Crunch - Candlelight Yoga

For about a month or so I was having trouble falling asleep. I decided that I needed to do something to relax my mind and body. I'd never done yoga before but thought that perhaps it could help me relax. After reading the reviews and description I decided to give Candlelight Yoga a try. I must say I'm very impressed with this DVD. From the first time I tried it I was very relaxed. From that night on I've fallen asleep within 10 minutes of getting into bed, which is a nice change from lying there for an hour or more trying to relax by breathing, counting backwards from 100, taking melatonin/over the counter sleeping medication. My mind is a lot more calm and I've got a greater sense of well-being. The workout itself is really nice. Sara Ivanhoe is a great instructor and her voice is very soothing. The poses aren't all that difficult and even though I'd never done yoga before or any other kind of exercise much I didn't have to the modifications. The only issue I have with this DVD is there's this one girl in it who I find rather annoying. She comes off seeming a bit pretentious to me. However, I know the DVD so well that I can keep my eyes closed throughout the whole thing and just follow along to Sara's voice. Also, the Morning Energizer routine is a great way to start the day and get some energy. I would definitely recommend this DVD to anyone who wants to give yoga a try, relax, become more flexable, reduce stress and/or eliminate sleeping problems.

This video was my introduction into yoga, what a great place to start. If you are looking for a strenuous video than this isn't what you want. But I highly recommend this to people who are new to yoga, or those more experienced who want a really soothing and relaxing video. Sara Ivanhoe is a great instructor, she isn't intimidating in the least, does a good job of explaining the postures as well as emphasizing the importance of breathing. You start out with breathing where Sara explains how to breathe, etc. Then you move into a vinyasa, which is a flowing series of postures coordinated with the breath. It gets you familiar with some of the terminology. Then you move into some simple postures that stretch you out nicely. Some of the poses are a little tricky, the tree pose is a balancing posture that I always have trouble with but I am getting better. There is also a nice shoulder stretch which isn't easy, then you finish out with runners lunge (stretch), then into some forward bends once with legs together, and then in a straddle position. My flexibility continues to improve with the forward bends. Then it's on to the final relaxation pose. All in all, a great video. Perfect for someone like me, and this video will do just as Sara says, leave you relaxed and rejuvenated.

I had gain a LOT a weight after having my daughter over a period of 6 yrs and last Nov I decided to make some major changes in my life... I had tried a lot of yoga DVD's on Netflix and most of them went real fast. I didn't feel like I had time to get any benefit from the poses because I felt like once I got into the pose it was time to move on. Then I found this on... Sarah Ivanhoe has this wonderful voice that is down to earth and real helps you relax. She doesn't go real fast so you can stay with her. An yes like other reviews state the title is a little miss leading because the screan is a little bright but you can still turn off the light in the room a zone out with her. I really think anyone from any level will enjoy this nice, calming work out. I still do this type every other day and different yoga dvds in between and since last Nov I went from around 180 lbs to around 125 lbs. This is my favorit yoga work out and now that it's not on Netflix anymore I'm buying it today.

This is a good light yoga for beginners. I got my decidedly non-yoga girlfriend to do this one with me and she enjoys it and notices the benefits. It's VERY light, so if you are looking for a workout go elsewhere. We use it as a gentle stretching video. Do NOT look into the black pits of her eyes. There is an abyss in there that your soul cannot withstand. The way she stares expressionless into the camera draws you in until you find yourself in the void. Good video for beginners. If you have Netflix you can watch it in the watch instantly area to check it out. We bought it to cut back on bandwidth usage and to have it when we travel or the cable is down.

I started practicing Yoga 7 years ago. I have accumulated 42 DVD's. I have a variety of the best Yoga leaders around and I just bought this DVD last week. It is immediately right at the very top of my list for several reasons. I love her voice. She leads you through this amazing practice with calm confidence. She is both spiritual and practical, setting a fantastic ambiance. She explains things with such clarity and creativity. She also brings you through some unique poses that open some really important areas in the body. I am a chiropractor and can really feel the benefits of these poses as I understand the mechanics of motion and the function of the musculoskeletal system. I will be buying more of Sara's videos. If you practice Yoga at home the way I do, you owe it to yourself to buy this video and prepare yourself to be delighted!

This is a great yoga DVD for the absolute beginner. This routine is a great introduction to yoga, if you never have tried it before. In this DVD, Sara Ivanhoe moves you gently through each position with clear instruction on body movement and breath (the foundation of yoga practice).The atmosphere and music is peaceful and pleasant, but not distracting. There is also an option on the DVD that allows you to have Sara instruct without the background music so you can use your own music. As an absolute beginner, I tried the Rodney Yee and Yoga Journal's DVD's when I first started and I was overwhelmed. The quick shifts from pose to pose were frustrating and intimidating as a beginner. Sara Ivanhoe's instruction is paced so you can actually get into the pose and stretch through it. Even if you cannot touch your toes at first, you will be able to recieve the benefits from yoga in this DVD. If you have never had a yoga class, and are new to yoga, this is a good DVD to try.

This feels like an instructional video with all of the chatter. While it was nice to give tips on proper form, she went into more details than that. I fast forwarded through the first 4 minutes or so. It is also best done with eyes shut. The cold, classroom environment really took away from the video. The music is very relaxing, and the poses are as well. But for me, I was bored. If I had known it had an instructional feel to it, I would not have purchased it. Relaxing doesn't have to equal dull.

Today was my first attempt at yoga and i popped in this video. I have to say that i was very pleased. I found that i could do all of the stretches in this video, either the 'real' pose or the modified. i felt a good stretch and my body loosen up in tight areas. this video starts out with an explaination on how to breathe and that yoga should always be practiced on an empty stomache (something i never knew). Sarah is very soothing and motivating without being annoying. i have been practicing pilates for a few months and i find that combining this video and my pilates tapes make for a perfect workout. i start out with the candlelight yoga video (the full 45 min one), then i move onto a move heart pumping/burning pilates video, i reccommend Burn & Firm pilates and i then do a segment from the Pick your Spot Pilates (ab, thigh, or buns) for extra toning and stretching out at the end of my workout. I not only reccommend Candlelight Yoga i also reccomment Pick your Spot pilates and Burn & firm pilates. Pilates is very similar to yoga in that it focuses on breathing (in and out of the nose deeply), stretching and fluid movements to improve flexibility. so if you enjoy Yoga try pilates, you wont be disappointed!

Excellent yoga workout for relaxation and improving flexibility. I use this as an additional workout when I need the extra stretching.

Great content

Awesome yogi! She has a wonderful calming way about her. The yoga is gentle and focuses on stretching and calming your mind.

This is my favorite video. I like the moves. I enjoy the instructor. The two different asaanas are easy to follow and I can fit them in my day. Namaste

I had the VHS and missed being able to watch it once the vcr died. A great way to stretch and decompress and the end of the day