Customer Reviews

Power PraiseMoves DVD

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

 

 

I was very excited about this DVD when I heard about it. I love yoga, but had yet to find the perfect yoga DVD workout for me. Some workouts I've tried I haven't liked the instructor, others went too fast for me, assuming I knew what I was doing. But Power PraiseMoves is a yoga workout DVD I really like!

There are slower workouts for beginners and maybe people who are injured and need to move into the stretches slowly, then there is the power workout which is the stretches and positions in faster succession, and then the more ab-focused workout.

Be warned that this DVD isn't as stylized as some workout DVDs - there aren't a lot of fake smiles and girls with perfect bodies. The instructor is Laurette Willis, and she looks like any normal-looking (lol) woman, someone you can relate to. She is easy to follow and I loved that she gives you scripture verses to meditate on while doing the stretches. I'm always up for new opportunities to learn scripture!

I'm not really worried about the spiritual aspect of regular yoga for myself, but I did enjoy this alternative and will definitely be enjoying it in the future when I want to stretch and relax. I recommend the Power PraiseMoves DVD for anyone who enjoys a relaxing or challenging yoga workout and Christians who want something different from traditional yoga workouts. :-)

I love the fact that this product is rooted in the Word. It is great to get the physical benefits of yoga without the spiritual background. However, to live up to the name "Power" Praise Moves there was way too much stopping during the routine. In order to get the same great workout that yoga offers, the movements should stay as continual as possible. I will still use this product on one of my "active rest days", but do wish it offered a little more sweat.

I would like to extend a heartfelt "Thank you" to Laurette Willis for sending me a copy of "Power PraiseMoves" to review for her. I have always been grateful for this generosity, and I am trying to improve at being consistent in taking the time to thank these wonderfully giving individuals in a public forum. I really appreciate your time, effort and expense in making a reviewer copy available to me.

Originally, I was intrigued by the idea of a Christian alternative to yoga. I've never done yoga, but I've been looking for a low-impact workout that I could begin to get myself "in shape to get in shape." This DVD, "Power PraiseMoves" created and hosted by Laurette Willis is incredible. Not only is it low impact, it can be done by anyone regardless of the shape you're in. It's easy because you perform at your own fitness level. As you move, the narrator recites scripture for you to meditate on which helps to shape up the soul as well. Still, don't take my review as a replacement of obtaining a doctor's advice.

As you gain flexibility and strength, you will intensify the posture you perform. This will increase satisfaction with your workout. The DVD is broken into segments focusing on standing postures, sitting postures, abdominal postures and more. It contains a helpful booklet that has photographs of several of the postures for reference. And, there are more resources available at the Power PraiseMoves website. This is not a DVD that is going to accumulate a lot of dust on my shelf. I will definitely use this workout!

I have always avoided yoga like the plague. For several reasons: I thought it looked ridiculous and couldn't see how stretching in such funny looking poses would do anyone any good. I also shied away from it because I knew I would be asked to "empty my mind" and such that comes from the practices of Far East religions.

And then I tried yoga with a different dvd series and I hated it because it was incredibly difficult and I was completely uncomfortable physically and spiritually. I decided that yoga just wasn't worth my time and I didn't want to have to block out one more thing, spiritually speaking.

So, now you understand my skepticism. Yet, I must admit to a bit of curiosity at the same time. Is it possible to mesh my Christian faith with a highly regarded and difficult exercise program that has it's roots in Hinduism?

The more I thought about it, the more indignant I became. The world has taken so much from us: from the commercialization of Holy Days to perverting words that were once socially acceptable and now have to be exorcised from our vocabulary for fear of offending someone. For Pete's sake, why not take yoga and claim it for Christianity? I decided to give it a try thanks to the publishers who provided me with a copy - no strings attached.

It was still hard for me physically. But I don't mind a challenge now and again. And I love the fact that Scripture is used to fill my mind instead of being asked to empty my mind and focus on myself. I focus on myself way too much as it is! How boring - been there, done that. Listening to the Scriptures given and the music in the background truly helped me to relax mentally and loosen up physically. I also appreciated the cues the narrator gave so that I could actually figure out how to get into each pose. And there are suggestions on how to ramp up each pose for those who are advanced. Which would include just about anyone compared to me.

There is also a handy booklet that can be slipped into a purse, back pocket or briefcase that outlines each pose in case you are traveling and don't have access to a dvd player.

So, if you are into yoga or just think you might want to try it, then I can confidently recommend this dvd to you. Me? I think I'll give the dvd a second and maybe even a third try before I completely give up on being limber enough to pull it off and keep it up as a routine.

Because I work out alone, it's nice to feel like I have someone working out with me; encouraging me to continue daily exercise. Up until I ran across Praise Moves, I had been looking for a way to integrate my spiritual life with my physical life and with those two aspects in mind, Praise Moves is a great blessing to me. I can relax my mind during the Praise Moves work out, while Ms. Willis speaks scripture, upon which I can meditate. Once I have completed the workout, I feel better than having had a full body massage! I am thrilled to have the Praise Moves workout and will be giving these DVDs as gifts. Thank you Ms. Willis!
Rondi Barry Wagener
Author of Contemporaneous Sacrifice - The Treasure of Life (coming soon!)
http://rbwagener.wordpress.com
http://www.scribd.com/rondi_wagener

Positives: the Scripture is well-integrated into the program, something that is often lacking in other Christian exercise DVDs. The leader isn't wearing skimpy clothes that distract or cause body envy. She's clearly strong and in good shape.

Negatives: The production quality is not what I'd hoped. I don't watch TV and rarely watch movies, so it's not like I'm expecting to see something from prime time or cable. While the modesty of clothing was greatly appreciated, there is a fine line between modesty and frump. This definitely goes into the frumpy category. Also, some of the exercises are not explained well, nor were enough modifications given for specific problem areas that people tend to have (back, knees).

Compared to WholyFit (another Christian exercise program), PPM has better integration of Scripture and better modesty, but gets lower marks for poor production and overdoing the modesty to the point that it interferes with being able to see what the leader is doing with her shoulders, abs, back - things that the viewers need in order to perform the exercises correctly.

I really, really wanted to like this program, but ended up giving away the DVD - twice. It's come back to me both times with similar comments to those that I've made here. Hopefully the next version of this program will show some improvements.

My daughter and I really like this workout. As well as edifying scriptures, we are amazed at how much strength this work out takes. You can be a beginner and benefit, like us. But we realize how much we need this workout to strengthen us - Laurette must be really strong. My daughter is only 18 years old and is challenged by the moves. We recommend it for toning, strengthening, and flexibility improvement.

Oh how I wanted to like this. The concept is great but the execution needs a little work. Pros- the explanations and scripture references. Cons- The music between sections would blare, then get quiet. Also, in the introduction it seemed odd she'd be talking to the camera, then a camera would focus on the side of her head but she still stared straight ahead like she was unaware. Something was just not right, BUT she gives great words regarding yoga and it is a nice alternative to some other yoga tapes.