Customer Reviews

ABS Yoga for Beginners [VHS]

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I must have 10 different Abs tapes, but this one is definitely my favorite. It serves as an excellent counterbalance to the typical crunch-type abs workout, plus has all the added benefits of yoga. The workout part of the tape is a little under 25 minutes, and part of the tape is basically ab-focused meditation (but it's not flaky for those who are a little intimidated by yoga's spiritual side). The rest is gentle, yet tough abs work which will be unlike anything you've ever done before. The best part is, it works. Your abs will feel terrific and you will feel great because you have completed some pretty challenging poses. For some reason, I don't know if it's true, I feel that this tape works out ab muscles that those traditional tapes just don't get to. Maybe it's because most of the poses are isometric, but whatever it is, I would recommend this tape to anyone curious about yoga and interested in toning their abs.

I was a little hesitant to try this videotape. As we all know yoga is intended to be exercise for the mind and body. I am always looking for a good ab workout but was not looking for an "Oprah-remember-my-spirit" type program (though ironically I became aware of Rodney Yee's tape on the "Queen Midas'" daytime talk show). Much to my surprise, this is quite a good and quick workout. Having done the tape several times a week, I already feel and see improvements in that pesky region of the body. What I found different (and liked!) about this workout was that I did not have to do seemingly endless and boring repititions of crunches or feel the proverbial "burn." But no need to worry, if you are anything like me, your ab muscles will definitely tell you that they are being worked out. I feel a good muscle tension afterwards (and okay sometimes even some mild soreness the next day).

A word of caution for other yoga "newbies." It will take some time to get up to speed moving between and doing the series of poses. After a dozen times or so, I think I have got it down -- but admittedly still have a mental block with keeping up with Yee's breathing inhalation/exhalation instructions. As others have noted, skip the annoying ads in the beginning of the tape. I simply have queued the tape to the start of the workout and rewind it back to that point each time.

I will probably not be a "spiritual" yoga convert (my abs don't feel like the "deep soft belly of the dunes" that Yee soothingly tells me each time) but so far I am a fan of this challenging, yet relaxing, program. I still find myself surprised that the workout is over so quickly (approximately 20 minutes)-- that is something I have certainly never experienced with an ab workout.

I love Rodney Yee and find all the videos of his in my collection to be easy to follow, which is most important in a video. I like this one because it's relatively short yet provides a complete ab workout. When you're finished, you know you've worked your abs. I have fibromyalgia and am not the most flexible person in the world. But with the help of consistant exercise, I'm finding I'm beginning to get more flexible. This video is beautifully done and very easy to follow. So it's good for beginners. At the same time, it's challenging enough for those who have exercised and even done yoga for some time. Why do more than necessary to get to your goals? I am not crazy about the advertisements that preceed the program. I think if you pay for a video you should just get what you pay for and not have to sit through ads. But, of course, one can simply fast forward, which is what I do. I highly recommend this video. And for those who have a bad back, I recommend Rodney's yoga for the back, also a short twenty minute program. Easy to follow and fast. Both videos really work.

This program is perhaps deceptively basic at first, but it really gives your abs a good workout! Do this tape a few days a week and you will have well-defined abs. I alternate using this tape with others in the Living Arts series and it helps round out the collection.

One of the nice things about this tape is that you can alter your form a bit to fit your level of fitness. You can keep your legs bent for the most intense part, for instance, until you build up the strength to complete the whole thing with straight legs. And what an accomplishment that is!

Rodney Yee is a soothing presence. He is a thoughtful guide and I feel in good hands when I use his videos. You get a sense of his spiritual connection to the practice of yoga without there being even a hint of sanctimony in his presentation. Yee is one of my favorite yoga instructors for these reasons.

Happy ab-bing!

If you are expecting something like a hardcore ab workout then guess again... this is yoga. It's well rounded with breathing techniques and relaxation on top of moves to strengthen and tone your abs all in 20 mins... great for doing before bed or first thing in the morning. Rodney Yee's voice is soothing, giving good instruction so you don't have to look at the TV very often, and the photography is so beautiful. I'm a yoga virgin so a lot of moves are quite hard to master, but who said that it would be easy?

If you're looking for something different to do rather than the traditional way, try this video out. The relaxation and breathing techniques are great for reducing stress and let you feel refreshed. Creating a tranquil atmosphere (like candles or soft lighting)whilst doing the tape can help enhance the mood it aims for. Rodney Yee does it, he's in a tranquil place on the video and not in a studio.

I use this more for relaxing than a full on ab workout.

Even though the tape is only 20 minutes, you definitely feel like you're getting an excellent workout targeting your abs. An approach you'll enjoy instead of the same old crunches or sit ups. Rodney Yee is a fantastic instructor. I have many yoga videos and this is one of the best.

I've done other yoga tapes and I enjoy the Living Arts series. But when Rodney Yee started doing the ab section to this video, I thought, "Come on, how can this work ?" By the end of the tape I wasn't a skeptic any more. His slow, controlled movements are such a nice change from ab videos that demand a million jerky repetitions and you can feel it working in your entire abdominal area. The instructions on controlled breathing are extremely helpful, and the deep relaxation portion is a soothing end to any workout. The scenes are stunning visually. I agree with the other reviewers who said fast forward through the yoga ads. Also, you need some extra space in the room to do this one for when you have to extend both legs to each side on the floor. This tape is about twenty minutes long but once Rodney gets you going, it goes by really quickly.

I love it! Even though the exercises seem gentle, after only two times I felt the effects deep in the abdominal muscles. It really works, and you don't feel like you're killing yourself. I'd caution you to protect your back by either bending your legs or putting your hands under your hips during the straight legged lifts until your abs get strong, otherwise it's all good.

Then this is the ab workout for you. Even if you've never done yoga before, you'll be able to follow this tape. The addition of breathing and relaxation exercises, soothing music, and breathtaking scenery leave you feeling refreshed rather than drained at the end of your workout. The ab exercises are varied enough to keep you interested and just difficult enough so that you see and feel the results. Highly recommended!

I have never done yoga before, until I tried this tape. At first I thought that this is way to easy...how can this work? Well it does! I do this tape everyday after my cardio tapes and I love it. After my first workout, my abs felt tighter. I have been doing this now for about two weeks and I can not only feel, but now I am beginning to see the difference.

Buy this tape you will not regret it. It is a great way to round off your workout, or just to do when you are crunched for time!