Success Stories

New to Yoga? Use Exercise Videos To Help You Do It Right

Yoga is something that so many people have become interested in and it is for this reason that yoga exercise videos are leading in the market. Yoga is a glorifying journey that takes the person into a total fitness of mind, body and spirit.

What is yoga?

Our body is made up of many different things like muscles and bones and held as a single structure by using joints, much like the building we build using various materials and make it into a single structure using cement. Luckily for the building it does not have to move, bend or even work. But we humans need to do that and much more. Yes our body is also comparable to the machinery we build that needs frequent lubrication and regular maintenance for smooth working. Similarly our body needs lubrication from the food we intake and movement through physical activities and exercises to keep it running. This is where yoga comes in. After years of research and practice our ancestors have perfected the art of keeping the body flexible, active, young and healthy. And like the power of knowledge it can only be passed down but every individual needs to practice it to gain its full benefits. Yoga is an exercise that can be done in the comfort of your own home and it is for this reason many interested are choosing workout videos. Click here to save 45% on Yoga Video Downloads today.

Yoga is actually set of exercises (or asanas as they are called in India) which target each and every part of our body. These exercises should be done is a smooth manner without jerks or pushes. The first benefit of yoga asanas is it improves blood circulation in every part of our body and activates the “happy cells”. People practicing yoga asanas regularly have a “happy feeling” about themselves, do not confuse this with positive attitude. This happy feeling comes from the fully nourished individual cells in our body that ooze with energy. Secondly asanas constitute smooth flow of movement from one step to another meaning no strain or physical exertion and hence yoga can be started or practiced at any age. Unlike other forms of exercises, yoga does not need specific equipments or dedicated place to be practiced. A person can begin practicing yoga anytime between the ages of 10 to 100 years.

The Basics of Yoga

Of course yoga asanas can be done at any age yet there are certain restrictions.

Children below the age of 12 years and adults aged above 60 yrs should practice each asana or exercise for shorter durations. This is so advised since most of the asanas require holding of the breath at least for a few seconds and this should not hamper their breathing

For best results yoga should be practiced every day at least for 15 minutes. Maximum results can be gained when you practice it regularly for 30 to 45 minutes each day

Morning hours are best suited but not necessarily the only time. Housewives and those working from home can practice it anytime in the day while working people can do it in the evening too. Follow the food restrictions strictly and anytime can be yoga time.

To begin yoga asanas your stomach should be absolutely empty. You can start exercises after 3-4 hours of eating a full meal, one and half to two hours after breakfast or light snacks and at least 15 minutes after consuming any liquid including water. If you feel thirsty just before or during exercises, take a few sips of lukewarm water

Exercise in airy spaces, avoid air-conditioned rooms. Compared to other forms of exercises yoga asanas do not make you sweat but fresh air can do wonders. Also avoid loud music. Some of the asanas may need you to focus on your breathing and with jarring loud music banging in your ears this may not be possible.

Yoga should never be practiced on direct hard floor, place a mat or any thick cloth. Yoga does not need specific clothes. But whatever you wear (including your undergarments) should be loose and comfortable and not hamper easy breathing.

Watching exercise videos while practicing yoga will not only teach you the right postures but also provide the much required boost to continue when you are tired or feeling lazy.

Below is a free Yoga Exercise Video!  It will take you through the Warrior Poses. Enjoy.

Burning fat at home with Cardio Exercise Videos

With a market full of exercise products, it is no surprise that many people are using exercise videos to get their heart rate up and burn fat. Yes, you are not alone – cardiovascular workouts are one of the most popular video on the market today. It makes sense, cardio workouts burn fat, increase your energy, put you in a better frame of mind and are just way more fun than a treadmill! And with workout videos running anywhere from free to around $20, it is way cheaper than a gym membership. For a ton of great cardio workout videos click here.

Understanding cardio workouts:

Cardio exercises are basically divided into two groups – the slow and steady exercises and the high intensity ones using interval type formats. The slow and steady exercises are of generally long duration spanning between 45 minutes to one hour and the exercises are of low intensity so that more of fat is burned than carbohydrates and the joints are preserved. The high intensity/interval exercises are generally of short duration about 20 – 30 minutes, exercise type are of High Intensity Interval training, burns up more of calories and keeps you pepped up the whole day and generally include explosive movements like sprinting, weight lifting etc.

Some of the common low to medium intensity cardio workouts are:

1. Cycling – can be stationary or outdoors. Depending on the resistance and speed you are employing this great cardio exercise can help you burn 250 – 500 calories in thirty minutes. This is also good for people with bad knees especially when compared to other cardio exercises like running which can exert three times the pressure of your body weight on your knees.

2. Step Aerobics – is a favorite with women as it targets the hips, buttocks and legs and burns 400 calories in thirty minutes. This type of a workout video is very popular with people who like workouts using fun, dancy choreography.

3. Zumba – is great for those how like to dance the night away. This workout uses a variety of latin dance moves to work up a sweat and learn fun dance moves. This is one of the most popular exercise class in most health clubs right now and there are plenty of different exercise videos in this format as well.

4. Elliptical training – this perfect cardio exercise helps build endurance. This exercise helps burn 300 calories in thirty minutes. This is also a good exercise for beginners or those who don’t want to think while they burn fat.

The high intensity interval training provides amazing results in a short time and is good for young age beginners. Some of the common ones are:

1. Cardio Kickboxing – has been around for over ten years now. It started with Billy Blanks “Tai Bo” workout and has spread like wild fire! It’s fun, aggressive and burns a ton of fat.

2. Jumping rope – the simplest yet very effective cardio exercise which even if done only for 15 – 20 minutes gives a total body workout. This exercise enhances cardiovascular endurance and improves overall performance in physical activities. The additional benefits are it improves eye-hand co-ordination, agility, foot and hand speed and lateral movement.

3. Aerobics – a complete set of aerobic exercises especially when done properly with the help of exercise videos can be very helpful. The exercises should include warm-up exercises like stretching to complete cardiovascular training. Some of the aerobic exercises are indoor rower, kickboxing, treadmill / spot running or spot walking, sit ups and press ups and back extension exercises.

Whatever exercise regimen you plan to take up, take the help of professionals either at the gym or through exercise videos so that you do it right the first time so you can see the results you want fast.

Tone and Sculpt your Butt with Exercise Videos

If you are wondering about how to have a nicer butt through sculpting and toning with exercise videos, read on! As a fitness instructor I can tell you a fact: The #1 part of the body women want to sculpt and tone and lift is the butt. Yes, it’s even an even more popular area to work than the abs – can you believe that? That’s why we are constantly trying to emphasize good form – because without good technique you won’t be toning your gluts, you will be hurting your knees and wasting your time.

Types of Exercises that Tone the Butt

There are many exercises that tone you’re back side. However, two great exercises to begin with in order to tone up the butt area include squats and lunges. In short, squats will tone and strengthen the butt area, lunges will primarily work the legs. These exercises really make the lower body look and feel stronger and phenomenal. And once you start seeing results, so will others! Because by training your lower body you will start to redefine those curves that make you feel and look amazing and…sexy!

Squats

There are a million variations for squats. Some will target different parts of you’re lower body, some will engage the inner thighs, but here is a great rundown on a basic squat.
• With your feet about hip width apart, stand with your knees and toes in the same direction. Many tell you to point them straight forward. And while this is not wrong, it is not completely necessary. If they go out slightly, that’s fine as long as the knees are in the same direction as the toes.
• You can put your hands on your thighs (great if you have a weak lower back) or you can reach forward with your hands. You choose what is best for you.
• Lower your body as if you are sitting in a chair. In fact, put a chair behind you and imagine sitting back into it – but don’t go all the way, just until you feel you’re thighs start to work. FYI: Absolutely do not drop your hips lower than your knees.
• Now, hold it there for a few seconds. You should feel the weight of your body in the back of the foot. And if you cannot lift your toes, shift your weight into your heals.
• Stand up! That’s a squat. You can grab hand weights and rest them on your thighs or your shoulders if you want to make it harder. Or, you can just go lower or do more repetitions. If you can do two or three sets of 10-15, that would be great. But listen to your body, if you are not ready for that much, start slower.

Lunges

Just like with squats, there are a million variations to this wonderful leg and butt workout, but for today’s purpose, lets learn good form for the standard lunge.
• Stand in a split stance – take either leg and step back about two to three feet. Your upper body should be centered between both legs with your shoulders over your hips. In other words, one legs slightly in front and the other behind you with your torso lifted between then legs.
• Back heal is lifted and your tailbone under your shoulders.
• Lower your body.
• Keep your front knee over your ankle. If your knees moves past your front toes, ouch! Start over. Make sure to lower the body without moving it forward. And just like with squats, keep the weight of your body in the heel of your front foot.
• Hold the lunge for a few seconds and lift back up. Now, don’t forget the other side!

And if for some reason you cannot do these exercises, Pilates is another great way to tone your entire mid-section, including your butt! Just pick up a few workout videos and you can be doing Pilates this afternoon.

Getting started is often the hardest part. You don’t have to do these exercising all day long, but how about five or ten minutes in the morning before the kids wake up? What a great way to start the day. Click here for a great selection of Leg and Butt exercise videos that can get you moving in the right direction.

Below is a free leg and butt exercise video!  Enjoy!

Advanced Step #2

Loved this!  First, before I go on, I am relatively new to Step.  Mostly, I do toning type workouts, but my doctor told me to do more cardio.  So, my sister said I might like to try Step.  And now Im addicted!  I started with the Simple Step workout (which is great too!) – did that one for a few weeks and slowly moved up into other Step workouts.  So I thought, what the heck, lets try the Advanced Step Video – and for the most part, I did it!  There were one or two things I didn’t quite get, but for being new to Step I think I did pretty good!  How fun!  Anyway, the moral of the story:  When you are uncomfortable trying something new – that’s normal, if you weren’t a little uncomfortable it probably isn’t new!