Search - Yoga Buns: The Complete Workout to Strengthen, Lengthen and Tone Your Body on DVD

Errr... not Yoga... and not for the Buns?

Raina Singh | Auckland, New Zealand | 11/08/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Now, I'm not really bothered that this DVD isn't traditional Yoga; especially since I was a big fan of Denise's other Yoga DVD, 'Fat Blasting Yoga', but most of the workout on this DVD is a carbon copy from Fat Blasting Yoga, so I can't help but feel a bit cheated.

Also, I'm not totally convinced that this workout targets the lower body as it claims to. It does a good job of stretching out the body, though intense lower body blast? Hmmmm, I don't think so.

So if its not Yoga, and its not a lower body toning workout... then what is it?

What I reckon would be an accurate description of this DVD is an all-over stretching workout, with an infusion of pilates, ballet and mild (thats MILD, don't expect Billy Blanks here) cardio. I have found that it does get the heart rate up, but I wouldn't recommend it as a sole source of cardio. Call it a 'Jack of All Trades' workout, it does a bit of everything, but nothing is a speciality.

All in all, I think this workout is good... but not for the reasons that its advertised for. For those of you that complain about Denise Austin's personality, then for goodness sake, DON'T buy her DVDs! She will not transform her personality for the production of any single DVD, and there is no exception in this DVD. She is her usual bright, bubbly self (though some of you will say hyper, annoying, ditzy, etc etc) - and this doesn't bother me, since I am able to look past the instructor and do a workout based on its merits (if you REALLY can't stand her voice but like her workouts, put the darn TV on mute!).

I'm glad I got this DVD, and will make great use of it, since even though I don't think it does what its advertised to do, there are benefits from the workout that I'll gladly receive regardless. I'm not bothered that its not meditive, not well instructed, and not really Yoga. If it makes me stop spending time writing reviews on Amazon to get up and exercise, its gotta be good for me in some way!"

A time-effective work out...

K. Rutsky | 02/27/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It is true as other reviewers have mentioned that Denise fails in this video to maintaine the orthodox meditative nature of purist yoga in this video. She is very perky, talks a lot, and looks a little crazy. But...I love this video! Why? Because it provided me with a motivator to get back into exercising. I have taken serious yoga classes before, and actually found myself a little turned off by the emphasis on breathing and meditation (I tended to fall asleep or not notice when we were transferring to another position) so for me Denise's chatter helps to keep me on track (and I have never experienced any success in any form with the breathing emphasis of orthodox yoga--I figure I'll let my body decide when and how fast to breathe).

The two criticisms I do have for this video are that Denise tends to work one side of the body longer than the other side (I think she just gets a little distracted). My solution is to alternate which side I start with every other workout. The only other criticism is that after having done this workout every morning and evening for two months I find that my muscles have ceased to feel the burn. Is that Denise's fault? No, it just means that it is time for me to move up into a more intense video (I am 24 years by the way, in case you were wondering).

My ultimate praise for this video...it provides some excellent stretching and strengthening which not only burns fat (I have lost 10 lbs. since starting two months ago), but provides the relaxation muscles and joints need to prevent injuries caused in more intense workouts and just in everyday life. I will continue to make this video part of my routine because of the stretching benefits. By the way, if you have bad knees (I do) this workout will challenge them, but if you respect your knees' limits (ie. if it hurts back off until it's just mildly uncomfortable, and gradually do more as time goes along), you will find that several of the exercises in this video will strengthen your knees and help relieve daily knee pain.

Happy Exercising Everyone."

Glad I didn't read other reviews before purchasing

LPrene | Illinois | 12/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I never would have purchased this DVD if I had read the other reviews, so I am glad I didn't because this workout kicked my butt!

Contrary to what some of the other reviewers say, there is a LOT of yoga in this DVD. It is NOT a traditional yoga video, true...and there is NO yoga instruction. If you have never done yoga before, make sure to get an instructional video FIRST or you will not be able to follow along. You might also consider getting one by Denise Austin (who I agree can be very annoying) because some of the names she uses for the poses are not consistant with traditional yoga you'll find on typical yoga videos.

Again, contrary to some other reviewers, I found that it worked my lower body considerably. Sure... not as much as machines at the gym, but for a yoga tape ... YES! I could see how someone who didn't put forth much effort might think that it doesn't, but if you keep your butt contracted throughout (and she reminds you on a regular basis) you WILL feel the burn. You might not want to use this DVD as your sole workout, but it is definitely one I will use as an integral part of my overall weekly routine.

Finally, Denise Austin has some weird quirks that some other reviewers have noted. Her eyes DO look possessed! And she has this bizarre way of talking that can be quite annoying. However, I liked the workout SO much that I was able to look beyond her weirdness and get the most out of this DVD.

I gave this DVD 5 stars despite some of the negative things I have stated because I think a lot of the lower star reviews were grossly unfair. I'm glad for the impulse purchase I made at the store. I'll be using this several times a week as part of my overall exercise program.
"

Results

LPrene | 07/22/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this DVD two weeks ago and have been doing it almost everyday. Denise recommends that you do it three times a week, but it is so invigorating, that I want to do it everyday. It is really effective and you feel like you've done something after you're finished. I noticed results after only two workouts! I highly recommend this DVD."