Yoga Cardio for Pregnancy
596303
This is a great prenatal workout!  I have practiced yoga on and off for 17 years, and this dvd allows me to get the cardio component of vinyasa followed by the relaxing components of hatha or yin yoga, so I feel all the benefits of yoga while focusing on my growing belly.  The extra 10 minute meditation and the relaxation at the end of the 60 minute practice are beautiful for pregnancy.  Definitely include one of them to end whichever set you do.  This would get 5 stars, but I would have liked a beginner flow on it so everyone could do it. Beginners could still benefit from the warm up flow, then skip to the stretching poses at the end.  I'm hoping to be able to keep this up in my third trimester, but I may need to switch  to Anna Getty or Hala Khouri, which are less cardio intensive.
1267436
The Cardio workout contained within is great.  Gets the heart pumping without over-exhertion, and is just the right length.  The pilates is okay (I prefer the 10 Minute solution Prenatal Pilates to this one).  The Yoga leaves something to be desired.  It is VERY slow paced, and not very challenging.  I also found that the instructor and setting were a bit distracting.
899551
Love this. Yoga was something I tried on and off for years, and it had been a long time since I last gave it a shot. But, after doing some research into pain relief (this pregnancy is putting my hips and legs through quite the ringer, plus I am sure once I reach the 3rd trimester my back will be killing me, if I don't do something about it) I found that prenatal yoga may be just the thing to try out. And, even though my balance needs a lot of work, I found that after going through the movements, postures, breathing, etc, just once, that I slept a whole lot better, and wasn't walking like a grandma. Would def' recommend this to preggie friends!
4273621
I wish I had gotten this earlier in my pregnancy. It's a really great strengthening workout AND it helps relieve muscle tightness and muscle cramps.

This is my first pregnancy. I had been running 4 or 5 days a week, 3-5 miles a day, before morning sickness and fatigue knocked me flat in the first trimester. I did yoga at home during the first trimester, but nothing too strenuous. At about 11 weeks, I started to feel less nauseated and I had more energy. I thought I was going to return to running and do that for most of the rest of my pregnancy. I was wrong. I tried to keep running but my body refused, and I figured that if there's any time I should really be listening to my body, it's now. I started just walking, but walking didn't feel like it was enough of a workout. So I started looking for prenatal exercise DVDs. This one is fantastic.

You do need a resistance band to do this. I bought "Exercise Variable Resistance Band 5-level Latex Tubes - Set": http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XUVA4O/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1. You only need one band, but I didn't know which resistance I'd want to use, so I got a set. I'm using light resistance, but I hope to move on to medium as I continue to use this DVD.

The exercises are fantastic. The DVD includes lots of squats and lunges, which I'm sure are preparing me for labor and delivery. They also loosen up my pelvis and back and just feel good. The workout also strengthens my arms and back. It works triceps, biceps, and various back muscles as well as muscles in your pelvis and legs. I only do about 35 minutes of the full-length workout, but I'm working my way up to the full thing. If you want a DVD that works out your muscles to the point that you feel it the next day, this one's for you.

I will update this review when I move into the third trimester section.

