Posts tagged “Gentle Exercise”.

Sara Hollidays Prenatal Yoga Third Trimester DVD

Sara Hollidays Prenatal Yoga Third Trimester DVD




Feel fit, be strong, and look great during the final phase of your journey to motherhood as you exercise with fitness and health teacher Sara Holliday’s Prenatal Yoga: Third Trimester DVD. Renowned fitness teacher and licensed Marriage-Family Therapist Sara Holliday has designed a prenatal yoga class with exercises specifically focused on the needs of moms-to-be during the third trimester by drawing upon her extensive training in teaching yoga. By the third trimester, many expectant mothers are dealing with all of the changes that their bodies have experienced, including accumulated weight gain associated with a healthy pregnancy and the stress this can have on their bodies. In this ground-breaking prenatal yoga class, Sara Holliday guides moms-to-be with safe and effective postures and poses that help decrease common pregnancy aches and discomfort, such as leg cramps and back pain, that many women experience during the final trimester. Doing the prenatal yoga exercises can also help pregnant women gain increased muscle tone and strength, an improvement in flexibility, and a feeling of well-being. Sara Holliday’s yoga class helps women take time to nurture themselves and achieve the glow that comes with a happy and healthy pregnancy. As a mom of two, Sara Holliday understands the importance of helping pregnant women find balance in their busy lives while connecting with their babies. Taking the time to do the safe and gentle exercises in Sara Holliday’s prenatal yoga program can help pregnant moms stay fit, feel good about their changing bodies, gain a sense of well-being, prepare for a smoother labor and delivery experience, and make it easier to shed pregnancy pounds after the baby is born. Prenatal yoga may have the following benefits. This 37 minute yoga class is specifically designed for the third trimester of pregnancy. The class provides expectant mothers with healthy and gentle exercise during late pregnancy. It allows busy moms-to-be to fit i

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Great prenatal yoga class
I’m currently in my third trimester, and I’ve been using Holliday’s DVDs regularly since the second trimester (I started with her second trimester DVD). I really feel a benefit from using them — so far I’ve had very little back pain and I feel pretty limber for a pregnant woman. I just started Lamaze classes and can tell that the breathing I do in the DVD is going to help a lot with that as well.

The issues with the DVD production that some other reviewers have mentioned hasn’t really bothered me. It’s true, though, that the production value isn’t very high and the workout doesn’t seem to have been edited. Holliday makes a few little mistakes when she’s speaking but after you’ve done the workout once or twice you can tell what she means, so that really didn’t detract from it for me. The lack of music doesn’t bother me.

The only thing I don’t like about the workout is that sometimes it seems a little rushed when moving between poses (this happened in the Second Trimester workout as well). In the section at the end where she relaxes each muscle with a deep breath, she goes way too fast for me to actually take deep breaths.

Overall, though, a great DVD. Holliday has a very calm, kind personality and the stretches really feel good. I really anticipate that it will help me with my labor and delivery.

5 Stars Lovely little DVD
My wife tends to put things off . . . she assumed childbirth would work out that way, too. She fully expected to be on the extended trimester plan, giving birth to a post-term infant who was already in medium Fuzzi Bunz.

So, a mere four days before her due date, she decided it was time to start doing yoga. She put this in on a Friday night just to listen. Our son was born the next day.

I’m not saying this DVD started the whole shebang, but it was a soothing way to experience our last night as non-parents. As a practitioner of various forms of yoga, I think this is an excellent DVD to start with . . . or end with, as the case may be.

5 Stars Perfect for Third Trimester
Love this video. I’m a casual yoga-goer and finally found the tape that works for me! The instructor does a wonderful job of keeping a nice pace and walking you through each pose. The routine is challenging enough to keep you interested, and the instructor verbally will guide you if you like to keep your eyes closed or focused on your own body, you do not need to keep looking up at the screen to follow along. I will do this program over and over again until I deliver!

3 Stars It’s not bad, but…
I just got this DVD 3 days ago and tried it once, so I can’t tell if it’s gonna work for me or not when it comes to the program itself, but I’m going to give it a try and do it 2-3 times a week.

