(Bodywisdom Media)
2004
What is it?
A DVD containing over 20 Yoga workouts lasting anywhere from 35 to 90 minutes. Although "Weight Loss" is part of the title, you don't have to be overweight to appreciate the routines.
Who is it for?
Beginning to intermediate Yoga enthusiasts. This is Iyengar style Yoga, so you will need an array of props - blocks, a strap, a couple of thick blankets and/ or a bolster, and a handy chair (you don't need one of those backless Yoga chairs - any old chair will do).
What to expect:
Iyengar is a style of Yoga that works especially well with Body Wisdom's Interactive Yoga Series. Instead of flowing from one pose to the next, Iyengar focuses on the integrity of each pose separately. This makes it easy to combine the poses together in varying sequences to create the couple dozen workouts that make up this DVD. In addition, Iyengar is an excellent place to start for people who are overweight and who have been sedentary. It gently eases you into movement, flexibility and strength training and offers more challenges as you progress. And that's pretty much how this DVD works - you'll find 8 different routines in Beginner, Intermediate and Challenging versions (24 routines in all), plus an energizing "Fatigue Fighter Routine." Each routine concentrates on a different area - boosting metabolism, a core workout, strength building, relaxation, etc. In addition there's an interview with instructor Mary Pappas-Sandonas, who discusses her own battle with weight (although to look at her, you'd never guess she had any weight problems!). While these workouts are great for overweight people, or people who are just starting out on an exercise program, they're really for anybody who wants to spend quality time deepening both their flexibility and their appreciation of each Yoga pose.