UnderReview: Yoga with the Best of Them
March 4, 2010 by Jenn
One of the main reasons we work out is to maintain our sanity and clear our minds. While a good run or session on the elliptical does the trick, sometimes you need a good yoga DVD to really stretch and mellow out. Plus, these titles promise to burn a few calories while you do so. In typical FBG fashion, we put them to the test!
Element: Yoga for Weight Loss
Okay, so I’m a little biased when it comes to Element’s workout DVDs. They’re just always so relaxing…like a trip to the spa without the bill. And the same could be said of this workout DVD. The scenery is beautiful, the voice of instructor Ashley Turner is soothing and welcoming, and the entire 50-minute routine flows with just enough cues for safety and just enough quiet time for reflection and relaxation.
My only real complaint is that the title is a little misleading. By including the word “weight loss” in the title, I expected more moving and some sweat. Granted this DVD did have you moving more than any other Element yoga DVD I’ve done, but I wouldn’t recommend it for its calorie burn. What I would recommend it for though is it’s mental approach to weight-loss. Throughout the moves, Ashley cues you to smile, focus on your goals and envision yourself at your healthy weight. Yes, it’s hippity-dippity. And, yes, I love it. For many, the emotional/internal struggle is what weight-loss is really about.
FBG Rating (Out of 5):
Instruction: ★★★★★
Long-Term Likeability: ★★★★
Music: ★★★★
Fun Factor: ★★★
Meets Expectations: ★★★★
Overall: ★★★★
Best for: Those who are ready to address the emotional side of weight loss—and get bendy at the same time.
YogaWorks for Everybody: Body Slim
This was our first venture into the YogaWorks series of titles, and I have to say, I’m a little torn here. In this 50-minute routine, you get the feeling that you’re in an actual yoga class (albeit a brightly lit and somewhat crowded one), which I liked. The instructor gives great cuing, but there’s JUST SO MUCH OF IT. Like she never stops talking. And her voice is kind of like Carrie Bradshaw, only higher and more nasal. Even my husband was getting annoyed, and he was sitting in the other room.
Then there’s the actual workout itself. The first half I found to be pretty easy and kind of boring. The second half? AWESOME. You constantly move, get your heart rate up, and hit just about every muscle. So, I loved it, and I hated it. So torn.
FBG Rating (Out of 5):
Instruction: ★★
Long-Term Likeability: ★★
Music: ★★
Fun Factor: ★★★
Meets Expectations: ★★★
Overall: ★★1/2
Best for: Those who need a yoga DVD that burns calories but also want an easy 20-minute warm-up. Also good for those with Dr. Jekell-Mr. Hyde personalities.
Hemalayaa Yoga for Everyone
I’ve tried a couple of Hemalayaa’s Bollywood dance DVDs, and while they’re not the most challenging workouts I’ve done, they are a thoroughly enjoyable break from the gym and a lot of fun.
Hemalayaa brings her same goofy personality to Yoga for Everyone, a set of two20-minute workouts. Both segments of the DVD are on the easier side, so it’s definitely a yoga session for someone who is slow to move in the morning but wants a stretch or for someone who wants an easy recovery day. Both segments are quite similar, so if you’re looking for a huge variety, this isn’t it. But the sessions incorporate gentle stretching in down dog and hip-opening floor lunges, squats, tree poses and forward bends. You also get to chant—”yuumm” in one segment, “ruumm” in the other—and make funny faces. The chanting and funny faces might throw you off, but they do have a strange way of relaxing you. Plus, I couldn’t help but think this would be a great introduction to yoga for kids; they would love the funny faces coupled with exhalations.
FBG Rating (Out of 5):
Instruction: ★★★
Long-Term Likeability: ★★★
Music: ★★★★
Fun Factor: ★★★
Meets Expectations: ★★★
Overall: ★★★
Best for: Those who are new to yoga and may be turned off by the seriousness of many yoga DVDs. Also great for those who just want a mellow stretch and relaxation session.
FIT BOTTOMED LINE: IF YOU’RE MORE HIPPITY-DIPPITY, GO WITH ELEMENT. IF YOU WANT YOUR YOGA TO BURN CALORIES AND ARE OKAY WITH HITTING THE FAST-FORWARD BUTTON, GO WITH YOGAWORKS. IF WANT LIGHTHEARTED YOGA THAT DOESN’T TAKE ITSELF TOO SERIOUSLY, HEMALAYAA’S YOUR GAL.
—Jenn & Erin
I’ve just gotten into yoga, and I have to say that I love it. I used to maintain that yoga was for girls who are already hot, until I started taking free classes at my local Lululemon store. Now I can honestly say that yoga is for me!
I am absolute yoga-DVD freak, I would love one of these! Always looking to add to my collection. Plus my new local gym doesn’t have that many good yoga classes, so I prefer to practice at home. Thanks!
Thanks for another giveaway! These look great.
I love yoga and can tell the difference in my attitude if I do not fit it in daily. I would love to win the one on weight loss. They all look great though.
These look great! Pick me!
I’m an absolute novice at yoga, but I do love the way it stretches my body and I feel great afterward!
I think Hemalayaa is great, even if her workouts aren’t super intense. I’d love to win one of these DVDs!