The reasons why I didn’t like it so much from the beginning were:

1. I didn’t like that there was no music in the background. It would be easier for me to concentrate if there was music. If you don’t care - it’s obviously not a big deal.

2. I do believe that breathing in Yoga is very important and sometimes I found it difficult to follow Sara’s directions when it came to breathing because for some reason what she says doesn’t always correspond with what’s on the screen. E.g. she says “Inhale, arms up” but the video is showing her with her arms down. I find it quite confusing.

2 Stars Okay, but…
I thought this was just okay. I did feel very relaxed afterwards and might do it again for the stretching. When your muscles are sore from the gym, for example, this would be nice. But it’s not really all that difficult, if that’s what you’re looking for. Certainly not like a yoga class, though I’ve never taken prenatal yoga.

Buy/More Info

Sara Hollidays Prenatal Yoga Second Trimester DVD

Sara Hollidays Prenatal Yoga Second Trimester DVD




Feel and look great in the middle of your journey to motherhood as you exercise with fitness and health teacher Sara Holliday’s Prenatal Yoga: Second Trimester DVD. Renowned fitness teacher and licensed Marriage-Family Therapist Sara Holliday has drawn upon her extensive training in teaching yoga to design a prenatal yoga class specifically designed for your second trimester. During the second trimester, many expectant mothers are adjusting to their newly changing bodies and images of themselves due to intermediate pregnancy. In this revolutionary prenatal yoga class, Sara Holliday helps guide moms-to-be with safe and effective postures and poses that help decrease common pains and discomfort caused by pregnancy, increase muscle tone and strength, improve flexibility, and provide for an overall feeling of well-being. Sara Holliday’s yoga class helps women take time to nurture themselves and strike a balance between their busy lives while connecting with their babies inside. Safe and gentle exercise during pregnancy may lead to an increased sense of well-being. Taking the time to do prenatal yoga can help pregnant moms stay fit, feel good about their changing bodies, prepare for a smoother labor and delivery experience, and make it easier to shed pregnancy pounds after the baby is born. Prenatal Yoga may have the following benefits. This 35 minute yoga class is specifically designed for the second trimester of pregnancy. The class provides expectant mothers with healthy and gentle exercise during the middle of pregnancy. It allows busy moms-to-be to fit in exercise at their convenience without being tied down to class schedules. The class helps maintain strength and stamina while increasing muscle tone, strength, and flexibility. It eases common pregnancy aches and pains, decreases stress and muscle tension, and teaches pregnant women calming deep breathing techniques. The class helps busy moms-to-be nurture themselves during pregnancy, creates a deeper

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Great second trimester workout!
Great workout, but some days a little too much to handle.

She goes at a brisk pace. Have your Mat, Blankets, and Blocks ready - you will use them. Also, dress lightly - this one tends to work up a bit of a sweat.

5 Stars LOVE this prenatal yoga workout!
Generally I am not a huge yoga person and I only do it every once in a while (less than once a month)! However after receiving this prenatal yoga video I can tell such a difference in the way I feel! The video takes me thru a range of motions and stretches that helps to strengthen my body for the drug free natural childbirth I am preparing for. In the next couple of weeks I WILL be ordering the third trimester dvd as well. Some people are bothered by the lack of yoga music but it doesn’t bother me at all.

3 Stars Too Slow for Someone with Yoga Experience
I had been practicing both Vinyasa and Slow Flow for about a year before becoming pregnant and this DVD was simply too slow paced for me. I didn’t really feel like I got a good workout. I also didn’t really like the fact that there was no music at all in the background. I have since purchased the Prenatal Vinyasa Yoga by Jennifer Wolfe and absolutely love it. It’s much more aligned for someone who has yoga experience.

4 Stars Good Short Video
I tried this video for the first time in my 23rd week after having not exercised consistently for several months. I’m not new to yoga but this video was challenging and just the right length. Although I would have enjoyed more ambiance(calming music, interesting scenery), I felt very good and stretched out afterward. Most importantly, I felt like I got my money’s worth.

