HeavyWeight Yoga 2: Change the Image of Yoga

i wanted to do yoga but everytime i went to the free yoga channel on my television, it was skinny girls doing things that i just couldn't get done with my body type. for reference, i'm a size 22, 5' 7", and quite well-endowed. some of those poses are just impossible without suffocating myself or losing circulation to important parts of my body, like my brain. so i went on a search for plus-size or 'big girl' yoga - and this is what i found. and i'm glad i did.as other reviewers recommended, i watched it through once before attempting and am glad i did. it was good to be able to pay attention to the moves and how each different person did the. abby, the class leader, is probably about the same size i am, but a bit shorter. there were more normal sized people in the class who did the more advanced poses, a larger girl who did the moves with some modifications, and some others who were shown doing modified poses. by watching it through once i was able to see the different modifications. the first time i did the routine, it was NOT easy but i felt the stretch right away. i also felt relaxed and kind of delicious - pushing a bit further every couple of days and working muscles that i've never worked before really feels good.i am not doing this for weight loss, although there are some calories burned for certain. i was looking for something low-impact to do instead of my recumbent bike that would burn a few calories and make me feel better about myself. and i do - i kind of feel more confident and a bit healthier all around. i follow a sort-of low fat, restricted calorie diet and have also incorporated more fruits and veg into my diet, so this was part of a lifestyle change. i highly recommend this to anyone who thought 'i'd like to do yoga, but it's just not for me' - because whether you're a big person (read: plus size), have special considerations like arthritis or other injuries, or are just not ready for the yoga classes outside of your home, this is a great place to start.as far as props: i have a 1" mat that i use for floor exercising and yoga, and you will want either this or a standard yoga mat. a folded blanket can help prop up your bottom in sitting poses. if you are plus size or very tall (like my husband is) i recommend a 9' strap, they are available online or in stores - or go to the fabric store and buy your own strap material and buckle like i did :D i also have two blocks that i use to support my arms and in some standing poses. i think depending on your size and flexibility, the blocks are definitely optional but i highly recommend having a strap at the outset. happy yoga :)

I like this video, this was my first experience with yoga. I think for me I appreciate the fact that she has an assortment of body types and ages in her video. For me there's nothing worse than seeing a class full of fit people smiling and doing the exercises your huffing and puffing to do while you work out. I choose to start with the second video because I wanted her most recent release and I read a few reviews from her first that suggested it. My only dislike was a few positions she moved through a bit fast where most of the others were done a bit longer. It could be just me and my experience thus far in yoga though. I would say this is great for people with no fitness level, people who are fuller figured, and people who have had many years of life. People who are fit, experienced in fitness, looking for a challenge and have taken several yoga classes this is probably not for you. I suggest getting a stretch out yoga strap, she uses a strap in her video and it definitely helps to get a good stretch in before you start and during the video. You can check out the one I use in my other review if you like. She also uses a rolled blanket or towel and some people use a yoga block. I will be getting a yoga block. Of course a good yoga mat is suggested, I've reviewed one that has a lifetime warranty just in case your looking for one of those as well.

This was my first yoga DVD so I cannot compare it with anything similar, but I own enough exercise-at-home DVDs from various systems/instructors to have an idea of what to expect and what works (at least for me).I found this one to be true to its title, purpose and claim. It is indeed yoga for overweight/obese people and although you may not be able to fully perform some movements in the beginning, you can certainly complete the session without having to compromise/miss too much, but also without having less enjoyed it.As others have already mentioned, I would suggest that you watched the entire session at least once without following it, so as to get familiar with the moves and flow. There is also the instructor's commentary that you can optionally enable and get some more hints & tips on movement variations and other stuff that could not be said during the normal session flow. Finally, I also found the class members' interviews quite encouraging and useful, as you meet people of different age groups, sizes, backgrounds and physical issues, who had different reasons for starting yoga, but nevertheless thoroughly enjoy it and profit from it.For the time being I am doing this once a week but I do want to increase to 2-3 times per week, as I find it a good exercise for enhancing my core strength and complementing my fitness program.

After reading reviews and knowing I could only afford one yoga DVD, I decided to go with HW Yoga 2. If you're in the same dilemma, I'd really suggest going with the original HeavyWeight Yoga. This second DVD refers to information on the first DVD (and some of the how-to info was really important to me). The DVD also starts with floor poses, so if you finding getting down/up from the floor a challenge, or if you aren't sure whether this is for you, take a few minutes to visit Abby on YouTube for some additional info. If this had all the info I personally need, I would give it 5 stars. I will also note I would have originally given it 1 star but contacted Abby through her website (address is on the DVD) and she was extremely helpful.