Yoga Journal - Yoga for Your Pregnancy

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely the best yoga for pregnant women
Review: Before doing pre-natal yoga, I had such stiffness from sciatica that by about 18 weeks into my pregnancy, I had quit walking. Doing yoga really helped me so now I am 33 weeks and still moving fine. I would recommend it for all pregnant women, no matter what pains or stiffness you may have, if any.

I must be honest and tell you I am writing this review w/ a bias -- Krysten teaches the pre-natal class I go to 2x a week so I knew I would love this DVD before I bought it. That being said -- this really is the best pre-natal yoga DVD. Before I started going to Krysten's class, I had 2 other pre-natal yoga DVD's and this one is so much better because it is not just "regular yoga that happens to be safe for a pregnant woman" but it focuses on yoga positions and breathing practices that a pregnant woman really needs. For example, there are a lot of hip-opening positions which are great for relieving common pregnancy pains like sciatica.

The program is shorter then I would like, so I just hit pause a lot and hold the position for a bit longer. I love that the DVD is divided into chapters for energizing and relaxing. Often I just do the relaxing session before bed and that is perfect for stretching and calming my tense, sore, 7-month pregnant body before bed.

Also -- as "extras" there are breathing techniques and birthing positions and an interview/conversation between a Lamaze expert and the instructor. I do the breathing techniques almost every time I do the DVD and the interview was very calming and helpful too.

Rating:
Summary: This is THE Prenatal Yoga video
Review: I admit, I am biased toward Yoga Journal products because I think they are just simply among some of the most comprehensive, safest and easiest to understand out there. But, I searched high and low for the perfect prenatal yoga video, looking at all sorts of options, and came back to this one every time.

This DVD is just great, spiritual yet not New Agey at all and very, very relaxing. I particularly like the breathing technique section and I've always wondered about yoga techniques I could use in the delivery room. It's all in there.

My only whine is that I am used to a 90-minute practice. So, this video is a little short for me right now in my first tri-mester. But, as I get bigger, I'm expecting that 30 minutes will be more than adequate.




Rating:
Summary: great and safe at home workout
Review: I love using this dvd to keep stretched and toned in between regular prenatal yoga classes. It's a good amount of time - 30 minutes - to do great stretching and muscle building and to relax a bit at the end. Easy to fit into the day. Also, there are other shorter program for relaxation, meditation and post-natal yoga. I am 25 weeks and think I will use those as I get closer to my due date. I'm really glad I got this dvd.

Rating:
Summary: not as good as others
Review: I was excited about this new DVD from Yoga Journal but was very disappointed. While nicely produced and with a very pleasant instructor, I found this routine to be way too basic for me, a regular yoga practitioner. It would be great for someone who has never done any yoga before.

There is too much time spent explaining each pose, and not enough actually holding the pose. There were also a couple of things that did not seem right to me at all, such as bouncing one's legs up and down in Baddha Konanasana (Cobbler's pose). This is a very short routine, with a paucity of asanas represented. I wish there were more good prenatal yoga tape options available. But over this one I'd recommend the one by Shiva Rea. It flows much better and feels more like a real prenatal yoga class. After the YJ tape, I felt more like I had been to a basic stretching class, and not even a very good, thorough one.