Yoga Articles General Discussion

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Michael’s first weight loss DVD, Yoga Meltdown incorporated several intensive yoga poses with other techniques. The workouts also included a warm-up and cool-down session. Her yoga sequences are fast paced and flowing and this enables quicker burning of calories.


The regimen also progresses to twists and balance poses which give the body a more vigorous workout.

Yoga is also very much a part of Jillian Michael’s second DVD, Yoga Inferno, which incorporates two half an hour sessions of vigorous yoga. In the first workout, exercises involving the use of one’s own body weight are interspersed with brief cardio sessions. The second workout includes classic yoga poses combined with resistance moves and light hand weights that help to boost strength, mobility and endurance. Both workouts incorporate modified and advanced versions.

Even though these yoga workouts are different from Jillian’s traditional training regimens, they do help to achieve results. The exercises cause an elevated heart rate, thus boosting cardiovascular activity. It is also not necessary to combine these exercises with other more traditional workouts, since they also make use of hand weights and resistance moves which are sufficient for an intensive calorie burn. For instance, the Yoga Inferno workout begins with 10 repetitions of a yoga pose, which is held for 15 seconds. This helps to boost endurance and stamina and the effort required to hold the poses also improves mental focus. The videos are filmed in a desert, which is unique and induces a sense of freedom.

The movements may be a bit fast-paced and it may take a while getting used to it. While Jillian doesn’t explain how to avoid mistakes, after a few practice sessions it is possible to get into the flow of the workout quite easily.

Workouts like Yoga Inferno are suitable for those who:

• Are used to working out out at least thrice a week
• Enjoy yoga, but do not adhere to any traditional style
• Like quick, intensive workouts
• Prefer flowing, fast-paced yoga as compared to the slower poses
• Want to incorporate more cardio activity in their workout
• Don’t mind sore muscles the next day!

They may, however, not work for those who:

• Are not familiar with yoga. Some poses like the crow pose in which the knees are balanced on the backs of the arms, are held for up to 10 seconds and this can be very difficult, if not impossible, for someone who is new to yoga. Other poses like the wheel pose can also pose a risk to someone who is unfamiliar with it.
• Don’t like experimenting with their yoga practice
• Don’t like a vigorous sweaty workout!

If you are looking for a more traditional and classic yoga session, you may not find Jillian’s workouts ideal. However if you are someone who is prepared to experiment and really push the limits, this could be a fun and effective way to lose weight and get fit.

Jillian Michael’s no-nonsense approach to health and wellness is apparent in her training regimens where the most important part is a shift in attitude and behavior. Her approach is methodical, informed and specific. This, she says, helps “you achieve results instead of just spinning your wheels.”

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