Archive for Yoga DVD
Mark Blanchard Power Yoga
Posted by: | CommentsMark Blanchard Power Yoga has been used by Hollywood Stars, Stay-at-home moms, and everyone in between to lose weight, get in shape, and learn the powerful relaxation techniques that are so popular in yoga.
Mark Blanchard has two Los Angeles area power yoga studios that are family owned and operated. His wife and children are frequently present at the yoga classes, and many of his students appreciate the laid-back atmosphere this helps provide.
Unlike many power yoga classes, Mark Blanchard's don't include music or a lot of expensive equipment. With no yoga straps, blocks or meditative yoga music in the background, students are practicing yoga without distraction, the way its been done for over 5,000 years.
If you can't attend one of Mark Blanchard's power yoga classes, consider his power yoga videos as the next best thing.
True Power Yoga Video - By Mark Blanchard.
In Mark Blanchard's 4-video series, you get 4 DVD's with 4 separate workouts, ranging in length from 50-90 minutes. Each power yoga video has a different focus. The True Flow video, even features a professional football player who is one of Mark's students.
Before starting his yoga studios, Mark was a Hollywood actor and semi-pro athlete who struggled with a number of knee injuries and surgeries.
Now pro athletes and actors (like Jennifer Lopez and Lucy Liu) make up some of his better-known clients.
His power yoga video series has gotten rave reviews from his high profile clients and unbiased reporter's alike:
- Voted Top 10 Best Workout DVD, Fitness Magazine.
- Challenging heart-pounding workout, Shape Magazine
- Keeps you interested and challenged no matter what your level, Healing Lifestyles
- Intense and Invigorating Mind Body workout that targets the entire body from head to toe, OC Insider
- Mark Blanchard is the master in the hot discipline of power yoga, People Magazine
Here's one client's results who participated in a challenge through Allure Magazine.
Allure Magazine, Sept 2007: In 4 weeks, 5 trainers only one person lost 15 pounds and 12% body fat - in the words of Jessica herself: "I feel stronger. My stomach is flatter, and my arms and butt are toned. My back pain is gone, my mood is improved, and I have a sense of calm." Jessica went from 163 lbs. with 32% body fat to 148 lbs. and 20% body fat in 4 weeks going to yoga 5 times a week or doing Mark's video at least once a day if she couldn't make it to class.
Once you're hooked on Mark's power yoga video classes, keep an eye out for his yoga studios to be opening up soon. He's just started franchising - his Kansas City location was first to open. What's next!
Bryan Kest – Power Yoga
Posted by: | CommentsBryan Kest Power Yoga is a dynamic physical yoga practice with an emphasis on mind-body connection and the spiritual and emotional impact a whole-body yogic focus can have.
Bryan Kest, Power Yoga founder, teacher and practitioner, started practicing yoga himself when he was 15 (over 30 years ago), before it was cool and trendy, and before the Internet made it easy to learn what power yoga was all about or buy a power yoga video to watch at home.
In fact, Bryan had to travel all over (California, Maui, and eventually India) seeking the best yoga teachers and yoga instruction.
While spending time with these people, he didn't just go to a class, he spent days with them, and learned that true yoga was more than just some power yoga moves in a sweaty gym class room. True yoga encompassed healthy eating, spiritual balance, meditation, and more.
Bryan Kest eventually chose to share his Power Yoga philosophy with others and has opened his own studio in Santa Monica.
In case you are unable to attend a Santa Monica Power Yoga training class, and live outside the Los Angeles area, you may want to consider buying or downloading one of Bryan Kest's Power Yoga DVD's or CD's.
Bryan Kest's audio downloads are a great way to bring his meditation and training home, and learn from the master, no matter where you are.
You can also buy his complete workout training on DVD and get the audio CD's for free.
There are a lot of great ways to experience Brian Kest's Power Yoga even if you don't live in place where you can get to the Santa Monica Power Yoga Classes.
It's still worth it to check it out. The experience may change your life.
Finding The Best Yoga DVD For Kids
Posted by: | CommentsLooking for the best kids yoga DVD? If you've been practicing yoga yourself, are intrigued by the benefits it offers, or are just considering how to get your kids off the couch for a few minutes each day, an investment in a kids yoga DVD is a great way to convey the benefits of a yoga fitness routine to the next generation.
We've all heard the sobering statistics. Childhood obesity is rising to epidemic proportions not only in the United States, but in other parts of the world too. Larger portion sizes, more processed junk food and more time in front of the television or computer is leading to fat, unhealthy kids.
One of the best ways to help kids change their habits is by modeling the behavior you want them to adopt, and inviting them to participate in activities with you. Monkey see, monkey do. It's hard to tell your kids to get fit, if your actions show that you do not take your health seriously, yourself.
While many kids may not want to go to the gym, getting them interested in yoga may be the perfect way to share your workout time together in a way that benefits every member of the family. time for the whole family to connect and lead a healthier life. The best yoga DVD for kids really depends on a variety of factors, including the age and fitness level of your children. To see if you can get your kids interested in the exercise-tape routine at home, consider renting some yoga DVD's for free from your local library (or pay for them at a video rental store like netflix or blockbuster). That way, you can see what styles are out there and whether the instructor is engaging or cheesy.
