Home Gym Equipment

Reviews

I purchased this towel because I needed an affordable, but absorbent hand towel for hot yoga. I did not want to spend the money on the expensive yogitoes version and decided to give this one a try. It wicks away sweat with ease and dries very quickly. I'm glad I chose this towel over a more expensive brand.

Reviews

Just received my Enso Timer. I purchased it for meditation. The good: the chime is lovely and perfect for ending a session. The (very) bad: the backlight flashes right before the chime starts. Based on the prior reviews, this is a new "feature". It does not seem to be optional. Since I usually meditate at night, in the dark, the backlight ends up startling me out of the meditation. This mitigates the efficacy of the chime sound, which is the primary reason I purchased the device. Ironically, the backlight is pretty much useless when setting up a session, as it only stays on for 2 seconds, and does not illuminate the buttons in any case.

I love using the timer for mediatation, and it's nice to wake in the morning to a gentle gong. My only quible is the price - $100 is a lot for a plastic timer/clock, even with all the nice electronic features. But mine was a gift, and as such is greatly appreciated.

The sound chimes are great, it's easy to use, and looks good, but the stop button is HORRIBLE. This may be hard for me to describe so that you can picture it, but I'm going to try. If you see the picture the stop button which is represented by a red square is shaped like a rectacle and curles over the clock a bit- that's the shape... So it's long as far as buttons go. The problem is that the button UNDERNEATH that is what stops the chiming. (virtually all electrical buttons are like this. The button you press is cosmetic and it's really what's underneath that does the job- Like your computer keyboard. You can remove the J button and you can still type J by pressing the button underneath.) The button underneath the stop button is really small and right in the center while the cosmetic button is long which wouldn't be a big deal if when you pressed it, the pressure distributed evenly across the button- but it DOESN'T. So what ends up happening is if I press ANY spot on the button other than the exact center it doesn't do anything and I have to keep pressing it until I hit the right spot. Since I used this primarily for my meditation practice this was a big deal because when the bell chimed and I was all relaxed because it signaled the end of my meditation I would instantly get all stressed again over trying to turn the thing off. It's also not the most robust device. I took it traveling once and it got a little wet. Seriously it was nothing more than just a splash of water that got on it in the rain and I dried it right away. Yet still the backlight never worked again after that. I can't use it for meditation because of the stressful stop button so I use it to time my tea brewing now. If they fixed the button it would be just about perfect.

The clock arrived quickly with no problems at all. The tone of the chimes is pleasant. I love the portability of the clock. The case is great. All in all I am pretty pleased.

This little device is just what I was hoping it would be. Great for a gentle morning wake-up, a gentle end to sitting practice, and a wonderful timer for Yin Yoga practice with, in my case, 10 three-minute holding intervals each followed by a 1-minute resting interval. This is just what I wanted and it fits the bill. I did not find it hard to set up at all, and I confess that I have trouble with programming my digital watch--so there you go. There are only two things I would recommend altering in the design. The first would be the font of the numbers themselves...they are quite thin and small and can not be read from very far away. I would make them bolder for easier reading from a distance. Maybe not a stopwatch font, but something a little more fluid (though I don't know what the mechanical limitations are on this). Also, the little plastic stand that comes out of the back and keeps it upright--I would make that a wee bit wider because it is easily knocked over by the hand reaching in the dark to turn it off in the morning. Those things would make it perfect for me, but I really like it as is. And yes, I realize this is seriously defeating the purpose of an Enso clock, but I kind of wish it was square or rectangular so it wouldn't be so tippy. Maybe an optional model sans the circular display that was flat on the bottom... The bottom line is that--problems aside--I really like it and would replace it immediately and without hesitation if I lost it.

Reviews

This is an awesome product! I have purchased other essential oils before, but nothing compares to this one. It is absolutely great! The oil has an extremely wonderful smell, and it fills the entire room with a wonderful fragrance not to mention that it makes me feel more relaxed. I would highly recommend this to anyone!

Reviews

I wanted to listen to the stories before the kids and it was so calming I went to sleep. We use the CD now on a regular basis as a bedtime tool. Kids are 5 and 3 and even the 3 year old tries the relaxation breathing. Gradually buying more of her products. Just love it!

I gave this CD to my 9 year old daughter who sometimes can't fall asleep at night. She says the stories and music relax her and clear her mind. She never gets to hear the fourth story on the CD because she's always asleep by then!!

My kids are notorious for having a hard time wanting to go to bed. I bought this off Itunes originally but my computer died. Just replaced the CD being without for a couple of months and will be excited to actually get a hard copy! I am not a hippie, or a health food coneseuir and was amazed at how wonderful this worked. My kids were asleep in about 10 min. when it normally took over an hour. Bless you Lori! I wish there were better ones with more than just music for adolecents and adults. Oh did I mention I love you?

What a great CD! The story is one in which children can easily relate. The speakers voice is soothing. I find myself also relaxing when listening to this CD.

This CD is wonderful. I am in my 40s and I wish the Lori Lite CDs were around when I was young. I imagine it would have been a big help to me, given that I was a nervous, worried child. I love the stories and the narration is soft and pleasant. I use other CDs for relaxation and meditation that are geared for adults, but I find this type to be a nice change from those. I find it makes for a good balance to switch off between both types. We've all heard the phrase 'inner child' - this makes my inner child acknowledged and happy. The adult Lori Lite CD is another winner as well.

Reviews

This guy is an amazing teacher, his dialog is perfect and his descriptions on how to properly build each posture is superb. If you really want to practice the Ashtanga series with full commitment then you will enjoy this video. Everytime you play it you will hear something new, it could be the way you are placing your feet on the mat or where to look in a posture. I know some people think that 90 mins is a long time and I was introduced to yoga doing 90 min practices so for me that doesn't really seem to be a long time (I can easily do 3-4 hours of yoga) so this is somewhat of a disclaimer. However I don't thing a 60 min routine can do yoga justice at all. This is a great video and once you get the Ashtanga Primary series down you will spend less time trying to "figure" out how to get into posture and more time with your breath and meditation. This video gives you a really great foundation to do that. Namaste

Wow. I have practiced yoga for many years to video material, and Richard Freeman is the most inspiring practitioner I've had the privilege of encountering. The practice on this DVD could occupy most of us for a lifetime. It is not beginner material, though the clarity of the explanations could benefit anybody, and it would be beneficial for a beginner to have this exposure from the start, so long as they did not get discouraged. I originally passed over Freeman's "Ashtanga Yoga: Introduction" DVD, thinking it would be too easy for my level of experience, but now I am going to purchase it, hoping that this same quality of instruction will be given, but with a more manageable (for me) series. Particular attention is given to the bandhas and the breath, which are too often neglected in other yoga videos; questions I hadn't even quite articulated about some of these specifics were answered. Body dynamics are also emphasized in every pose. Freeman's mastery inspires confidence in the specifics of his instruction.

