Three 10-minute abs-oriented Yoga routine (or one 35-minute Yoga workout), plus an additional, "bonus" 10-minute standing routine and extra quickie segments on breathing and meditation. Desirée Bartlett instructs.

Beginning and advanced beginning exercisers and Yoga enthusiasts. Modifications are illustrated, both easier and more difficult. You will need a mat and, for one move, an optional strap.

Personally, if I want an ab workout, I'm either going to do a Pilates routine, traditional ab exercises like crunches, or a little of both. If I want to gain flexibility, improve my posture and calm down my buzzing mind, I do Yoga. That's not to say that abs and Yoga don't mix — the workouts on this DVD actually do it pretty nicely — it's just that you won't get the type of hardcore toning that will give you a six pack, or the kind of abs you can bounce a quarter on. You will get the kind of toning that enhances your back health, and your abs will be stronger with these routines, all of which target the abdominal region in one way or another. You do sun salutations, Boat Pose, some balance challenges and the third routine pumps up the intensity by adding in some Pilates moves. But Yoga is more of a whole-body exercise form, so you'll also be strengthening your arms and legs and improving your flexibility along with your abs. This is not a bad thing at all, and these three segments, plus the fourth "bonus" routine are all very nice Yoga workouts. They work even better if you do them all together with the beginning 5-minute warm-up for one long 30 or 40-minute session. Just don't expect the kind of abs you would get from a good half-hour of Pilates. Pull this one out when you want to do Yoga, and consider its ab-focused moves a little extra "kick."

 

 

Name

Email

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (Registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment