Search - MTV Yoga on DVD

Bernadette M. from MONROE, NY
Reviewed on 9/1/2012...

This is an intermediate yoga routine. There are modifications shown to make the poses easier and modifications shown to make the poses more challenging. I found that this routine really worked my upper body as there are several repetitions of chataranga which is holding yourself in a half pushup position. The toe hold pose is challenging and great to work on balance skills. The music is fun and upbeat. The cast is young and hip looking.

2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Ann H. from DRIPPING SPGS, TX
Reviewed on 12/21/2010...

This is a good, not-too-long yoga workout that gives several levels of difficulty for many of the poses. The instructor, Kristin McGee, is encouraging but not too peppy, gives clear instructions, and has great form. The set and music are "hip," rather than traditional, but the workout itself is classic yoga. Three other people are on set with the instructor executing the poses at beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. A strong workout that leaves you feeling relaxed and stretched out. Also includes a detailed instructional segment for those new to yoga.

Judy C. from SHOREVIEW, MN
Reviewed on 3/23/2009...

Love this one. Professional and great setting. cool music too. Recommended for adv to beginner.

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Destined To Become A Favorite!

Ajax | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK USA | 12/07/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"To give you an idea of where this reviewer is coming from, I'm a guy in my 50's who loves to exercise. I enjoy resistance training, vigorous aerobics (especially rebounding), and most of all, yoga, which I've been practicing for many years. My favorite styles of yoga are Bikram's and "power yoga." I have dozens of yoga videos, and am very glad that the MTV Yoga DVD is now part of my collection. This is an excellent workout! I would rate it "Intermediate," although modifications are shown throughout, so I don't think it would be beyond the reach of a beginner in search of an energetic workout.
If you enjoy power yoga style routines, and you're looking for something fresh that doesn't feel and look like just another Baron or Bryan video (as good as they are!), I think you'll be very pleased with this one.
The instructor is Kristin McGee, and she is excellent! She's very "normal," down to earth, and has no annoying traits or habits, like some teachers do. There's not a trace of woo-woo on this video! Her instructions are precise and very helpful. I only caught one mistake - she does a variation for one of the poses on one side, and neglects to do it for the other side (in the pigeon pose with the bent right leg forward, after extending upper body over the leg, you sit upright, still in pigeon pose, reach back with the left arm, grasp the left ankle and bring it towards you to stretch the left quadriceps. She doesn't do that for the right quad). That surprised me, since she pays so much attention to details. Now when doing the workout, I just come out of the forward bend pigeon on the right side a few seconds before they do, and stretch the quad.
The workout is 45 minutes long. It's nonstop flowing, but never grueling. I really appreciated and was impressed by her breath cueing. She tells you when to breathe in/breathe out throughout the entire workout, but does it so quietly and with such rhythmical regularity, that it's kind've hypnotic and almost becomes subliminal. Hers is the best and most consistent "breath coaching" I've seen in any video.
There is one sequence I especially like for its dance-like feel: at one point you go into Warrior 1 and hold for several breaths, then into Warrior 2 for several breaths, move through Plank, Updog, Downdog, then repeat for the other side. Kristin then repeats this sequence 3 times, matching 1 breath to each movement, so it flows quickly and smoothly. Nice!
This is a total body workout, with a good selection of Warriors 1 & 2, Extended Side Angle, Triangle, Wide Leg Forward Bend, etc. There are balancing poses, starting with Tree pose. From Tree pose, you bring the bent knee to the front and bend forward at the waist while straightening the bent leg out behind you, going into Warrior 3 (Standing T Pose). After coming back up to Standing, you bring the right foot up, grasping the big toe with the first two fingers of the right hand, and extend the leg out straight (Lori does an easier modification). Then you take the extended leg out to the side, looking over the opposite shoulder, return the leg to the front, release the big toe and hold the leg in the air ("Imagine a helium balloon tied to your foot, lifting the leg as high as it will go"). Repeat on the other side. There's a bit of back work (baby Cobra, easy Locust and Bow) and seated forward bends. There's a seated spinal twist and the Boat pose. There is no Plow, no Shoulder Stand, no Bridge or Wheel.
The music has a good beat, but I never found it intrusive; was mostly just aware of a beat in the background. The DVD lets you choose between the workout with music, or with no music at all!
The set is pleasant. There are 3 students in the class; a young man showing the more advanced version of the poses, a young woman showing intermediate modifications, and Lori Trespicio (from MTV's The Real World) is the "beginner." They work in "mirror image" which I always appreciate!
After the workout, several of the poses are broken down in a Q & A format. Lori, who "hosts" the video, tells Kristin that she has some questions about several of the poses, and Kristin walks her through those particular poses, giving helpful pointers. Lori asks questions that anyone fairly new to yoga might ask, so I thought that was a great way to do it. Even experienced practitioners might find some helpful advice in Kristin's pointers.
Hope this review was helpful - I've tried to include the kinds of things I like to hear in video reviews. And I hope I've shown that this is definitely a legitimate yoga workout, led by a very competent and likable instructor!"

Good for beginners and intermediates

Ajax | 12/06/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"i have been doing yoga for a few years, and i consider myself an intermediate level. after moving from nyc to the midwest to finish my master's degree, i have become an avid collector of yoga tapes and dvd's, since the town i live in now is lacking in live yoga classes that fit my hectic schedule. this one is really one of the best i've seen for a nice, short, balanced, fun yoga workout. there are a few series of sun salutations, then warrior poses, some standing poses, then a short series of balancing poses followed by a final relaxation.the one thing that really bothered me about the DVD was the DJ-style music. But, it can be turned off, so you're working out only to the instructor's voice. I like this feature, b/c it's a lot like a real yoga class, which often don't use music.Finally, I think this DVD is great for beginners especially, because the instructor is great with explaining the poses, which many tapes and DVDs are greatly lacking. And, it works for intermediates also, because the instructor is very clear about how to make the pose work best for your skill level.In the end, it's not the most challenging yoga workout ever, but it'll make a nice addition to your collection if you want a nice 45-minute yoga workout that leaves you feeling stretched and energized."

A must have for Yoga fans!!

destiny morna | louisiana | 06/11/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"i have been taking yoga classes for about 2 years and was very pleasantly surprised by this yoga dvd- it is faster paced with upbeat background music. Not your typical yoga exercise!
it features the vinyasa flowing style of yoga where one pose flows into another. Hosted by Lori (from RW- back to new york) who is the beginner and shows easier modifications to the poses. there is another woman and a guy who show intermediate and advanced poses--this is great so that this workout can continue to evolve with your experience level and flexibility. the instructor, kristin, is quite good- she is not obtrusive or annoying and is a very good "breath" coach. she reminds you to breath in/out at the appropriate times and does each pose with 1 breath intervals which makes the yoga flow and seem faster paced. I definately thought this made it more cardio than most yoga tapes. the workout begins with little warmup and then goes into the typical yoga poses
**sun salutations**standing poses (triangle/warrior 1/2/side angle pose)
**floor work (pigeon pose/child's pose/prayer)
**balance (tree/standing y or warrior 3)
**cool downAfter the workout, lori (the beginner) asks questions about the more difficult poses (downward dog, chatarunga etc). Kristin then shows lori the correct posture/positions- even as someone who has had previous yoga instruction, i found this part very helpful in correcting form etc.All in all, i was surprisingly pleased with this MTV yoga tape- it is a great addition to your exercise tape routine."