I bought this DVD and have been very pleased with it. Not only is it less expencive then some of the other DVDs on the same subject, but it is very informative. I think that this is a great DVD on Ashtanga Yoga. Well worth the price.

Ok, I will freely admit that I get a little caught up in the external aspects of most yoga DVDs, relishing in the trippy music and gorgeous locations almost as much as the yoga and instruction, so I wasn't sure how I'd feel about this one. The production value is very pared-down compared with many of the other oyga DVDs out there, with just Richard solo amidst a lovely but simple background and there is no background music at all. What you DO get is a level of teaching and serenity that astounded me. You also get the absolute purity of the Primary Asthanga Series as it was taught by Pattabhi Jois. It took me a few minutes to adjust to Richard's energy, it's different, but he's very sweet, very grounded and with a very soft and soothing presence. This is someone who has been doing Asthanga for decades and still loves it so much, he's still very connected to the subtleties and magic of it all. I've heard so many teachers working with the same exact postures and somehow he managed to gives cues, instructions and beautiful metaphors that enabled me to find a new depth and power in every single posture I did, opening to them in completely new ways. The magic is in the details, I often find, whether it's a film, a song or a good yoga class, and the way Richard can guide you through a very daunting series with such tranquility, encouragement, patience and meticulous detail without ever taking away from your own experience or where you are in your practice...well, it's stunning. Personally, while I have done Hatha and Kundalini for over 15 years I'd found Asthanga series to be too intimidating and assumed I had to be in athletic condition to even begin to attempt this. The Primary Series is about 2 hours long in its entirety, and I'd say I can do about half right now on a good energy day. Then it gets into a level of stamina, flexibility and balance I have yet to experience, but with this DVD and his teaching I now have no doubt that daily practice will get me there, in my own time. And instead of the last hour seeming like an impossible dream, it inspires me. That's the magic of a truly great teacher. The series itself is a wonderful combination of Sun Salutations (A & B), standing poses to stretch, open and build stamina and strength, and then the second hour is where the nitty gritty Asthanga kicks in with incredibly deep stretches, arm balances, a lengthy and lovely shoulder stand sequence and a few pretzel moments that I can only imagine must feel liberating and wonderful. I've read and heard that being able to do the Primary Series and master it could take years, and I see why. But I feel even an advanced beginning yogi could benefit from this DVD. Even when I did just the first 30 minutes or so over the weekend I felt tremendous benefits and discovered new layers thanks to Richard's expertise. He glides through every movement as though he were weightless and partially made of rubber, it's really something to see. Such grace and poise can only come from dedication and absolute presence and respect for the work. I'm so glad I heeded the glowing reviews here and bought this DVD. This will be an instrumental tool in my growth as a yogi for years to come.

I have been practicing Ashtanga Yoga for about 2 years now and bought this DVD cause I really couldn't afford to pay $20 every time I wanted to take a class. After watching it all the way through I realized I have never done the full primary series and have never seen it in it's entirety in any book I have read on the subject...which I found a little unusual. I found myself fast forwarding through a lot of moves I found to be repetitive or just to difficult for me to do. The complete series is pretty long and takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes to complete. With that being said, Richard Freeman is very thorough and moves at a good pace. The video is broken down into chanting, breathing, standing and sitting poses. If anyone knows of any Ashtanga videos that are broken down into 45, 60, 90, and 105 minute guided practices, please let me know. If there isn't one, it would be a great idea cause sometimes it would be nice to have shorter options when time doesn't permit.

Reviews

My kids, ages 5 and 3, absolutely love these videos and ask for them over and over. They are a great deal for the price too. The children in the videos range from preschool to early elementary, and that is really the age range these are targeted to. The workouts are a bit long, my kids rarely do an entire DVD in one showing, but that is OK with me. Frankly, they love watching these as much as doing them, so I do use them in the car too for long drives. They find these videos entertaining because the instructor is very silly, and encourages the kids in the video to be that way too. Per some of the complaints, it's true that many of the poses are not orthodox yoga asanas, and that the workouts do not flow in the way that a good adult class would. I think that is fine, and actually a plus, because these are specifically designed for the attention spans and bodies of young children. So if you are looking for a DVD to do alongside your child, these probably aren't it. But if you just want something entertaining that will whet their whistle for yoga, you can't beat these.

I ordered this for my 21 month daughter and me to have a fun yoga video. She is still a bit young to really enjoy it, but I love it. I can tell that she will love it too when she gets just a bit older. The poses and set up of the DVD are fun and silly; and watching other kids in different poses seems to intrigue her. She'll be doing her own versions and moving and shaking before too long. It was a GREAT price for a fun family yoga DVD set.

This DVD is bright and fun. It keeps everything short and simple to accommodate short attention spans of little kids. It shows different kids doing the poses in different ways. I think it encourages trying out new things and not worrying about getting it right the first time. A lot of poses I don't recognize from my yoga practice... but they all are good for moving, stretching, and laughing.

I like this dvd because the whole family can excercise together and also have fun. it is also educational and combines learning with physical activity.

I've never tried yoga via dvd before but, my 3 old seemed to be really interested in the yoga book I have- I bought this for her.- It didn't keep her interested in but, my 6 yr old really liked it. She did both discs pretty easily -and for being very excitable child- she really like the calming parts. I would suggest this disc for parent to buy who's open minded and comfortable will being silly and active.

Reviews

This video on Yoga is the best one I have ever seen. His voice is so soothing and the moves you do are difficult enough for most people. I just really enjoy doing this yoga video.

