Customer Reviews

Yoga Conditioning for Women

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

First, the cons: (1) this isn't a great video for the beginner, because the poses aren't described well. For many of them, she just says "go into ____ pose." (2) People looking for a weight loss video will probably be disappointed, as there are not many of the large muscle-group poses (such as warrior) and not much of the flowing from one pose to the next (which is usually what makes _me_ break a sweat). (3) Many of these moves require a great deal of flexibility, and no instruction is given on modifications during the video (although there is a segment on using props that you should watch before beginning.) This flexibility requirement, combined with some fairly difficult balancing poses could make this a very frustrating video...

Pros: (1) There is a lot of focus on breathing. In fact, the first 10 minutes or so are just breathing practice, and she returns to focusing on the breath often. (2) There is also a lot of focus on the core muscles (in the back and stomach). Not only does she include lots of poses that strengthen the back and stomach, but she also points out how these core muscles come into play in other postures (such as triangle and balancing poses.) (3) Finally, this video has more balancing poses than any other I've seen. It's great practice (assuming you don't get too bruised from falling over all the time :-), and since balance improves greatly with practice, this will help you in any other yoga you undertake.

Overall, this is a pretty good video. It's not strenuous enough for me to consider it a workout, but I use it on days when I'm not feeling very energetic. I consider it a good addition to my yoga video (mini)collection.

Like many of those who reviewed the VHS version of this tape, i have Yoga Conditioning for Weight Loss and really enjoy it. i was looking forward to a new routine so i could vary my practice and not get bored-however, this is not exactly what i expected It has only basic instructions on how to get into the poses, and took a couple viewings before i actually tried it. The program is described as "fluid and dance-like" and it is-you don't hold a pose for long, which is a change from other tapes i have seen. As always, the settings are stunning and the scenery beautiful.

i think the tape is good, don't get me wrong, but it is not so much for a beginner, and is going to take me a lot longer to be able to do the poses. It's not only an issue of being as amazingly flexible as Ms Deason, but also having some pretty fantastic balance. i do miss the "personal instructor" feature that YCforWL has, and it would be nice if they showed a more useful modification options (i loved that feature in the other program!) but it's not a fatal flaw, if you ask me. If nothing else, this tape will keep my interest for a while as i try gamely to contort myself gracefully into all kinds of strange positions without falling over on my ... (or face) too often. Hey, at least my cat will be amused.

The chapter feature is useful and easy to use-the main reason i prefer DVDs to VHS, and the "Monthly Practice" thing in the special features section looks pretty cool.

i would almost say this tape would be perfect for someone who has taken a class and gotten the basics down, and is looking for a new routine to do at home.

i am a fan of suzanne deason...i see from above that people think this might be too fast...however it was just what i was looking for....i was using her yoga conditioning for weight loss (which is really good by the way) for a while but wanted something with not as many instructions and levels...this dvd is definitely not for the beginner...i would say intermediate...she moves quickly from one pose to the next...i love her soft voice and gentle moves...if you are just starting out i would not recommend this but if you have been doing yoga at home for a while and are looking for the next step this is one you should try...

Yoga Conditioning for Women is filmed by a beautiful Hawaiian oceanside, with Suzanne alone. She cues in voice over in a calm and soothing voice, and the music is soft and pleasant. The practice is a good one, focusing on the feminine aspects of yoga.

The first section on breath is wonderful and gentle. It has gentle lower body conditioning practices. The next section, postures, was challenging for me, in the sense that it requires of good balance on one leg (eagle pose, tree pose, half-moon pose, dancer pose, warrior III pose) and the yoga practice flows swiftly. If you are more experienced with yoga and can change poses quickly and efficiently, you'll really enjoy this practice. If you're like me and you're not quite that experienced, you'll get frustrated.

The last section, centering, is relaxation and is nice and calming. It has focuses on the core with twists, backbends and abdominal strengthening poses.

At the end of the practice, Suzanne includes a section that instructs on modification (with yoga strap and block) for some of the more difficult poses.

i really love this dvd. i first started yoga a year ago with suzanne's yoga for weight loss. since i have purchased many yoga dvd sessions. i find myself always returning to this one. it combines a great practice with relaxation. if you are looking to sweat like power yoga this won't work for you, but i find it does get my heart rate up at points while relaxing me at the same time.

