Yoga Zone:Strengthen and Tone

There are lots of them to pick from and I have a small handful myself, but Strengthen and Tone is my favorite. Jen Monness leads both 20 minute sessions, one for upper body, the other for lower body. Jean Kerner assists in both sessions and demonstrates the postures for the more experienced yoga practitioner. The setting is at the Grand Lidos San Souci resort in Jamaica, wher many of the Yoga Zone videos are filmed.

In the first session you will strengthen the lower body in a variety of poses. You start out in downward facing dog and hold this pose for a bit, this pose strengthens the back of your legs as well as stretches them. Next you move into lunge position on one leg, then you test your balance by lifting one arm then the other, then you switch legs and do the other side. Then you move into downward facing dog again, this time you should notice a little difference that you can go a bit deeper into the pose. Next you move on to warrior 2, then right angle pose. Jean demonstrates a more advanced modification for right angle by reaching her hand to the floor, then you repeat this on the other side. After this you move into one last downward facing dog, stretching out the legs even more. Then you move into rag doll which is a forward bend with your elbows folded. After that you will move into chair pose incorporated with forward bends, Jen will have you repeat this sequence 3 more times, along with a "Sun Breath". Next are some poses where you balance on one leg. You stand on one leg while lifting the knee of the opposite leg, then for more advanced you can extend your leg out straight. From this you will move into warrior 3 which is another balancing pose. You will balance on one leg while lifting the other leg behind you and bending over, like you are in a "T" shape. This is then repeated on the other leg. Then it's time to stretch a bit, Jen shows you lizard pose which is a lunge pose with both hands inside the front leg, you have the option of bending the elbows for a more intense stretch. Then you move into a hamstring stretch, straightening your front leg and shifting to the back leg. Next is cat pose combined with more downward facing dogs in a moving vinyasa, you repeat this for about 30 seconds. Finally you will lie on your back and stretch some more before the final pose where you sit in a cross legged seat.

The upper body session is a little more challenging, you start out with seated spinal twists then you will stretch the triceps. You will start with reverse plank pose, then move into active cat which is cat pose incorporated with little pushups. Then you move into plank pose, here options are given to either do these on the toes or the knees, then you will move into Chataranga lowering yourself to the floor, then upward facing dog holding this pose for a bit before going into downward facing dog, again held for a few breaths. After this series you will move into childs pose, then you will do a sun salutation starting in mountain pose with hands in prayer position, then you lift your arms side and up before moving into a forward bend, then you will move into Chataranga again, then upward facing dog and finishing out with downward facing dog before coming back up to mountain pose. This is repeated one more time. Following this you will see fan posture on each side, then you move to the floor and into headstand prep which I really liked. Headstand prep sort of resembles downward facing dog but it's done on your elbows and your legs in a piked position. From here you will move into dolphin pose which is a plank done on your elbows, which I found challenging. After that you will move into sphinx pose which looks like a cobra before moving into extended seal. You finish out the upper body session with side lean pose done on each side, a nice way to end the program.

In each session there are brief commercial breaks, where Alan Finger, founder of Yoga Zone appears and offers tips and information. These breaks are short maybe lasting 20 seconds each, some might be bothered by this, but I didn't find it distracting at all.

Jen Monness does a nice job in this video, she is pleasant and does a decent job with breath cueing, she is my favorite Yoga Zone instructor. This video is best for beginner and intermediate levels, I found it to be interesting and not boring, plus it was nice to see some poses I have never seen before, such as warrior 3 and headstand prep. I have only been practicing yoga for a short time so I am still learning and improving, but I would recommend this as one of the better Yoga Zone videos I have tried.

I've been doing yoga every day for almost 9 years and have amassed over 80 Yoga Videos and DVD's in my library. Yoga Zone's videos have become an essential staple that has helped me cultivate my asana practice.

This particular DVD/VHS is probably best suited for someone who is at least an experienced beginner but in my opinion has value for someone who has been doing yoga for years. There's no doubt that "Strenthen and Tone" will become a regular part of the rotation in my own home practice.

The first program focuses on lower body, lots of lunge type movements that will really work your legs and hips. The second program stresses the upper body, though both routines are holistic in the sense that they utilizes the whole body synergistically in most of the postures. This is something Yoga Zone always seems to strive for (and yoga in general), whole body integration while being able to focus on a particular area of the body.

If you alternate the first and second routine every two days you should see quite profound results in your strength, flexibility and overall well being. Of course, you could also do both sessions without stopping which would give you a very in depth whole body workout in about 40 minutes.

The teachers (Jeanne and Jen) are wonderful as always, they are easy to follow and also show modifications for those who are building strength and/or flexibility, or for those who are simply having a low energy day. Alan Finger,the head of Yoga Zone, always designs the sequences and once again has put together a fabulous series.

In General, Yoga Zone is one of the best values out there. Most of the programs contain two twenty minute routines which can be done separately or individually. They are easy to fit into to most anyone's schedule and yet I find yield incredible results. They also have programs that are much longer and are also quite excellent with some that are very challenging.

Namaste

I am fairly new to yoga, but find this (so far) my favorite tape. I've tried about 6 different ones. While the workout seems fairly simple, I am already noticing toned muscles and greater flexibility. The instructors are great too. I definitely find the focus more on body than mind, so if this is what you are looking for, this is a great choice. Add Firm Parts 5-Day Abs for a fast way to firm up those parts not targeted during this session.

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