Cross Training for Fitness

Really great workout
This workout sneaks up on you. It is definitely do-able and not intimidating, but it works you out. You will sweat and get a great workout. I have done this video twice, and I am surprised that I definitely feel a bit sore all over the next day, since the toning is all done without weights. Jessica has some very unique moves that work the muscles. I especially feel it in my triceps and legs. The cardio, led by by her husband, will elevate your heart rate but not leave you breathless. It's just a fun workout, and I like the 15 minute segments, since I cannot always dedicate a whole hour at a time to a workout, but usually can fit in that amount of time (or more) if I break it into shorter segments throughout the day.

Love It! Surprisingly Challenging!
I put this DVD in on a Sunday morning expecting to get a calm, light workout - that was not the case! Although the whole mood of this video is very calm and relaxing, it was quite the challenge! I did the whole thing in its entirety, which clocks in at 75 minutes! The workout can also be broken into 5 15-minute segments, which is nice, so I can pick and choose which ones I want to do when I am pressed for time. Both of Guillermo Gomez's segments are fun cardio kickboxing workouts. I found them fun and easy to learn on the first try. I broke a sweat, but they didn't leave me out of breath. A beginner could pick these up easily. Jessica Smith's segments were the surprise! I am a huge fan of her workouts, and her segments do not disappoint! They were challenging, and more on the intermediate side. Her first segment is full body toning (no weights) and the second is core toning (also no weights). They were tough and I am feeling the burn in all of my muscles the day after...

great variety of workouts!
Amazing DVD! I can keep alternating which workouts I do together inorder to keep my body challenged. I must also add that every workout in this dvd is challenging and I absolutely love the restore and relax segment to end any of my sessions :)

Click to Editorial Reviews

Maya Fiennes' Yoga for Real Life

Kundalini Yoga for the Chakras (in a Blizzard!)
This DVD presents a series of Kundalini Yoga exercises and meditations for each of the seven chakras. It starts out with a tune-in mantra and a set of spinal warm ups, and then proceeds up through the chakras from the base to the head. The instructor, Maya Fiennes, recommends doing the warm ups and two or three of the chakras in a session. If you haven't done this sort of yoga before, it tends to include more movement (often synchronized with the breath) than classical hatha yoga, which emphasizes static holds more. Almost all of the exercises are done in a seated, prone or kneeling position, and usually at least one for each chakra includes breath of fire, which is a rapid, rhythmic abdominal breath. The meditations often include arm movements and chanting. The fifth chakra exercises consist of the famous "Five Tibetan Rites" and the sixth chakra included exercises for new mothers and pregnant women (I'm not sure what the connection to the third eye is here).

The...

Love Maya's kundalini yoga
...however, if I'd known this dvd is a companion to the similarly named book by her, I wouldn't have bought it. She shows how to do the exercises from the book, but this isn't a "workout" or a yoga routine. Unlike the other reviewer, I like the white look, even though it is a bit on the bright side. I also like the music and the atmosphere - just wish this was a proper routine.
I own all the dvds by Maya and the only thing that sometimes bugs me is that she isn't very specific with her instructions. I'd also enjoy longer routines with a bit less hasty feeling.

I can't get past the GAIA commercial!
If you have ALL of Maya Fiennes previous videos (chakra series and her first one), there will be nothing new and different here. I LOVE Maya Fiennes and have wanted her to make more and more videos. I think there were 2 0r 3 things she'd never done in this (if that) so it wasn't worth it to me. I was disappointed. This video is also hard to see - white on white.

BUT WHAT I HATE is that you have to sit through a LONG GAIA commercial just to get to the workout. Sometimes twice if you try to bypass it. I won't even do this anymore because I find it so frustrating trying to get past this stupid advertisement.

Click to Editorial Reviews

Meditation for Beginners

There is a better option
This DVD is the same material as Daily Meditation DVD with Rodney Yee & Maritza, only the latter has more info and I much prefer it over Meditation for Beginners. It is confusing as there are two different DVDs called Meditation for Beginners and both have Maritza in them. The one I am currently reviewing has the number 05-59243, the better option is the one with the number 05-53008 (this one has only Maritza in it). I have reviewed it and I have used it since 2008. I wasted my money in purchasing this DVD since I also purchased Daily Meditation DVD AM/PM Meditation (number 05-53013). This is how I work it: 05-53008 is an hour long (20 mins. stretching, 20 mins. total body relaxation and 20 mins. meditation) I like using it first thing in the morning. 05-53013 has a PM Meditation which is 30 mins. long (10 mins. stretching, 5 mins. body relaxation, 15 mins. meditation). It also has a 30 minute AM meditation that I use when I don't have time for the 1 hour DVD or I just want a change.

Excellent introduction
This is very good combination of stretching, relaxation and initiation to meditation. Each part can be done separatelly with about 20 min each, or done together. The speed of Maritza's narration and her calm guidenance is really nice.

I like it
I was hoping my husband would use this too, but no luck. He does use the yoga DVD from Rodney Yee I got at the same time.

Click to Editorial Reviews

Mari Winsor Beginner's Pilates

Pilates for Flexibility and Strength
Mari Winsor makes this look simple and easy. It is not but you keep going because she encourages you and makes you believe you can do this. Mari Winsor pilates has helped me regain strength and flexibility.

As Advertised.
It is as advertised, beginners. They take you from the basic moves and obviously want to see you a more advanced CD. It's all about money.

Pilates DVD
This is an easy and entertaining way to stay fit. Everyone needs a daily reminder to be more active. Try this. You'll like it.

Click to Editorial Reviews

Intro to CorePower Yoga

Intro to core power yoga DVD
I enjoy this DVD! I do the entire 60 min and feel amazing afterwards! I'm still a beginner and I like to review because I can just relax and be in the moment. The poses really get my heart rate up and the ending is so nice it leaves me in such a relaxed state I could almost fall asleep!

Just alright
I got this dvd because Im still in the beginner's phase of yoga. Unfortunately, the instructor isn't soothing at all, nasaly voice and too instruction video like for what I feel a beginners yoga session should be like. Had us hold planks for twice as long as we should because he kept talking. I think even the girls on the video were getting annoyed. He would start a new scene without telling us we ended the last one. (So we would be in plank, cut to "ok, we're standing here like this".) Not a good beginners yoga video.



Click to Editorial Reviews