[.ca] D.Austin Fat Blasting Y.

From Amazon.com:
This well-designed program combines fast-paced yoga moves for fat-burning, hatha yoga poses for strength and flexibility, and stability ball exercises for core conditioning in three segments that can be done in one 60-minute session, or separately. Segment 1 builds patterns based on strong yoga poses such as the Warrior and Balancing Stick, adding lifts and lunges at a fast pace so that you're breathing faster and working the muscles simultaneously. Segment 2 is strength training by holding poses. Segment 3 focuses on core strength with a stability ball. Some familiarity with yoga is helpful--Austin doesn't give much instruction about breathing or the fine points of the poses--but not required. Although Austin talks nonstop, as always, her voice is quieter than usual and more fitting for this workout. (The repetitive, rhythmic music, however, is distracting rather than supportive.) Recommended for intermediate exercisers because no modifications are shown, and many of the poses are challenging. --Joan Price

Not for me:
I picked this up as a yoga beginner -- that was my first mistake. My second mistake was in not researching other people's opinions of Denise Austin first. Simply put, the commentary is annoying; I know it works for some people, but Austin's incessant chatter about how well I'm doing just grates on me. I'm definitely in the wrong generation for this to work (think, "motivational speaker"). As for the yoga aspect, with no prior knowledge of the positions/forms, the fluid but fairly rapid movements from one position to the next are lost on me. That said, I'll grant that it's probably a strong workout if you *do* know what's going on. More information on the liner -- that this isn't for the uninitiated -- would have spared me the time and cost. Disappointing.

Very good workout DVD:
I originally borrowed this DVD from the local library and have now ordered it from Amazon as I enjoy the routine so much. I've done Ashtanga yoga before so I know that it gives you a workout combined with great muscle stretches etc. It's not like regular yoga where everything is quiet and serence and single poses. This is flowing poses which gets your heart rate up. I can't stand fast paced cardio that I can't keep up with and routines that are hard to learn but, even if you haven't done Ashtanga yoga before, you'll soon pick up the routine easily. I didn't have a power ball either so just did the abs section without it and it was fine. As a lot of people state, Denise can be slightly annoying with her constant talking but I find the numerous reminders to pull my abs in invaluable. I've also bought her core complete workout which is good. Waiting for delivery of the Shrink Your Female Fat Zones because it also has very good reviews.

Not for beginners:
I absolutely love this DVD. The workout is quick (30 mins or 15 mins segments)and invigorating. I would not recommend this DVD to beginners, however. Many of the moves need to be familiar to have the best effect. I would recommend Denise Austin's Yoga Essentials for someone who wants to learn the basic moves in yoga. Once the basics are learned, following along with this DVD is easy. I do wish there were alternative exercises for those who do not have the exercise ball in the 15 min ab segments. I skip this part. Contrary to all the negative comments about Denise's perkiness, I find her helpful and uplifting, and she keeps me on task. The reminders about body positions are necessary. I will recommend this DVD.

Excellent introduction to yoga and tool to get in condition:
If you enjoy Dennis Austin, then definately try this video. As a beginner to intermediate level exerciser, I found this video to be challenging and enjoyable. I appreciated Dennis's encouragement and marveled at the simplicity and effectiveness of the movements executed over time. I used this program as the foundation for my routine over a 10 month period and after a while, added other videos for variety, however, I always came back to this as a favorite. Thanks Dennis for helping me achieve my fitness goals beyond what I thought I could do! Now that summer is getting too humid for my outdoor routine, I'm upgrading to a DVD version. Rene King

Crikey!:
I've never written a review before, but I feel very strongly about this workout video and think everyone should know about it. Why? 'Cause it sucks. I'm not joking. Denise Austin is like a mad woman in this video... she's all over the damned place and her voice is constantly grating. Yap-Yap-Yap... Yoga is supposed to be relaxing, but this woman is like a crazy dyslexic hurricane who's all over the place. I'll probably give it another shot... the workout itself looks cool, but it's just too damned fast.