5 Stars Instant help for my hip pain
At age 41 and in my 2nd pregnancy, I started experiencing severe hip pain at just 15 weeks. Scary. Walking made it worse, and the yoga videos I swore by during pregnancy #1 (Shiva Rea and Kristen Eykel) just didn’t help. Sara Holliday’s 2nd trimester video provided significant relief on the first time through. (It’s rare for me to even get the hang of a yoga video on the first viewing, but I was about 90% successful in following Sara.) My other prenatal yoga videos are focused on flexibility and balance. Sara’s is all about strength and movement. Lots of squats and lunges plus some excellent stretching through the shoulders and upper back. It will take me a while to build the strength to keep up with her completely but it feels like a good, healthy challenge. You will need yoga blocks, although I was able to get by for a few days by substituting two small accent pillows. The lack of background music was a bit startling at first but I think it actually may help me tolerate this video a bit longer. I was also a bit put off by the need to buy another video for third trimester, but then again, who can stand the same routine over and over for 6 months? I am very very enthusiastic about this yoga video and can definitely see myself continuing to use it after my pregnancy.

Buy/More Info

The New Method Baby and Mom Prenatal Yoga

The New Method Baby and Mom Prenatal Yoga




Relaxing, strengthening, and allowing oneself to feel rather than think have long been associated with ancient yoga practice. Instructor Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa expertly ties this essential combination of physical experiences together in a gentle exercise video for pregnant women of all fitness levels. Prior to the 45-minute routine, Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa discusses the role of yoga in helping with pregnancy; the calm and security that develop through guided breathing and gentle movement are transferred from the mother’s body to her growing baby. The nonimpact routine itself provides ample warm-up, toning, and conditioning portions, as well as a deep, head-to-toe relaxation and visualization segment. Ten pregnant students (all pleasantly unrehearsed) stretch, bend, and learn along with the viewer, to the peaceful sounds of a live band consisting of wood flute, bass, quiet drum, and shimmering bells. Every bit as enriching for the soul as it is for the body. –Liane Thomas

User Ratings and Reviews

1 Star Not What I Was Looking For in a Yoga DVD
I have been practicing yoga for over seven years now with a studio, through various classes, and using home DVDs when my schedule is hectic. I did a fair bit of reading about prenatal yoga once I found out we were pregnant, and I knew my body would be very happy to have the yoga continue to help my back and my poor sciatic wonky-hip pain. My yoga studio has a prenatal class, but the schedule does not work with mine so I thought I would get a DVD to supplement until I could make it to classes again.

This was not the right video for me. There was too much discussion, too much commentary, and not enough actual yoga going on for my taste. I did not appreciate this woman attempting to facilitate my relationship with my “bay-bay” (hug your bay-bay, dance with your bay-bay, your bay-bay loves it when you do this move, etc). I have my own special time 24/7 with this beeb in my belly, and I did not get this dvd to inform me of the fact that I’m supposed to hug and love my belly. I needed some quiet time (she never stops talking) with some gentle moves to keep my back happy, my body moving, and my mind at ease. This DVD is currently sitting by the door as I will not use it again.

I’m not sure why I didn’t just go with the Gaiam dvd… it is now on order.

1 Star Creepy
I watched for 10 minutes and I had to stop. They make you chant at the beginning as a part of the workout and it’s really creepy. I was looking for a nice workout, not an introduction to a new religion.

3 Stars A very easy exercise
I was at my 16 weeks when I started to use this DVD. This is my first pregnancy. I enjoy exercising and before I got pregnant, I go to the gym at least once a week. I enjoy challenging lower-body toning exercises, bodycombat (high-cardio) classes, machine-weights to tone my upper body. I have done beginner to intermediate yoga classes and do not have a very flexible body. I now swim twice a week (20 minutes) and exercise to this DVD every other day.

The instructor is not pregnant in this video and looks very “zen-ish” with her head dress (a white turban looking thing). The video starts out with a 10-15 minute clip of her talking about how yoga is good for the mother and the baby.

During the next 5 minutes or so, she instructs the class to sit in an upright cross-legged position, with eyes closed and chant to a language I do not understand. Apparently, it means “I bow to the divine power in myself” or something to that effect. I find this section disturbing and do not like the sound of it at all, so I typically fast forward to the point where the lesson proper begins.

