Customer Reviews

Prenatal Yoga with Shiva Rea

5 star:		(72)
4 star:		(27)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(20)

 

 

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.

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.

Great video. I did this Yoga video after 3o mins of Pre-natal Pilates and felt strong, lean and well balanced. The voice over is totally annoying but I knew that from reading reviews. I loved the fact that there were two other participants one in the second trimester and one in the third. Awesome purchase.

I, too, agree that her pronunciation can be annoying at first ("eggsale" definitely grated on my nerves). But after you get passed that and the names "Britta" and "Poppy", you'll see that this is definitely an effective video that will help you stretch exactly what you need to stretch when pregnant. There are a lot of hip stretches which have helped me sleep at night. Also, the video has three people in different stages of their pregnancy -- this, too, has been very helpful. Shiva Rea's clearly narrates every move, so after a while, you don't have to even look at the TV screen. This is probably the best excercise video that I have used, mainly because it is what it is -- nothing special, nothing too crazy, just great stretches to help you in your pregnancy. Just talking about it makes me what to use it right now!

The bonus massage portion of the DVD is amazing! My husband followed the instructions and the massage was incredible. Definitely take advantage of this part of the DVD.

I really enjoyed this video. When I finish, I always feel refreshed and energized. The stretches are good and very appropriate for pregnancy. Before becoming pregnant, I attained a fairly advanced level. I stopped practicing around 9 wks because of "all day sickness". I'm just picking up again in the third trimester. I had no trouble following the video and getting back into it. I liked the 3 different models showing different modifications. I didn't like that each model was specifically for a trimester. I wish it took more of a "do what feels right" approach. Many of us can still do most of the postures with no or small modifications. The tape assumes in trimester 3, all you can do is sit in a chair and put your arm or leg out. The relaxation at the end is fantastic. The modifications here are completely appropriate to enhance circulation for each trimester. All in all, it's a good pregnancy workout. It's great for anyone who wants to continue yoga practice through pregnancy.

Shiva Rea does a great job with this DVD, being a yoga teacher myself I found during my second trimester this DVD was great. I find the props in the video for the third trimester to ruin the flow however all in all a great introduction to prenatal yoga!

This is a fabulous prenatal yoga video. There are 3 people in the video, one for each trimester (the 2nd and 3rd trimester woman are really in that trimester) so you always get the perfect workout. The video is very relaxing. It can be done over and over without becoming annoying.

I absolutely love this video. I didn't even really know anything about yoga when I received it as a gift. I tried it during pregnancy and it was too difficult for me to finish, due to my relatively inactive lifestyle at the time. It also gave me pains in the hips, so I would recommend that care be used with the hip opening exercises; they feel so great that you have to be sure not to take it too far.

When I really got use out of this video was in my postpartum months- it introduced me to yoga, helped me build stamina and strength, helped my back pain, and made me feel more centered and peaceful in a time of great upheaval for many people.

Shiva Rea's pronunciation didn't bother me a bit- I found her narration soothing and helpful. I got so good at the video that I am now looking for a more strenuous yoga workout that includes stretches for the abdomen. But after seeing various yoga instructors on videos, I only want this one!

I love this tape! I have four prenatal yoga tapes and this one is by far the best. Shiva Rea is serious, soothing and gentle, though some of her poses are rightfully challenging. Great 45 minutes yoga workout, preparing you for labour and birth. ZenMama is also good, but the instructor just doesn't come close to the excellence of Shiva Rea.

Never received it, I had to ask a refund. A bought a similar one from Rea Shiva and it is propably the worst yoga DVD ever. I don't know for the english version but in french, she says what to do before she actually does it. So you have to remember what she said and what the images because while you do it, she is explaining something else. It is impossible to breath as you should everything is . If you are from QC, buy Josée Lavigueur!!!