Yoga Pregnancy: Pre and Post Natal Workouts

I purchased this DVD during my pregnancy because I wanted to make sure I stayed flexible, calm and slept well during my pregnancy. I am a former gymnast, 30 years old and a mother to (now) two children. During my first pregnancy I experienced horrible insomnia and wanted to make sure that didn't happen this time.The first time I did this DVD, I'll admit to being a little bit bored. I felt like it moved too slowly. I'm glad I gave it another chance because it became the best part of my day towards the end of pregnancy. I experienced sciatica starting in about week 20 and many traditional workout moves progressively became impossible for me. I tried yoga because it's low-impact and know that it can help with aches and pains. In the beginning of the video she says "doing yoga helped me recover very quickly" which was music to my ears; I wanted my body back.The video itself contains two workouts- a prenatal and a postnatal workout. They are each about 30 minutes in length, give or take for the introduction. The workouts open with floor moves for about ten minutes, standing moves for another ten minutes and close with cool-down stretching (sorry for the lack of yoga jargon) and relaxation. Soon after doing this video a few times during my pregnancy I decided I would get up early to do it every day to keep calm during the day and do a different video in the evening when my sciatica allowed. I'm not the type of person to want to get up even a second early so getting up earlier was a tall order for me.There are three women showing you the exercises in each video- beginning, intermediate and advanced. You can follow one gal the whole time or switch depending on where you are in your practice or how you feel that day. Heather is encouraging and reminds you that yoga is not a performance sport.RESULTS, PRENATAL PORTION:+ It was much easier to get out of bed in the morning+ I remained calm during my stressful job+ I remained calm through the demands of having a four year-old and taking her to and from daycare+ I maintained my flexibility+ I maintained my muscle tone and lengthened my muscles as well+ I got a lot of "you only look pregnant in your stomach" and "I can't even tell you're pregnant from behind" comments+ My blood pressure stayed low+ I felt less physical tension+ My balance was good al the way through the end of my pregnancy+ In labor they marveled at my flexibility, called me "Gumby" (in an encouraging way) and commented on how calm I was+ Pushing the baby out was very quick as I had built up the appropriate muscles for labor+ Within ten days postpartum I was back down to three pounds above my pre-pregnancy weight. My body didn't look the same but it bounced back much more quickly than last time. Strangers commented "you don't even look like you've had a baby."RESULTS, POSTPARTUM PORTION:+ I can remain more calm juggling a 7 week-old and a now 5 year-old+ I am becoming even more flexible+ My body is firming up to where it was before+ I have an excuse to take some "me" time in the midst of my hectic lifestyle+ I feel better equipped to handle my daily demandsI use the postpartum video every other day as "rest" days in between more intense and high-energy exercises and whenever I need to calm down and focus.Highly recommended. Even if you rotate and supplement with other videos, this video will pay itself off quickly.

I have done yoga on and off for 2 years, using DVDs and going to a studio. I feel like I have moderate knowledge of the practice and experience with many poses. I was looking for a moderate yoga DVD (not too difficult, not too easy) to start in my second trimester.I bought two DVDs for prenatal yoga, Yoga Pregnancy and Elements Prenatal & Postnatal Yoga. I'll review both as a comparison.1. Yoga Pregnancy - I enjoyed this DVD as a reintroduction to the practice and it was easy enough that any novice can follow along. I appreciated that there was no voiceover (they can be annoying) and Heather was giving direction in the studio. I love that there was a model for each trimester so I could follow exactly with the modifications I needed. The 30-minute practice was the perfect length of time and I appreciated that she touched on Kegel exercises, although they are harder to do while in a squat. It was a little slower paced and only touched on some yoga poses that build strength, which made the DVD lacking for my needs. Because this DVD focuses mostly on stretching, I would enjoy it on days that I'm lacking energy (or motivation) or perhaps later on in my third trimester.2. Elements Prenatal & Postnatal Yoga - I enjoyed this DVD much more that Yoga Pregnancy. It was moderately paced, a perfect 30 minutes in length, and was more of an actual yoga practice that I am used to. Elena looked to be toward the end of her second trimester (maybe beginning third!) and the modifications for yoga poses felt perfect for my body. There was a voiceover for guidance, but it wasn't annoying like previous ones I have encountered. I appreciated that there were enough poses to build strength and they flowed well together. The practice ended with enough stretching for the time allowed. I would have liked to see a model for each trimester, but I managed without it.

This is my favorite prenatal exercise DVD. Seiniger is so down to earth and does a great job leading the session. The music is great and I never get tired of the video. My only wish is that there was less cheesy pregnancy talk, like "Maybe you can think of this pose as a preparation for that... special moment" ;) I'm okay with interesting stuff like, "This pose is great for reducing the pain of back labor" but the other stuff just breaks my concentration and makes it awkward to do the yoga video with others (I like making everyone I know do prenatal yoga with me). But anyway, back to the positives, because this is a five star review. The flow is paced beautifully, none of the poses ever feel dangerous or too uncomfortable, I find I sleep better, have a better mood, less anxiety. And it's short! 30 minutes is so easy to accomplish each day. I did this video every single day for three months, end of 1st through middle of 2nd trimester. Then I moved and had a lot of unpacking and found myself too exhausted for yoga, but now I'm entering my third trimester and looking forward to getting back to this video. My weight gain has been right in the average zone and right on schedule (in spite of sugar habits I can't quite kick). I've only gained weight in my abdomen and I have better balance now than I did before pregnancy. I could do tree pose forever. Thanks Heather Seiniger!

I loved this DVD and used it during and after both my pregnancies. I bought loads of pregnancy DVDs including Budda Bellies and Tara Lee and always ended up reverting to this one. At 30 mins it is possible to do every day and really helped my lower back pain. I bought copies for my friends when they became pregnant, one who has done yoga, one who has not, 100 per cent recommend this DVD.

The physical DVD was great, in perfect condition but the content of the DVD was just alright and not quite my cup of tea.