Yoga for Your Pregnancy (2004, DVD)

This dvd is right what I wanted and needed to my pregnancy. And with it I have the benefit to do my workout during my pregnacy, but right in the level is permited, so my body dont lose it's shape and condition.

I'm 15 week PG. About 3 weeks ago I was put on "activity" restriction. I've been going crazy with not being able to get any excercise. I'd looked into getting a yoga video before, but only recently checked with my doctor to make sure it would still be ok. I received it yesterday, did just the relaxation this morning & loved it. The voice of the instructor is great. I'd read the reviews on all the others, this has the best responses, & I can see why. I'll definately recommend it to others.

I'm a relative beginner to yoga. I've followed a few home videos, but I've never had any professional training.

The "good" of this video is that it is easy to follow, has many sessions to choose from, and I found the lead speaker to have a pleasant voice and demeanor. The moves are explained as you are doing them, and the positions are held for a reasonable time. There are sessions for relaxation, energy, breathing, while in labor, and postpartum. The speaker has a pleasant voice with a nice, tonal quality to it.

The "bad" of this video is that it may seem to assume that you have a bit more flexibility than you actually do. Of course, everyone in a yoga video is going to have some experience, and probably a good deal of flexibility, but I don't want to push myself (without professional supervision) while I'm pregnant. So, I think it would have been nice for them to have one of the 'examples' be a bit more 'beginner', so that viewers can see what part of them they should be trying to stretch, and which part will come along in time.

For example, my flexibility has never been in my calves, thighs, any part of the leg, really. I've always had the most dexterity in my arms, fingers, back, sides, neck and toes. Now that I'm expecting, I've found that my "round ligaments" (those pesky guys that hang on to the sides of your tummy and stretch like the dickens when you are expanding due to baby) won't relax very quickly, and the twisting motion on one of the exercises makes me feel jerky and not-at-all fluid. So, a part of me that is usually very flexible has suddenly lost that movement, and I find that the rest of the body could also use more warming up.

To compensate for my loss of flexibility, I have found that first doing the 'relaxation' session, and then the 'energizing' session, can help my body 'sink into' the positions more.

All in all, I think this is a great video, but viewers should be aware that they should not push themselves to perfectly mimic the leader.

It is a good pregnancy workout, but not the best. The content is user friendly and the production quality is high. However, there is a lot of talking and "promoting" before you can get to the workout. I prefer to get right to the workout, especially pregnant when I am tired and irrated to begin with. The best prenatal yoga CD I own is the Shiva Rae. I also like the Zen Mama. Lastly, I enjoy the first Trimester Sara Holliday Prenatal Yoga. I think she makes the other trimesters too, but I am not there yet.

I bought this because I teach prenatal yoga and Dancing Thru Pregnancy. The program gave me more ideas for postures and safe things to do during pregnancy which are beneficial for the discomforts associated with backs and hips. It also gave variations of postures to accommodate the stage of pregnancy.

This DVD worked great for helping me to relax during my pregnancy! The breathing techniques that are taught can be used in many situations, not just for yoga or during labor. The yoga poses/stretches cause no straining and modified positions are shown for different levels of flexibility. People who are not familiar with yoga would have no problem following the program. I highly recommend this DVD to any woman who is looking for alternative exercise during pregnancy!