Note: I bought two other DVDs from Amazon at the same time. I tried "Amira's Belly Dance & Yoga For Pregnancy" and hated it. It is too kooky and new-age, even for this yogini. It was also not intense enough to feel like a workout. I also got "10 Minute Solution: Prenatal Pilates," which I really like and which I use regularly. I shall review both on their product pages.
1802290
I'm in my first pregnancy (only about 7w) and I really wanted to incorporate yoga into my prenatal health care practice. I've done a fair amount of yoga over the last several years, but I still found this DVD challenging and refreshing. I like that we get to see women at three stages of pregnancy, and it's great how the postures are modified for each stage. Also, I appreciate how she tells us the benefits (to women, to the baby, and to aid with pregnancy and labor) of each posture. My only "complaint" is that the women don't do the "mirror image" of the postures, so if you are new to yoga it might be difficult to follow some of them (especially the twists) at first. The other thing to be aware of is that she uses props (a block, a strap, a blanket and a chair). I have all these, but someone new to yoga should be aware that they'll need these pieces. Overall, I look forward to continuing my yoga practice with the help of this DVD!
2548747
I'm a regular exerciser who wasn't looking forward to slowing down when I got pregnant, but figured I'd buy a yoga DVD and do my best. At first it was interesting but a little slow. Then I started having premature contractions and got put on modified bedrest. My doctor said I couldn't exercise at all but after a week of that my muscles (and my brain) got very twitchy and restless. Now I've started to do this yoga DVD again and it's gentle enough to ease my restlessness and doesn't cause any contractions. I think it's saving my sanity and keeping my baby healthy to boot!
194521
This is a really nice workout, not too difficult but not the typical prenatal yoga where you can't work up a sweat. I might use this as I try to get in shape after baby, just to ease back into my more challenging workouts.
2961012
I have purchased multiple copies of this inspirational DVD by Desi Bartlett in order to share her powerful prenatal yoga technique with all the expecting moms in my life. This practice made my recent pregnancy smooth and kept me fit and strong!
4841376
I would agree with many of the reviewers that this is not quite as good as Kathy Smith's pregnancy workout. However, it does provide a good basic pregnancy workout. It contains a warm up, followed by 3 aerobic songs, then a pretty good leg section (better than Kathy's) followed by some abdominal strengthening and a cool down. I worked out a lot before pregnancy and even though this may not be as challenging as I would like, I do it a couple of times a week for a change. It does energise and tone and keeps you feeling healthy and fit during pregnancy.
570306
This is a very good post natal workout. Good cardio sections as well as strength training and core workout. I would recommend.
4142687
i tried to take classes with the tutor outside but as it is very costly, i found this "Preatal Yoga with Shiva Rea", very helpful. There is no confusion as 3 people are doing the yoga who are in different trimesters, so we can follow one person as per our trimester.
4861152
I was experiencing sciatica and parasthesia (tingling/numbness) in my legs - until I tried this DVD. It's wonderful because you can use it all throughout pregnancy without having to worry since it has modifications for all stages of pregnancy. If you're a beginner, you could possibly add the '1st Trimester' stage as part of your daily routine (might as well get the most use out of this - you won't be pregnant forever!) I also love that it reminds me of my Yogalates (Yoga & Pilates) DVD by Louise Solomon, which is my absolute favorite, but can't be used throughout pregnancy if you don't know how to modify the poses. This Prenatal Yoga DVD is EXCELLENT - Add it to your collection!
2078921
This is exactly what I was looking for!!!! I am a fairly fit pregnant woman. I have been regularly working out in group exercise classes for more than a year. Weight lifting, Body Shred, core, Spin or yoga classes. I am now going into my third trimester and am feeling a little limited with what I can do for cardio (besides an elliptical or treadmill at the gym) as well as safe core workouts. I was also wanting a workout that I could do at home for those extra busy weeks when I don't get to the gym as often as I'd like. I was frustrated with the choice of pregnancy fitness dvd's as they were either not challenging enough or else the cardio was too many dance type moves that had me more frustrated and not sweating enough. I'm used to doing Jillian Michael's dvd's where you do something for 30 seconds to get your heart rate up.

I did the 3rd trimester advanced workouts and I like that I have all those options. I was sweating and yet my heart rate wasn't sky high. For some of the moves I added some light hand weights to challenge myself a bit and it worked totally fine.

Lindsay had good explanations and modifications and the moves were challenging but not frustrating to do.

