Customer Reviews

Crunch: Candlelight Yoga (Full Screen)

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The first time I did this I thought it wasn't very intense and I didn't feel I had done much. But upon trying it again I have now become addicted. It is very relaxing. I do it often before bed. The instructor is very easy to listen to and not anoying in anyway, the set is lovely. I really enjoy this one. I have done lots of yoga DVD's and this has grown on me.

This is an overall good, low-key routine, but seems to be designed for younger, fairly flexible people. I don't know if it was the length of the workout (45 minutes), the number of poses, or the sort of upbeat relaxation mood of the tape, but I wasn't particularly relaxed at the end-- not energized but not entirely relaxed, either. I actually had trouble sleeping an hour after doing it. An issue with this routine could be that there are a lot of forward bends, which are intended to be relaxing but are also stressful for those with lower back problems (such as me with a bulging lumbar disk). I'm in my late 30s, fairly fit, do a lot of yoga and swimming, yet I had a lot of lingering back pain after I finished this routine, even though I had done the suggested modifications and didn't notice the pain while I was doing it. If you still want to try this routine, I would suggest you go slowly and definitely keep a towel or cushion handy to do the modifications the first time out to make sure the forward stretches won't be too much for you. One slightly overstretched forward bend can give you an aching back for two days!

As a side note: If you want a good, higher energy yoga workout, get Sara's "Crunch-- Fat Burning Yoga". Enjoyable routine, excellent stretches, and no back pain issues.

I am aquiring my own library of yogo videos, after practicing for about a year. I attend classes, and supplement with videos. Candlelight Yoga is one that I keep coming back to! I love it before bed; there is some activity, but not too much to be able to sleep shortly after practicing. (I also have used it at other times of the day.) I love Sara Ivanhoe's more lighthearted, refreshing approach to yoga. I like a good workout, and do take my yoga practice seriously. But Sara is so pleasant, has a soothing, but still engaging, voice and way of delivery. Sbe makes it seem that this is fun, and by the way, does good things for yourself at the same time. I would recommend this to anyone. In response another reviewer, I am about to turn 50, am not particularly athletic, and have back problems to boot. This yoga session has only left me feeling relaxed, comfortable, and very happy that I took the time to practice with Sara and Co.

I have done Sara Ivanhoe's Crunch Yoga for several years and like it. I purchased this just to expand yoga routines and to have something to do before bedtime. I'm not disappointed. This is definitely not advanced yoga -- but either am I. Sara is encouraging, simple and direct in her explanations, and has a pleasant sounding voice. I like the emphasis on breath which other yoga videos often forget. My only complaint is that they surely could have found someone over 30 to participate in the video. An older person could easily do this route and could have served as an "inspiration" for those of us over 50. I will say that even though the video is cast with beautiful young faces (and bodies) their poses are not perfect -- several of them do the modified versions. For someone looking for a simple routine, this could serve as a great introduction or as a nice change from more advanced routines.

I start Yoga in Jan 2004. I had a lot of knee problems. Since I did Crunch the prefect yoga workout.My knee is getting better every day I do it. It is very good. I got this DVD, because my boyfriend has a lot of stress. It really calm him down and grave him balance. I have done this as well. I have found it to be fun and very enjoyable. Like I tell my friends with their problems that yoga can help. Yoga really can help you with all of your problems you have medical.

Just did this one last night, and I really enjoyed it! For the rest of the night I noticed that I was standing taller and breathing much deeper than before, and I also felt much more peaceful. It's 45 minutes long and not rushed like many other videos. A lot of attention is paid to getting your breathing right and proper form for the poses. The warm-up is superb. I found a few of the poses awkward and so I modified at will. Of course the best feature of this video is the instructor, Sara Ivanhoe, who has one of the most calming, soothing voices ever. She is one of the best yoga instructors I've ever had the pleasure of doing yoga with! (by video of course) She steadily reminds you that you are not expected to be as flexible as she is and that you should just do what you are comfortable with, and that your flexibility and strength will increase with time and regular practice. When I want a tougher workout, I'll still reach for Crunch: The Joy of Yoga or Karen Voight's Yogasculpt, but for those stressful days or days when I'm not feeling 100%, this will be the video I reach for! Buy it!

This is my FAVORITE dvd right now. Everything about it is amazing. The set and lighting is absolutely gorgeous and along with the soothing music helps put you in the right state of mind for the practice. Sarah Ivanhoe is an excellent instructor who is not intimidating and does not "talk down" to you. The workout flows beautifully and is so soothing, that it has almost completely eliminated the back pain I have been suffering from for YEARS in just a few weeks. If you buy the DVD instead of the VHS, there is an additional 15 minute "energizer" segment that is the perfect start to the day. If I do that segment in the morning, I have so much energy throughout the day I can't believe it! I highly recommend this DVD.

I purchased this video several months back, and it quickly became one of my favorites. I like Sara Ivanhoe's approach to giving instruction. She's calming and relaxing, and while she explains how to do the poses, she repeatedly reminds you that this practice should be relaxing. For those of you who find that power yoga defeats the concept of what yoga is all about, you should find this an enjoyable tape. I rotate through several of my yoga videos, but I really like to do this one before bedtime, because it puts me in a nice relaxed state. If your an advanced yogi, this might not fit your bill, but you might enjoy it when you need a break and just want to center and calm yourself. I just purchased On the Ball - Yoga Workout for Beginners with Sara Ivanhoe, and I can't wait for it to come in the mail.

Happy Yoga Practice!

I had started doing yoga for about 3 weeks when I bought this video, thinking it might be a great start to my yoga dvd library. I wasn't sure what to expect when I started it, but by the middle of it, I felt incredibly relaxed and was very happy with my purchase! I thought that Sara did a great job explaining the asanas, and the modifications to be used if you're rather inflexible. I especially appreciated the reminders to just relax throughout the workout- great for someone like me who tends to try to do too much all at once- to include pushing my body to the limit. Other viewers might find this annoying, but I found it a welcome necessity for a video designed for destressing and relaxing! I would highly recommend this video! If you're reading this review, stop now and just buy it! You will be glad that you did!

Though Candlelight Yoga may be geared more toward beginners, it definitely provides a great routine for relaxation and stretching. The instructor is clear with her directions and seems to be knowledgable on the subject. I feel she holds all stretches and poses long enough to get a decent stretch. She also touches on breathing techniques. Overall a very good video, and I'm very happy I bought it.