The class has a live band playing at the back of the room. Music is okay. The venue looks rather old-fashioned. However, lighting was okay. You will see some camera man moving behind the flowers and pillars once in a while. The women were dressed in big T-shirts and tights, others in full body suits. They have make-up on, and some look quite pretty and attractive. Nothing fanciful or appealing about the set, in general.

The next 30-minute section has very good exercises to help a pregnant woman stretch and relax her body. Gentle stretches and exercises that are only enough to get my heartbeat up by a little. However, even though the exercises are simple, I feel very good after at the end of it. I feel good to have stretched the thighs, arms, toes, calves, lower and upper back, neck, kegel muscle. All in all, if you are looking for a non-strenuous and gentle stretching exercise to help you to remain flexible and to relief stiff joints and aches, this would be the DVD. One thing to note, the instructor in this video emphasizes a lot on “feeling” the movements in the body and to release all inhibitions.

This is not the DVD if you are looking to tone those hips, butts and thighs and sweat it all out.

The video ends with another session of chanting (which I skip). Apparently, the words are supposed to heal and give you strength or something like that. And after that, we all lie down and close our eyes to relax, as with all yoga classes.

I am still waiting for two DVDs to arrive:

1) The Perfect Pregnancy Workout

2) Shiva Rea Prenatal Yoga

2 Stars Helpful exercises drowned in silliness
I was looking forward to a gentle challenge for my last month of pregnancy when I popped this video into the VCR (It was a hand-me-down tape from a friend). After losing my patience with the turban and muu-muu wearing instructor’s long monologue that opens the tape I fast-forwarded until I saw the typical exercise-video setup.

This was the beginning of the end for me. I resisted completely turning off the tape but couldn’t help laughing as I watched some of the overly-enthusiastic participants writhing around while the instructor croons “Your baaaaby loves to mooooove this waaaay.” It made me feel ridiculous.

The reason I gave it two stars is that there are a few truly useful exercises that can be learned if you can ignore the instructor, participants, and music to get to them. If you’re interested in trying this video, see if you can borrow it from the local library before you spend any money on it.

4 Stars Great for labor prep
Kinda silly looking as I guess it’s “look” is quite outdated now. But this video is wonderful. It’s very gentle and easy but felt great when I was 7 months and beyond during my pregnancy. I feel it’s focus is much more towards preparing and opening a woman’s body for birth rather than a typical yoga workout.

Retrospectively, it was this video and all the yogic philosophy that goes along with it that allowed me to birth naturally.

Buy/More Info

Sara Hollidays Prenatal Yoga Second Trimester DVD

Sara Hollidays Prenatal Yoga Second Trimester DVD




Feel and look great in the middle of your journey to motherhood as you exercise with fitness and health teacher Sara Holliday’s Prenatal Yoga: Second Trimester DVD. Renowned fitness teacher and licensed Marriage-Family Therapist Sara Holliday has drawn upon her extensive training in teaching yoga to design a prenatal yoga class specifically designed for your second trimester. During the second trimester, many expectant mothers are adjusting to their newly changing bodies and images of themselves due to intermediate pregnancy. In this revolutionary prenatal yoga class, Sara Holliday helps guide moms-to-be with safe and effective postures and poses that help decrease common pains and discomfort caused by pregnancy, increase muscle tone and strength, improve flexibility, and provide for an overall feeling of well-being. Sara Holliday’s yoga class helps women take time to nurture themselves and strike a balance between their busy lives while connecting with their babies inside. Safe and gentle exercise during pregnancy may lead to an increased sense of well-being. Taking the time to do prenatal yoga can help pregnant moms stay fit, feel good about their changing bodies, prepare for a smoother labor and delivery experience, and make it easier to shed pregnancy pounds after the baby is born. Prenatal Yoga may have the following benefits. This 35 minute yoga class is specifically designed for the second trimester of pregnancy. The class provides expectant mothers with healthy and gentle exercise during the middle of pregnancy. It allows busy moms-to-be to fit in exercise at their convenience without being tied down to class schedules. The class helps maintain strength and stamina while increasing muscle tone, strength, and flexibility. It eases common pregnancy aches and pains, decreases stress and muscle tension, and teaches pregnant women calming deep breathing techniques. The class helps busy moms-to-be nurture themselves during pregnancy, creates a deeper

User Ratings and Reviews

3 Stars Too Slow for Someone with Yoga Experience
I had been practicing both Vinyasa and Slow Flow for about a year before becoming pregnant and this DVD was simply too slow paced for me. I didn’t really feel like I got a good workout. I also didn’t really like the fact that there was no music at all in the background. I have since purchased the Prenatal Vinyasa Yoga by Jennifer Wolfe and absolutely love it. It’s much more aligned for someone who has yoga experience.

