This time last year I had very negative feelings about yoga. I knew the amazing benefits but tried a yoga class a few times and felt very bored. I could not relax my mind and would have rather spent my hour doing intense cardio. My feelings about yoga completely changed a few months ago after I tried a Core Fusion Yoga class. It was different from any other yoga class I had taken in the past. I actually felt like I was getting a great workout while stretching and relaxing at the same time. I took Core Fusion Yoga a few more times and decided that I in fact, did enjoy yoga! I was very excited when I heard that a Core Fusion Yoga Energy Flow class would be coming out on DVD. Now I could do intense yoga in the comfort of my own home for free!

About Core Fusion Yoga Energy Flow:
Reduce inches, tighten, lift, and tone with this unique combination of yoga, cardio, and core conditioning. An energetic, fast-paced practice, Core Fusion Yoga Energy Flow seamlessly blends traditional yoga postures with toning moves for the whole body. Get the calorie-burning benefits of cardio, the sculpting effects of Pilates, and the flexibility and balance of yoga and Chi Gong–all in one workout!
Fred and Elizabeth, the founders of Core Fusion, lead the DVD. I was happy to see that 3 of my favorite teachers, Kate, Erin, and Bergen are in the background! It is so cool to do a DVD when you know the actual instructors in real life!
The DVD is divided into five segments of 10 minutes each. I chose to do the DVD without introductions so that it would be as similar to a live class as possible. Elizabeth leads the first section which is called Energy Flow. There is arm and leg stretching, downward dog, child’s pose, and plank variations. This was a great warm up and the planks reminded me of the beginning of a live class!
The next two sections are called Sun Salutations 1 and 2. This includes Chaturangas, up dog, down dog, chair pose, push ups, and some other intense stretches. This section really got my heart pumping! It was pretty fast-paced and could be hard for a beginner but Bergen does a modified version of the moves. I still consider myself a yoga beginner but was able to do all of the modified versions at least.
The next section is Chi Gong & Hip Opener Stretches. This involves flowy arm movements while standing in a wide squat. This section also includes standing splits with pulses and curtsies. I loved the cool Chi Gong movements. This whole section felt really nice.
Next was Core & Gluteal. I did not realize I needed blocks for this section so I kind of just watched the core part! They suggest using books if you don’t own blocks but I knew that if were to get up to find books, I would have just stopped the DVD all together. The core part involves resting your hands on two yoga blocks and lifting your body up using your core strength. I’ve done this in class before and it is very intense. I was able to do the glutes section which involved lifting my legs while balancing on my forearms. Of course it would not be Core Fusion without the curl at the end! Luckily this part was short and sweet (I have a very tough time with the curl). It also seemed harder for me to do on my hardwood floors rather than the nice carpet at Exhale!
The bonus section of the DVD was Savasana and Stretches. This is something that I look forward to at the end of every live Core Fusion class. It feels so good to just lay there and do nothing after such an intense workout. I never take the time to relax and breathe when I am at home so this was a wonderful end to the DVD.
I definitely recommend this DVD! Some of the other Core Fusion DVDs are not like a real class but this was very similar. The only difference is not having a teacher to come around and correct your form. I actually liked doing it in my home since I am so inexperienced with yoga and don’t like other people watching me fall over! I was able to relax more and focus on myself instead of worrying about other students in the class. I also don’t usually last through an entire exercise DVD at home but the time went by super fast and I enjoyed every minute of it. I was drenched by the end and it made my muscles feel a lot better after being sore from so much intenSati! Core Fusion Yoga is now my favorite exercise DVD and I plan to do it every week!
Giveaway!
The wonderful folks over at Acacia are offering one of you a copy of your very own Core Fusion Yoga Energy Flow DVD!
To Enter:
1) Leave me a comment telling me your thoughts about yoga. Do you like it? What kind of yoga is your favorite?
2) Tweet this giveaway. “@MissyMaintains is giving away a #CoreFusion Energy Flow Yoga DVD! Enter here: http://bit.ly/bPL8Fq”
I will choose a winner this Thursday, September 2nd. Good Luck!
Tags: Contest, Core Fusion, Exercise DVD Review, Yoga