Breathe: The Perfect Harmony of Breathing (and a Giveaway!)
Having dipped my toe into the meditation waters a few times, I was excited when Breathe: The Perfect Harmony of Breathing landed in my mailbox. What mom doesn’t need to take a moment (or 20) to herself every now and then to just breathe? Turns out, I had to test out the DVD after putting my daughter down for a nap, thus breathing deeply for the DVD and holding my breath that she didn’t wake up too soon.
More of a guided meditation than a workout, Breathe combines elements of yoga with meditation, with the focus placed on breathing (obviously) and moving and stretching with the breath. It’s not billed as a prenatal DVD, so while it wasn’t intense or sweat-inducing—think more cat-cow than warrior poses—I did have to modify some of the positions to accommodate my current pregnant state. There were stretches of time where I had to lie on my side instead of lying on my back, and I did child’s pose instead of lying on my stomach.
With an instructional segment that teaches the breathing basics and 20- and 40-minute routines, any mom can find a segment that will fit her schedule. While meditation can be pretty hippity-dippity, this DVD is pretty straightforward and shouldn’t make meditation skeptics roll their eyes. The production quality is great and the scenery is beautiful. Model Yamila Díaz (of Victoria’s Secret fame) is a well-cast star, as the instruction is done by voiceover by yoga pro Fabio Andrico.
FBG Rating (Out of 5):
Instruction: ★★★★
Long-Term Likeability:★★★
Music: ★★★★
Fun Factor: ★★★
Meets Expectations: ★★★★
Overall: ★★★1/2
Fit Bottom Line: It’s not a sweat-inducing workout, but when you need a break from a hectic day or just want gentle stretches on a rest day, Breathe: The Perfect Harmony of Breathing, is an excellent way to catch your breath and a perfect guide to meditation for beginners.
Need to breathe yourself? Just comment to tell us why below for a chance to win this DVD! Winners will be chosen in about a week; U.S. residents only, please! —Erin