Fat Free Yoga - Lose Weight & Feel Great w/ Ana Brett & Ravi Singh NOW W/THE **MATRIX**

In June'08 when I went for my annual medical checkup and a routine blood work - the blood reports indicated that I had Hypothyroidism. My doctor gave me a prescription of Synthoid (thyroid hormone replacement) which I had to take 1 tabled a day in the morning for a lifetime. I was devastated. I did not want to start any medications that I had to take for a lifetime. and hence thought of exploring some alternatives for another 6 months to an year and then start the synthyroid only if the natural alternatives fail. After endless Googling day and night, I came up with these reasonable alternatives which I could try over the next one year: (1) Fat free yoga - this DVD - thanks to another reviewer (Amber) who suggested that this could cure Hypothyroidism (2) Increasing Selenium intake - Brazil nuts are a rich natural source of Selenium This is exactly how I implemented my own research: ================================================= (1) Fat free yoga -> Full 90 minutes of workout (all the workout routines in this DVD) -> Once a week (yes ! only once a week) since I had a busy lifestyle and dedicating 90 minutes a day would have been difficult (2) Fat free yoga -> First 25 minutes of the workout ('Breath Primer', 'tune in', 'Start your engines') -> Twice a week (3) Brazil nuts -> Consuming about 3 to 4 slightly roasted brazil nuts day as a part of my breakfast cereal -> 4 times a week :::: It does not matter which time of the day you do the yoga workout. But mornings are the best. I used to do this yoga either between 7 to 8 in the morning or 6 to 7 in the evenings. Results - 1st round =================== To track progression, I took a Thyroid test 6 months later and found that my Thyroid activity had improved. TSH levels had improved from 5.3 to 4.2. Borderline, but not ideal I continued to follow the exercise routine in the same frequency Results - 2nd round =================== I went for my next annual medical checkup and blood work in July'09. The doctor gave me an strange look when I mentioned that I am not taking Synthyroid, he ordered a comprehensive thyroid test (Thyroid panel test) which will not only test TSH (Thyroid stimulating hormone), but also T3 and T4 which are the actual Thyroid hormones. When the results came out, not only was I floored, but the doctor was in total disbelief :) My TSH stood at 2.7, compared to 5.3 an year back. My T3 and T4 thyroid hormones looked in a perfectly normal range ! Other benefits =============== Like the other reviewers have mentioned that the DVD is very well done, good voice over, Excellent music that goes well with the exercises. The innovative MATRIX system which was very helpful to pick and choose the exercises. It helped me improve my energy levels, my cardio-vascular functioning, lose weight ... More about Thyroid numbers =========================== What is T3 and T4 ? These are your main thyroid hormones. T4 is Thyroxine and T3 is triiodothyronine. A 'normal' thyroid test does not test for T3 and T4, ask your doctor/lab to test for T3/T4 in addition to TSH for a comprehensive test What is TSH ? Your body secretes a hormone known as TSH - Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, it is like an email sent from your body to the thyroid to secrete more thyroid hormones (T3 & T4). If the TSH is more, it means that your thyroid is not doing its job and your body is sending more emails (TSH) requesting the thyroid to secrete more of T3/T4. A few precautions ================= -->Some of the exercise involves a lot of neck movement for thyroid. You want to be careful and take it slow and easy else you might hurt your neck. Do not overdo, anything for that matter. Infact, in one of the exercise, the narrator - Ravi Singh mentions that it is ok if your neck feels uncomfortable, but not painful : Very important point. -->Finally the disclaimer !! I am not a medical doctor hence this is not medical advice. My only intention is to share my research and help others, just like other reviewers have shared their knowledge which has helped me !

