Product Details

• Actors: Yoga Zone
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: KOCH VISION
• DVD Release Date: March 13, 2001
• Run Time: 40 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00005A05Z
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #83,306 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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  #16 in	Movies & TV > Exercise & Fitness > Yoga > By Body Part > Abs
  #29 in	Movies & TV > Exercise & Fitness > Series > Yoga Zone

• This item is part of The Yoga Zone Series.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Looking to develop those six-pack abs to show off on the beach? Then yoga is not for you. If, however, you want to strengthen both your abdominals and your lower back, while keeping your stomach muscles supple but not rock hard, then yoga's the way to go. This two-part, 40-minute program from Yoga Zone uses a variety of poses (some of them joined together in flowing sequences known as vinyasas) that are obviously directed at the abs; the scale pose (also known as the boat), for instance, will certainly work those muscles hard, as will the table pose, the "forearm plank" (the upward pushup position, but with elbows on the floor), and others. But both parts of the practice also incorporate a variety of other asanas, such as standing positions and side stretches, that develop abdominal strength more subtly, as the instructors frequently remind you to tilt your pelvis forward and tuck your stomach muscles in, thus gently but firmly engaging your abs throughout your entire yoga routine. You'll work reasonably hard, but you won't endure endless series of crunches as you relentlessly "go for the burn." With a selectable DVD menu, you can sequence the poses any way you like, or jump to any particular section. You can also turn off the instruction and do the practice accompanied only by the music track. This is a peculiar option; the point of practicing yoga is to take your awareness inside, not stare at a TV screen, and the teacher's vocal guidance is usually an essential part of that process. But if it works, go for it. --Sam Graham

Product Description

Studio: Koch International Release Date: 03/13/2001

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nice for beginners, November 12, 2003

By	sugar_pie (USA) - See all my reviews

This DVD is a nice place to start for those who have no experience with yoga and have not been working out regularly. If you are a fairly consistent exerciser who works your abs frequently, this DVD will be too easy for you. Same goes for those at the intermediate yoga level. This DVD will only appeal to yoga novices and people, like me, who are pretty out of shape. For the pros and cons:

Pros:

1) The outdoor setting is very relaxing. It's a nice change of pace from those bright, fluorescent studios.

2) The instructors, Al and Jen, are friendly and motivational without being overly perky and annoying.

3) Both 20-minute segments provide a nice stretch and gently work your abs. This video is not difficult, so don't shy away if you're just starting yoga or working out again. Some of the poses, like the plank, are more difficult, but they are not held long enough to kill you.

Cons:

1) As the Amazon editorial reviewer says, this DVD will not give you rock hard abs. You will need to find something else if that's your goal.

2) Even for beginners, this will soon become very easy. Though it could provide a nice stretch/warm-up/cool-down for other routines.

3) In the first workout, Al spends a little too much time on instruction which will get annoying after the first few times. I tend to do Jen's segment because she talks less.

A final note: while the instructors encourage you to connect your mind and body and remind you of proper breathing, you don't get much meditation here or Eastern philosophy. This could be a plus or minus depending on what you're looking for.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Love Al!, June 12, 2001

By	Aqapop - See all my reviews

I absolutely love waking up in the morning to Al (one of the two instructors featured on this DVD, as well as on Intro. to Power Yoga). He's really great fun and takes you through a workout which is ideal, in my opinion, for all levels of practitionner and is much more intense than you first realise. He has an incredible way of making you smile at the way he instructs (not at all cheesey like some Yoga instructors can be with their 'You're doing great' speeches!) and you really feel like you're enjoying the movements which is, after all, part of the experience. Yoga is not meant to be a painful and complicated process, but graceful and fun exercises which make you more aware of your body. The abs exercises are excellent, though a little tiring the first few times! This is a powerful rather than gentle style of Yoga. But the length of the segments are just perfect for a before/after work workout. I highly recommend Yoga Zone (especially Al!). The price is justified in that there isn't really much on these DVDs but shouldn't put anyone off. These are thorough workouts and do work. Plus there's Al...!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Two short, relaxing workouts providing gentle abs stretch., December 31, 2002

By	Beth Cholette "doctor_beth" (Upstate NY USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Yoga Zone - Yoga for Abs [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This tape consists of two short workouts--the box says that each is 20 minutes, though the actual timing is more like 18 minutes per workout. The first is led by Al Bingham with assistant Jen, and the second is Jennifer with assistant Jeanne. Both programs provide gentle stretching for the abs area. There is a lot of instruction, which is good for beginners, but it also detracts from the intensity of the workout. A few of the moves are held for an extended period of time and thus cause the muscles to work a little harder, but overall, I would classify this video as more of an abs relaxation/stretch rather than abs toning. For a more intense yoga workout for abs, I recommend Rodney Yee's Abs Yoga for Beginners.