Product Details

• Format: Box set, 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: 6
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: KOCH VISION
• DVD Release Date: November 26, 2002
• Run Time: 240 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00006SFKH
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #19,962 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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  #1 in	Movies & TV > Exercise & Fitness > Series > Yoga Zone
  #18 in	Movies & TV > Boxed Sets > Fitness & Yoga

• This item is part of The Yoga Zone Series.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Disc 1 - Evening Stress Release for Beginners
Filmed in Jamaica, Yoga Zone: Evening Stress Relief offers lovely scenery and intensive relaxation for anyone who needs to unwind at the end of the day. This workout is divided into two 20-minute practices that can be done together or separately. The first of these two sessions starts slowly by introducing breathing techniques and yoga terminology. A series of limbering stretches are taught to increase flexibility and allow optimum extension into postures. Cueing is great here, as participants are frequently reminded to breathe in and exhale with each movement. Poses that strengthen the abdominal muscles and a sequence of back bends are performed with modifications offered throughout these postures. Meditation closes out the first session with attention to eliminating tension and increasing breathing capacity. The second set is staged on a sandy beach with greater attention to body alignment and active limbs. The major muscles of the legs and arms are trained through downward facing dog and deep lunges. Postures that lengthen the abdominal wall (like the cobra) are performed as the perfect complement to the preceding abdominal work (in the first session). Breathing is also imperative here. Participants are reminded that each exhale has the ability to move one deeper into a pose (participants are also encouraged not to force their flexibility limits). This fine workout program is ideal for beginners and intermediates who are looking to reduce tension and become more limber. --Olivia Voigts

Disc 2 - Fat Burning

Disc 3 - Introduction to Power Yoga
"Power Yoga" has gradually become the aerobics of the new millennium, driven by a no-pain-no-gain ethos that emphasizes sweat and strengthening over yoga's more subtle benefits. But this two-part, 40-minute Yoga Zone program takes a more mild approach, hewing to the philosophy that the power of power yoga depends less on aggressive, strenuous poses than on conscious awareness of oneself and the vital link between breath and movement. Both parts rely on brisk, flowing repetitions of several vinyasas (connected series of poses). The first includes some standing positions (mountain, warrior I and II, etc.), lunges, twists, side stretches, and the camel backbend; those new to yoga will find the sequence alternating between the downward dog and plank positions to be fairly demanding, but there's nothing outrageously hard here. The second part again concentrates on the downward dog, one of the essential poses in yoga, along with twists, stretches (like the "blown palm," a standing side stretch), forward bends, lunges and so on. The virtue of repeating vinyasas -- i.e., moving in and out of several poses, one breath at a time--is that it reinforces proper breathing patterns, and the instructors do a good job of reminding you when to inhale and exhale, which is not so simple as it might sound. More warm-up time would be helpful--beginners and experienced yogis alike should do some stretching before starting--but once you get going, the DVD menu allows for easy selection of either part, or the various series within them. You can also do the practice without the instruction, accompanied only by the music. --Sam Graham

Disc 4 - Stretching for Flexibility

Disc 5 - Total Body Conditioning
Set in the beautiful landscapes of Jamaica, Yoga Zone's Total Body Conditioning delivers the intensive mind and body experience that has made Yoga Zone so popular. Divided into two distinct 20-minute workouts, the programs can be done individually for the time-pressed exerciser or together for an extended challenge. The first of these contains an informal approach to breathing and lengthening exercises. Isometric abdominal work is coupled with pelvic tilts and meditation. Some familiar postures are seen within this first session, with warrior, triangle, and mountain poses. The second session includes some deeper lunges and forward bends with the same focus on body alignment and posture. Total Body Conditioning illustrates a plausible beginning format because of its practical and approachable postures with a minimal risk of injury. In fact, programs like this can actually lengthen and strengthen the core muscles, which may aid in injury prevention. Meditation closes out both sessions and mats are necessary throughout all phases of this workout. The instruction and content here are so solid that beginners and intermediates alike will feel at home. --Olivia Voigts

Disc 6 - Yoga for Abs
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: E1 Entertainment Release Date: 11/26/2002

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

151 of 153 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great teachers, good mix of sessions, February 18, 2003

By	K. Abbott "katie-hawk" (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I love this collection. First, Yoga Zone tapes are my favorite. They explain the poses, what you should be focusing on, what you should be feeling, how to breathe, and how to make each pose harder/ easier depending on your level. All these sessions are suitable for beginners, and there's a great selection: flexibility, stress relief, yoga for abs, total body conditioning, intro to power yoga, and yoga for weight loss. Each DVD has two sessions. If you want to stretch, tone, relax, or move, there's a session in this collection for it. Plus, the variety keeps it interesting. If you're just starting yoga, buy/rent a Yoga Zone tape to see if you like it, and if you're going to stick with it, get this collection!

79 of 81 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Yoga Workout, January 17, 2004

By	Carolyn Young "chocoscientist" (Rochester, MI USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I began yoga about a year ago. I bought this set about 2 months ago and still absolutely love it. There are a wide variety of types of exercises, from stretching to fat burning, all at the beginner level. Most of the DVDs have 2 - 20 min sessions, so you can mix and match. Their instruction is well done; you can look at the screen to see what you should look like, but listen to understand all the fine details. They really emphasize the breath, telling you when to exhale and inhale, which is something I find lacking in many other yoga videos. If you are not sure you need so many yoga DVDS, I recommend starting with the YogaZone Intro to Power Yoga, the second session is great.

53 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The right length and great instructors, February 7, 2005

By	principia (Virginia) - See all my reviews

I would highly recommend the Ultimate DVD collection. I found Yoga Zone while living in Hungary for a year. A british entertainment channel would air a 20 minute Yoga Zone segment at 6am, Noon, and 6pm. I got into the habit of doing Yoga Zone at least once a day and the benefits were noticable after only a couple of weeks. I was more flexible and felt better all around. The way Yoga Zone enhances your knowledge of your own breath and how your breath relates to your body will help you in any situation. (They eventually dubbed the segments into Hungarian and I didn't enjoy them as much when I couldn't hear the instructors talking me through the session)

I also purchased another Yoga Zone 3-pack that includes 3-1 hour sessions. I am currently doing other types of exercise that equals 1-hour to 2-hours per day and I found the 1-hour sessions difficult to fit in. The 20-minute sessions get you going and still have a noticeable impact on flexibility and also provide the ability to progress into more difficult postures.

I am excited to have finally found the 20-minute sessions and almost anybody can find 20-minutes to clear your mind and rejuvinate your body.