Customer Reviews

Element: Yoga for Weight Loss

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I recently started practicing yoga again after stopping a few years ago and have been looking for something new to replace my old DVDs. I bought one of another well-known yoga instructor's DVD and found it to be very challenging and not for beginners/intermediates as it was advertised.

Ashley Turner's "Yoga for Weight Loss" was just what I was looking for. The poses and pace make for an excellent cardio and core strength workout, and afterwards, I feel relaxed and accomplished. Ashley's voice is calm and encouraging and her instruction is clear and concise. I find her to be very motivational and look forward to more DVD releases from her.

As for the reviewer who's sour about the intro: I personally find it comforting to know that I'm taking instruction from someone who is qualified and think it should be mandatory for all instructors to give their credentials on their products. *smile*

Hosted by expert yoga instructor Ashley Turner (who also holds a Master's in Counseling Psychology), Yoga for Weight Loss is a beautiful instructional DVD that walks the viewer through vinyasa flow yoga sequences and strengthening poses ideal for toning and improving one's muscles. The vinyasa flows cause one's heart rate to increase and provide a solid workout, while the strengthening poses help build muscle tissue. A psychological dimension to the workout promotes relaxation and tapping into one's own power to create happiness from within. A gentle, wonderful, and easy-to-use resource, Yoga for Weight Loss is a choice supplementary pick for fitness DVD libraries. 53 minutes. Also highly recommended specifically for expecting and new moms is "Prenatal & Postnatal Yoga" ($14.98, 69 minutes) hosted by Elena Brower.

I've been practicing yoga off and on for over ten years and this is a very solid workout. The moves are to a level where anyone can do them or modify them if they find a move too difficult. Don't get me wrong, this is a challenging workout, but with time you will be amazed at your progress.

I've found that the new style of yoga dvd's have a jerky, rapid movement style that I find dangerous (certainly for people new to yoga), but this DVD used fluid movements.

I have been doing this DVD for about a month and my body has toned up a lot, and I have been working out 5 days a week for over 10 months, so someone who hasn't worked out at all will really feel more toned. I am amazed at what this one DVD has done for my body.

I will start with the workout itself, which is not bad. Not too challenging but not a walk in the park, her flows themselves are pretty standard. Then comes the talking. I understand what she is trying to do with the motivating and her pep-talking and her masters in psychology and all of that but good gracious! I am embarassed to put this dvd in if my husband is at home because I don't want him to laugh at me listening to "sometimes when we think we are hungry all we are really needing is a hug or a smile". So I can only do this one on my day off.

I found this DVD to be absolutely wonderful! I thought it was practical and although I am at a very high fitness level I found it to challenge me very nicely. I did the DVD yesterday and I am already sore today in my obliques, upper glutes, legs and shoulders. I also believe that adding this yoga workout could promote weight loss! I felt so much better when I finished yesterday. I wasn't fatigued or worn out. But I felt energized and in a "new place." I thought the instructor was wonderful and calm. Element DVDs are fantastic! I look forward to more excellent workouts!

I took yoga classes with Ashley a couple of years ago, then she relocated as an instructor. Shortly thereafter, I moved to a different city. Yoga has not been the same without her. I was SO excited to see she finally has a DVD out so I could at least get a hint of what I got out of her classes. As soon as I got the DVD, I checked it out. It's a wonderful DVD with a nice flow that will get you to break a sweat. As a comparison to her classes, I would classify this as a "beginner-intermediate" class. One look at Ashley, and it will get you to do what she tells you. She obviously knows what she's doing! I can tell you after six months of classes with her 2 to 3 times a week, I was stronger and more centered than I have ever been. The video will do the same for you if you commit to doing it.

Ashley is great at reminding you about postures, getting you to set intentions, and overall giving you positive affirmations that help you find balance in your life and in your yoga practice.

I was annoyed at "Sue's" negative comments regarding Ashley's intro, where she declares her certifications. Ashley is in no way braggadocious. Sue obviously has never taken any classes with Ashley and unfortunately, completely misperceived the intro. A note to Sue: Give the girl a break. It's her first video. She's a yoga instructor, not an actor. It's possible that the Element producers scripted her speech at the beginning. Besides, it doesn't take away from what the purpose of the video is all about, which is to give you a solid yoga workout that will help you achieve positive results in your life. A great supplement for your yoga library.

As someone who has taken a workshop at kripalu and gone to a retreat in vermont with ashley this DVD is almost as good as being live with Ms. Turner.
What you get on the DVD is a great workout in a short amount of time. You get bits of Ashley's sage advice.
Since I live in Vermont and she (Ashley) in California, I am not blessed to be able to take her classes all the time, there for doing this DVD reminds me what is important and kick's me into shape!
This is by far one of the better yoga DVD's in the sense that you actually get a work out. I think alot of them are kept at a lighter pace so beginners wont hurt themselves, but I find them frustrating as someone who is more intermediate. Half the time I turn them off midway. To slow, or not enough difficulty. This one is not like that.
I will definetly do this DVD on a regular basis!

I went on a retreat with Ashley a few months ago, and was excited to hear that I could order the DVD for my home practice. She's a fantastic instructor and more importantly a Life Coach! You get so much more than a tight tush with this one!

She does a nice job explaining what to do. Yet, I find it hard to believe this is a weight loss yoga dvd. I don't feel like I burned any extra calories doing this yoga practice, perhaps it is because I have been doing yoga for several years now. I think it should be named something like 'relaxing yoga' or 'calming yoga'. I felt good after this yoga, but not like I had a strenuous workout. If you are looking to calm yourself and stretch, this is a fine dvd. If you want to burn lots of calories, you should select something else. I personally felt like I burned more calories with her power yoga dvd. Jillian Michael's yoga meltdown probably burns more calories, but that one is shorter and not as great for stretching.

I love yoga. After some brief introductions to yoga I immediately fell in love with it. This video is great for all levels, there are options to modify poses which may be too difficult for beginners as well as tips on ways to make simple poses more challenging. I like the voice over, her calm fluid voice fits well with the mood of the video. I feel more strength and flexibility after doing this video as well as a greater sense of self and worth. I enjoy the conversational parts of the video, they are very encouraging. I have recommended this video to anyone interested in yoga or losing weight. I love it!