5 Stars Instant help for my hip pain
At age 41 and in my 2nd pregnancy, I started experiencing severe hip pain at just 15 weeks. Scary. Walking made it worse, and the yoga videos I swore by during pregnancy #1 (Shiva Rea and Kristen Eykel) just didn’t help. Sara Holliday’s 2nd trimester video provided significant relief on the first time through. (It’s rare for me to even get the hang of a yoga video on the first viewing, but I was about 90% successful in following Sara.) My other prenatal yoga videos are focused on flexibility and balance. Sara’s is all about strength and movement. Lots of squats and lunges plus some excellent stretching through the shoulders and upper back. It will take me a while to build the strength to keep up with her completely but it feels like a good, healthy challenge. You will need yoga blocks, although I was able to get by for a few days by substituting two small accent pillows. The lack of background music was a bit startling at first but I think it actually may help me tolerate this video a bit longer. I was also a bit put off by the need to buy another video for third trimester, but then again, who can stand the same routine over and over for 6 months? I am very very enthusiastic about this yoga video and can definitely see myself continuing to use it after my pregnancy.

4 Stars Good Short Video
I tried this video for the first time in my 23rd week after having not exercised consistently for several months. I’m not new to yoga but this video was challenging and just the right length. Although I would have enjoyed more ambiance(calming music, interesting scenery), I felt very good and stretched out afterward. Most importantly, I felt like I got my money’s worth.

5 Stars LOVE this prenatal yoga workout!
Generally I am not a huge yoga person and I only do it every once in a while (less than once a month)! However after receiving this prenatal yoga video I can tell such a difference in the way I feel! The video takes me thru a range of motions and stretches that helps to strengthen my body for the drug free natural childbirth I am preparing for. In the next couple of weeks I WILL be ordering the third trimester dvd as well. Some people are bothered by the lack of yoga music but it doesn’t bother me at all.

5 Stars Great second trimester workout!
Great workout, but some days a little too much to handle.

She goes at a brisk pace. Have your Mat, Blankets, and Blocks ready - you will use them. Also, dress lightly - this one tends to work up a bit of a sweat.

Buy/More Info

The New Method Baby and Mom Prenatal Yoga

The New Method Baby and Mom Prenatal Yoga




Relaxing, strengthening, and allowing oneself to feel rather than think have long been associated with ancient yoga practice. Instructor Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa expertly ties this essential combination of physical experiences together in a gentle exercise video for pregnant women of all fitness levels. Prior to the 45-minute routine, Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa discusses the role of yoga in helping with pregnancy; the calm and security that develop through guided breathing and gentle movement are transferred from the mother’s body to her growing baby. The nonimpact routine itself provides ample warm-up, toning, and conditioning portions, as well as a deep, head-to-toe relaxation and visualization segment. Ten pregnant students (all pleasantly unrehearsed) stretch, bend, and learn along with the viewer, to the peaceful sounds of a live band consisting of wood flute, bass, quiet drum, and shimmering bells. Every bit as enriching for the soul as it is for the body. –Liane Thomas

User Ratings and Reviews

3 Stars A very easy exercise
I was at my 16 weeks when I started to use this DVD. This is my first pregnancy. I enjoy exercising and before I got pregnant, I go to the gym at least once a week. I enjoy challenging lower-body toning exercises, bodycombat (high-cardio) classes, machine-weights to tone my upper body. I have done beginner to intermediate yoga classes and do not have a very flexible body. I now swim twice a week (20 minutes) and exercise to this DVD every other day.

The instructor is not pregnant in this video and looks very “zen-ish” with her head dress (a white turban looking thing). The video starts out with a 10-15 minute clip of her talking about how yoga is good for the mother and the baby.

