Iron Yoga
Anthony CarilloYear Released: 2005
Categories: Yoga
Saw the book by the same name in Costco,
and was surprised to see the DVD already
available at Netflix, so I rented it.
Quite simply, this is Yoga with weights. You
use 1-5 pound dumbbells, depending on
your level of fitness. You do not need straps
or other props. Mr. Carillo demonstrates the
advanced form for each exercise, and a
woman on each side demonstrates the
beginner/intermediate forms.
When you are not actively doing curls and
such, you are still holding the dumbbells
throughout most of the workout, so (just my
observation here), if you have carpal tunnel
issues (as in, your hands go numb when you
grip) you might wish to use the soft rubber
weighted balls that are featured in Leslie
Sansone videos instead. And of course, be
careful not to drop them on your head or
toes!
The workout consists of 54 minutes of
various yoga poses (triangle, tree, warrior,
etc.) where you either hold the weight steady
or do various curls. You do not do many
repetitions of each exercise--it reminds me
of "Power of 10" and "SuperSlow" lifting--you
slowly lift and then slowly push the weight
down, using your body's resistance both
ways. These are mostly balancing poses, as
opposed to flexibility/stretching poses. Very
little floor work.
There are 2 different Sun Salutation
sequences within the workout, but they are
very slowly and deliberately done, not as they
would be done in a Yoga class for say, a
warm-up.
There is also a 6-minute "bonus" section that
is a guided relaxation while you are in
Corpse pose, which is nice by itself, or you
can do it in addition to the cooldown in the
workout.
This is one of those workouts (like
Callanetics) where you are supposed to really
keep your mind on what you are doing at all
times. You are not pounding out the reps or
changing positions quickly. If you are not
keeping your mind on what you are doing,
you may find this workout slow-moving and
boring.
The music is quiet in the background. There
are several video reminders throughout to
keep your form correct, along with his verbal
cues.
The set is spartan, but pleasant (a gear-like
sculpture in desert orange/rust with a line of
glass blocks in front of it with a light string
(like those used for outdoor Christmas
displays) behind the blocks, and a grey
(concrete?) floor.
All in all, I think this is a rather innovative
workout, and it is reasonably priced to boot.
It is designed to be done as a complete
workout, so you need to be able to devote an
hour+ to it.
Instructor Comments:
Pleasant and softspoken, very little chit-chat.
Gets right down to business. I like that. Good
cueing and direction.