Rating: 
Summary: A fantastic tape for beginners of any weight!
Review: This is my favorite yoga dvd/video (I own 12) because the viewer has the ability to select the level of workout (from inflexible beginner, to more flexible beginner, to more experienced flexible beginner, to advanced beginner), and because the routine is about an hour long. On days when you can't get to yoga class, class can come to you. As you improve, you can change the level of workout accordingly. For those of you who are trying to lead a healthier life, including stress and weight reduction, I think this tape will help. Deason emphasizes making conscious choices in the moment rather than any "magic quick fix" approach. She also points out that no tape will do all the work for you--you have to make long-term lifestyle changes. Do not buy this video if you are into Bikram, flow or aerobically-inclined yoga--it's in the Iyengar tradition of careful body placements and sustained poses. Still, you will probably work up a sweat since Deason selects poses that rely upon large muscle groups to get your heart rate up without jumping around or turning the heat up to 102 degrees.
Rating: 
Summary: Some good and bad features
Review: I've done this DVD workout a few times, and all in all it's not a bad routine. I usually skip through much of the first part where she gives breathing instruction because it is just painfully slow. The conditioning part of the workout is actually not bad, and as many others have mentioned the ability to see the workout modified for your level is a fantastic addition. Overall though, I enjoy Alan Finger's Yoga Zone workouts much more than Suzanne Deason. I feel he gives much better instruction, and provides superior guidance on each section of his programs. I also do not care for the new age style comments she uses throughout the routine. I love Yoga for the physical and relaxation aspects, but don't care for the "whole being" comments so much. I do also like that the other participants in the video are real women with normal bodies, and not totally buff supermodels as you often see in exercise videos.
Rating:
Summary: good content, bad disk
Review: I have truly enjoyed owning this DVD. It is my favorite yoga workout. I cannot help but feel relaxed and refreshed after it's completetion. But alas, I'm afraid the disk itself may be an inferior product. I take excellent care of my disks. I have several other disks I've used again and again and again without the trouble that this one has given me. It started giving me trouble like the third time I used it. I have done everything I can to doctor it back to health, but to no avail. Please, buyer beware. I highly recommend the purchase of this disk, but as soon as you get it, watch/use it several times before the 30 day return policy expires.
Rating: 
Summary: Painfully slow
Review: This DVD is painfully slow, and the menu options are confusing. If the instructor/narrator tells me how to breathe one more time I was going to hurl the DVD out the window. It seems as if it was produced for slow-minded people! I don't see how you can lose weight with this DVD, it absolutely does not raise your heartrate and is so slow I doubt it increases flexibility or have other health benefits.
Rating: 
Summary: Well done practice video. . .
Review: I have been practicing yoga for about one year, and have taken classes at several different studios. This video is a very good home practice tape. Suzanne Deason is a great instructor and the video includes modifications for all fitness levels. It seems as though some people are missing the point of yoga. The movements are supposed to be slow. It is both a physical and spiritual exercise and should inspire you to have a better appreciation of your body, and to take better care of yourself. Of course, you will not lose weight just from doing this tape, anymore than you would from aerobics if you don't incorporate other lifestyle changes. I use yoga as a vehicle to develop flexibility, strength, toning, and peace of mind. In conjunction with walking several times a week, changing to a more healthy diet, and taking better care of my body overall, I find yoga to be a valid tool for weight loss.
Rating:
Summary: A great tape and a great program you can progress with!
Review: I have just completed four weeks with the Yoga Conditioning for Weight Loss tape. People insist that I have lost weight --so I don't argue. I can't say I have lost weight but my body is changing and getting stronger. I feel the difference and my clothes are hanging a bit better! This tape is very well done. The setting, narration, and four levels of instructors (showing you poses simultaniously) is a big help as you progress. The camera work is flawless and you can see all the poses from a distance and then with a closer view. I do the workout once a day at least six days a week --and I am not bored yet. I progress daily and find that my flexibility and strength are increasing in a gentle manner. I have been the most unfit I have ever been after a flare up from an old accident --and can say that even if you have some challenges you'll want to try this tape! I am looking forward to trying some of her other tapes.
Rating: 
Summary: maybe for a couple of pounds, not for the very large
Review: I understand that i may have missed out, but as an absolute beginner, and someone who is very overweight (over 100 pounds, i admit it) I was only able to make it about 15 minutes through the workout. I found that there was little explanation of what was going on, and often, by the time i could see what i was supposed to do, they had already moved on to the next position. also i found that certain body imperfections made it near impossible to do some of the poses correctly, even on the beginner level.