This is a challenging workout, particularly the standing poses. Definitely not for beginners since some of the poses require some basic knowledge, which is not always given. If you've been doing yoga for a while, and know all the intricate details of Triangle pose, Warrior pose, etc, then this is the DVD for you. Otherwise, if you want to take the challenge, watch the section for using props (at the end of the workout) before starting. For those of us who are students of the Iyengar tradition, I recommend keeping the pause button near by so that you can get yourself into each pose before she moves on to the next. I found the sequence from pose to pose to be rather quick, but by pausing, I could get into each pose in my own time.
Overall, a challenging but pleasant session.

I have Suzanne's Yoga Conditioning For Weight Loss DVD and it is my absolute favorite. I just got this one and I know that it will also be a favorite that is used regularly. As for the previous review stating that she goes to fast...absolutely not true. What I love about this is she holds the poses a little longer that some other "flow yoga" dvd's. What I think the reviewer was referring to was Suzanne's continued instruction throught the session as to when to breathe and move into the next position. A feature I absolutely love. Once you become familiar with the workout and you don't need to constantly look at the tv you can do the whole session by just listening to her instruction which is very relaxing. I can do her weight loss dvd with my eyes shut thanks to her excellent cueing. This is the perfect introduction to the flowing yoga style or power yoga!

"A Viewer" was dead-on. I have some comments as well...

I don't think I've ever felt as rushed as I did in this video. No sooner do you hit a pose and you're out and to the next.

Two ways to view this: first, it's a library of poses you can learn and then do on your own time. Second, it's just too fast *if* you like to really sink into a pose which takes some time.

If I were at Yoga boot camp and Ms. Deason was my drill, this is what I would imagine. A very soft, pleasent voice, telling me a new instruction every 3 seconds (literally). For this reason I found the video frustrating. Not a bad video, not much new-age vernacular, but just rushed.

I've been doing Yoga for a few years and am probably late beginner, early intermediate.

Although I really liked the poses that were chosen, she went so fast I could barely find my way into each pose. In my opinion this negates the unique benefits of yoga, which include gradual stretch, sustained strength, and increased body awareness. How can you learn from the poses when you barely have time to greet them?
There is one occassion that might call for this DVD: when you know you should get some exercise, but you really aren't feeling motivated. Because it goes by fast, it's easier to talk yourself into putting on this DVD instead of a more sustained practice.
If you want a more thorough workout and are familiar with basic poses, I recomment Shiva Rea's Yoga Sanctuary. It is an audio CD but includes a poster with all the poses from the program.

I own several yoga DVDs. I bought this DVD at the instruction of my physical therapists, after utilizing it as part of my therapy. This DVD is fantastic! Perfect for someone who is at beginner/intermediate or intermediate level. I would not purchase it if you are new to yoga. It is more appropriate for someone who has a familiarity with yoga and has been doing it a little while, and who is also fairly flexible already. Some of the poses require a good deal of flexibility.

I have been doing yoga for a few years, and this DVD is very challenging for me without being so hard I can't do it. And the pace is not boring. It is broken into 3 separate segments, which can be done separately or they flow seamlessly together.

The first segment focuses on the breath, pelvic alignment, and leg stretches. It is maybe 10-12 minutes.

The second segment is the core of the practice. It is all standing poses, forward bends, lunges, etc. There are several challenging poses in here that I do not see in other yoga DVDs. Approx 20 min or so.

The third segment is on the floor, and focuses on strenthtening and toning the legs, buttocks, and abs. Very challenging, and I am very toned in these areas because I have been a dancer most of my life. It concludes with some restorative poses and relaxation. Approx 20 min or so.

There is also a bonus 20 minute practice for times of high stress or when you are menstruating. My physical therapists specifically had me do this practice when I was having a flare up, to help calm my sympathetic nervous system.

This DVD is one of my favorites when I have an hour to devote to yoga. Suzanne Deason is great. The scenery is beautiful, there is not an excessive amount of talking, and it is peaceful. The poses are held long enough to really get into them, but not so long that you get bored or it becomes too difficult. I feel great after doing this DVD. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!