Pre-natal Yoga
Unfortunately, I didn't receive the DVD set until after I'd had my baby so have been unable to review the pre-natal DVD. However, an expectant friend will be reviewing it soon!
Post-natal Yoga
This is a new DVD designed and led by the popular Californian yoga teacher Shiva Rea, and created after she herself had children and realised the importance of pre and post-natal yoga workouts specifically designed to stretch and tone those muscles affected during this important time in a woman's life. One thing I liked was that it achieved a good balance between the spiritual and physical benefits of yoga.
The DVD is split into three separate phases, with a warm up and relaxation section, plus a useful 'essential exercises' section particularly to stretch and strengthen those muscles used in feeding and carrying your baby. Each section was around 10 minutes long and you could just do one or all of them depending on your time and energy. One small point I felt could have been improved - it could have done with a contents so that you could go to the particular section you wanted to do more easily but you can easily skip between them. There are also, as with most good yoga videos, different people to follow according to your ability.
The workouts were clear and easy to follow and went at a good pace. I've been doing yoga for several years, but not regularly so you could say I'm a lapsed beginner, and as the mother of a seven week old baby I found the poses easy to follow and the variations helpful. Shiva Rea is a relaxing and easy to follow tutor and I would recommend this DVD for anyone who has just become pregnant or had a child as a way of easing back into your regular exercise routine.
Infant Massage
The infant massage section was very straightforward and easy to follow, with clear footage of what to do and simple instructions which made me feel confident about trying it on my own child - particularly as all the babies being filmed looked so happy and relaxed! It took my several days to work out when the best time to massage my seven week old would be when he wasn't sleeping/crying/feeding but once I had done so I could then incorporate the massage into our normal routine and I keep all the bits on hand (towels and oil) so that when the opportunity arises I could just grab them and go. He seems to really enjoy the massage and is calm and still during it (not his normal state!) and sleeps well afterwards. I found it a really special thing to do with him and wouldn't have had the confidence to try it without this excellent introduction.
The DVD set is available now at all good DVD retailers