Great product. I wish they wouldn't be discontinuing, b/c this is something that should win another Exercise Video of the Year, which I believe it did so in 1994.

Great video to practice hatha yoga with at home! I usually practice in a class, but when I can't make it this is the only video that keeps me focused. I tried many yoga videos and I keep coming back to this one.

I absolutely love this DVD. In fact I first bought this many years ago on VHS and still find that I keep returning to this program. The setting is beautiful and the instruction is a very mindful yoga practice by Erich Schiffmann. This DVD is in fact more about yoga as a practice than as a workout. So while it will improve your health, it is just as much about your mind/spirit. If this is what you're looking for, then you'll enjoy the DVD, if not, then you might be disappointed. Personally, I originally bought it as a workout video and then discovered that I loved the mental benefits of yoga as much as the physical. Also this has the best savasana of any yoga DVD that I've done, or live class that I've taken for that matter. I see that there are a lot of comments about the music, both positive and negative. The soundtrack is by the group Dead Can Dance from their album Into the Labyrinth. You can listen to samples here on Amazon and see how you feel about it. (I know for sure that "The Spider's Stratagem" and "Yulunga" are on the DVD.)

This video was the first yoga instruction I ever had and I absolutely loved it. While it does appear to be a bit more advanced, the benefits are not lost on beginners. I began using this video when I was only 12 years old and still didn't have an issue with it. In all honestly, I enjoyed this video more than the beginners yoga classes I attended in the following years. Just remember to pace yourself and never push yourself further than your body can handle. If you make it through, I promise you'll be the most relaxed you have ever been at the end of the video.

Reviews

This is an excellent yoga practice. No surprise. Rodney Yee is an excellent instructor. I enjoy his low-key approach. He starts you out slowly, letting you warm up, and then you do what you can do. As you practice, you'll be able to do more of it and do it better. Even though I'm not a beginner, this is a great, refreshing workout which I probably will never grow out of. I recommend it!

Purchased a used version of AM/PM Yoga - the listing stated was in very good condition - It could have passed for brand new condition! The contents of the video's were what I was looking for too!

This video is appropriate for people who have no interest in a yoga workout whatsoever. It is slow, ineffective, and short. More time is spent reading the warnings than doing any real yoga. The am portion is so slow it will put you right back to sleep. Save your money! Buy a real yoga video!

When I cannot get to a Yoga class this short (20 minute) tape is very helpful. I was especially pleased to be able to get a VCR tape since I don't have a DVD player in my room. I like the AM Yoga, but found the PM Yoga tape too difficult for me.

These videos each have their strong points, and I've used and enjoy them both. The biggest flaw is that, as a set, they are so out of balance with each other. As other reviewers have mentioned, the A.M. video is substantially easier than the P.M., so folks who want a good workout dislike the first, and those who are a bit out of shape dislike the second. I use the A.M. when I feel like I need something easy and gentle, and when I lapse in practicing yoga for a while, this is invariably the tape I come back to, to get me going again. (I move on to the Yoga for Energy DVD in this Gaiam/Yoga Journal series, once I loosen up again, though.) The P.M. video just about killed me when I first tried it. However, the moment when all that vigorous stretching is finished, and you finally go into relaxation feels sooo good. (Like the old joke: "Why are you hitting yourself?""Because it feels so good when I stop!") So, I come back to this tape, when I have time in the afternoon. And I've improved enough so that the poses don't seem too difficult now, but they still push me to my limit before that golden moment of relaxation.

Reviews

This is an excellent workout for the beginner or intermediate level. She is personal & witty while giving thorough instructions. Some of the postures are challenging & I have a great respect for her agility. Her workout leaves me feeling ready to face the day & eager to return for another workout. Her cool down at the end is very relaxing. She understood the challenges for the woman over 30. Just wish she had more workouts available. Thanks Dixie!

I found this tape at my local library. I've tried others that were too fast, too challenging & too boring. I though I'd never learn to like yoga. After checking it out a few times, I'd found I was adicted & had to get my own copy. It's a great stress reliever, it just stretches away the day's tenison. There is a morning & evening routine so you just do a few minutes morning & night. There's even a meditation at the end. Dixie's video is challenging, yet not too difficult. Try it & you'll love it too. I reccomend this to everyone who has never done yoga, but has always wanted to learn.Cristy

I find her style and humor very relaxing and easy to do. Highly recommned it to any of the more mature ladies just getting started and who don't want to spend a lot of time.

I agree that this video is good one for beginners, but although I am a beginner myself I feel the poses are not challenging enough in general. Because the video is made into 2 sessions, one morning session and one evening session, there are 2 cool down sessions as well. The actual work out is rather short.There aren't many motions for the upper body (shoulders, neck, abs) either; Dixie focuses on the bottom half. If you are looking for light exercise and good stretches, this is it. It does help you relax.But if you can sit on the floor with the sole of your feet touching each other and bend forward with your head almost touching the ground, I say get something more challenging. (This motion is easier than it sounds.)

Back pain and headache became a constant for me following an accident back in 1981. Many painful years and far too many pain pills later, I broke down and bought a yoga tape because so many people advised me to try yoga for relief. That wonderful day was over 6 years ago, and I have not missed ONE day doing yoga since then. Dixie's tape introduced me to positions gradually and allowed me to ease into getting the full benefits from what yoga has to offer. Her easy going nature and sense of humor made me relax and enjoy each session. The tape is broken down into two 30 minute segments - day yoga and night time yoga. The time frames make it possible to fit into your daily schedule and you don't have to be a human pretzel to achieve the positions done in this tape. I've purchased this tape as a gift for several friends and have been thanked MANY times over for doing so. You won't be disappointed with this one!Marce Hanson aka Grammy M of Lifetips.com Alternative Health

Reviews

Just one of the many teaching videos on golf. Having read and seen other authors, I feel this is particularly confusing. If you are seeing this as the first lesson on golf, it might be useful. I am a beginner and had learnt a bit from other authors which were easy to follow. I was really confused with this plane truth stuff and tried to find which category I belonged to. Unfortunately, I injured my intercostals and have been laid off for 6 weeks. The author alternates between the two types and so the continuity is lost. He should have had separate continuos lessons in each type of swing which would make it easy to follow.

This is the best golf video that I have ever used. His instuction is great and I have adopted the two plane swing for my golf. All of the lessons are explicitly explained with examples. This is the best golf instruction video on the planet. Jim Hardy really is a golf guru and instructor.

Jim does a great job in breaking down the advice into practical repeatable movements for the one plane and two plane golf swings. The tips and drills dvd is really good and gives you something to work on at the range. I started hitting the ball better and with better consistency.

After not playing golf for almost 30 years, I picked it up again when I retired. I have now been playing for three years and will never threaten the PGA tour with my presence. I wasn't very good then, and I'm still a confirmed duffer. (Index around 20) That aside, after a short time of renewing my golfing career, I took a series of lessons from the local pro. He was very good and very patient, but I just never quite felt comfortable with the swing. Deciding to try something a little different, I purchased Jim Hardy's book "The Plane Truth". It had a lot of ideas that made sense and I decided to change my swing to a flatter plane which he described as the One Plane Swing. As he said, I found that a lot of the tips one picks up were not suited to this swing. They can cause "Disasterous" results in his words. True. I then got the videos to supplement the book and they have been very worthwhile. It was very helpful to actually see the lessons which were described in the book. He covers both swing types, the upright swing (Two Plane) and the flatter swing (One Plane), and you can select the type which fits your body, flexibility and temperament. I've found that I hit the ball much farther than ever and can even hit it straight (usually). All in all, I have been very satisfied in the videos. For a price equal to 2 or 3 lessons with the local pro, they cannot be beat.

Jim Hardy's " The Plane Truth for Golfers" is the first instructional guide that I have seen which is easy to follow; easy to understand; has options; and has shown me what I need to do to help my type of swing. Most peoples instructional videos only give one option and that may or may not suit the viewers abilities.

Reviews

I am not a flameless candle kind of person. However, I have a corner on my kitchen counter, under the cabinet, that needed something. Usually I would decorate with a real candle, but this spot is too close to the cabinet, so I opted for this flameless candle. When it is NOT turned on, it is VERY real looking. And quite nice, at that. When turned on, it is absolutely lovely. It has 2 brightnesses- I only use the the brightest setting. I am very pleased with this candle. I have it in a hurricane, with a berry wreath around it, and it looks very real when turned on.

I love candles. I find them very relaxing. Waking up in the morning, with them still lit, imagining housefires, not so much. Leaving the house and having to have friends drop you home to blow out candles; envisioning fried housepets, etc. even less so. So, the search for flameless candles is on. Most 'flameless candles' look fake--it's hard to make plastic look like wax. This though, is a hollowed out candle which uses 4 AA batteries to scent the air. From two feet away, it looks like a real, flickering candle. When it's off, though, it looks like a candle with an orange dot in the center where the candlewick should be. As to this particular candle, the Biscotti scent is a vanilla-ey, spicy scent that is warm without being overpowering. Although the candle is orangeish, instead of off-white as pictured, the effect is very real and very pretty. Nice.

Reviews

She adds her own style to basic yoga moves making this video fun and challenging. You really feel this the next day. Highly recommend this one even if you're not a fan of other Jillian videos.

Well, this is definetely a stray from Jillian's other videos. If you have used 30 Day Shred, Banish Fat, and/or No More Trouble Zones, don't really expect the same thing. Jillian still does have her great, encouraging, down-to-business attitude. There are no real circuits in this video, which I was totally prepared for; she mentions circuits once, but it's nothing like the other clear-cut 6 minutes... 5 moves, repeat each move twice (if you're familiar with Jillian, you know what I'm talking about) I also just have to comment on how pretty she looks in this DVD :) No, but seriously, I love Jillian to death, but my kid says she looks "manly" in her other videos, but even my kid said... she looks less mean and manly in this video. This video is comprised of 2 30 minute workouts. The first one is the reccomended starter and is a little easier than level 2. I was able to keep up with most of the advanced in Level 1, but was dying in Level 2! I could not do the move where you put your elbows on your knees and balance. I was surprised because I am in good shape, but I have never done much yoga at all. My balance is lacking, so I'm hoping that by incorporating this video into my routine, I'll improve. Jillian tells you not to be intimidated, she wanted to give you something to work towards. You can expect to see two gals in the background... one doing advanced and one doing beginner modifications. As always, the advanced demonstrater makes me writhe with envy. I can't comment much on the technical yoga aspects because as I said, I'm pretty new to it, but don't expect somethig slow moving here. She has taken traditional yoga poses and added movement. You know it wouldn't be Jillian without a little cardio and elevated heart rate, but it's nothing like the heart rates you feel in her other DVDs. She calls it "rep it out." Then you hold the poses for 15 seconds at the end. Some of these feel like MUCH longer than 15 seconds! There are a few Sun Salutations mixed in there, which I was familiar with. There is a nice warm up and cool down included, but the cool down in mainly for the lower body, hips and back. Make sure you do your own thing if you feel the need to stretch out your arms, chest, neck, etc. Overall, I was happy with this. I think I just have to "get comfortable with being uncomfortable" as Jillan says. I'm glad I tried something new and can fit it into my rotation. It's something for me to work towards :) If you like Jillian, go for it. If you're not sure and you want a unique workout with an encouraging, no BS instructor, then go for it too! Good luck to all! Oh, by the way, you don't need any equipment except a mat is helpful. It really doesn't require much space either, so you should be fine if you have small quarters.

I'm a dedicated trail runner who has slowly incorporated Jillian's 30 Day Shred and other, longer workouts into my routine. I love them, and her, for all the reasons others have described. This, from a person who detests indoor workouts, boring reps and sets, gym equipment, etc. I hope she'll be doing these DVDs for a very long time. I've also done yoga for years, not with a devotee's consistency, but deeply enough to care about doing it well. I'm happy to read that a few yoga practitioners endorse this DVD, even though it is clearly not yoga in any conventional sense. To take a basic strength pose and "rep it out" is Yoga-Sort-Of, and it does feel good, and it is what I bargained for. But I have a way harder time with her encouraging viewers on Level 2 to get all crazy and push to extremes on her version of Upward Bow (Urdhva Dhanurasana). It seems questionable at best to take the "kick-butt," boot-camp mindset to any pose as tricky and possibly injury-producing as this one. She says she's new to yoga herself. Maybe as she deepens her practice, she'll offer a more advanced or subtle yoga DVD, one that combines all of her brilliant insight into strength training, and her terrific, tough, witty, heart-felt energy, with a more subtle but still- focused intention on the deeper aspects of the practice. So: maybe go for this DVD, but definitely check out her older ones.

