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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The best thing about this prenatal yoga program is that there is a model for each trimester. Instructor Shiva Rea demonstrates each of the stretches and exercises for the first trimester, and two pregnant women show modifications for the second and third trimesters (they're even dressed in different colors for easy reference). This removes the self-doubt home-exercisers often have about the safety of certain moves--especially in that cumbersome final stage of pregnancy. Using gentle voice-over instruction, Rea and her assistants take viewers through a half hour of meditational stretches using blocks and chairs for support. She follows that up with 16 minutes of floor work: lunge pose, bridge pose, child's pose, plank pose--all with the necessary adjustments. She winds things up with a four-minute guided relaxation on her back--the traditional position--with the second-trimester woman on her side and the third on her side with one leg up on a chair. By including the different adaptations, Rea has made a program with the flexibility to carry an expectant mom through her entire pregnancy--and beyond, if she wishes. --Kimberly Heinrichs
Product Description
Learn poses for each trimester. Relieve aching back, legs & feet. Look & feel fit, make labor easier.
PREGNANCY IS ONE OF THE MOST REWARDING—AND CHALLENGING—EXPERIENCES A WOMAN FACES
As your baby grows, your body changes, creating different needs throughout your pregnancy. Prenatal Yoga, guided by longtime yoga instructor Shiva Rea, addresses those needs with safe, effective stretches and exercises you can modify for each trimester so you reap the greatest benefits.
Focused on helping you feel comfortable, relaxed and fit during pregnancy, this workout will increase your energy and stamina, and build strength, flexibility and balance. The emphasis on proper technique and deep breathing improves focus and concentration, which can help ease labor and delivery. The gentle stretches help reduce fatigue, tension and tightness, while promoting relaxation and improved circulation.
DVD includes:
• Calming meditation and deep breathing
• Gentle workout with seated poses, standing poses and floor work
• Guided relaxation
PREGNANCY IS ONE OF THE MOST REWARDING—AND CHALLENGING—EXPERIENCES A WOMAN FACES
As your baby grows, your body changes, creating different needs throughout your pregnancy. Prenatal Yoga, guided by longtime yoga instructor Shiva Rea, addresses those needs with safe, effective stretches and exercises you can modify for each trimester so you reap the greatest benefits.
Focused on helping you feel comfortable, relaxed and fit during pregnancy, this workout will increase your energy and stamina, and build strength, flexibility and balance. The emphasis on proper technique and deep breathing improves focus and concentration, which can help ease labor and delivery. The gentle stretches help reduce fatigue, tension and tightness, while promoting relaxation and improved circulation.
DVD includes:
• Calming meditation and deep breathing
• Gentle workout with seated poses, standing poses and floor work
• Guided relaxation
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
492 of 499 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I purchased and tried 3 prenatal fitness DVDs around the same time:
* Perfect Pregnancy Workout
* Prenatal Yoga
* Leisa Hart's Fit Mama Prenatal Workout
Here's how I thought they compared. (Note that I do yoga and walk regularly; while I enjoy dancing, I do not dance regularly. I'm not overweight.)
* Perfect Pregnancy Workout - 5 stars. Designed and narrated by a Cirque du Soleil acrobat (faint French accent), this video is my favorite of the three. The woman demonstrating the workout is about 8 months pregnant and in amazing athletic shape (visible muscle definition). The theme of this video seems to be preparing for birth and staying strong and fit. It has two sections: (a) workout and (b) instructions.
(a) After a mercifully brief cheesy earth-mother introduction, the yoga-based workout is vigorous yet flowing and straightforward, building incredible muscle strength, flexibility, and stamina. It includes squats, lunges, lots of ab work, lots of great hip stretches, kegels, lots of different arm strengtheners. At the end I am sweating, breathing harder, relaxed, and satisfied. The next day my muscles are sore (in a good way) and feel stronger. The music is world-beat without vocals, easy to exercise to.
(b) The instructions section is excellent as well. Animated anatomical graphics clearly illustrate diastasis, how to check yourself for it, and how to modify your workout to avoid further muscle separation, as well as exactly what kegels are. This part also explains in depth how to do the moves in the workout.
* Prenatal Yoga - 4 stars. Designed and narrated by a UCLA-graduated yogi, this video is my second favorite. Shiva is under 3 months' pregnant in the demonstration but has women behind her in second and third trimesters. The theme of this video seems to be relaxing and preparing for motherhood. It has three sections: (a) workout, (b) massage, and (c) interview.
(a) The workout is much less vigorous than Perfect Pregnancy, but includes squats, lunges, many spinal twists, kegels (no deep explanation, just metaphor), lots of different stretches. At the end I am sweating a bit, relaxed, and satisfied. The music is new-age without vocals. For some reason, Shiva does not pronounce the "h" in "exhale" which can be distracting. Also the narration gets slightly out of sync with the demonstration in a few places, which can be confusing.