Rating:
Summary: Yoga in Nature
Review: The stunning beauty of the red rocks and panoramas of Oak Creek Canyon in Sedona Arizona makes this video one of the most beautiful yoga workouts to date! The blue mats are just striking against the background and that makes this quite visually pleasing. If you love exercising in the evening, this workout is perfect to promote a general feeling of well-being and relaxation. Suzanne Deason has created a calming escape you can enjoy for 45 minutes. While I can't say for sure that you will lose weight while using this particular video, I know you can condition your body with Yoga and Pilates. I like the combination and have many DVDs and videos. So, I recommend this in addition to all the other workouts you own. Variety seems essential in keeping us all motivated! The theory behind this workout is that yoga can be used for therapeutic applications. Being overweight has a lot to do with an imbalance in your body's physiology and an internal disconnection between the mind and body. If you think about when you overeat it might be when you are feeling stressed. It is much easier to keep to your healthy nutrition plan when you feel calm and in control. I also have come to believe that when we are stressed, our bodies pack on the pounds. So, this workout gives a calmness to your being and in this way you help to control the bodies healing process. There are four workout levels: Complete Workout - For anyone who has experience in yoga. All you need is a yoga mat.
Slightly Modified (1/4) - To build strength and stamina.
Partially Modified (1/2) - When your flexibility improves.
Fully Modified - If you have tight hips or hamstrings, you can use a strap, bricks
and a blanket. All the workouts contain a 10 minute "Body and Breath" warm-up section to loosen the muscles and heat the core. The breathing cues are excellent and you will find yourself enjoying the deep cleansing breaths. This is followed by "Active Yoga Conditioning." A mirror behind you is helpful at first until you learn to moves. Or you can just do some backwards and still see the screen. Many of the poses where chosen with larger bodies in mind. This is great for people who are just starting yoga. You will notice that three of the instructors are definitely more like the "normal size" woman. It was comforting to me to see women who modified various poses as I often have to. Instead of feeling like I could not do the poses, I felt I was reaching a level that was comfortable for me. You may also find you can do some of the poses from the advanced level and some from the modified. You feel so proud of yourself when you can finally feel comfortable doing most of the advanced poses. Finally you enter the 14 minute cool down phase called: "Balance and Relaxation." During the workout you might notice a Personal Instructor Icon. On my DVD control I had to select the "ok" to get this feature to work. There is also a nice way to get to various workout levels. You just press the "angle" button. Once you watch the complete workout/combination workout, you can then figure out which level you are at. After watching the combined workout, you will more than likely enjoy just working out with one instructor. You have the choice of four instructors. I find that my yoga and Pilates workout "moments" have become so healing and nurturing. If you wish to make your setting even more comfortable and are familiar with yoga, I would recommend a nice duvet/comforter covered in a soft fabric. Once folded in half, this gives you a nice soft padded space on which you can place your yoga mat, etc. If you need props, there is information in the pamphlet that is included with the DVD. Think of exercise as your own private mini-vacation and suddenly exercise is something you start to look forward to. You could also walk for 30 minutes before starting these exercises or walk in the morning and do this video at night. An exercise program for the entire mind/body/spirit connection. The 16-page full-color pamphlet also contains a mini-nutrition guide, tips on healthy eating and a weight management guide. Develops concentration, patience, body awareness, muscle tone and a sense of emotional calm. If you are new to Yoga, this might be the best place to start. I can also recommend "Pilates Conditioning for Weight Loss" with Suzanne Deason.
Rating:
Summary: Ehhhh ok
Review: I wasn't crazy about this video. It is good for beginners, but for someone who has practiced yoga before, it just didn't hit the spot. It WAS painfully too slow (like another reviewer said) and also even the most advanced yoga person performed modified yoga positions that I felt watered down the yoga quite a bit--I did not get even the stretch that I wanted. The idea of using different views is nice, but I wouldn't recommend this video to anyone I know.
Rating:
Summary: A tool for weight loss
Review: While this video alone will not enable you to lose weight, it is however a wonderful tool to help you on your weight loss journey. My favorite part of this DVD is that it has 4 different levels of programs for you to do as you progress in your fitness level. This was my first yoga DVD so I also benefitted from help icons that pop up for you to use. The best thing about the DVD is that it helps me to feel energized, centered and balanced. I do break a sweat but only when doing some of the more advanced routines. You will need to use some thing else for aerobic exercise though. Also, if you are a beginner you will need to buy foam bricks, a mat and a strap. Still this remains on of my fave yoga dvds
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