Customer Reviews

Crunch - The Perfect Yoga Workout: The Joy of Yoga & Fat-Burning Yoga

5 star:		(88)
4 star:		(31)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The philosophy of all videos in the Crunch line is to make working out accessible to all people, regardless of size or experience. Their yoga videos are no exception, as they take a non-mystical approach and are taught in a very straightforward manner by instructor Sara Ivanhoe. Ivanhoe's down-to-earth style (she frequently uses words like "scooch") is completely non-intimidating; she comes across as a friendly workout buddy.

Joy of Yoga begins with a focused breathing series involving forward bends and down dogs (there are many repetitions of this position) and then moves on to additional standing poses, including warrior, lunges, and twists. The floor portion of the workout consists mostly of relaxing stretches, but there is one tough segment which alternates arm/leg stretches with yogi pushups. This practice is about 35 minutes long. Fat-burning yoga is a more active practice, although not quite to the level of aerobic conditioning or power yoga. Again, the practice begins with breathing and then introduces the use of vinyasas: several poses are combined together in a flowing sequence and then the entire sequence is repeated several times. After a brief warm-up, there is a long, sun salutation-type vinyasa containing lunges, push-up pose, simple backbends, and many repetitions of downward dog. For each repetition, a slightly more difficult variation is introduced, and by the end of this series, your arms and shoulders have gotten an intense workout. Additional vinyasas include twisting lunges, proud warrior, triangle, and side angle pose. This practice ends with a short abs section containing a few boat poses, seated backbends, and two Pilates-like exercises. Finally, there are some brief seated stretches and an even briefer relaxation pose for about 45 total minutes.

Ivanhoe's cues are detailed enough for those new to yoga, and both practices are probably doable by most beginners, especially with the modifications provided. However, for complete yoga novices, I think that some prior familiarity with basic yoga postures would be beneficial. Also, it is important to keep in mind that both of these practices contain some fairly intense moves which demand some pre-existing fitness capacity; Fat-Burning Yoga in particular is a more strenuous practice that will challenge even intermediate yogis. Finally, Ivanhoe's strong emphasis on breathing is a plus for all levels of yoga practitioners, and those who like her friendly, no-nonsense style are likely to enjoy these videos.

I've been doing yoga for a couple of years. I thought the workout on the the Joy of Yoga was a good start, then it ended! I was ready for way more. This is a common gripe of mine, I find the tape/DVD workouts should be much longer. The fat burning yoga workout was longer but the pace was too slow for someone who knows what they are doing. For example, there are about 3 sun salutations, that she walks through every step of the way, which is way slower than I am used to. For beginners though, I think the instruction is good, I like the way they describe proper form - I think the instruction is better than other videos I have. I always warn against doing a tape before learning correct form, but these instructors are pretty good at form, which makes me sad there aren't more advanced workouts to work up to.
For beginners bump this up to 4 stars, for intermediate yogis this is just a 3. BTW, I still think starting out with a real yoga instructor is the best way, then supplement with the tapes/DVDs - you will get so much more out of it.

CRUNCH Total Yoga takes a pretty straightforward approach to yoga, and it seems aimed at an audience who is fairly comfortable working out, and is curious to see what this whole yoga craze is about. There's no chanting, or mystics on top of mountaintops, or any of that--and that can be reassuring to those just starting up with yoga.

This is a beginning yoga video, although I think it's aimed at an audience that's already fairly physically fit. There are some poses which may be difficult for someone who is not particularly strong yet. Yet, I am about intermediate level, and while I don't find this as challenging as videos aimed at intermediate students, I find I get a workout that feels like I've "done something". At about 40 minutes each segment (the Fat Burning Yoga is longer), it's easier to fit into a busy schedule than a 60- or 90- minute workout.

One of the small pet peeves of this DVD is the instructor in the "Fat Burning Yoga" sequence...she's always saying, "OK?" in the sort of way some people do and are only half-aware they're doing. I find this verbal twitch annoying, although to be fair I can only imagine how nervous SHE must have been taping an exercise video.

In short, I find this a video good for beginners, but perhaps more so for those who are in fairly good shape already.

Here you get two great yoga workout programs for the price of one!! Both yoga programs are taught by the same instructor, Sara Ivanhoe, a motivating friendly face. She is a great instructor beginnning both programs by focusing on your breathing. Breathing is key in yoga!!!! In both videos, there is someone who demonstrates modifications of the yoga posture. So you can choose how to position your body depending on your flexibility and comfort--- essentially work at your pace! Of course another appealing aspect of this video is that it is on DVD. DVD's are fab! You can quickly jump around to different portions of the yoga routine--skipping certaining sections or just doing the ab workout, etc.

The "Joy of Yoga" is a basic program focusing on leg stretches, like lunges, that would be good for runners (or after a long workout, stepping, etc.). Other poses included are downward dog and warrior. This program is approximately 30 minutes so it can easily fit into your busy schedule.

