Aerobics Oz Style - The Spirit Of Yoga (DVD)

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~About Aerobics Oz Style~

This is the second A.O.S. video I have done, the first being a fat burner video. Aerobics oz style is shown worldwide (I’m told by a friend it used to be on Sky One each morning), and is a series of different types of exercise all set in and around Sydney Australia. They also have a wide selection of videos and DVS’s. For more information you can visit www.aerobicsozstyle.com.au

...main instructor is June Jones, Aerobics Oz Style’s most experienced instructor. She explains each move very clearly, and really makes you aware of each position, which helps you to get it correct. I do find some of the stuff she says a bit cheesy however – such as ‘pacify your heart and your mind’! There are also four other girls in the background of the DVD who also do the poses, and one of them, Michelle, does an easier modification of each move ... more

I love doing exercise videos and DVD’s because firstly- no expensive gym membership, and secondly I don’t have to exercise in front of other people – terrible flashbacks of gym class!
I own a few yoga DVD’s but this one is buy far my favourite. I find yoga is too slow for my liking, but this one is a bit different, as it modifies yoga stretches to make them a bit quicker and more interesting. The DVD is split into the following sections, and as long as you do both the warm-up and cool down you can pick and choose which of the middle sections you do.

~About Aerobics Oz Style~

This is the second A.O.S. video I have done, the first being a fat burner video. Aerobics oz style is shown worldwide (I’m told by a friend it used to be on Sky One each morning), and is a series of different types of exercise all set in and around Sydney Australia. They also have a wide selection of videos and DVS’s. For more information you can visit www.aerobicsozstyle.com.au

~Warm Up~

This section is around 7 or 8 minutes long and is basically a series of easy and basic stretching poses (all standing) to warm your muscles before the main workout. As with all the other sections of the DVD, one of the girls does a modified version of the exercise, which is suitable for complete beginners.

~Standing poses~

Again, this section lasts around 8 minutes, and as you can guess from the title of the section all poses are standing. The poses in this section are slightly more challenging, and require a good sense of balance, but again they show a modified version of the exercise for beginners. I found that after doing the DVD a couple of times, this section becomes very easy, and I now just see it as an extension of the warm-up.

~Kneeling and weight bearing poses~

This section lasts around 8minutes.You will need a yoga or exercise mat for these postures, as you are on your knees a lot. I know from other yoga DVD’s I’ve done in the past, that the sequence of exercises in this section are known as a sun salutation, although they have been slightly modified here. This section again is great for improving your balance and strengthening your leg muscles.

~Sitting or lying poses~

Approximately 10 minutes long, this section, I find this section quite easy as well. The instructor gives warnings at the beginning for anyone who has any back problems, and offers alternative positions.

~Twisting~

These twisting exercises are done sitting down, and are great for the waist. They are challenging without being too difficult, and not boring at all. The instructor, June Jones talks you through each movement fully, and she advises that if you experience any pain, that you’re not ready to do these exercises yet, and to move onto the next section. This part of the DVD lasts around 10 minutes.

~Inversions and Relaxation~

As yoga is basically a sequence of stretches, it is not as necessary to cool down (stretch out) as it would be, say, if you had just gone for a run or done an hour of aerobics. The instructor refers to this section as ‘adding closure’ to your workout. This section combines gentle breathing and stretches to relax you, and is seven minutes long.

~The Instructors~

The main instructor is June Jones, Aerobics Oz Style’s most experienced instructor. She explains each move very clearly, and really makes you aware of each position, which helps you to get it correct. I do find some of the stuff she says a bit cheesy however – such as ‘pacify your heart and your mind’! There are also four other girls in the background of the DVD who also do the poses, and one of them, Michelle, does an easier modification of each move for beginners. One thing I do think though, is it looks like the four other girls haven’t really done this sequence of exercises many times before, as they are at times hesitant going into new moves, and seem to have one eye on June all the time. All the girls are very pretty, and (as you would expect) have great bodies – one thing that annoys me loads though, is the way they have ridiculous fixed smiles on their faces through the whole thing – who grins like that when they’re working out?!

~DVD Extras~

There are a few extras on the DVD’s which I hadn’t actually looked at until I wrote this review. They are:

- Behind the scenes: A pretty much pointless set of video clips set to music, featuring the girls putting on their make up and some guys setting up technical equipment. It only lasts around 30 seconds, so I think it was really scraping the barrel adding this as a feature at all!
- Instructor profiles: These are short videos of the five instructors – ‘a day in the life of…’ sort of things. I suppose they would be good for anyone who is a great fan of the Aerobics Oz Style DVD’s (or any of the pretty girls who do them!), but I wasn’t really that interested in seeing June water her garden, or how Vanessa is fluent in Spanish.
- Photo Shoot: Again, set to music, this is another seemingly pointless set of video clips, showing the girls on the photo shoot for the DVD sleeve.
- About Aerobics Oz Style: Showing previews of the different Aerobics Oz Style Video and DVD ranges.

~Music~

The music is very generic, relaxing ‘wind chime’ type music. It is quite relaxing and you don’t really notice it. On reading the DVD sleeve, I found you can actually find more info on the music at www.u-no-hu.co.uk

~Price~

I bought my copy from Amazon.co.uk although I can’t remember how much I paid for it. I have checked on there today and it can be bought for £7.98 – much cheaper than a gym membership and you don’t have to embarrass yourself in front of a load of strangers.

~Conclusion~

I find this a great workout, as it’s interesting, and not too easy or too difficult – it strikes a perfect balance. It’s great that it is split into small sections, as you can choose which ones you want to do if you don’t have time to do the full workout. The instructor June, is great as she really explains each move, and why it’s so important that you check your spinal alignment, and that your feet are in the correct position. I love this workout, and would recommend it to anyone who wants an interesting yoga workout. 

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