I did level 1 on Friday and Level 2 on Saturday. I never knew yoga was so hard!! Jillian almost made me cry and I wanted to stop so bad but I kept going. I actually felt it in my muscles the next day. I also felt it in my back in arms which was surprising because I didn't know I was working those body parts that hard. I am rotating this with 30 day shred and I know I will get great results. I love the fact that I can get a great workout w/o having to workout for a long period of time. 20-35 mins is fantastic, especially since I work full time, go to school and have a son to raise. Love you Jillian!!!!!

I am a Biggest Loser Fan and a Jillian fan. I am pretty new to the Jillian workouts. Had shred for sometime and never commited to it. I am soooooo commited to Jillian and her way of training that I am hooked and addicted. I ordered this Yoga Meltdown as something different in my arsenal of exercise DVD's and Jillian has once again delivered on different. She makes it fun. I felt this in my inner thighs right away and in my core. I have only done level one so far but intend on working my way up to level two. I love challenges and Jillian has yet to let me down on challenges. Great addition to my collection. Keep up the awesome work Jillian and I look forward to additional releases from you. I have lost in total so far 14pounds just doing Jillian DVD's. I enjoy exercise again and look forward to having her in my exercise room each day. Jillian's instruction is very clear and understandable. The segments are just the right amount of time and it is nice to be able to see three different ways of doing the poses. Beginner, intermediate and advanced.

Reviews

very pleased with the dvd... it isn't for the faint of heart (no pun intended)... very much a cardio workout using yoga techniques... you will sweat!

This is a very good workout, it is more intense than I thought it was going to be. I guess I should of read closer about it being a Weight Loss Yoga, instead of thinking it was just regular yoga. If you want a more intense yoga workout I would suggest this one.

I've done yoga for years (just as exercise and stress-relief, not to become one of those enviable hard-body professional trainer types.) Having gotten myself completely out of shape and broke over the last year, I figured I'd check out this DVD. How hard could it be if folks who were 100's of pounds overweight were doing it? Famous last words. This is an excellent workout, both for those who regularly practice yoga and for beginners, as the instructor - Bob Harper - tells you how to turn the intensity up or down depending on your fitness level. Another thing I like is that Bob pretty much hits the ground running, the warm up is quick and effective, no chanting or time spent on philosophy (if you're doing this before work, running late and hoping to squeeze in a cup of coffee afterwords this is much appreciated.:) Also it is surprisingly easy to follow along and correct your form if it's off - I found it easier than in classes, where you are craning your neck around the other students to figure out who is doing it right. Three small caveats, none enough to individually or collectively detract from the five-star rating: (1) might be worth exploring the notion of breathing a little more. Bob does some of that, but breathing is so intrinsic to a good and productive practice that an additional minute or so would be well spent. (2) For the beginners, a few of the poses are unexplained and might be confusing the first couple of times. Eg, Going right from stretches to downward facing dog - if you didn't know what that was you would have to watch the video and figure out the best way to do it without explanation (and dfd is one of the most important poses there is.) (3) I've only been doing the DVD for a month, but I imagine it would get very repetitive after a while. But this is applicable to ALL exercise DVD's, I would think. Also, it is well worth keeping on the shelf, this is one a yoga fan would likely come back to over and over again.

If you have never done yoga before this video is a great start. I enjoyed the intervals that allows users to move on after 2 weeks. I would suggest purchasing this video.

I love watching The Biggest Loser. I need to lose 20 lbs., but otherwise I'm in pretty good shape. I've been doing yoga for years, but wanted to try a new program just because it can be boring going through the same routine. Well, this one is tough! Not that the moves themselves are difficult, but it isn't the slow-moving yoga that I prefer. It is, however, a good, challenging work-out. It is meant to help with weight loss and pushes a little harder than I wanted to be pushed, but I think that's the idea of it. Not bad! It's worth a try.

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This DVD really helped me learn yoga well. The instruction is clear and the cues and recommendations for adjustments were easy to follow and worthwhile. Very good use of the different angles to show what the teacher was speaking about throughout the poses. As a beginner, this worked out very well for me.

This video just didn't interest me. I've done a fair amount of yoga at the gym, but really wanted a good workout video to use at home. Unfortunately, this video wasn't it. I only ended up using it 2 or 3 times and was so bored with it, I didn't want to go back. I would suggest trying something else -- If I find something better I'll gladly post it here.

I went to my first yoga class while visiting NYC and enjoyed it so much that the very same day I ordered this video and AM/PM Yoga For Beginners, bought a yoga belt and mat. I live in an isolated area with no access to classes or other practicers and based on reviews and "Beginner" in the titles, I thought this would be the best for me. The class I went to in NYC was intense, I was sweating by the end and felt incredible for the rest of the day and a similar glow stayed with me for several days. I've done this video more than once and thought it was kind of boring and not challenging at all. Some of the descriptions could have been better and the quality of the video as a teaching tool is low. Sometimes there are shadows when she's on the floor and it's difficult to see if she's lifting herself up, a lot of transitions are bad - suddenly she's in a new pose and most importantly: there should be multiple shots and multiple frames at once so you can see what the teacher is doing from multiple angles - this way you know what you're doing is correct. When I first started to do this video, there was a lot of stopping and going, since I'm new to it and I wanted to get the basics right. At the same time, I was looking for something that was at least a little physically challenging - like the class I went to in NYC and this was not challenging... but it WAS comforting to my body (and maybe Barbara's constant patient comments and alternatives if you aren't flexible has me thinking I'm much better than I am). I DID enjoy this video and wouldn't return it, I think it's a valuable assess to a beginners collection, however if I'd been able to rent it first, then I would've gone with something else to purchase. So now I've ordered Yoga Shakta and Shiva Rea: Daily Energy, which I'm hoping will be more challenging.