I am getting in shape for upcoming races after a few difficult months when I could not train. I know that I need to crosstrain to be effective, and I want to add yoga to my crosstraining! Winning one of these would be great!
I’ve never tried yoga before, but I’m willing to give it a shot.
Yoga for weight loss sounds awesome
i haven’t given yoga an honest effort, but would love to try!
Love yoga and the challenge it constantly provides me with. I have a lot of room for improvement, so these DVDs would be a God-send
Thanks for at least reading this! ~BC
Thanks so much for the yoga dvd reviews. I’m a yoga dvd junkie! I would love to win any of these titles! Keep up the great work
I would love to win any of these. I’m always up for trying a new workout, and these look great!
What awesome reviews! I am new to yoga, and I feel like the DVD titles can be confusing, misleading, and often redundant. It’s great to have someone weigh in on their content.
I am so excited about my new discovery – that yoga isn’t just for flexibility, but also for toning, working up a sweat, or just relaxation. I truly think all the DVDs look fantastic – I am always up for a relaxing start to my day, working up a sweat, or a fun workout. I can easily see myself becoming a yoga junkie!
Ohh! All these sound wonderful!! I’d love to try any of them out. I <3 Yoga!
I’m surprised you didn’t review Jillian Micheal’s new Yoga Meltdown DVD for this one. I just got it yesterday. I am fairly new to yoga and I feel that it pushed me enough to be learning new things but not to the point of being scared away from yoga. Camel pose…ouch! At least for me right now lol. I WILL master that one!
I’ve been looking for a new yoga DVD. I don’t have time to attend the classes at my gym and would love these. Your reviews are excellent:)
I heart giveaways!
I’ve been using the yogaworks program via OnDemand for the last month. I love it! The convience of having the workout stream to your television is great. I just tried to use it isn’t OnDemand anymore. I guess I’m gonna have to go shopping.
The Body Slim looks intriguing. I’m always thinking I need to warm up more and ease myself into my practice.
One of these days I WILL win a prize from FBG! LOL They all sound like fun, and I would love to try them!
New to yoga for two weeks so far I love it!
I am new to yoga and would love these DVD’s -thanks for the great giveaway !
I have been doing yoga with my WiiFit Plus and love how centered I feel after. I would love to try these videos!
i would love to try the yogaslim dvd!
I am obsessed with vinyasa flow! I haven’t tried any dvds yet, but think its about time!
ah I would love to win this giveaway — I am a self-proclaimed yoga FREAK
oooh – you ladies have been reading my mind. I’m on the hunt for some new yoga DVDs. I was hoping you would review Fat Free Yoga with Ana Brett/Ravi Singh or their Kundalini Yoga for Beginners & Beyond. Many thanks.
I’d love to win one of these! I adore yoga and I am completely hippity dippity myself, so the Element one sounds perfect. But I’d try any of them!
I love yoga but the craziness that is my last year of university has made it really difficult to go to a regular class, thank you for the reviews they will really help in my selection process.
I love yoga, its so good for my back and legs.
The last time I did yoga was 5 years ago and it was Jerry Hall~ ahhhhhh! hahha..I would like to try it again, especially now because I need that zen in my life. Having that cleansing alone time with my soul and my body is much needed!
I love yoga! I would def try these out to mix up my workout and lower my stress levels.
Would love the Element DVD – sounds exactly like what I’m looking for…a peaceful workout that relaxes and rejuvenates!
Whoohoo! yoga!
I’m just getting into yoga and these videos would really help me practice more consistently–I can’t always make it to the gym for class.
I’m really looking for a yoga vid that does allow for meditation time, has good background music, and has the model on the video giving the cues, rather than a voice-over (these bother me for no explicable reason). It sounds like the Element title might be a good fit.
Great giveaway! I love my Element ballet but have back issues so Element yoga sounds heavenly. Honestly, any of these look good–can’t lose!
I would love to win any of these DVD’s!
I’ve been doing yoga for 7 months and it’s absolutely changed my life. If it weren’t for my morning home yoga practice, I’m not sure how I’d get through my day.
these would be awesome to win! i haven’t gotten back into yoga since my twins were born (um… 7 years ago… ). i would love to start up again!
I would love to win one of the dvd’s! I am needing some massive help with my core strength, and I know that yoga can do that for me.
Now that I’m teaching sixth grade, I need to keep myself centered. I would love to be able to do some yoga at home before I go to work in the morning. Having a yoga DVD at home would be awesome!
The cancelled all my yoga classes at night at my gym…now they only have them in the mornings (when ‘normal’ people are at work
). I could really need these to continue practicing yoga! I also want to get my boyfriend to do it, but he’s too embarrassed to go to a public studio…but he said he would do it at home with me!!! 
…excellent…
I love yoga! A new yoga DVD would be a nice change of pace!
I really enjoy my yoga workouts, but only have one yoga DVD. I’d love to have another.
I have really gotten into yoga lately and have been amazed at how it has transformed my body, I would gladly give one of these a try!!
I would like to win one.
I’m closing in on 50 (yikes, I said it) and I need to stretch! I’m not very limber and never have been, but I think I need to get there. You know what they say, move it or lose it, I don’t want to lose it.
I would love to win one of these dvds.
kathleen_rementer AT hotmail DOT com