Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Instruction and Overview, March 6, 2003
This review is from: Stephanie Foster: Beginners and Intermediate Yoga (DVD)
Stephanie Foster seems to be very familiar with the basics of yoga and pilates and has therefore formed her own routine based on her background as a dancer. This is neither pure pilates or pure yoga. It is very much a combination of both. Since I have been doing Winsor Pilates for the past few months, this program was fairly simple to follow. If you are just starting out and are not yet familiar with the yoga and pilates moves, then I encourage you to watch this DVD all the way through. However, if you are already working out and are adding this to your routine for variety, try just doing the sequence sections. In Beginning Yoga, you can do section 6 and then in Intermediate you can do sections 4-6. Or you can just do Beginning Yoga section 2-6 for a relaxing stretch routine. Either way, this is nicely set up so you can pick and choose. The routines are pleasantly paced and you are encouraged to breathe in certain ways when necessary for the exercise to be performed properly. I found this to be very relaxing and the music has an almost Jamaican flavor. These are exercises you can do in the morning without making any noise as it is a mat routine. Do buy a yoga mat as some of the moves do require you to have a firm footing. There are various names given to each exercise. At times Stephanie will say the names of the positions which is helpful when you are looking down at the floor and moving from one exercise to the next. If you have done either Yoga or Pilates you will enjoy the way the sequences are set up. The exercises flow nicely from one to the other and this is what I would call a "clean cut" type workout. You don't have to fuss with fancy footwork. You won't feel intimidated by any of the exercises and the pace is very conducive to a relaxing workout. You won't break a sweat, but your body will warm nicely and you will definitely see the benefits. One thing about this type of workout is that when it is done in the morning, you will reap the benefits all day long. Yoga and Pilates really do encourage a nurturing of body, soul and spirit. Once you do these types of exercises you will feel much more calm and ready to face your day with a clear mind. Some Ideas that seem to be working for me: 1. To keep track of how many days a month you exercise put a big red "E" on your calendar for each day that you workout at home, bike, walk or go to the gym. This trick will show you how you are doing and will keep you motivated. 2. Try the Suzanne Somer's approach to eating and try out some of the videos on this page: seasonedwithlove.com/fitness_videos.htm. These are some of the best videos I've found so far. Don't be afraid of food. I am pretty sure I am losing weight because I'm eating more. However, I'm eating differently and have cut out most carbs after 11am. 3. Buy cute things to work out in. 4. Walk, walk, walk. 5. Have a variety of workout videos/DVDs. Each one is like an investment in your health. ~The Rebecca Review
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Room to grow, September 17, 2003
This review is from: Stephanie Foster: Beginners and Intermediate Yoga (DVD)
I recently suffered a back injury, and was out of shape even before then, only occasionally putting on an old yoga tape I have for exercise. After starting physical therapy I was looking for an exercise DVD that would be at a low enough level that I could do some of the exercises, but still have lots of growth room as I hopefully got better, stronger, and more limber -- something that would take me past my basic physical therapy exercises. So I began renting different types of exercise DVDs and I think this one is a keeper. Not only does she begin with the basics, but she totally explains the correct posture, emphasizing where the stretch should be so that there is no strain and includes alternatives for those with weak knees and backs (me!). While you do need extra props for some of the exercises, I have gotten away with using a folded towel for a mat, a leash for a strap, and a stack of books for a block. So it's not like you need to invest a lot in a class or props to get moving, which is just what I needed (cheap, cheap, cheap!).
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good hip stretching & increased balance, killer ab workout, no breath connection, August 1, 2007
This review is from: Stephanie Foster: Beginners and Intermediate Yoga (DVD)
She has several black belts in martial arts, etc. which gave me high hopes she had body awareness, but I was a little disappointed. Beginner Workout: Tutorial - 20 min - Stephanie using 1 woman & 1 guy how anatomically basic hatha yoga poses are done either on the mat or using a chair/wall for modification. Some of the poses taught: knees to chest, child's, downward facing dog, triangle, side angle, crescent, lunge, upward dog, reclined single leg stretch, reclined spinal twist, chair, standing fwd bend, locust. Workout w/Stephanie alone - 16 min - using those poses she does a very relaxed/unhurried stretching workout, first reclined, sitting, standing & reclined again & ends in a 1 min savasana/lying down. The poses aren't held at all for long, most probably not to overtax beginners. Intermediate Workout: The stage is boring 80s all blue style with 1 woman & man backup in GREAT shape. The music is light & boring. Her voice is a bit stiff considering, sometimes she speaks during, sometimes it's a voice over. She sometimes barely gives any instructions, sometimes she gives as much as a decent beginner workout, a bit haphazard. Her advice is always nice, telling you to always do what you can & back off if you can't. It starts with all laying down & sitting stretches, lying down spinal twists a lot, a lot of straight leg stretches really stretches the hips), pigeon & crescents as well for 20 min. Then A LOT of crunches, leg lifts & some other ab workout for 20 min. The last 20 min is the standing postures, wide angle, tree, dancer's, triangle, right angle, a very deep warrior 1 from a lunge, bridge, wheel, sitting fwd bend, then almost ends with a few sun salutations. The mediations rest is only 2 min or so then cuts out to credits. There is no mention of breathing at any time, nor any flow. There's no new age advice or affirmations for anyone who doesn't like that. I did feel stretched out in the hips, better balance, my abs were a bit sore (SO many crunches in different positions!) If you're looking for a vinyasa flow, breathing advice, positive analogy connections, look elsewhere. If you're looking for good hip stretching, very subtle body awareness, increased balance & killer ab workout, this is for you.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
