Customer Reviews

Yoga Zone: Yoga for Weight Loss [VHS]

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

This is a great tape. It consists of two "power"-type yoga workouts; one 30 minutes, and another that clocks in at about 20 minutes. Both feature poses that will challenge your strength, but in a good way. I think anyone can do it if they really concentrate!Al is a great instructor and he really explains the poses clearly. I'm not sure about the weight loss, but if you want to strengthen, stretch and energize, then this is your tape!

This video is really great. They give modified versions of poses so you can challenge yourself to varying degrees. They explain correct practice of poses and some common pitfalls. Great video for beginners, also good for intermediate.Definately a good workout, especially if you do the breathing technique described in the beginning. This is much better than the "Rodney Yee" tapes I've tried. My only gripe is that the music is kind of annoying.

I first saw the name of this tape on a recommended video list at DietSmart.com. Our climate currently limits one's ability to hike or bike outside; with a small child to consider as well, a tape seemed like a good option. I checked the reviews in this section and saw a bimodal distribution -- lots of 4's and 5's, and a small cluster of 1's. Since I've done some yoga and danced for many years, I tried it out. I honestly think the people who are saying it's too hard on the back are not listening to what the instructor is saying (I thought this meant he would keep you in the Camel position for 15 minutes!): he focuses a lot on breathing, lengthening and correct positioning, and his demonstrators give a modified version where one is possible. If you're new to yoga or to an exercise program, it might be wise to start with the conditioning section that comes at the end; otherwise, I think this is a great workout that tones mind and attitude as well as body. I've often blown off the meditative posture at the end of a yoga workout, but this video shows you how to use it in combination with affirmations to feel more positive about yourself whether you're losing weight or not. Love it!

I have always been curious about yoga, and I finally decided to try it. I just tried this tape for the first time yesterday evening, and I loved it! I am one of those people who has tried Tae-Bo and didn't stick with it, tried aerobics and didn't stick with it, etc. but I can definitely stick with this. I was sweating by the end of the workout, but I didn't feel exhausted and I wasn't trying to catch my breath like with other workouts.

That has always been my main reason for not sticking with something, it made me too tired to want to continue or too sore to get into a regular routine. Today, I can definitely feel in my muscles that I worked them, but I am still looking forward to doing the yoga exercises again this evening.

This is something that is easy to do 3-4 times a week because the workout is only about 30 minutes including the time to teach some basic poses. This tape will definitely get me addicted to yoga!

This 30 minute (not including the 20 minute bonus section which is nearly idential to the first session) video is fabulous. The instructor has two assistants, one who demonstrates the modifed poses, the other who performs the poses in a way that only an experienced yogan can. The "class" begins with the instructor teaching several poses individually. When doing the video the first few times, I found this extremely helpful. However, after having taken this "class" many, many times, I STILL appreciate the first fews minutes where each pose is practiced individually because it helps to stretch me out and focus on the intricacies of the movements that i'm about to perform.

MOVEMENT is what is key about this video; for, after learning the basic psoes, the instructor does a fabulous job of beautifully combining those poses into a series of movement. There's not too much resting after the first few minutes, but who needs it? The video is short and it feels wonderful to flow into strengthing positions. Alhough the class feels more like dancing, it's INTENSE dancing. If you are not dripping with sweat after 15 minutes, you're doing something wrong.

This is a great tape for building heat and sweat. The increased number of awkward chair postures and repetition of Warrior 1, if used to your maximum ability, really get you sweating. So, play around with it and make these as hard as you can without hurting yourself of course.

Any conditioned level of person, from total beginner to really advanced, can get a good workout from the first section. If you are not a beginner, you "should" know that modifications to make asanas HARDER (not just easier, with blocks etc.) are there to do. For example, go deeper into a pose, get your thigh at 90 degrees to floor in Warrior 1,2 and lunge poses. Also, take awkward chair as far down as you can go and tuck the tailbone while reaching up as high as you can, putting palms firmly together. Modifications such as these make any Yoga workout tougher if you want it to be. I highly recommend the Yoga Zone book for beginners; it covers more material than all the videos put together.