Once you go through a few yoga DVDs, the best one will call out to you. It will be one where the kids are having so much fun that they will not even realize that they are exercising. If zucchini muffins are one way you get your children to have their veggies without even knowing it; a fun, DVD for yoga may be the answer for you.
One Popular Choice in Children's Yoga DVD's
"Yoga to Go for Kids" is a very popular title, widely considered to be one of the best yoga DVDs for kids or the whole family. It includes different poses in an easy to understand manner and - BONUS - the kids (and you) will actually be able to attain the recommended poses and positions. Many parents like how the yoga instructor doesn’t talk down to the children in baby language. As soon as they are past five years old, they do not like being talked to differently than adults.
Carve out some time on a weekend or a few times a week where you can pretend you are all playing a game. Do not call it exercise time, but rather make it a game. Something along the lines of Twister, the Wii, or other active games can entice the children to learn for themselves that it need not be boring to move your body. The best kids yoga DVD, whether it is Bikram Yoga, Hatha Yoga or any other kind, will have appropriate music, lots of color and will include kids in the video footage so they can relate to others doing similar poses.
Special Yoga Equipment Can Make Yoga Time More Fun
Encourage the kids to stick with their yoga training by letting them choose their own color of yoga mat and props, if necessary. If you're not sure they'll stick with the exercise, consider buying yoga equipment once kids reach certain milestones - like 10 workout sessions completed - just like "leveling up" in a video game. Once you have gotten the hang of a few of the poses, change the routine by letting your kids do their yoga workout in the back yard or at the beach or park. A change of setting can always elevate the mood and can breathe some life into a yoga routine that may be getting a bit stale. Likewise, having a variety of kids yoga videos that you can rotate through will help keep things fresh.
Just like getting good grades or achieving success in other areas, encourage your children to set and attain goals in their yoga practices. Consider rewarding the children for accomplishing a goal with yoga. It could be trying it out twice a week for a whole month or reaching a level on the DVD. Of course, make the treat appropriate with the message you are sending across with the health and fitness. Rather than buying them ice cream as a reward, consider treating them to a fun experience. Explore a new part of town, go hiking or swimming, or visit a children's museum. After all, you don't want to simply replace all the calories you burned working out with the best kids yoga DVD you could get our hands on!
Remind Kids That Yoga Fitness Is For The Long Term
Although younger children may not understand, it's important to reinforce the idea that eating right and exercising is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Ideally the kids' yoga routine should be something that they do on a regular basis and plan to do for years to come. Avoid positioning yoga as something to do "for the summer" or some other short period of time. Help your children build discipline and healthy habits for a lifetime. Yoga exercises can be performed well into your eighties and beyond. Help your kids see the big picture for yoga fitness, without getting overwhelmed.
Did you know that YOGA is the most popular pregnancy exercise among women in the United States?
It's hard to beat the relaxing, meditative and convenient workout that a prenatal yoga video can provide in the comfort of your home.
Many women look on their pregnancy as an opportunity to put a renewed focus on their health and fitness, since their bodies are going through an important transformation and they are building up toward a challenging physical fete - the birth of their child!
Even though it can be funny to imagine yourself trying to contort your body into challenging yoga poses during your third trimester, the strength and flexibility many poses demand can actually help the delivery process and make child birth a less painful and traumatic time for many mothers. A good prenatal yoga video will take these concerns into account and give you the tools and strategies you need for a productive pregnancy workout.
Why Yoga Workouts For Pregnant Women?
The practice of yoga is a non-pharmaceutical method for soothing aches and pains, improving flexibility and strength, and achieving inner balance and mental focus. It is based on thousands of years of ancient practices and time tested "asanas" (or poses) and breathing and relaxation techniques.
If you are expecting a baby and would like to stay fit for the next nine months of your life, it is an opportune time to invest in one, or several prenatal yoga videos. Even if the yoga routine is aimed toward expectant moms, the whole family can join in and have some time to enjoy together. Children especially love yoga and it is a wonderful physical activity for them, that doesn't strain their muscular/skeletal system the way some exercises, like weight lifting, can.
What Types of Yoga Poses Will My Prenatal Yoga Video Lead Me Through?
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If you are familiar with the practice of yoga, you may already know some of these common yoga asanas, which are favored by pregnant women.
The Pelvic Rock, the Camel pose and Tree pose are just a few of the moves in prenatal yoga routine that can help energize you if you are feeling sluggish during the pregnancy days.
Shoulder stretches and the Queen Dancer pose are also recommended by the famous Lamaze Institute. These positions can help strengthen the core muscles and prepare them for labor and delivery.
When I was in labor with my first baby, I tried to stay up and active as much as possible, rather than lying in bed. This can help the delivery progress. Many of the moves you may see on your prenatal yoga video, such as squats or the cat pose, are echoed in the delivery room.
How Can Yoga Help You After The Baby Comes?
Having a baby can be hard on your body, and the hormonal fluctuations it creates can sometimes lead to mood swings or depression. There is also a heavy dose of exhaustion for new parents following the birth of their baby.
If you are suffering from even the mild baby blues or also known as postpartum depression, it is important to continue mild yoga poses with your doctor's permission. If you have had a cesarean section or if you had multiples or a complicate delivery and episiotomy, it might not be recommend for you until you are completely healed.
However, for those who went through a normal procedure, many doctors do give the go ahead for a some pregnancy yoga DVD poses to get back into shape. Feel better about yourself, look better and be a better role model for your family.