Review: Mandy Ingber’s Yogalosophy Workout DVD
If I’ve learned anything during my time reviewing yoga DVDs and going to all kinds of classes by all kinds of instructors, it’s that yoga is deeply personal. And what one person likes more than another person is highly subjective. Some like the hippity-dippity (I tend to put myself in that corner most days). Others prefer a more traditional-fitness approach. Others want stretching. And then there’s the meditation piece, and, oh yeah, the different types of yoga styles themselves. Dizzy with yoga options yet? It’s for all of these reasons that I’m a fan of this DVD for those who aren’t sure what yoga camp they fall into just yet.
In Yogalosophy, Mandy Ingber (whom we talked to yesterday!) hits a unique chord of doing all of the above, without being intimidating, overly spiritual or too darn intense. Perfect for yoga beginners or intermediates who want a nice mix of relaxation and toning in a yoga session, this DVD features two different yoga workouts. The first is an express 35-minute workout that takes basic body-weight exercises—lunges, leg lifts, push-ups, tricep dips—and combines them with yoga breathing and movements for Mandy’s signature Yogalosophy fitness approach. The second workout is a 55-minute Fully Loaded Challenge that combines more traditional yoga poses (sun salutations, warrior poses, standing balance work) with the express workout and stretching.
The cuing in the workouts is unique. At times, Mandy talks directly to the camera while she’s doing the poses. At other times, it’s a fairly stream-of-consciousnesses voice over. While she does give good breathing and alignment cues, at times Mandy says some pretty random stuff, including her own personal mantra that focuses on having “a nice ass.” I really didn’t mind—and there is an option to do the workouts without cuing—but you should be aware. Also know that you’ll get plenty of butt shots of Mandy in short shorts. She’s got the rear to pull it off (her mantra certainly works!), but it’s gratuitous in parts.
With a few fun extras like an interview with her client Jennifer Aniston, Mandy’s reason for creating Yogalosophy and a look at her own personal yoga mat that doubles as a vision board, you do get a sense of who Mandy is. And I like her. She’s herself, and when it comes to working out, she realizes that it’s about the physical and the mental.
FBG Rating (Out of 5):
Instruction: ★★★
Long-Term Likeability: ★★★
Music: ★★★★★
Fun Factor: ★★★
Meets Expectations: ★★★★
Overall: ★★★1/2
Fit Bottom line: If you’re needing a beginner or intermediate yoga workout that’s a mix of fitness and mind-body meditation, Yogalosophy could be it!
Want to try this yoga DVD for yourself? Leave a comment with why you want to win, and we’ll select one random U.S. reader to win in about a week. The winner will be contacted via email and in the comments. Namaste! —Jenn
Comments
I’d love this DVD! My schedule isn’t allowing me to go to my regular yoga classes as much as I’d like, and I’m ready to try a new video!
It looks very unique. I’d love to try it!
I’m very intrigued by your review on this one and I’d love to give it a shot and see what I think!
I would love to try this DVD.
I’d love to try this out, I need to find my kind of Yoga, this one sounds like it might be up my alley!
I’ve been a yoga wannabe for a very long time! This sounds like a great way to start.
Thanks for giving us the chance to win! 🙂
I would love to try this. I have never been in to Yoga and I think this would be the right DVD to start to.
I love the idea of using my body as the weight for strength training, so I’d love to try it out! 🙂
I workout from home, but haven’t gotten a yoga dvd yet. I would love one! There are soo many benefits to doing yoga! It sounds like the perfect dvd for me after a long day of teacher and then completing assignments for my masters!
Hi! I would love this DVD because I am desperately trying to get in shape for my wedding next year! I need to find something that works and fits my lifestyle…and this DVD just may be the ticket!
Thank you! 🙂
I’d love to try this out. I like the idea of stream of consciousness voiceovers. That’s very relaxing.
