The first workout begins with Cat-Chaturanga (think Active Moving Cat with a half yoga-pushup)- one of my favorites. Then we move onto Scooping, which starts in Downward Facing Dog, progresses to a pushup while you're in an inverted V (it's more difficult than it sounds), then moves to Upward Dog and lowers to the floor. Afterwards they show a lunge to low lunge sequence with a twist included two or three times. The last one is very challenging, and people should feel good about using the modification with the knee on the floor. Once we get to the floor, we go into table top and then twists. It doesn't sound like a lot, but you're muscles and heart are working.

The second segment is done standing. Like Power Yoga for Strength and Endurance, this routine includes a lot of chairs. They use various asanas between the chairs (that's how it felt). First is one with a lunge, then one with a hovering lunge (this was difficult), then 45-degree warrior. For the last one they get some targeted upper body work by pulling the elbows to shoulder height, then extending again. All while your front knee is bent 45-degrees. You really feel this.

These are very challenging workouts. I agree with the other reviewer that something a little more "warming" like a sun salutation would have worked well here, and a relaxation would be welcome at the end of the second segment. However, I think that would have defeated the purpose of a 20 minute fat burning routine, and since that was one of the big attractions for me, I can't complain.

Recommended for time-crunched people who want a yoga challenge.

20 of 21 found the following review helpful:

Ok for beginners with a little yoga knowledge  May 13, 2002
By aronao "arona_o"
This DVD comprised 2 20min sessions, the second one is a little more challenging than the first. The instructor takes you through a series of moving poses, warrior poses, forward and side bends and lunging poses just to name a few.

There's not a whole lot of instruction about how to position properly yourself in the pose, especially there is no instruction about how to position your feet properly for the warrior poses (I've done beginner iyengar yoga and you learn where to place your feet and how much to angle your foot in.)

But, the instructor does give a modified version of the poses which is great if you aren't all that flexible yet, and you don't need any props.

I've been doing the sessions one after the other. After the first session, I'm usually just sweating very lightly, but by the end of the second session, I've developed a good sweat. Afterwards I feel warm and relaxed and stretched out.

I really enjoy this DVD. I don't think it would be challenging enough for intermediate to advanced people but a beginner with a little knowledge should get a nice workout.

15 of 15 found the following review helpful:

Yoga Zone: Fat Burning  Feb 12, 2003

This DVD is great. It has two 20 minute segments, so you can do a 20 minute workout or the whole 40 minute workout. When I had done the complete DVD a few times I felt like I had been lifting weights at the gym. (I could barely sit!!!) This would be a great video for yoga beginners, if you are a little in shape. The instructor gives great instructions and modifies the poses if you are not as flexible or as strong.
This DVD got my heart beating and some good sweat going.

12 of 12 found the following review helpful:

Intense Workout  Jul 14, 2003
By A. Vegan
Wow.. now that's a workout. I never thought I would ever sweat in a yoga class. I have actually had comparable workouts in the gym. The poses are show in two different abilities, which is good especially if you're a beginner. I have no doubt that if you do this video often, along with a healthy diet, you'll lose weight and become stronger. The only thing I really didn't like about this video was that there isn't a cool down period. It says there is but it only consists of sitting on the floor, then that's the end.

10 of 10 found the following review helpful:

a really enjoyable dvd  Jun 30, 2004

This was one of my first yoga DVD's, and still one of my favorites. Even after work, when I don't feel like doing anything, this dvd feels great.
I tend to think that if I'm going to spend time on exercise, I don't want to just stretch and relax, so I was worried about yoga -- but this dvd has me sweating and working my muscles every time.
The segments are totally separate so you can do one or both.
I liked this one so much that I bought a bunch of other Yoga Zone DVDs, and I still like this one the best. Some of the others are so obviously a tv show that they still have the instructor saying "we'll be right back after these commercials" - and you feel like a chump for spending the money instead of recording it on the VCR! But this one doesn't have any of those breaks and the instructor is sweet and not annoying.
I agree, this DVD alone will probably not be enough to make you lose a lot of weight, but it is a great alternate day workout, or do one of the segments in the morning and then the treadmill at night, etc... It does work your muscles and make you feel more "aware" of your body too.
Enjoy!

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