Search - Jillian Michaels: Yoga Meltdown on DVD

Cory H. from WHITTIER, CA
Reviewed on 7/30/2018...

I'm not usually a big fan of workout DVD's; the dance ones tend to be too complicated for me to be worth the time spent on them; the weight-lifting relating ones are usually filled with lots of complicated moves as well. And I was skeptical at first on this one because I couldn't stand Jillian Michaels "30-day shred" DVD because all she does is chit-chat through the whole thing...i want to get working, get it done, and move on. This DVD is perfect for me.

I've only done the Level 1 workout, but each time i've done it, it's been at home in an Air Condition living room and after the 30 minute work out i'm full on sweating. I do this workout once a week as cross-training for my Marathon training, so i'm not just out there pounding the pavement every workout. Plus it's hot by 7 am here in the Los Angeles area of CA (currently summer) so I can't handle being outside every workout. My goal is to continue with the Level 1 circuit once a week for a couple more months and then up it to the Level 2 workout. I'll update my review once I've completed Level 2 for a few workouts.

Makes Yoga A Blast - Literally!

Brittany Rose | Winnipeg, MB | 09/21/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am not someone who enjoys yoga. I like feeling like I've *worked* after a workout and yoga never gave me that feeling - even with the Biggest Loser's 'Weight Loss Yoga'. So I was skeptical when Jillian Michaels released a yoga DVD, but willing to give it a shot. To my surprise, I absolutely love this DVD. It definitely makes you feel like you're working, there's tons of room for progression and self-improvement (and some moves, admittedly, I will probably never master the advanced version of), yet it's also got a nice flow to it that doesn't drag on but makes the workout feel less like work, and more like fun.

There are two levels on this DVD, but both of them are relatively comparable. The second level is more challenging in terms of the advanced poses and bonus moves, but after a week or two on Level 1 (depending on your fitness level) you should easily be able to alternate between levels 1 and 2. Each level has a warm-up and cool down, with three circuits of training. Each circuit consists of three moves that are repeated (partially to compensate for switching out arms / legs on certain moves). Between each circuit you also do a 'bonus move' of some sort - in Level 1 it's 'sun salutations', and in Level 2 it's a series of quite challenging balance poses.

For someone who's unfamiliar with Jillian Michaels and is expecting a 'love your body and breathe in relaxing breaths' DVD, this is not the yoga workout for you. Jillian combines cardio and movement into each pose before getting you to hold 'power poses' for fifteen seconds to contract the muscles that have just been active. Therefore, it's even more intense than a typical Yoga Flow workout - she expects you to get moving, get your heart rate up, and focus on breathing more to support your muscles than to reach a zen place. That being said, if you're like me and someone who never really 'got' yoga, this DVD will be a welcome change of pace that combines Jillian's tough as nails body weight training with some moves to increase your flexibility, and also change up your routine in general. I find when I don't feel like slugging it out with some hand weights, Yoga Meltdown is a nice variation that doesn't bring on that occasional feeling of dread I get when I eyeball my fitness gear.

On the flip side for those who are already big Jillian fans, I'm happy to say her more professional and upbeat persona from her personal line of DVDs is the host here, not her battle axe Biggest Loser trainer self. It's a tiny bit amusing to see Jillian use the odd bit of yoga speak, and she does break out of it during the cooldown by making quips about how she'll "speak English now" and that she thought she'd hate yoga, until she found a way that made it work for her - and her devotees. She shows a bit of humanity throughout by showcasing how tough some of the poses really are, especially given she's made it very clear she's not very flexible.

I have to say this is one of my favourite workout DVDs these days. I love that you don't need any equipment other than your own body, and I feel there is a good balance of progression between the beginner and advanced versions of each move, and between each level. It's the perfect thing to add to my workout DVD mix and I'm happy I own it!"

Awesome Workout

Lindsay | 09/17/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I do this workout on the weekends and do cardio work during the week. I like to keep active all the time. This workout is intense at time. It took a couple weekends of Level 1 and then I moved to Level 2 and I'm definitely impressed. The work you do with your core was just what I was looking for in order to get those flat abs!"