For those who did not notice: the bonus workout may LOOK like the first one, but the postures are very different because you are striving to maintain a completely extended spine throughout. For example: the forward bends don't have you hinging at the hips like is usually done; in this workout you tuck the tail and round into the forward bend. Again, focus is on the SPINE throughout, with directions to put most effort into spinal extension rather than the usual parts you're strengthening or stretching. My back feels great after the bonus workout. I hope this review is helpful.

I have seen other "yoga" videos and have either been so confused or i hurt myself. This video has non annoying people in it, which is really good and they show you how to do things with a modified version. They actually explain! I know I couldn't believe it myself! I would recommend this video to a begginner or an intermediate, but not to a pro, I mean if your a pro allready why are you watching these tapes? Shouldn't you know enough allready? Well anyways the first day I did the work out I had to take the next day off from excersise because my muscles were sore!

this is some where in between a regular beginning/intermediate yoga session and a power yoga workout. it's a relatively short (30 minute) session that is usually good for working up a little sweat. it has the activity level of power yoga but with the less challenging poses more commonly associated with the beginning/intermediate level. also, it doesn't have very many stretching poses so don't look to this tape as something to really enhance your flexibility all that much.

i already had yoga zone's flexibility and tone video and their power yoga video. i feel that by adding this one i have a fairly complete set that keeps me interested and gives me a diverse workout when used in rotation with the other two.

I've done this tape several times and really like it a lot!

The particular things I like about this practice are:

1. Al Bingham is an excellent easy to follow instructor.

2. Modifications are shown by one instructor and the full poses by the other.

3. Much of it is based on the Sun Salutations, but it is broken down incrementally so that your body has a chance to adapt to each posture.

4. I found that it generated a good amount of heat and sweat.

5. It's only about 30 minutes which makes it very doable in terms of fitting into a schedule, plus you can push pretty hard without it becoming impossibly long so you don't have to worry about becoming overly fatigued.

6. It's challenging physically but all the poses can be done by most people in reasonably good health (no crazy poses that you need to be Gumby in order to perform).

7. The Yoga Zone programs in general have a very nice feel to them, a nice presentation in terms of the scenery and the instructors are not intimidating.

8. The pacing is flowing but not rushed.

Just a suggestion for those doing this regarding the chair poses. If you find them really tough (and they certainly can be), just start straight legged, the as you slowly sweep your arms overhead (or in front of you) gently lower down to the first "edge" of tension and breathe there. Don't push yourself EVER to the point of pain, just mild discomfort. You can also practice them dynamically, start higher up (straighter legs) and on each inhale raise up a little to release the stress and on each exhale just gently go a little bit lower than before. This makes the pose much safer and builds heat.

Anyway, I like this video, the bonus video is also an effective practice and only about 20 ,minutes so it's a nice practice to either alternate with for variety or to use on days when time is short.

Namaste

Al Bingham has a unique teaching style. He focuses on achieving and maintaining the correct position for each posture. This particular Weight Loss Yoga practice session relies on time-tested principles to achieve weight loss results.

By removing all the restlessness you experience from daily stress, you can then start to address unconscious eating habits. Suddenly, you are making better choices and wandering in the natural foods isle of your grocery store. Since starting Yoga, I've rarely found myself at a fast-food establishment and when I do happen to be there with my husband, I'm making better choices. For example - salads or low carb options.

So, Yoga works. This I've proven to myself. It strengthens you from the inside out and also helps you focus on your health instead of just "exercising." Yoga actually makes you a more well-rounded person, except you can see it toning your muscles and making your face look more relaxed. In fact, if you skip your Yoga, you start to crave the peaceful serenity of your daily "moment with yourself."

Al Bingham's voice is so pleasant and his instruction style is positive and nurturing. I love how he takes a hands-on approach and really guides you through each exercise. You can be assured you are doing it correctly because he explains each position in depth.

This is one of the most accessible yoga workouts out there. The exercises range from beginner to intermediate with some interesting variations for the chair pose which made the pose less exhausting, and much more creative. You will recognize positions like Warrior 1 and plank pose. There are yoga-style pushups and the entire exercise routine is pleasantly paced. The Sun Salutations are healing and teach you to breathe.

Al Bingham's calming voice makes this a favorite for late night relaxing. The beach scenes take you out of your home environment and give you a mini vacation.

~The Rebecca Review

P.S. Also look for Yoga Zone Flexibility and Stress Release