Yoga Journal and Lamaze present: Yoga for your pregnancy

I bought this video around 24 weeks when I started needed a little variety (had been using Shiva Rea's video). This video is a little less contemplative, and tends to involve more motion, and less holding of poses. There have been days when I craved one approach over another, so I recommend getting both videos. (Although neither one would be likely to satisfy a yoga purist or someone looking to really sweat). Despite the names of the segments - "relaxing" and "energizing" - I found both appropriate for morning or bedtime use and just picked the one that I had time for or that contained a stretch I really needed. I enjoyed the segment that described how to use these now-familiar motions during labor and delivery. I am still using this video in my 38th week and have not become sick of the instructor's voice or the music, in fact I still smile every time she says "...and this should feel really, REALLY good." Oh yeah!!Postnatal note: After five weeks of nursing and carrying around a new baby, my shoulders, neck and lower back felt like they'd never be the same again. I had forgotten this video has a postnatal segment, but popped it in thinking that the prenatal routine might be helpful. The postnatal routine is short and has too much yakking at the start of it, but the stretches really hit the spot. There is a little ab work also. Very good video - I am recommending it even more highly now.

Before doing pre-natal yoga, I had such stiffness from sciatica that by about 18 weeks into my pregnancy, I had quit walking. Doing yoga really helped me so now I am 33 weeks and still moving fine. I would recommend it for all pregnant women, no matter what pains or stiffness you may have, if any.I must be honest and tell you I am writing this review w/ a bias -- Krysten teaches the pre-natal class I go to 2x a week so I knew I would love this DVD before I bought it. That being said -- this really is the best pre-natal yoga DVD. Before I started going to Krysten's class, I had 2 other pre-natal yoga DVD's and this one is so much better because it is not just "regular yoga that happens to be safe for a pregnant woman" but it focuses on yoga positions and breathing practices that a pregnant woman really needs. For example, there are a lot of hip-opening positions which are great for relieving common pregnancy pains like sciatica.The program is shorter then I would like, so I just hit pause a lot and hold the position for a bit longer. I love that the DVD is divided into chapters for energizing and relaxing. Often I just do the relaxing session before bed and that is perfect for stretching and calming my tense, sore, 7-month pregnant body before bed.Also -- as "extras" there are breathing techniques and birthing positions and an interview/conversation between a Lamaze expert and the instructor. I do the breathing techniques almost every time I do the DVD and the interview was very calming and helpful too.

This video is organized in a way that makes it very flexible to fit your schedule. Instead of one flowing workout it has several separate segmants that can be played all the way through for a full practice or you can just spend a few minutes one section - energizing practice, relaxing practice, breathing, meditation. So you really have no excuse to skip out on your practice. It also has an interview with a lamaze coach that gives good tips on labor and delivery & has a 5 minute section of poses that will help in the birthing room. It's been perfect for my last trimester when my regular workouts at the gym weren't comfortable anymore. The segmants include a lot of good stretching postures, but not a whole lot of strength building poses, just a few that aren't held to long. But this was good for my last trimester & I alternated my workout days with stability ball exercises that focus on strength anyway. It also has a very relaxing guided meditation section that helps prepare you for the birthing process. The instructor is great & the studio is set up in a visually pleasing way to help bring peace of mind as you watch.

I did some yoga before this DVD, but not much - I found this very boring. I guess I'm used to getting sweaty and having a "really good workout". This didn't do it for me. I will use the video from time to time for stretching, but overall I wasn't pleased with the "workout" I got from this DVD. Also, I was disappointed that the workouts weren't fully explained. You were just told to do an exercise, not how to properly do it - I was concerned about posture and such when doing these pregnant. If you are looking for something to get you sweating and work you out, I don't feel this is it.

I admit, I am biased toward Yoga Journal products because I think they are just simply among some of the most comprehensive, safest and easiest to understand out there. But, I searched high and low for the perfect prenatal yoga video, looking at all sorts of options, and came back to this one every time.This DVD is just great, spiritual yet not New Agey at all and very, very relaxing. I particularly like the breathing technique section and I've always wondered about yoga techniques I could use in the delivery room. It's all in there.My only whine is that I am used to a 90-minute practice. So, this video is a little short for me right now in my first tri-mester. But, as I get bigger, I'm expecting that 30 minutes will be more than adequate.

I have used this video for my last two pregnancies - the results were great. Let me say that I was very dedicated and made sure I did yoga every night - and with both pregnancies I felt great and only gained 28 lbs. I'm not suggesting it was a result of only using this yoga video - I also walked 3x a week and watched what I ate. However, the yoga video was great in regards to stretching and I never had backaches or sleeping problems. My first labor went great and the second one I had a very fast labor (under 3 hours with no pain medication). My doctor believes it's because of the yoga, since I was in shape and the positions this video teaches you really did help me out. Highly recommend it.