Customer Reviews

Quick Start Yoga for Weight Loss (DVD plus audio CD)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

...IF YOU HAVE AM/PM YOGA FOR WEIGHT LOSS. THIS CONTAINS THE A.M. PORTION. IT MENTIONS THIS NOWHERE ON THE COVER BUT SUZANNE DEASON INTRODUCES IT AS A.M YOGA FOR WEIGHT LOSS IN HER INTRO!!! THIS IS SADLY BECOMING A PATTERN WITH GAIAM, TAKE A WORKOUT (5YEARS OLD, 1 YEAR OLD) SLAP A NEW COVER AND TITLE ON IT AND RELEASE IT TO THE MASSES. THIS IS THE LAST GAIAM TITLE WILL PURCHASE WITHOUT SOME DETAILED INFO ON IT, HECK IT MAY JUST BE THE LAST GAIAM TITLE I PURCHASE.

I can't in good faith give this more than 1 star because this is just half of an existing Gaiam DVD being rebranded, but I like this workout quite a lot. Instead of the aerobic drill I feared, it's instead a set of early morning stretches to gently get your metabolism going and improve your circulation.

The exercise portion of the DVD is only 22 minutes long. It begins with some very easy cat-cow type stretches, then six minutes of slow, gentle standing poses (triangle, side angle pose), then some relaxing poses on the floor, working their way up to about 30 sec in a modified downward dog at the end of the video. Many poses are supported by bricks, and they're all safe enough that I wouldn't hesitate to give this video to a friend who had never done yoga before. Suzanne Deason never names the poses or gives very specific style points, so this tape may be frustrating for someone with a lot of yoga experience.

I think this is a wonderful workout for someone who would have difficulty doing a more vigorous video due to fatigue, injury, weight, etc.

I was disappointed in this video. Suzanne Deason is one of my favorite instructors, usually during her workouts I am challenged, without being overly so. This video is really only ok for people who want a very light workout. Maybe when you're tired, have a minor injury, or just want a little energy boost. But, if you're serious about weightloss, this light workout won't offer much to help you toward your goal.

Quick Start Yoga for Weight Loss includes a DVD with two programs - a 25-minute gentle yoga practice and a 15-minute energy balancing yoga practice, access to a 64 page online nutrition guide and a 15-minute audio CD to guide you through a morning routine that can be done upon waking right on your bed.

If you believe that the only way to lose weight is through vigorous sweaty exercise, this is not the program for you. However, if you, like Suzanne Deason, believe that stress, moving too fast, and lack of body-mind awareness are major contributors to weight gain, this program can help you get started with a gentle yoga program that can lead to gradual lasting change. Quick Start Yoga for Weight Loss is an easy to learn program with step-by-step instructions and a great way to start your on the right foot - with more energy, clarity, awareness, and focus. It's these qualities that often lead to healthy behavior changes resulting in weight loss.

The Quick Start Yoga for Weight Loss workout begins with seated breathing and moves into gentle floor stretches that include extended child's pose, low lunge and runners lunge. Many poses are modified with the use of two bricks/blocks so most beginners will find them accessible.

She then moves on to a series of standing poses that include triangle, extended side angle, wide legged lateral spine stretches, and wide legged forward fold with a twist. Floor poses come next and include a gentle modified cobra, downward facing dog, child's pose, seated twists, cobblers pose, an abdominal strengthener, reclining leg stretches, reclining twists, and a gentle bridge pose.

Although Deason, never refers to the poses by name, she provides detailed instruction for alignment and coordinating breath with movement, making this accessible to beginners and those seeking a gentle well balanced yoga routine to begin the day.

The 20-minute Energy Balancing yoga practice is for those times you are feeling stressed or fatigued or need a gentle restorative practice. It is designed to help you relax, open up and turn within and includes lots of supported forward folds - both standing and seated - and ends with legs-on-a-chair pose. You'll need a chair and blanket for this yoga practice.

The 15-minute audio CD is a great way to wake up your body before you even get up in the morning, with a series of reclining stretches and twists to increase circulation while integrating your mind, body, and breath, all before your feet touch the floor.

I think Quick Start Yoga For Weight Loss is great for beginners looking for an introduction to a gentle mind-body approach to weight loss through yoga.

I have taken yoga classes before, but never bought a DVD. I got this DVD, popped it in and realized that I needed bricks. I do not own any bricks and no where ON the box does it mention bricks are necessary for the workout. I had to go out and buy the bricks just to do the workout. The workout itself was alright, though she intros it as an "A.M." workout when it doesn't say anything on the DVD itself. She also doesn't name any of the poses, which is odd and annoying. I also don't see how it is geared toward weight loss in any way. All in all, I was very disappointed and do not want to buy anything from Gaiam again.

This video is slow and I wouldn't use it for anything but relaxation. It nearly put me to sleep. I can do both workouts and don't feel a thing other than relaxed. I was very disappointed with the quality. The talk about menstral cycles and the aim to talk to women only is disconcerting too. I think they forgot what their video was supposed to be aimed at- weight loss. Wish I could return it!

THE GOOD: The audio CD is actually very good. Believe it or not, the audio describes what you are supposed to do in bed to warm up for the day and get going. She tells you when to breathe. I never know if I am supposed to inhale or exhale at will. Uh, the instructor finally told me when you are exerting yourself you inhale and upon relaxation, you exhale. She talks slowly and has a nice voice. So you're not one sequence behind all the time.

THE BAD: For some odd reason, I thought this was a beginners DVD. I bought this about 4 months ago and tried the yoga routine first. This is a bad idea if you are a beginner because its too hard. And the DVD doesn't tell you props are necessary. If props are needed, I guess that should tell you this is not a beginner's DVD. Please note I have and am taking Yoga classes.

THE EVEN UGLIER: This DVD and the audio CD both skipped e.g. were defective from the get go. Thus far, Amazon has yet to reimburse me for this but keep reading. If you can scandalize the yoga community by getting ONLY the audio CD, this would be good starting point. Or be like me, and settle Pilates for Beginners and Beyond (3 CD set), take the class and forget the useless promises of yoga instructors and these nearly impossible to perform yoga DVDs.

I agree with the other reviews. This is only AM yoga, and that's what it should be titled or more like "Yoga for Beginners". It seems incomplete and inadequate, and I would actually think that even beginners wouldn't take away much from this DVD. It's more like a light workout. There's plenty of other DVDs that are far more helpful. Pass on this.

I love this video. It's just long enough to give you a good work out for your morning before work. Also, the positions are all explained fully and very well.

I really don't see how this could possibly be considered a weight loss routine. However, it is a lovely, relaxing way to begin my mornings. I've felt much more relaxed through the day when I've started with this dvd. It's gentle and not terribly challenging, but sometimes that's all I need.