(b) The massage section is fabulous if you have a partner willing to watch it and give you one! Great techniques for feet, legs, back, and neck.
(c) Shiva explains her story in the interview, how her father named her after an Indian god, how she took up yoga in college, etc.
* Leisa Hart's FitMama - 2 stars. I bought this on Amazon's recommendation and I'm sorry I did. My biggest gripe is that this video doesn't focus on smooth continuous deep breathing, unlike the other two DVDs. Leisa is a perky actress who does infomercials. She is 8 months pregnant in this but her body looks very different (thin, wiry) compared to the woman's in Perfect Pregnancy (athletic). The theme of this video seems to be feeling better (sexier) about oneself while pregnant. It has basically two sections: (a) workout and (b) bonus stretches.
(a) The workout is much less vigorous than Perfect Pregnancy yet goes at a faster, more erratic pace than either of the other two videos. It has four parts: salsa dance, "yoga fat burn," labor and delivery prep, and prenatal stretch and relaxation. The dancing is about 8 moves repeated, with a few squats. I feel foolish and bored doing this. The yoga fat burn is more aerobics than yoga, includes ab work, squats, no twists, never holds any pose for long, is repetitive. Labor and delivery prep includes kegels (no real explanation), many boring arm swings, ab work. Prenatal stretch and relaxation includes leg stretches, ab work, is repetitive. The music is salsa, soft rock, and world beat without vocals; very good workout music, loud in places.
(b) The bonus stretches are the best part, but are buried under Special Features (the DVD doesn't seem very well organized). These include leg, back, hip and shoulder stretches actually held for several seconds, squats, plenty of rapid boring arm swings.
All three videos show women in different trimesters doing the exercises and mention appropriate modifications. All three videos explain how to do the exercises safely and how to recognize warning signs of overdoing it.
If you're a yoga gal like me and you want to buy just one prenatal yoga video, get Perfect Pregnancy. If you want your partner to give you a great massage too, get Prenatal Yoga.
* Perfect Pregnancy Workout
* Prenatal Yoga
* Leisa Hart's Fit Mama Prenatal Workout
Here's how I thought they compared. (Note that I do yoga and walk regularly; while I enjoy dancing, I do not dance regularly. I'm not overweight.)
* Perfect Pregnancy Workout - 5 stars. Designed and narrated by a Cirque du Soleil acrobat (faint French accent), this video is my favorite of the three. The woman demonstrating the workout is about 8 months pregnant and in amazing athletic shape (visible muscle definition). The theme of this video seems to be preparing for birth and staying strong and fit. It has two sections: (a) workout and (b) instructions.
(a) After a mercifully brief cheesy earth-mother introduction, the yoga-based workout is vigorous yet flowing and straightforward, building incredible muscle strength, flexibility, and stamina. It includes squats, lunges, lots of ab work, lots of great hip stretches, kegels, lots of different arm strengtheners. At the end I am sweating, breathing harder, relaxed, and satisfied. The next day my muscles are sore (in a good way) and feel stronger. The music is world-beat without vocals, easy to exercise to.
(b) The instructions section is excellent as well. Animated anatomical graphics clearly illustrate diastasis, how to check yourself for it, and how to modify your workout to avoid further muscle separation, as well as exactly what kegels are. This part also explains in depth how to do the moves in the workout.
* Prenatal Yoga - 4 stars. Designed and narrated by a UCLA-graduated yogi, this video is my second favorite. Shiva is under 3 months' pregnant in the demonstration but has women behind her in second and third trimesters. The theme of this video seems to be relaxing and preparing for motherhood. It has three sections: (a) workout, (b) massage, and (c) interview.
(a) The workout is much less vigorous than Perfect Pregnancy, but includes squats, lunges, many spinal twists, kegels (no deep explanation, just metaphor), lots of different stretches. At the end I am sweating a bit, relaxed, and satisfied. The music is new-age without vocals. For some reason, Shiva does not pronounce the "h" in "exhale" which can be distracting. Also the narration gets slightly out of sync with the demonstration in a few places, which can be confusing.
(b) The massage section is fabulous if you have a partner willing to watch it and give you one! Great techniques for feet, legs, back, and neck.
(c) Shiva explains her story in the interview, how her father named her after an Indian god, how she took up yoga in college, etc.
* Leisa Hart's FitMama - 2 stars. I bought this on Amazon's recommendation and I'm sorry I did. My biggest gripe is that this video doesn't focus on smooth continuous deep breathing, unlike the other two DVDs. Leisa is a perky actress who does infomercials. She is 8 months pregnant in this but her body looks very different (thin, wiry) compared to the woman's in Perfect Pregnancy (athletic). The theme of this video seems to be feeling better (sexier) about oneself while pregnant. It has basically two sections: (a) workout and (b) bonus stretches.