The "Fat Burning" Yoga is a longer, slightly more advanced program. Most of yoga poses demonstrated in this video focus on stretching the legs and back muscles (e.g. lunges, side stretches, triangle pose, downward dog, warrior pose, etc.). At the end of the workout, Sara concludes with a six minute ab workout, stretches, and a brief relaxation meditation. Please be advised, the title may be misleading because you are not "burning fat" in the traditional aerobic sense like jogging.

Moreover, I would recommend both programs, so buy this DVD and save yourself some money!

Enjoy! Namaste! =)

This is an excellent yoga set. Sara Ivanhoe is very likeable and has a soothing voice. The music is beautiful. Both workouts in this set will make you sweat. It is great for beginners, but by no means is it slow or boring. The Fat Burning yoga section moves quickly and you're never hanging out in one pose for too long, so time passes quickly!

I was sceptical before I purchased this set, due to the fact that most yoga videos I have seen are boring and don't seem like much of a workout. I have experienced serious toning in my legs, as well as an amazing sense of well-being since I've been doing this yoga set.

I have already done individual reviews of the two practices contained in this DVD but I wanted to give an overview of the combined practices found on this excellent DVD.

By way of background, I have been practicing Yoga daily for over 9 years, with a large library of yoga VHS/DVD/CD (around 100). I also have been studying for many years with an excellent Yoga teacher, but that's only once a week so the heart of my Yoga practice is at home w/ my collection of Various Yoga media.


This DVD contains two practices, led by Yoga teacher Sara Ivanhoe, and is an excellent pair of routines. The first, "Joy of Yoga" is more basic, a good introduction to Yoga. The second,"Fat Burning Yoga" has more of a Vinyasa flow style to it (more of a "Power Yoga" feel). It is a challenging but doable program that is around 40 or so minutes long.

I feel that Sara particularly shines as a teacher in the second ("Fat Burning") program, but of course that may just be personal preference because I tend to like those more challenging, flowing types of practice which really build heat in the body.

I want to say a bit more about the "Fat Burning" program.

The routine is extremely well put together. The poses build gradually starting with simpler movements that warm you up and gently take you into the more challenging versions of the poses from one series to the next.

She has a student who demonstrates modifications which is always quite important for a program like this where you may have a person who has never done yoga before or who may have physical limitations.

This is a very thorough routine which leads you through a wide range of motion and also incorporates a really wonderful flow.

My only miniscule complaint would be that I prefer a longer guided relaxation before the final seated pose, but of course one can always just shut off the program to extend their relaxation and then put it back on to finish it off in sitting. This in and of itself wasn't a big deal because there is still at least some semblence of relaxation (which is treated gratuitously in many programs).

Highly recommended!

Namaste

The Crunch - Total Yoga DVD is worth the money - it has 2 good yoga workouts on it. The drawbacks are that it is not the best one for beginners, or for people that are pretty heavy set - some of the moves are difficult if you cannot support your body weight easily. Also, it is more "Americanized" yoga than authentic yoga - it is more like a class at a gym with little to no focus on breathing or actual hatha yoga sequences. The advantages are that for average fitness levels it is a great workout, and you will sweat!

I'm pretty active. I run and lift weights. But my flexibility is very poor and I carry a lot of tension these days, as most people do. I used to do yoga years ago. I'm now 35 years old and starting over. This DVD is excellent for someone trying to get their groove back. The stretches are great and there's a lot of focus on the back, breathing and abs. I just started using this workout. I love the first workout (The Joy of Yoga), which is a great ease into it workout. Great for the mornings. After doing the second workout (Fat Burning Yoga), I actually broke a sweat and found some of the poses a little difficult. But I know in time as my flexibility improves, I will be able to follow it better. The instructor, Sara Ivanhoe, has a great soothing voice and explains the poses in a clear way so you don't have to continually watch the TV monitor. Easy to follow and very rewarding. It's something I can routinely do, which is key to any exercise workout. Definitely a recommend for beginners or people revisiting yoga after a long hiatus.

Ahh.. Yoga. To those of us on the outside, it seems like a good idea. People seem to like it... often fanatically so. But why? And how is a beginner-who's been out of the excercise scene and probably has little to no flexibility-going to find a non-intimidating way to unlock the mystery of Yoga?
Through Crunch's excellent dvd, of course! I bought this a month ago & have been sticking to it religiously. Now, amazingly enough, the pounds are melting away and body parts are starting to go back where they once were! Sarah Ivanhoe is a great instructor. She stays mellow and unintimidating even when the workout gets to its tougher parts. After doing this workout, I feel refreshed, but not overtired.

I just started practicing yoga and I purchased 3 other dvds. This one is by far my favorite. I feel I get much more of a workout from this dvd, where the other dvds I purchased are a more relaxing workout. This is a great workout for a high beginner. If you are really out of shape, you might want to try something else.