During the next 5 minutes or so, she instructs the class to sit in an upright cross-legged position, with eyes closed and chant to a language I do not understand. Apparently, it means “I bow to the divine power in myself” or something to that effect. I find this section disturbing and do not like the sound of it at all, so I typically fast forward to the point where the lesson proper begins.

The class has a live band playing at the back of the room. Music is okay. The venue looks rather old-fashioned. However, lighting was okay. You will see some camera man moving behind the flowers and pillars once in a while. The women were dressed in big T-shirts and tights, others in full body suits. They have make-up on, and some look quite pretty and attractive. Nothing fanciful or appealing about the set, in general.

The next 30-minute section has very good exercises to help a pregnant woman stretch and relax her body. Gentle stretches and exercises that are only enough to get my heartbeat up by a little. However, even though the exercises are simple, I feel very good after at the end of it. I feel good to have stretched the thighs, arms, toes, calves, lower and upper back, neck, kegel muscle. All in all, if you are looking for a non-strenuous and gentle stretching exercise to help you to remain flexible and to relief stiff joints and aches, this would be the DVD. One thing to note, the instructor in this video emphasizes a lot on “feeling” the movements in the body and to release all inhibitions.

This is not the DVD if you are looking to tone those hips, butts and thighs and sweat it all out.

The video ends with another session of chanting (which I skip). Apparently, the words are supposed to heal and give you strength or something like that. And after that, we all lie down and close our eyes to relax, as with all yoga classes.

I am still waiting for two DVDs to arrive:

1) The Perfect Pregnancy Workout

2) Shiva Rea Prenatal Yoga

1 Star Not What I Was Looking For in a Yoga DVD
I have been practicing yoga for over seven years now with a studio, through various classes, and using home DVDs when my schedule is hectic. I did a fair bit of reading about prenatal yoga once I found out we were pregnant, and I knew my body would be very happy to have the yoga continue to help my back and my poor sciatic wonky-hip pain. My yoga studio has a prenatal class, but the schedule does not work with mine so I thought I would get a DVD to supplement until I could make it to classes again.

This was not the right video for me. There was too much discussion, too much commentary, and not enough actual yoga going on for my taste. I did not appreciate this woman attempting to facilitate my relationship with my “bay-bay” (hug your bay-bay, dance with your bay-bay, your bay-bay loves it when you do this move, etc). I have my own special time 24/7 with this beeb in my belly, and I did not get this dvd to inform me of the fact that I’m supposed to hug and love my belly. I needed some quiet time (she never stops talking) with some gentle moves to keep my back happy, my body moving, and my mind at ease. This DVD is currently sitting by the door as I will not use it again.

I’m not sure why I didn’t just go with the Gaiam dvd… it is now on order.

2 Stars Helpful exercises drowned in silliness
I was looking forward to a gentle challenge for my last month of pregnancy when I popped this video into the VCR (It was a hand-me-down tape from a friend). After losing my patience with the turban and muu-muu wearing instructor’s long monologue that opens the tape I fast-forwarded until I saw the typical exercise-video setup.

This was the beginning of the end for me. I resisted completely turning off the tape but couldn’t help laughing as I watched some of the overly-enthusiastic participants writhing around while the instructor croons “Your baaaaby loves to mooooove this waaaay.” It made me feel ridiculous.

The reason I gave it two stars is that there are a few truly useful exercises that can be learned if you can ignore the instructor, participants, and music to get to them. If you’re interested in trying this video, see if you can borrow it from the local library before you spend any money on it.

1 Star Creepy
I watched for 10 minutes and I had to stop. They make you chant at the beginning as a part of the workout and it’s really creepy. I was looking for a nice workout, not an introduction to a new religion.

4 Stars Great for labor prep
Kinda silly looking as I guess it’s “look” is quite outdated now. But this video is wonderful. It’s very gentle and easy but felt great when I was 7 months and beyond during my pregnancy. I feel it’s focus is much more towards preparing and opening a woman’s body for birth rather than a typical yoga workout.

Retrospectively, it was this video and all the yogic philosophy that goes along with it that allowed me to birth naturally.

Buy/More Info