 I really, really, really recommend this for active pregnant women that want to continue to feel like they are getting a good workout.
4762960
I absolutely love this workout. When I originally ordered it, I assumed it would be more of a relaxing yoga workout for stretching. Much to my pleasant surprise, instead it is a challenging prenatal workout with moves that get your heart rate up without being too difficult on your body. She uses a combination of yoga, pilates, and dance moves to keep the exercises fresh. I love that most of the moves work more than one part of the body, so you are making the most of your time. Even though the moves are tough, you are also stretching and moving in ways that feel good during pregnancy. I have lots of hip and back pain, but this video does not aggravate those areas at all. The stretching segment at the end is a great way to finish! Suzanne is a great instructor without too much talking during the workout so you can enjoy it and focus on your body. I highly recommend this video.
1984943
My background: I used to work out regularly before pregnancy with Jillian Michael's 90 Day Shred, P90x and Insanity, and classes at my gym (Zumba, spinning, etc). Once I became pregnant I became lethargic the first trimester and barely worked out (beyond a slow walk around the block.) Everyone is different, but for me, I really like this DVD and it helps me to get a workout in while being pregnant (used it mostly during the 2nd trimester and I just began the 3rd trimester today). It may not be a cardio workout per say, but it is good for your arms, posture, and I enjoy the labor lunges and how she describes everything as she does it. I don't find her to be annoying as other people have said. I think she is pleasant and bubbly without being fake. I also add walking to my workout routine so that fills the "cardio" gap that you might feel. You will also need an exercise band for this DVD and a chair, and some pillows.. just something to know ahead of time.
4255937
I am 20 weeks into my second pregnancy and I have started to get to the point where my typical pre-pregnancy workouts were starting to become too difficult.  Around 5 years ago, the last time I was in the market for prenatal workouts, the selection was pretty dreary for the advanced exerciser (Lindsay Brin's&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Lindsay-Brin-s-Complete-Pregnancy-4-DVD-Workout-Set-Cardio-Toning-PLUS-Yoga/dp/B000YA4F2K/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Lindsay Brin's Complete Pregnancy 4-DVD Workout Set: Cardio, Toning PLUS Yoga</a>&nbsp;was the only reasonable workout I could find).  This workout is better.

I did not use the first trimester dvd because I did my regular workouts during the first trimester and up until around 19 weeks.  I started this workout at the second timester.

This workout is suitable for the advanced exerciser who would like to remain in shape throughout her pregnancy.  I would not recommend this to the person who has not been a consistent exerciser.  This is a circuit-training workout with weights that works both upper body and lower body.  For each trimester, there is 2 routines and 1 express routine.  The full-length routines are approximatel 20 minutes in length.  There is a cool-down and a warm-up per trimester.  There is also some light ab work.  I would have preferred more ab work.  The&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Perfect-Pregnancy-Workout-vol-1/dp/B000BLKJ5E/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Perfect Pregnancy Workout vol. 1</a>&nbsp;has the best ab routine of any prenatal workout I have tried.  Body by Trimester requires an exercise ball and light and heavy weights.

The instructor was knowledgeable and reasonably energetic and perky without being annoying.  The pace of the exercises was done well and a lot of attention was paid to proper form.  The workouts in this dvd were the closest to my typical workouts (I prefer taking bootcamp classes and working out at home to Cathe, Bob Harper, Jackie Warner, and Jillian Michaels).  The exercises went between strength training to cardio work.  There were a lot of lunges, squats, and upper body work.  There was also some plyometrics (yeah!). I have been doing the two routines together for one approximately 50 minute workout.  So right now, I have 3 decent prenatal workouts:  Lindsay Brin, Perfect Pregnancy workout volume 1, and this one.

If you are an advanced exerciser who wants a challenging prenatal, this is the most difficult one I have found.  Highly recommend!
3524264
The only part of this video i participate in is the salsa dance.  she is an aerobics instructor, not a yoga teacher, and that fact is obvious.

it is annoying when she exhales into her microphone.  that is totally unnecessary and it sounds like she's blowing up a balloon.  luckily, she only does it a few times during the salsa dance, or i probably wouldn't do that either.

I do enjoy the salsa dance workout.  i work up a little sweat but do not feel like she is pushing too hard.  It is great for working out in your third trimester.  easy yet effective.  i feel good after doing it.