There are a variety of routines on this DVD, and that's good (though if you do them all you'll start to see that big chunks are repeated), but the cadences between the visual, the breathing, and the instruction are off. There are many instances in which you cannot tell if you should be breathing in or out, and if you glimpse the video, you will see the instructor doing something that she isn't describing yet. I would not recommend this DVD if you are an absolute beginner.

I've tried yoga once or twice before, but I definitely needed a beginner's video. This does the trick. It has plenty of exercises for beginner, then some for intermediate too. I like how it has about 8 20 minute sessions in just the beginner part too. So far I've only done a few but I haven't had to go into crazy positions or anything yet. In terms of the look and feel of the video, its oki. It plays a waves ocean sound and uses a woman's voice for instruction. It's pleasant to listen to, and the setting the instructor is in is calm looking (on a beach in front of waves). My first yoga video, but it so far works for me.

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I purchased the DVD after purchasing the book. The book is great for those with scoliosis and those who want a great yoga DVD that focuses on the spine. I, like some other reviewers, can see and feel a NOTICEABLE reduction in the curve of my spine. My waistline was almost totally straight on one side and now, although not even, bends inward almost as much as the other side does - so it is far less uneven. Also, when doing the leanover test (from the book) (like the test from gradeschool), the S is not as exaggerated as it was. Best of all, I no longer have a continuous lower back ache. I do the spine straightening exercises along with a power walking video almost daily. (After a few times, you may not need to actually watch the DVD - but, can add the relevant exercies to your own workout..) I had trouble understanding a couple of exercises and emailed the author. Someone promptly responded and was very helpful - when it talks about decompressing the compressed/curved side of the spine, they mean to bend the opposite way of your natural curve - think about stretching/straightening out the inner bend of a letter C. For example, my lower back is naturally a bit to the left, so on one exereice I am to bend at the waist to the left (making the lower spine curve to the right) - which I had a hard time wrapping my mind around. I do have some difficulty doing the straightening exercises for the upper curve (secondary curve in my case)(I believe it is just me) - so I plan to purchase a power gym/bar so I can just hang from it a few minutes a day. Essentially, I believe this will help achieve the same affect of stretching the upper spine..

This is a well done dvd. Exercises are very well explained and easy to follow, and do not require any equipment, other than objects easily found at home.

I was delighted with the DVD. I have a soclosis and have paid a fortune on physiotherapists, chiro's and on pilates classes. I feel this dvd was my best investment. while a lot of the poses are similar to what i do in my yoga class there are also subtle differences which are very benefical to someone with a scoloss, also lovely bonus stretches at the end of the DVD.

I very much enjoy how this video is broken down into 3 sections that can be done individually if I don't have an hour to set aside. Poses are nice, a little slow for someone with previous training, but nice and detailed for beginners. The only thing I don't like is the long intro if you don't select scenes and just play the video straight through. Overall, I would recommend!

Yoga for Scoliosis / B000AB0Z4K I just want to insert a warning: Though the video title is "Yoga for Scoliosis", these exercises are for scoliosis sufferers who have NOT had the spinal fusion surgery. In other words, if you are like me and underwent the corrective surgery in your youth, and are looking for yoga exercises that you can safely participate in or for pain management techniques, the exercises in this video are not appropriate for you. I am still looking for a good set of yoga exercises to relieve my back pain, and if anyone knows of a "Yoga for Scoliosis, Post-Spinal Surgery" resource, I'd be grateful to know of it. Beyond that, I'm sure this video is quite good for non-surgery-corrected scoliosis sufferers, but I do wish the title and/or product description had made that more clear, since this is a very important point - it needs to be made very clear that post-surgery patients can harm themselves with these exercises. I also thought it was a bit deceptive (though maybe normal in the yoga video industry) that a whole list of "extras" was listed once the video started - some people can't afford yoga balls and yoga mats and yoga belts, and it seems wrong that that need isn't presented "up front" before dropping $30 on the video itself. Caveat emptor, I suppose.

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These are great leggings, with a wonderful fit and feel. My only complaint is that with the cost of shipping, they aren't a super bargain. I probably will order more anyway, since they come in so many colors and the workmanship seems exceptional.

These are great leggings - for yoga, working out, lounging, etc. Perfect fabric weight and fit - not shiny and spandex-y. Sizes are ample - run larger and taller than average. They do tend to pick up lint - easily remedied with a lintbrush.

I love the feel of these! The only reason they aren't perfect is that they are a little too lose at the foot end and it rumples up. All in all I'll buy them again!

These leggings are super comfortable, very soft and stretchy, and they aren't see through at all, so you can basically wear them with any length top. Very versatile and a must have piece for any wardrobe!

I love these leggings!! They are so comfortable and they are perfect to wear with boots and a dress!!

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Don't hesitate another minute to buy this sock if the price has you stuck! A solid running sock will cost this much and these socks are great. Perfect in regular shoes and a must for Vibrams. I ran a 50k in then with temps in low 20's. Feet stayed warm and no blisters. They do feel a bit weird at first but you quickly become used to them and they feel very comfortable!

The socks arrived in a timely manner and have proved to be just as advertised. Nice Socks. No flaws.

These work like a charm with my Vibram 5-Finger Sprint shoes. The pinky toes are a little long, but it makes no difference to my ability to slip them on under the Vibrams, so don't worry about a perfect toe fit. I wore these recently while running with my Vibrams in 30-something degree weather. I never noticed any coldness in my feet, and normally, I'm quite sensitive to cold.

Yes, they do feel a bit peculiar when I first put them on but once I'm in my running shoes I don't notice. I frequently run 6-7 miles and these socks definitely contributed to solving the problem I had with blisters between my toes. While not providing as much cushioning as some sports socks, I run in a well cushioned shoe so that is not an issue. I have several pair and they have been through the laundry a few times and seem to be holding up.

These are pretty good, although I don't own any other toe socks to compare them to. It takes a little while to get used to having fabric between your toes. I wear them so that I can wear some flip-flops around the house to help alleviate plantar fasciitis, and they work for that purpose.

