Customer Reviews

Prenatal Yoga with Colette Crawford [VHS]

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I found this yoga tape to be very helpful. Crawford explains each pose and how it can be used for relieving various pregnancy problems, as well as for during labor. I was impressed with the number of variations given to accommodate not only the different levels of expertise of viewers, but also the various encumberances of the later stage of pregnancy. Having been a student of yoga for the past 5 years, I found this to be a very good workout. But I also think beginners will find it equally useful.

I almost ordered a different yoga video but stopped when so many of the reviews I saw complained about the chanting, dancing, etc. on it. If you are looking for a video that focuses on the physical and mental aspects of yoga, (not the spiritual), this is it. I enjoyed it and was very comfortable with it. If not having a spiritual focus will bother you, choose another. Personally, I found this physically challenging and I loved the relaxation at the end. I think that a complete beginner could use this video, but having taken even one yoga class in your life would be helpful. The women on this tape are not beginners! They are *very* flexible. If I had never taken yoga before, I'd keep wondering, "why can't I do that? How do they do that?" There are a lot of variations offered for less flexible people and I still had to throw in some of my own! One last thing: the video says you need a yoga mat and block, but I don't see why you can't improvise with what you have around your house.

I had taken several yoga courses just before getting pregnant and wanted to continue. This video was disappointing. I was surprised there was very little warm up or stretching especially before beginning some strenuous positions. I also found the variety of positions to be limited, even taking into account physical limitations of pregnancy. I would absolutely not recommend this for a beginner.

This video did have some excellent qualities. I appreciated the hints and suggestions for modifying the positions for differing levels of ability. I liked the non-spiritual, practical tone. Overall, it was a peaceful, inspiring exercise tape. The ending, relaxation sequence was great.

It would have been nice to be able to skip the "how to" parts of the video in order to shorten the workout time once you are familiar with the routine. Maybe run the entire workout again, but without the explanations?

If you're a yoga person (Iyengar and other similar forms), this IS the video for you. It's no nonsense traditional poses (triangle, warrior series, etc) with suggested modifications for more support if needed. I've been doing this tape five-six days a week and my body feels great (I'm due in 10 days)! If you've never done yoga before, I would recommend attending one or two prenatal yoga classes when starting this tape to help you become comfortable with the poses.

This video has some excellent yoga postures for pregnant women. Colette explains what each is for, however, the separate instructions she gives and demonstrates for each posture take too long and are repeated when the tape switches to the group of pregnant women. Other yoga videos I have just seamlessly blend the verbal instructions into the video.

Because the tape takes too long (a little over 60 minutes), I am not motivated to do it very often. However, after doing the workout several times, I can do the moves I need without watching the video whenever I have the time. For instance, when I wake up in the middle of the night with a backache, or while watching TV, or upon getting home.

For a tape this expensive, one would expect better production values. Instead, we see a plain set with an occasional fly getting in the screen, and no music.

This tape is very good at some basic and not-so-basic yoga poses like "Down Dog", adapted suitably for pregnant women. My only concern in this department is that the tape does a twist and a half-shoulder stand - I'm not sure these are good for pregnancy, as other tapes suggest not doing them. I like that she explains the physical benefits of many of the postures. And the opening and stretching postures really pushed me.

I did not care for the look and feel of this workout. There is no music. The studio set is uninspiring. And with each posture, it is first shown to you with a model alone, there is a pause, then the other members in the class perform it in a totally different room. It's very redundant and there is no continuity.

I found that the explanations within the workout were unneccesary and should have been done at the beginning or end of the tape. It breaks your concentration to be interrupted to watch instruction on a pose that you could have learned otherwise.Also, too many props needed to do this workout and not enough time to set them up between poses.

This video is an excellent yoga workout with only a minimal amount of "New Age" wackiness (I'm not really into the "picture yourself in a forest" school of yoga). The emphasis, rather, is on physically comfort during pregnancy and strength preparation for labor and delivery. I'm 5 mos. pregnant with my first child, and I feel confident that this workout will make a definite difference. One consideration -- it took me a couple viewings to fully follow along with everything the instructor and students do. All in all, I recommend it!

I purchased this tape and have used it three times so far and have *really* enjoyed it. I am very newly pregnant with my 4th child and know for certain that this video is going to give me strength I never had before in my earlier pregnancies. My first reaction was "this sissy yoga stuff is hardwork!" I am not in very good shape, I'm "kinda" overweight and I cannot believe I was able to perform the positions shown on this tape. I feel so strong! Colette gives us the proper name for each position and shows us exactly how to do them. The tape does take an hour, but it is designed for you to learn each position so you can perform them independent of the video. I strongly recommend this video for anyone who wants to gain strength and stamina and have a renewed sense of well being.

Colette is brilliant! She has captured the same connection with pregnant women in her video as she does in her classes. She speaks with knowledge, she moves with awareness, and carries herself with the confidence she has earned while creating her life's work and passion. Colette Crawford teaches with an open mind and even though this is a video you can sometimes feel her presence right there in your living room. Her voice is soothing and relaxing, one I've heard to have been with many women during childbirh who have experienced a relaxtion with Colette. This video is great if you want to do a 70 minute workout or if you only have 20 minutes. A few opening poses here, a few strengthening poses there or you can even focus on just one section at a time. I really enjoyed how Colette designed the sequencing of this video, I'm hoping she will soon come out wit a Postnatal Yoga with infant Video Too!