I just read the interview you posted of hers yesterday and my favorite quote from it was: “Everyone has a body that needs taking care of, and no one else can do it for you. It doesn’t matter what your profession is, how much money you make, whether or not you are in love…we are all equal. None of that stuff matters when it comes to simple self-care.”
I would LOVE to have her DVD!! I love her take on yoga and know that I would use this DVD on a regular basis!
I would love this DVD because I have been trying to find the perfect kinda of yoga for me. Mandy is a world renowned instructor and I know I could learn a lot from her.
This sounds like an awesome dvd – I’d love to try it!
I’m definitely more a workout at home rather than go to a class kind of girl, which makes a good DVD collection a necessity. All my yoga DVDs are pretty basic so it would be fun to step it up a notch.
I would LOVE to be so lucky as to win this DVD! Life is so chaotic for us all. This would be the perfect way to start the morning. I’ve been trying to find something for my morning workout before work, but so far, everything I’ve tried doesn’t quite fit me yet. This sounds perfect! =)
I’d like to win in the hopes that I can look as good as jennifer anistion!
kidding-sort of.
I adore yoga DVDs!
I have been doing a combination of hard core weight training and high intensity interval training, and this would be a nice balance to add. A girl needs a little balance in her life! 🙂
I need a new workout DVD! As a mama to 4 kiddos work out DVDs save my life! Lol
I’ve been looking for a good yoga DVD that can give me all aspects of yoga from meditation, to stretching, to fitness. This sounds like it has a nice balance that doesn’t take all day to do.
I’d like to win this because I have only done a couple of yoga workouts so far, so this would be perfect to help me try something new. Thanks. =)
I definitely need a yoga dvd. I used to be able to watch them on netflix but I can’t find them anymore. This one looks great
I would love this DVD as yoga helps me feel great and I can’t attend my local classes right now. I want to keep doing yoga and this seems perfect for me.
I would love to try this yoga dvd!
I’m just getting back into yoga after years away, thanks to some running injuries. This sounds like a great combo of strength and stretching.
I am a certified Yoga instructor, whose style of instruction has changed a bit over the years. The more I learn, the more I try to meet the needs of the participants; delivering the most suitable experience they are looking for. This instructor and this DVD sounds like a great tool for me to gain further perspective on designing the perfect yoga class experience!
I plan to start a new routine since recovering from an injury. I am still 40lbs away from my goal and I think this DVD would not only help my body but also my mind since I am a mom, a wife, a full time student, and employed full time. I could use some YOGALOSOPHY in my life <3
This sounds really interesting – I’d love to try it out!
I’m interested in trying out this DVD because of the two different types of Yoga workouts that are incorporated in it, also the instructor/trainer seems like a person more “like me” than most instructors I’ve encountered. Good Luck everyone!
Looks like this could be a perfect one for me! I’ve been needing a new yoga workout for a while now. Time to switch up my routine.
I just turned the “BIG 40” a couple weeks ago and I am ready for a new challage in my life and I am so very interested in Yoga, Bikram Yoga, and I am dedicated to learn, try and live a healthy lifestyle!!
Have a Wonderful Day!!
I’d like to try this because I get so tired of my same ol’ yoga DVDs and would like to try something new.
I have been looking for a good yoga dvd for so long!
I took a beginner’s yoga class in college, but never got a chance to do it after that. I’d love to give this dvd a try!
My 15 yr old daughter really loves Yoga, this might be a great way for us to do
Yoga together
I love how relaxing yoga can be and I need more “me time!”
I have really been wanting to start doing yoga to increase my flexibility as well as for the whole mind/body/spirit connection but, feel completely overwhelmed with all of the different styles.
23 years after a shattered pelvis left me with one leg shorter than the other, I have finally realized physical fitness is the ONLY way to empower and persevere! I am slowly and steadily working my way out of bad sedentary habits and into an active, strong life. I go to the gym 4-5 days a week now, and would love to incorporate yoga into my life, for stretching, strength, balance and a sense of calm. This DVD would help me! (it would also be a great birthday present!!)