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T-shirts are in my everyday apparel. I work in a lab so I get the pleasure of being able to dress very casually. Since I wear t shirts on a daily basis, I need something to fit and feel great. American Apparel made the perfect shirt for me. Buying AA t shirts in a retail store costs double of what sellers charge on amazon. If you want a great fitting t shirt with awesome comfort, buy this t shirt.

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If you kids like Yo Gabba Gabba they will love this toy. It is pretty large and my kids plays with it everyday. It plays music and is exactly like DJ Lance's Boom Box so it was a huge hit. My twins love playing with this and it plays music which is a plus. They dance as the music plays and have a ball.

This toy was purchased for my daughter this Christmas. YGG is her favorite show, so naturally she loves the songs she can play when she presses the buttons. She basically just plays with the buttons. The extra blocks just stayed inside the box until one day I realized all of the pieces were compatible with the Lego Duplo blocks. Now all of the building pieces are in her Lego bin, and she can carry around a much lighter boom box. True, she is not using it for what it was originally intended, but that's okay!

My son received this for his birthday. He likes to carry the boom box around and listen to the songs. He could care less about the rest of the toy. I think there's too much going on with this toy for the younger age group. The boom box alone would have been perfect. He could care less about the rest (aside from the characters). Plus, there are too many pieces to keep track of. Not a good toy for the targeted age group. It's a Yo Gabba fail.

My son loves the show and he loves this set! It's a lot larger than I thought it would be, so I was pleasantly surprised. If I would have known how big it was, I probably would have payed more for it. I've found that our friend's children who aren't familiar with the show don't "get" this toy and don't know quite know what to do with it. If your kid loves the show, this is a great set that will get a ton of play.

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I got this for my 3 year old son. But I think my 4 year old daughter likes it better. It is easy enough for her to put it together just by following the picture directions. I don't like that there are so many pieces, but that is my own personal pet peeve. This is one of the better Yo Gabba Gabba toys I've bought for my kiddos. I might even try the other Mega Block Yo Gabba Gabba accompanying items.

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I love it and so does my daughter:) it matches her duplo blocks too:)

Toy is very cute and each characters arms move up and down which was nice to see. I thought because this is mega blok it would match the other mega blok block sets I've gotten and it doesn't. So it has to be kept separate. Which is fine, it justn't wasn't clear when I purchased them.

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Everything was fine good instructions were included along with an extera decal to learn on.

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I read a bunch of reviews before purchasing the book. A friend highly recommended the book as well. I had read one review that mentioned Elizabeth being selfish and complaining a lot. My response to that review is that Elizabeth is supposed to be selfish! She is on a journey of self-discovery! She isn't traveling to save the poor in 3rd world countries. She specifically traveled to write the book about her own personal experience on how she wanted to figure out her place in life and how to heal a broken heart. This book wasn't meant to be a self-help book for others necessarily. She wanted to figure out her own problems and the reader could probably relate in one way or another. I also considered how she did some complaining, but who cares?? Again, that's part of the process towards how someone learns and grows. People fight the truth and reality and on that journey, the learning process can be tough because you are discovering new things about yourself which is why Elizabeth complained a lot. But notice by the end of the book she was A LOT more calm and relieved and satisfied. That's why it's such a great book, because you start to really learn and grow with Elizabeth and feel that sigh of relief in the end. My favorite part was in the end when she talks about the tree wanting the acorn to grow into itself. It really made sense of the book as a whole. The one reason why I gave 4 stars and not 5 stars was because i did find myself browsing over some overly-descriptive thoughts or hypothetical ideas that didn't have anything specifically to do with the actual storyline - i felt the same about DaVinci Code - which i loved too, but would have again only given 4 stars for a similar writing style reason.

I really enjoyed this book. It reads like non-fiction and still warms the heart. It has also inspired me to travel and explore more.

I could barely put this book down, it was so engrossing. It was an honest and entertaining narrative.

This is somewhat of a good journey book... as some of us are on a journey... but though I did find some of the book interesting... there came a point where I wanted to Scream at the author to STOP being so "Winey" about things she should well have gotten over... this part - repeatedly brought up in the book made the journey a hard one to get through... other than that it was a good read... but I kept wanting to tell her..."Get over it already and move on!Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia"

This is a wonderful book. Her day to day struggles with finding herself coupled with a very intelligent sense of humor makes for great reading. I cried from laughter multiple times just in the first few pages.

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Even though this book forms the basis for one of the foundations of yoga. I hate this book because the information in it is outdated and the pictures of the the demonstrated poses are ugly to look at. It's an old paperback book with ugly looking pictures. There are much better yoga books written for example by Rodney Lee, and current authors who paint a much lighter view of yoga that is easy to follow and easy to learn. Light on Yoga: The Bible of Modern Yoga...

but i was told tha at this book was an inspirational book - i dig yoga, and have been doing it for awhile - so, i loved the book anyway - actually, opened my mind and practice - definitely worth the read - if you were looking for something more inspiration like me, i've latety been totally floored by Live Like A Fruit Fly - also on amazon

I cannot imagine trying to teach yoga without this book. Begin at the very first page, don't skip the forward or the preface. The information in the appendicies is also very helpful. In Appendix I you will discover how he feels the asanas should be divided into primary, intermediate and advanced. If you follow the 3 courses as suggested you will cover 300 weeks of yoga. The difficult part with that section is that he list the asana work for each week in sanskrit. Appendix II is titled "Curative Asanas for Various Diseases". This could be helpful in cases of sciatica, headaches, nervousness, flatulence. Be sure to take a look at it too. Some will be helpful. The Glossary of sanskrit terms is also helpful.

It seems fitting that a yoga textbook should be stress-free to acquire. There was no wait, no problems, and the book was as good as new. The asanas are carefully and clearly described. This book is a good research guide if you want to practice on your own or make up your own sequence of poses.

I bought this book just to see what was in it. I use it in conjunction with two others I have...all Iyengar yoga. As a beginner, I'm careful and some of the poses are amazing. I'll still with my props.

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I have always wanted to learn more about the human body as it pertains to teaching yoga, but haven't made time to take an anatomy class (this can be challenging to fit into our busy lives!), so when I saw this book I took a chance in the hopes that it would be what I needed. Turns out it was that and more! This book is great at explaining in detail things I'd not considered before with regard to how our bodies function. The information is easy to understand, yet not overly simplified, and the illustrations are incredible. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning more about the human body and who practices or teaches yoga. A must have for your library!

