, etc.) and think that may be because of this tape and others I've been doing.

Rating:
Summary: Beginners Style
Review: This is an extremely basic yoga video which would be excellent for anyone who has never done yoga before. As someone who has done yoga pre-pregnancy, I found all of the excercises a little too basic, and after doing the video, I wanted to do some 'real' yoga. The instructor does an excellent job of pointing out differences and modifications that should be made for pregnancy. Also, it is not 'new agey'(a plus in my book). I was a little turned off by the giggling and smiling every time the instructor talked about the growing baby inside of us all and rubbed her belly.

Rating:
Summary: Crunch Yoga Mama
Review: I really enjoyed this tape. It is good for either the beginner or the experienced yoga student. The instructor (who is a chic, urban-type) is also pregnant, and does a very good job at explaining the movements, so that you can easily follow along. I have taken yoga classes before, and the tape has a very similar format, with a meditation session at the end. I don't find myself sweating at the end, but I feel very stretched and relaxed. It's not super new-agey, which might appeal to some people. I plan to do this at least once or twice a week until I give birth (and possibly after).

Rating:
Summary: Ease that aching back and breathe easier
Review: I should start by saying I'm a beginner and never really did any yoga before now. I started this in my 7th month of pregnancy and I found the tape easy to follow, sometimes even when I am not looking at the TV screen (the head is down and the neck relaxed in several poses). The poses certainly helped me create more room in my midsection so I could breathe easier. They also distributed the weight more evenly along my spine and that helped ease lower back pain. Although this is not an aerobic workout, I felt energized and more clearheaded after doing the tape. The instructor is very friendly. She leads a class of several pregnant women at various stages (from slight belly bulge to just-about-ready-to-pop) and one student shows modifications for those who may not be limber enough to do the poses as shown. There is quiet, soothing background music -- not at all distracting, but just enough to help keep things flowing. I'm really glad I bought this tape. I may hang onto it even after I have the baby!

Rating:
Summary: My favorite prenatal yoga workout
Review: This is a great tape! I have been doing it for almost my entire pregnancy (I'm in my 8th month) and I love it. It isn't the longest workout (about 40 minutes) and it isn't the most challenging, it is just the most fun and gives you the best feeling. Sue Elkin is awesome and the tape is just great! Get it, you'll love it!