DVD Review: Prenatal Yoga with Shiva Rea

There are plenty of fitness DVDs on the market but finding the right prenatal workout can be more challenging than the workout itself. Experts say working out during pregnancy benefits both mother and baby. For some expectant moms, though, it's just too physically demanding to maintain a traditional fitness routine.

Yoga is a nice alternative to high impact workouts and it can be a relief from the bouncing and jiggling of cardio. Gaiam's Prenatal Yoga with Shiva Rea is magnificently shot. The production values are exceptional and the soundtrack is soothing, just what a yoga enthusiast might expect. An informative introduction by Shiva Rea points out the unique needs of a pregnant woman and explains how to interpret the DVD.

There are three featured performers, Shiva, representing first trimester, and two other women representing second and third trimester. Each one performs modifications to the poses according to her trimester in order to accommodate her burgeoning belly. The DVD takes the viewer through a series of basic yoga and other stretching techniques using blocks, chairs, straps and blankets.

I found Shiva Rea to be a rather uncharismatic leader. Her tone and posture in the introductory segment was reminiscent of Jan Brady - a little spacey, perhaps a little camera shy. But she did look incredible during the workout. Clearly yoga has worked well for her since giving birth to her child.

As I was going though the motions with the characters on screen, I couldn't help but lose my concentration about halfway through. My mind started to wander, I wasn't paying attention to my technique or form. And I suddenly realized I was bored. What I was expecting was a meditational warm up followed up with some flow transitions and a tranquil conclusion. Perhaps it was the stop-an-go feel that had me distracted.

Afterwards I was still feeling some tension in my upper back. I my pre-pregnancy yoga classes I recall feeling aligned from the top of my head to my toes when I was done. I didn't get that feeling after completing Prenatal Yoga with Shiva Rea. I realize it could be a symptom of pregnancy, I just might not feel like my normal self until after my baby is born.

This DVD might best be saved for a relaxing stretch right before bed. It wasn't comprehensive enough to call it a workout. I'm not sure that I will invest the money to buy this DVD, but it was good enough as a rental.