I was looking for an anatomy book that would help me solidify the information I needed in understanding what the body does in a particular asana. This book tells you just what you need to know to understand the mechanics of asana. The illustrations are the best I have seen in an anatomy book, and the explanations are well written. This is a great book for teachers.

I lost mine on the airplane and need another one asap, cant live without it in doing my lesson plans for my classes!!! Great book!!!

As a yoga instructor I find this book extremely helpful to show students which muscles to activate and release for complicated poses. The visuals along with text and explanation assist in understand injuries and possible recommending poses for rehab. Addition, the insight on the human breath and the transition from embryo to human life is amazing. In all the anatomy classes over the years no one has covered how some smaller blood vessels of the baby while in the womb transition to ligaments in the last tri-mester. I guess that is similar to how baby knee caps are developed when they start to crawl. Highly recommended book.

Good book that covers the physiological aspects of yoga and how the body moves and stretches in poses.

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Great idea, but poorly made. Material is thin and very restrictive. They seem to be sized for a very petite foot with long skeleton toes. The toes are tight, way too tight, and I bought both my "correct" size and a pair a size larger. I don't have fat feet, webs, or extra toes ;-), but I do have a wide footprint with short toes. The stiching doesn't "give" at all, there are seams at the toes, and they actually cut off circulation to the toes. Beware if you don't have "perfect" model's feet, or if foot care for a health issue like diabetes is a priority for you. I'm sure they probably fit perfect on some feet, but they didn't work out on mine.

This socks worked great. Really anti-slip, comfortable once you get them on (a little bit had but that's always the case with socks that have separate toes). Could use them for a whole yoga class and they really kept my feet warm, and helped me keep my positions and balance.Loved them. Will buy another color eventually.

These socks are comfortable and I can do yoga with or without a mat on any surface. The grip is good and I like the toe separation.

I bought these because we our yoga class is on a hardwood floor. While barefoot is best, I'm a little squeamish about how clean the floor is. Also it can be a little slick when we're off the mat. Socks work great for yoga. So I tried them in a NIA class - which involves lots of movement and dance moves. No slipping! Last night someone called them my movable, portable yoga mat. When using for the NIA class on carpet, I noticed the socks shifted a little on my feet, i.e. my toes started slipping out. One tug and they were fine. People ask, "Don't your toes feel strange?" I don't notice any strangeness or discomfort. I'd recommend them highly.

I appreciate the organic fabric but could have used some extra spandex at the toe joint...too tight for toes to fit all the way so I cannot wear for long period of time. They do okay as far as griping the mat. I probably wouldn't buy this type again.

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This product works very well, but doesn't hold up. I bought two pairs, and both started falling apart after about the fourth yoga class! The sticky stuff cracked and then started coming off in pieces. The socks were far too expensive to be crumbling the first week.

The product started coming apart after 1 Yoga session. Would not recommend or buy again. Company offered no refund. Totally disappointed !!

I searched for a product that appeared to have the best traction and ordered them. I wore them twice to a theraputic yoga class and the heel cracked. They are still wearable, but very disappointing. I plan to contact the company, but from reading other reviews that have been posted since I purchased...not much satisfaction!

Received these as a gift, bunching at heel, but I figured that would change after the first washing. The blue sticky part cracked in several places the second time I used them. When I contacted Aleva Health about this they told me there were no guarantees for this product. I could exchange it for a credit at Aleva Health only. They have no other yoga socks. Considering the cost, this was a disappointment. I will not purchase from this company.

My feet are always icy cold in yoga class and I found it incredibly annoying to wear socks since they would slide all over the mat. I was really delighted to find these socks since they both keep my feet warm and don't slide all over the mat or twist on my feet in an aggravating way. The sticky part is really sticky and I don't have to keep reaching down to adjust how the socks are aligning on my feet. My only tiny criticism is that the hole for my pinky toe is too high up so the fabric rubs a bit between my last 2 toes. However, it is only mildly annoying and not really uncomfortable. I wasted nearly $20 on another pair of yoga socks that were completely worthless since they slid and twisted all over my feet, so I'm very grateful these stay in place nicely. That greatly compensates for the less than perfect cut on the pinky toes.

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I bought this for my 2 daughters (7 & 5). They love it b/c it is fun, and I love it b/c it really keeps them moving,jumping,and balancing.

I purchased this game because I was hoping to have a game that would encourage activity in my four-year-old son. He definitely is better at some of the challenges than others, so I usually choose the free-play option when he is using it so he does not have to go through each activity. I was surprised to see how much of a workout I was getting from some of the challenges (set at Intermediate or Expert, rather than Beginner). My 10-year-old niece also had a lot of fun with the challenges. I think there is a similar game which came out after this one that focuses more on "urban" activities and I felt like that would be a little too mature for my son. I am very happy with the variety of challenges and think it will be used for some time.

My hubby got this for X-Mas and we finally played it yesterday. Wow! I was sweating and keeled over the on the couch gasping for air by the end of the night...and I'm in great shape. There are many different games and you can use your own mii character. You will do a serious of different running and jumping movements. There are options to play with someone, against someone, or by yourself. The fitness workouts really kill you, but are also a lot of fun. Who doesnt want to work out to wack-a-mole? The only thing that drove me crazy about the pad is it would bunch up on me when I was doing sprints or hurdles. Any suggestions on how to make it stay put would be appreciated. I was thinking of getting some masking tape or something along those lines and tapeing to to the floor while I am using it. (I probably wouldnt have this problem if I had carpet). I think this would be a great game for adults and kids.

I have 4 kids ranging in age from 9 to almost 2. The older ones love it! The younger ones love to watch it! And my husband and I love it too. Great graphics and really gets your heart pumping. I highly recommend it!!!! It's fun to interact and not just sit and push buttons.

we are ecstatic that we purchased this game for our wii. it is everything it says it is. my kids break out in sweat playing it which is good for the long winter months with no outside play. i only wish the "loser" in the friend challenge wasn't so demonstrative of being a poor loser.