(Artisan)
2002
What is it?
Three Yoga-inspired workouts, one half-hour and two 15 minutes long, from Denise Austin.
Who is it for?
Intermediate exercisers. Some Yoga experience is helpful. You will need a mat (2 mats may be even better - these workouts cover a lot of ground) and, for one 15-minute workout, a stability ball.
What to expect:
Don't be fooled by Denise Austin's introduction to this series of Yoga-inspired workouts - when she throws around terms like "ashtanga" and "hatha," you may be expecting something akin to an authentic Yoga workout. That's not what you're getting... but that's not necessarily a bad thing. What you do get is an hour's worth of energetic, strength-building moves, some of which are derived from Yoga poses. Unless you're a Yoga purist, there's a lot of fun to be had, and there are a lot of balance poses to keep you challenged (unless you're balance-challenged, in which case some of these moves may be no fun at all). The first, half-hour long segment is fast-paced and involves a series of moves based around a specific Yoga pose - Chair, Warrior, or Tree. Between each group you do Sun Salutations. The second, 15-minute segment consists of more balance and strength-building routines, also based on Yoga poses, and the final 15-minute segment uses a stability ball to build core strength. These workouts use a lot of space, so you may want to use two sticky mats if you're working out on a slippery surface, such as a hardwood floor. Those who are more interested in the "the fat-blasting" aspect than in the "yoga" part will enjoy this the most. Austin's peppy, enthusiastic demeanor is definitely not very Yoga-like. In fact, she chats nonstop throughout the workouts. While some people find this a bit grating, it's also fascinating, if you really think about it - you try some of those balance poses while yakking up a storm! If Yoga is your main passion, you might want to avoid this program. If you're looking for a fun way to exercise and don't care about how authentically a Yoga pose is performed, give it a try.