(a) The workout is much less vigorous than Perfect Pregnancy yet goes at a faster, more erratic pace than either of the other two videos. It has four parts: salsa dance, "yoga fat burn," labor and delivery prep, and prenatal stretch and relaxation. The dancing is about 8 moves repeated, with a few squats. I feel foolish and bored doing this. The yoga fat burn is more aerobics than yoga, includes ab work, squats, no twists, never holds any pose for long, is repetitive. Labor and delivery prep includes kegels (no real explanation), many boring arm swings, ab work. Prenatal stretch and relaxation includes leg stretches, ab work, is repetitive. The music is salsa, soft rock, and world beat without vocals; very good workout music, loud in places.
(b) The bonus stretches are the best part, but are buried under Special Features (the DVD doesn't seem very well organized). These include leg, back, hip and shoulder stretches actually held for several seconds, squats, plenty of rapid boring arm swings.
All three videos show women in different trimesters doing the exercises and mention appropriate modifications. All three videos explain how to do the exercises safely and how to recognize warning signs of overdoing it.
If you're a yoga gal like me and you want to buy just one prenatal yoga video, get Perfect Pregnancy. If you want your partner to give you a great massage too, get Prenatal Yoga.
446 of 455 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
I would definitely recommend Prenatal Yoga with Shiva Rea. She breaks up the workout into 3 sections approximately 15 minutes each, so you can do what you have time for. I feel great after doing the stretches. There are 3 woman who do the routine on tape, one for each trimester of pregnancy, so you always have someone to follow. The tape has gentle music in the background and a visually appealing backdrop for the class. While this may not sound important, it makes a huge difference when you are watching it 3 or more times a week.
The tape is run like a class, so you can just put it in and go. You don't have to wait while someone explains the pose and then forms the pose.
My only criticism is that some poses are not explained that well. So if you are a beginner or have never done a pose, you may need some additional explanation that is not available on the tape.
261 of 274 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape|Amazon Verified Purchase
I was new to yoga when I started this tape. A former runner and elliptical-trainer enthusiast, I am used to a workout that makes you sweat buckets and finish feeling spent. This was a very new experience for me.
Yoga was recommended to me by my doula. I was interested because I've never been a flexible person and I wanted desperately to exercise throughout my pregnancy. Yoga is ideal because it can be modified as your progress and it teaches you to relax, breathe, and move deliberately with control. Every morning, when I've finished this workout, I feel so loose and relaxed, like I could "slip down the drain." I also feel more confident as my due date approaches that I will successfully birth my baby without any medication. I am learning how to open up my pelvis, strengthen my pelvic floor, and RELAX AND BREATHE. While pregnant you have 40 weeks (give or take a few) to prepare for the hardest (and most rewarding) work you'll ever do. Make the most of it!
This video was designed with your choice of three people to follow--one for each trimester. Many modifications are suggested and modeled so no matter what your current state of fitness, you will find stretches and poses to do.
You will be plagued by aches and pains and restless nights if you don't take care of your body while you're pregnant. So many of my friends try to comiserate with me, "Oh, you poor thing! I hated being pregnant! It's so uncomfortable!" I just smile and say, "I feel great!" becuase I really do.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
LOVE it!
I love yoga and prepregnancy did vinyasa style yoga several times a week, including several Shiva Rea workouts. Read more
Published 3 days ago by Christine
Great DVD for the Preggo
This is a great video for anyone expecting. She has herself represented as the 1st trimester, then 2 others in their 2nd and 3rd for viewers to follow. Read more
Published 22 days ago by ehails
So SLOOOOOWWWWWW
I have a sporadic yoga practice, having held a very strong practice within the past few years, but falling in and out of it depending on the studio's schedule and price changes. Read more
Published 28 days ago by msholloway
relaxing workout
I enjoyed this "workout", I've been feeling pretty lazy and tired since becoming pregnant, and doing this isn't strenuous and makes me feel less lazy. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Jazmine
too easy
This workout dvd would be good for your last month of pregnancy, but is too easy for trimesters one and two. I am now back online ordering a different, more challenging dvd. Read more
Published 1 month ago by karrirae6
Boring, simple workout
I was very disappointed in this workout. I am in my second trimester and felt that modifications were a bit ridiculous. Read more
Published 1 month ago by MamaM
Good video
I usually like Shiva Ray's yoga videos, and this is no exception. It's broken down into trimerter segments, so you're never doing anything too strenuous for your time frame, and... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Marie Laveau
Gentle yoga
I am 20 weeks pregnant and I've been practicing yoga for five years. Obviously, nothing compares to attending a yoga class. Read more
Published 2 months ago by CristyB
prenatal yoga with shiva rea
Having never really done yoga before I found this to be a great workout. I liked how she moves through the poses, and doesn't hold them for extended periods of time, I feel so much... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Yolanda Wartman
Reccomended for all pregnant ladies!
Pregnant with my first child I was looking to continue my love of yoga through me pregnancy. This DVD is great because instead of having a seperate section for each trimester the... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Jladybug84
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