Shiva Rea: Creative Core & Upper Body

I chose this DVD since I wanted a video that I could do on days that I cannot make it to pilates which is my strength training mode of choice. I do yoga regularly but more for flexibility than strength building. I was prepared for all of the push-up after reading a couple of reviews. I am not going to lie. It is hard work. I did a similar exercise in a class on arm balances in order to build upper body strength. If I can get to the point where I can do all of them without dropping to my knees, I am sure I will be pretty strong. I was less happy with the core section. I am not sure that I like Shiva Rea's form of yoga since it is pretty hippy dippy (a lot of talking about inner power) but it is pretty difficult. If you like her style, I am sure you will like this DVD. I am still looking for the perfect style.

Although this DVD is focused on the upper-body strength it is still very well balanced incorporating forward bends, twists and backbends that increase in intensity as the practice continues. The practice starts with a short warm-up before beginning agni namaskar. Basically there are three main rounds.ROUND 1: consists of three sets of up to 12 push-ups totalling up to 36. In between each set of 12 push-ups in round one you incorporate cobra pose, an option upward dog, downward facing dog, warrior one holding the legs still while raising the arms overhead on the in-breath and lowering the arms with the out-breath.ROUND 2: consists again of three sets of up to 12 push-ups totalling up to 36. In between each set of 12 push-ups in round one the intensity of the backbend is increased from round 1, substituting salabasana for cobra. You practice the backbend three times between each set of push-ups. Again in round 1 you have the optional upward dog, and then move to downward dog. This round you move to warrior one and clasp the hands behind your back. Lift your chest on the inhale, keeping warrior 1 legs bending the crown of the head to the inside of the front foot on the exhale. You move with the breath 2 or three times. This is done between each set of push-ups.ROUND 3: consists again of three sets of up to 12 push-ups totalling up to 36. The intensity is increased this time. Before moving into the push-ups you take twisted chair pose to each side. In between each set of push-ups you move into warrior 1, then high lunge with twist. The backbend intensity is again increased as you now are doing bow pose (danurasana) instead of salabasana. The first time you do bow pose you focus on tilting back and lifting the chest, second time tilting forward lifting the legs. The third time you lift everything.After the three rounds are completed you move into the core section. This core section is short but I definitely feel like I have ignited a fire in my belly. Shiva consistently reminds you to engage uddiyana bandha lying on your back. I have to take some breaks throughout as I cannot hold it as long as Shiva does. I love this core practice as you are encouraged to bring some creative flow to the practice towards the end. She also gives options such as bending the knees or not holding shoulders off the ground the entire time, or supporting the head with one hand while the other arm reaches out.Even though this is a short practice, I really feel like it is a complete practice. Even though you do some push-ups, it feels like a yoga practice and not a "work out" per se. Every time I complete this workout I feel strong all day and tell myself that I need to do it more often. Shiva also includes this 'agni namaskar' sequence on her surf sould DVD and her new daily energy DVD, however this DVD has the longest most complete version of it. I highly recommend this DVD.

I have been doing yoga on and off for several years and really enjoy it. Recently I discovered the joy of going regularly to an actual yoga class instead of doing a DVD at home. I'll have to admit, it has spoiled me alot. i got a Rodney Yee DVD (Power Yoga for Total Body) for this period during which my favorite yoga teacher is on pregnancy/maternity leave and found myself somewhat bored. I mean, it's a good workout and very much back to "basics" but i missed the variety and creative moves I had become accustomed to.So, i sought out Shiva Rea videos because I've heard she's very dynamic. And that's completely true. Unfortunately, some of her other videos are a little too dynamic for me, like the Trance Dance stuff. However, this video was spot on and I really, really like the matrix system on her DVD's. This DVD and her Daily Energy Vinyasa Flow DVD are going to be used often. Once again, I love the matrix system. i can't say it enough. It's so obvious, I find myself wondering why all workout DVD's don't have it.One note about the "Creative Core" section. It's wild. You basically lay on your back and do all sorts of "free" movements with your shoulders and legs up off the ground. Some of it is a patterned movement but then she just tells you to let go and follow your own body while she does all sorts of spontaneous and mixed movements. Personally, I don't mind it. It's a great time to discover your own strength & flexibility. We often had "creative periods" during my yoga class while doing shoulder stands. I like them.I'm not sure I really want to give it a 5 star rating because I would like stronger poses, but when I compare it to numerous other yoga videos, 4 stars isn't quite enough.

Seit Jahren bin ich ein Fan von Fitness-DVDs und habe mir eine beachtliche Sammlung zu gelegt. Besonders empfehlenswert sind DVDs von Shiva Rea. Die DVD Creative Core + Upper Body ist schön anzusehen und auch die Stimme der Synchro ist sehr angenehm. Dadurch ist es eine wirklich ansprechende DVD. Die Übungen werden für Ungeübte zunächst sehr anspruchsvoll sein, was grds. gut ist - immerhin kann man so längere Zeit mit der gleichen DVD trainieren, bevor sich die Muskulatur daran gewöhnt und man neue Reize setzen muss.Wieso also nur 3 und nicht 5 Sterne? Wer Yoga-Neuling ist, sollte die Übungen erstmal nur ansehen, nicht sofort mitmachen. Bei Yoga geht es um fließende Bewegungen, die der Atmung folgen. Man muss hierfür die Bewegungsabläufe kennen. Zudem sollte man sein eigenes Tempo (also seinen eigenen Atemrhythmus) finden. Das fällt schwer solange die Bewegungsabläufe unbekannt sind oder man ständig zum Bildschirm sehen muss. Daher empfehle ich Anfängern entweder vorher eine andere YogaDVD als Einstieg zu wählen oder sich die Übungen dieser DVD erst einmal in Ruhe nur anzuschauen, bevor man gleich mitmacht.Wer ein anspruchsvolles Training sucht, bei dem man während der Übung den Bildschirm im Blick haben, gleich mitmachen kann und trotzdem ähnlich ruhig abläuft, der könnte bei Exhale Body Sculpt fündig werden.

Diese DVD ist vor sehr schöner Kulisse entstanden und zeigt, daß Liegestütze immer noch die beste Übung für den Oberkörper sind. Speziell für Schultern und Brustmuskeln, die ja auch Frauen gut gebrauchen können, nicht nur Männer ;-)Zwischen den Liegestützen werden verschiedene, recht anspruchsvolle Übungen gezeigt. Es braucht eine ganze Weile, bis ein "Normalo" die ganze DVD mitmachen kann. Insgesamt 35 min mit sehr anspruchsvollem, jedoch lohnenswertem Programm. Ich habe die deutsche Fassung gekauft.

自然の中で自分もＷｏｒｋｏｕｔしてる気分に成れます．動きは簡単で、ジワっと汗が出てきます。ゆっくりとした動作なので、運動が苦手な人でも、アパートで騒音が心配な人でも安心です。体全体の筋肉を引き締められると思います。皆さんにお勧めしたいです。