I work out at home most of the time – would love a yoga DVD to add to my collection.
I’m a full time office manager and student majoring in nutrition. With my school schedule taking up most of my free time I rarely get to try new workouts aside from my daily jogs. Mindy’s DVD seems like the perfect remedy to my sedentary job and lack of free time.
My 2 hour commute each way to work leaves me little time for yoga. This dvd would do wonders in strengthening my home practice!
Missing my favorite yoga from “on demand” maybe this can replace it!
I love yoga & would love to try this!
I love going to yoga but I’m unemployed and can’t afford classes anymore. I need a good dvd to keep up with it because it helps me manage my health problems.
Diana,
You’re our winner! Emailing you now to get your address. 🙂
Congrats!
–FBG Jenn
I’m also a more “hippity-dippity” type (lol!), but I want to feel like I’ve accomished something at the end of a session. This DVD sounds like a good mix
Wow, this DVD looks great!
I’d love to try this out! The yoga class at my gym was cancelled so I’m down to DVDs now. A lot of the ones I’ve tried are a little too slow, too boring to stick with for a full hour, or they’re so intense I can’t get the proper form on one pose before they’ve moved on to three more. This one sounds right up my alley, though.
I just started doing yoga and loving it, so I would love to give this DVD a try. It sounds great!
I just lost my gym membership due to moving, so this would be a great addition to my now at-home workouts!
I LOVE YOGA! I have recently lost almost 50 pounds since the birth of my second son. I do Yoga 4-5 times a week while my kiddos are sleeping. Not only has it helped me shed the baby weight but it keeps me cool as a cucumber during those not so fun Mommy moments! Bob Harper and I have been “Yoga dating” now for the past nine months almost daily, I think it’s time for this Mama to move on to the next level and get that Jennifer Aniston bod I’ve always wanted! NAMASTE!
I’m a beginner and would love to incorporate yoga into my exercise for the strength and stretching aspects.
There are so many reason I NEED this workout. Back spasms haunt me in my sleep running up and down my back all night waking me up. My body needs a gentle yet challenging workout like this to strengthen it yet relax it to help it in its healing process. My mind needs the calmness that the workout provides. Yoga is the one thing that helps me deal with the pain I have on a daily basis. If I miss doing it, the pain increases. Yoga helps me personally to have the mind body connection which helps me to be able to walk. I have multiple sclerosis, so this kind of workout is the kind I LOVE doing to help restore my gentle spirit. My system is unable to do the regular jumping types of workouts – This DVD calls my name. I will put out my notice to the Universe in hopes it will manifest itself in my mailbox. Namaste.
The only yoga I have ever done is the Jillian Michaels dvd which is not very mind connected…I’d like to start meditating and doing more traditional yoga because I have a stressful time coming up. I am a newlywed and just bought an old house (built in 1845!!) that is going to take some fixing up while working two jobs and doing grad classes. Needless to say, I’m going to need some escape time outside of my normal workout routine. I think I could really benefit from this one!
I love yoga and am looking for a new DVD to try out! This sounds perfect!
I want to win because I love yoga.
Having problems with my neck and back I have spent lots of money trying different things. It has been a struggle trying to lose weight and get my back to feel better without added pain. This sounds like something I could do and would love the opportunity to try it. Yoga has helped me in the past but I can’t afford a class. I just want to feel better and get back to being able to move and do the things I used to do. Thanks!
I do a short Sun Salutation that I taught myself from a 99 cent download on my Kindle. I bought a 10 class package at a local yoga studio through Groupon which is running out. Always looking for a bargain to help with my internal calm 🙂
I am totally falling in love with yoga, but can’t afford to attend classes. This giveaway is just the ticket to keep my practice going.
Thanks!!
I love yoga but can never make it to classes- I would love to try this one out- sounds like a great dvd!
