Crunch - The Perfect Yoga Workout: The Joy of Yoga & Fat-Burning Yoga

The Joy of Yoga is a well planned workout that is a great intro to yoga, or a nice cooldown after a longer cardio or weight workout. It is relaxing and energizing, so you can do it any time of day.

Fat Burning Yoga is tougher, more like a high beginner workout. It is not so tough that one should be wiped afterwards, but one will definitely feel worked out. The pace moves, but not too quickly. I don't know how much Fat-burning this really accomplishes, but it will definitly burn some calories, and work out kinks at the same time.

The DVD interface is well planned, and it is very easy to go through each ot the two programs as written. They are also broken into chapters, so mixing between the two is possible, as it putting together a long yoga workout.


** GREAT ** Yoga programs for everyone!   June 7, 2003
26 out of 26 found this review helpful

Here you get two great yoga workout programs for the price of one!! Both yoga programs are taught by the same instructor, Sara Ivanhoe, a motivating friendly face. She is a great instructor beginnning both programs by focusing on your breathing. Breathing is key in yoga!!!! In both videos, there is someone who demonstrates modifications of the yoga posture. So you can choose how to position your body depending on your flexibility and comfort--- essentially work at your pace! Of course another appealing aspect of this video is that it is on DVD. DVD's are fab! You can quickly jump around to different portions of the yoga routine--skipping certaining sections or just doing the ab workout, etc.

The "Joy of Yoga" is a basic program focusing on leg stretches, like lunges, that would be good for runners (or after a long workout, stepping, etc.). Other poses included are downward dog and warrior. This program is approximately 30 minutes so it can easily fit into your busy schedule.

The "Fat Burning" Yoga is a longer, slightly more advanced program. Most of yoga poses demonstrated in this video focus on stretching the legs and back muscles (e.g. lunges, side stretches, triangle pose, downward dog, warrior pose, etc.). At the end of the workout, Sara concludes with a six minute ab workout, stretches, and a brief relaxation meditation. Please be advised, the title may be misleading because you are not "burning fat" in the traditional aerobic sense like jogging.

Moreover, I would recommend both programs, so buy this DVD and save yourself some money!

Enjoy! Namaste! =)


Great workout and stress reducer   December 16, 2001
shine (Seattle, WA United States)
29 out of 30 found this review helpful

This is an excellent yoga set. Sara Ivanhoe is very likeable and has a soothing voice. The music is beautiful. Both workouts in this set will make you sweat. It is great for beginners, but by no means is it slow or boring. The Fat Burning yoga section moves quickly and you're never hanging out in one pose for too long, so time passes quickly!

I was sceptical before I purchased this set, due to the fact that most yoga videos I have seen are boring and don't seem like much of a workout. I have experienced serious toning in my legs, as well as an amazing sense of well-being since I've been doing this yoga set.


Two Excellent Yoga Practices on One DVD   March 9, 2006
Yoga Dad
20 out of 21 found this review helpful

I have already done individual reviews of the two practices contained in this DVD but I wanted to give an overview of the combined practices found on this excellent DVD.

By way of background, I have been practicing Yoga daily for over 9 years, with a large library of yoga VHS/DVD/CD (around 100). I also have been studying for many years with an excellent Yoga teacher, but that's only once a week so the heart of my Yoga practice is at home w/ my collection of Various Yoga media.


This DVD contains two practices, led by Yoga teacher Sara Ivanhoe, and is an excellent pair of routines. The first, "Joy of Yoga" is more basic, a good introduction to Yoga. The second,"Fat Burning Yoga" has more of a Vinyasa flow style to it (more of a "Power Yoga" feel). It is a challenging but doable program that is around 40 or so minutes long.

I feel that Sara particularly shines as a teacher in the second ("Fat Burning") program, but of course that may just be personal preference because I tend to like those more challenging, flowing types of practice which really build heat in the body.

I want to say a bit more about the "Fat Burning" program.

The routine is extremely well put together. The poses build gradually starting with simpler movements that warm you up and gently take you into the more challenging versions of the poses from one series to the next.

She has a student who demonstrates modifications which is always quite important for a program like this where you may have a person who has never done yoga before or who may have physical limitations.

This is a very thorough routine which leads you through a wide range of motion and also incorporates a really wonderful flow.

My only miniscule complaint would be that I prefer a longer guided relaxation before the final seated pose, but of course one can always just shut off the program to extend their relaxation and then put it back on to finish it off in sitting. This in and of itself wasn't a big deal because there is still at least some semblence of relaxation (which is treated gratuitously in many programs).

Highly recommended!

Namaste


Great way to break into Yoga   December 8, 2002
14 out of 14 found this review helpful

Ahh.. Yoga. To those of us on the outside, it seems like a good idea. People seem to like it... often fanatically so. But why? And how is a beginner-who's been out of the excercise scene and probably has little to no flexibility-going to find a non-intimidating way to unlock the mystery of Yoga?
Through Crunch's excellent dvd, of course! I bought this a month ago & have been sticking to it religiously. Now, amazingly enough, the pounds are melting away and body parts are starting to go back where they once were! Sarah Ivanhoe is a great instructor. She stays mellow and unintimidating even when the workout gets to its tougher parts. After doing this workout, I feel refreshed, but not overtired.