Yoga Zone Yoga Sculpting for Beginners
Yoga Sculpting for Beginners introduces newcomers to the benefits of isometric postures and lengthening poses. Everything from breathing to body alignment is taught in this 40-minute session with special attention on contracting major muscles while holding stretches and poses. This program is divided into two 20-minute sets that focus distinctly on the upper and lower body separately. While one segment centers on poses that engage the pectorals, arms, and abs, another concentrates solely on the lower body by working the gluteus, hamstring, and low back muscles. This video accommodates a range of fitness levels and gives excellent instruction on the form and function of each movement. Both workouts can be done in sequence for a complete body challenge, or separately if you are short on time. Although the cues come slowly and clearly, beginners may have difficulty with the terminology and general familiarity of poses. To alleviate any confusion, first timers should watch the video through before attempting the poses. Don’t let the serenity of the gorgeous beaches in the background fool you (the entire workout is filmed in Jamaica)–this is a tough workout that will make any yoga guru break a sweat. –Olivia Voigts
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Excellent Workout
This DVD has completely changed my view and opinion about yoga. I found it very challenging and i could really feel how my muscles were tensing and working. I was breaking a sweat, my heart rate was up and it was a challenge to steady my breathing. By the end of the workout i was exhuasted!
Up until this DVD, yoga didn’t feel challenging to me; it didn’t feel like a workout. But this video has kicked my butt! I love it. In fact i was amazed at how it brought my heart rate up, while there didn’t seem to be any aerobic activity - all the poses and transitions are slow and smooth.
I highly recommend it!
4 Stars Great for time crunched beginners!
I really like Yoga Zone’s Yoga Sculpting especially for the short sets. The emphasis is on building strength and it is divided into upper and lower body workouts. It is a nice outdoor setting as well. It is good for beginners and for more intermediate yogis that want a quick hit of yoga.
4 Stars Yoga Sculpting for Beginners
I really like this dvd it is very challenging and i was very sore the next day.
5 Stars Invigorating Intermediate Challenge
Yoga Zone Yoga Sculpting tests upper body strength and provides many challenges for the intermediate practitioner. If you are used to doing 60-minute workouts then these two 20-minute workouts should be easier. That would be the case if it wasn’t for all the leg extensions. Once you get into a pose the instructor takes you to a new level by extending the leg so you get twice the workout.
The first workout is designed to sculpt and tone the upper body. The poses include Downward Facing Dog, Plank, Child’s Pose/Seal, Yoga Pushups, Cat/Seal, Upward Facing Dog, Variation of Locust, Dolphin and Table pose. Side stretches are done last and complete the workout.
In the second workout you strengthen muscles of the lower body. Some of the exercises are more advanced but are repeats of poses you did in the first workout. The poses include Cat (with leg extensions), Tricky Cat (on all fours then with leg and arm extended), Downward Facing Dog, Forward Bend, Chair, Table (with leg extensions), headstand prep, lunge, warrior 1, Downward Facing Dog (with leg extensions), Locust, Bridge and Final Relaxation.
The workout is filmed in Jamaica and the beautiful beach setting makes this a favorite. Once you have finished the workouts you should feel invigorated and relaxed. The calming music clears the mind as you reach new levels of strength and endurance.
~The Rebecca Review
3 Stars Workouts nice by themselves, but redundant
When the DVD loaded and the menu looked a bit cheap, I was worried. I was further worried when the initial screen loaded and because this was filmed in Jamaica they’d decided to open with the obligatory reggae music. I was afraid the music would maintain throughout and be a distraction, but it faded into something softer that I hardly noticed after a few minutes.
The first thing that occured to me was that this was definitely more of an intermediate workout. I could do all of the poses, but was putting a fair amount of energy into it. I was fairly pleased. Modifications were well explained and both of the instructors on this disc were pleasant. The first twenty minutes, focusing on the arms, flew by.
The second 20 minute routine (focusing on “the butt”), which I did in the same session, (20 minutes isn’t long enough for me, 40 is a little light but fine) contained the same basic 2-person structure. I felt like some of the poses in this section were redundant, and some literally were repetitions (the table series, for example.)
If the two sessions were more compatible, I’d order a copy of this (I rented it). As it stands, both are nice by themselves, but don’t work together unless you’re tolerant of redundancy.