I’m a big yoga fan but can’t always make it to a real-time class. I’m more inspired to practice at home if I have some great DVDs. This one sounds like a winner!
I would like to try this DVD…. looks really cool!
I’m on my Epic Weight Loss Journey and trying everything I can to get healthy, eat right, and ENJOY exercise. I’ve fallen in love with yoga and practice as much as possible. My only problem = the gym doesn’t have classes everyday. I’d LOVE to have a yoga DVD to help me practice more often (maybe I could get up to once a day!?!?)… 🙂
P.S. Love your blog!
I would like to try this yoga DVD out. I have heard that yoga is really good for you, but the yoga DVD I tried previously seemed to focus more on the setting and voice over talking and was geared toward people who already knew what they were doing. I don’t. I’m a beginner. I would also really like to work on toning and balance, because I’m kinda jiggly and uncoordinated. I think yoga would also help me relax and offer some techniques I can use at work or other stressful locations.
I’d like to try it because I have some core issues I need to work through to strengthen my lower back and stabilize. I’ve heard many good things regarding the practice of Yoga and how kind it is to the body when done properly. I would love to learn and experiece its benefits.
I teach Spin, Interval classes, and work at the gym. I Never have time to go to class :(. Would love some me time!
Would love to win this dvd. This will really help me get started on my path to fitness for life. thank you!
I would love to try this yoga DVD because I’ve been looking for one that I actually like. I’ve been on the hunt for a “mellow” yet effective workout routine.
I am just starting to do to yoga. I recently had an injury to due inflexibility.
I just bought a yoga mat and I would love to try out a yoga dvd to go with it!!!
I want to win because I’m new to yoga (Bikram is my fave!) and my unlimited $20 trial week is ending. I’m hooked and want to continue doing it at home!
I would like to win this because I believe it will help me tone, stretch and relax all at the same time.:)
I need to lose a good chunk of weight and I very much need flexibility back again, but even moreso I am looking for something that is good for my body AND relieves stress. I loved doing yoga when I was younger and I would love to get back to where I was again.
I’m looking for something not too heavy to do once my kids are in bed at night. This sounds perfect and I’ve seen some of her web videos and she seems pretty good 🙂
Just started yoga for stress relief and would love a new video.
I am new to the practice of yoga and would love for a new outlet to try it out in. I am falling in love with the practice and its total healing and promotion of wellness, inside and out.
I want to try this because I love yoga.
I teach yoga I’m always on the lookout for resources to share with my class, so they can grow their practice.
I love yoga, and this looks like an interesting yoga DVD. Plus, maybe I’ll get results like Jen, too!
I just started a new job and my old yoga class doesn’t fit into my schedule–it would be great to have a dvd I can pop in instead!
I love yoga and had been attending wiht my girlfriends, until too much work got in the way. I would love to have this DVD!
I’m rehabilitating after four years of being practically bedridden due to an illness. My doctors have advised that yoga is the perfect exercise for me as I am unable to do hardcore cardio. I need something that isn’t intimidating as it seems this DVD fits. Fingers crossed!
I’d love to try this DVD Please add me to the giveaway! I’ve always wanted to try Yoga but am too intimidated by it to go to a class
Ladies,
The DVD is at Amazon for $10, including standard shipping. It’s awesome!!
I own this DVD and have used it many times. I really love how down to earth Mandy is – she’s funny and not too “granola” LOL. I also like the “silent” feature on the DVD so that I can listen to my own music or radio. I can’t wait for her to come out with another workout!
I have never done yoga and would to try this!
I tried this DVD last summer when I was getting into yoga. I found the cues to be a little bit confusing to follow because of the mix of Mandy talking to the camera and the voice-over. A few times I got lost on the number of repetitions. It was a good workout but I definitely needed to do it enough times to almost memorize the routine before I stopped missing cues. Overall a good workout, but you have to be willing to let Mandy’s quirks and the routine grow on you.
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