Search - Yoga Zone - Yoga for Abs on DVD

Nice for beginners

sugar_pie | USA | 11/12/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This DVD is a nice place to start for those who have no experience with yoga and have not been working out regularly. If you are a fairly consistent exerciser who works your abs frequently, this DVD will be too easy for you. Same goes for those at the intermediate yoga level. This DVD will only appeal to yoga novices and people, like me, who are pretty out of shape. For the pros and cons:Pros:1) The outdoor setting is very relaxing. It's a nice change of pace from those bright, fluorescent studios.2) The instructors, Al and Jen, are friendly and motivational without being overly perky and annoying.3) Both 20-minute segments provide a nice stretch and gently work your abs. This video is not difficult, so don't shy away if you're just starting yoga or working out again. Some of the poses, like the plank, are more difficult, but they are not held long enough to kill you.Cons:1) As the Amazon editorial reviewer says, this DVD will not give you rock hard abs. You will need to find something else if that's your goal.2) Even for beginners, this will soon become very easy. Though it could provide a nice stretch/warm-up/cool-down for other routines.3) In the first workout, Al spends a little too much time on instruction which will get annoying after the first few times. I tend to do Jen's segment because she talks less.A final note: while the instructors encourage you to connect your mind and body and remind you of proper breathing, you don't get much meditation here or Eastern philosophy. This could be a plus or minus depending on what you're looking for."

Great for abs !

Ree | Rochester, New York United States | 11/23/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Yoga Zone for abs is a great toning workout. It is excellent for beginners and simple to do. Not only is it easy but it gives you excellent results."

I Love Al!

E. Walker | Surrey, UK | 06/12/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I absolutely love waking up in the morning to Al (one of the two instructors featured on this DVD, as well as on Intro. to Power Yoga). He's really great fun and takes you through a workout which is ideal, in my opinion, for all levels of practitionner and is much more intense than you first realise. He has an incredible way of making you smile at the way he instructs (not at all cheesey like some Yoga instructors can be with their 'You're doing great' speeches!) and you really feel like you're enjoying the movements which is, after all, part of the experience. Yoga is not meant to be a painful and complicated process, but graceful and fun exercises which make you more aware of your body. The abs exercises are excellent, though a little tiring the first few times! This is a powerful rather than gentle style of Yoga. But the length of the segments are just perfect for a before/after work workout. I highly recommend Yoga Zone (especially Al!). The price is justified in that there isn't really much on these DVDs but shouldn't put anyone off. These are thorough workouts and do work. Plus there's Al...!"

Two short, relaxing workouts providing gentle abs stretch.

Beth Cholette | Upstate NY USA | 12/31/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This tape consists of two short workouts--the box says that each is 20 minutes, though the actual timing is more like 18 minutes per workout. The first is led by Al Bingham with assistant Jen, and the second is Jennifer with assistant Jeanne. Both programs provide gentle stretching for the abs area. There is a lot of instruction, which is good for beginners, but it also detracts from the intensity of the workout. A few of the moves are held for an extended period of time and thus cause the muscles to work a little harder, but overall, I would classify this video as more of an abs relaxation/stretch rather than abs toning. For a more intense yoga workout for abs, I recommend Rodney Yee's Abs Yoga for Beginners."