Prenatal Yoga with Shiva Rea

The usefulness of this tape depends on what you're looking for. If you haven't been exercising a lot before pregnancy, this is likely suitable. You'll certainly get a good amount of toning and relaxing-stretching that will make you feel pretty good.

Unlike some reviewers,I didn't mind the fact that the tape uses voice-over, but i found the instructor to be a little too "relaxed" for my taste --that is, she doesn't convey enough energy to get me going. I was a regular exerciser before I got pregnant (pilates and running) and so, I found this tape to not really be enough. If you have time to exercise 2 hours a day, you might combine it with a brisk walk or light run to get a more satisfying workout. But, if you're like me, an hour max is all you can spare. Actually, I haven't touched this tape since getting Leisa Hart's "FitMama". The latter includes yoga along with some fun salsa-dance aerobics, as well as kegels and stretching--it just feels like a more complete, efficient workout.

While I was entering the world of pregnancy for the first time I came across many yoga videos that were somewhat vigorous, straining or much too scary.

Skipping through the library the only video left at the stand was Shiva Rea's Prenatal Yoga. Quite truthfully I wasn't expecting much from "yet another yoga video".

Long story short, I loved this video because you didn't have to stress yourself if there was something you couldn't do. Baby loved the rocking-judging by all her kicking. The instructions were simple yet challenging, relaxing and achievable. After a while the poses became a piece of cake so it didn't take much motivation for me to get dressed in the morning and put the video on before breakfast. I got excited about being more flexible. I felt great, even energised so much that I'd walk around the block for 30 minutes after the workout. I also loved how the 3 trimesters were split between 3 ladies so I would follow the woman according to the stage I was in. (Didn't come across that in any other video.)

Most of all by my surprise my husband was willing to practice his skills in massage as instructed by Michelle Kluck also included on the video. What an awesome idea! Coupling massage with yoga just makes sense.

My husband even started showing off to others of how much his pregnant wife does yoga which made me feel embarrassed but invincible at the same time.

All thanks to being flexible after constantly checking the video out by alternating between two different libraries and extending my hireage about four times and never stepping a foot into a gym, my labor took an excruciating 37 minutes!

A personal THANK YOU Shiva Rea and co.

This DVD is very relaxing, very slow paced so if you are an anxious person it may get on your nerves. I really like it, I practice daily meditation and find this DVD very soothing. I love that it really caters to where you are in your pregnancy. If you are a relaxed person, buy it, you will really enjoy it. I save this one for my Saturday mornings when I know I have plenty of time and I am relaxed with little or no agenda.