Giving this duo (Ana and Ravi) five stars just doesn't cut it. I wish I could give them 100 stars, and even that wouldn't feel like enough. Kundalini Yoga, as practiced through their DVDs, has been a journey of utter amazement for me and my doctor. About 2.5 years ago, I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism due to Graves' Disease. Graves' Disease is an autoimmune disorder which wages war on the thyroid gland, wreaking havoc and leaving a myriad of dis-ease in its wake. Choices for treating this overactive thyroid condition (much more rare than an underactive thyroid) are slim to say the least. In my own research of conventional medicine, I opted for anti-thyroid pills instead of the even-more-awful alternatives. By my 10th month on the medication, I begged my doctor to let me off to see if my body would remain cooperative. She agreed because my levels were doing so well, but with a little reluctance. In a couple of months, my levels started to rise again and she was going to put me back on the anti-thyroid meds. I begged her to give me ONE MORE MONTH! That I had an idea that I thought might work and I'd only just learned about it. That I had such high hopes that it was right and would bring my system back into balance. Very reluctantly, she agreed. My idea was Kundalini Yoga. And, boy, was I right on!! I started practicing every day, sometimes twice per day, with Ana and Ravi via their incredible DVDs, and returned for a blood test in exactly one month. When my doctor came into the office, she sat down in front of me and took off her glasses, and sat there looking at me in silence. I said, "What?" unable to hide the smile on my face. She said she couldn't believe it, but my levels dropped back down to the normal range; not only that, they were PERFECTLY BALANCED. Something she did not expect, not by a long shot! She asked what I was doing differently. I told her Kundalini Yoga along with some natural alternatives to harsh medication, like acetyl-L-carnitine and flaxseed oil and a multivitamin containing NO iodine but 200mcg of selenium. She smiled and released me for a record three months. I continued my strenuous practice, and three months later, PERFECT BALANCE. One year later: perfect still. 2.5 years later..... I think you get the point. Not only that, but my eyes are perfect, my weight is perfect, and my skin is glowing. I no longer have heart palpitations or insomnia or anything other nasty symptom of Graves'. Now that I've written an essay, I'll summarize by saying: For me, Kundalini Yoga has helped me perform a miracle. Graves' is no joke, and it is important to include your doctor in this plan, but I'll tell you, it worked. And I feel great after every practice... I can't get enough! I own every one of their DVDs and do them in rotation. I believe it has healed me in so many ways, and I am eternally grateful for that. Not to mention, I have a kick-ass physique. Thanks for the smokin' body, too. :-)

I saw only one person had given this a bad review, so I got it - very excited to start yoga again! I HATE it!! I don't know how or why so many people like it. It's very budget. Just one girl on a rug. Very boring... you never see the narrator who speaks to you weird - made me uncomfortable. The girl's outfit is slightly too small for her and her breasts are poking out of her shirt which also made me uncomfortable!!! She's got a weird smirk too. And as for the workouts and poses... just didn't feel beneficial, didn't really feel like yoga - it's not traditional so if thats what you're looking for this is NOT it. It is advertised as having four - 19 minute workouts and 2 meditations. Well... that's not true and that was my biggest disappointment. It's one very long video like 90 minutes, broken into chapters. So if you want to do one section, you come in in the middle of something already started and it doesn't end it just flows into the next chapter so cool down and stretching do not happen. You have to go back to the main menu and choose what you want. They are not four - 19 minute either. There is one that's over 20, then one that's 13 minutes, then 8 minutes, and there aren't 2 meditations there are 3. I dont know what they were on when they made this but I didn't enjoy it at all and will be selling my copy to someone who thinks they'll like it!

ho appena ricevuto il DVD l'ho già provato molto coinvolgente mi piace molto e' un metodo un po' diverso quello della kundalini yoga che da' molta importanza alla respirazione e concentrazione

I came to Kundalini Yoga through the book and DVDs by Maya Fiennes (whom I wholeheartedly endorse). I wanted to try this DVD, due to the excellent reviews, as I was keen to lose stress accumulated fat. Now, I must confess that I have only done this DVD a few times (I only received it a few days ago and I can't stop doing it)but, as I have done Maya Fiennes Detox and Destress, Chakras and Mantras series, I know what I like KY wise. I always watch a workout before attempting it so I know what to let myself in for. I must confess that while watching (rather than doing) I was not impressed: the production looked tacky and Ravi's voice seemed a bit creepy. But, crucially, when you do the workout, Ravi's voice soothes rather than grates. 90 miniutes literally flies by and feels like 10! I like the fact that the workout feels attainable while still being challenging. I have done some work with Maya Fiennes' DVDs, so strictly speaking I am not a beginner but, I have a long way to go and this DVD is not out of reach for beginners. I would say that it's great for improvers too as some of the exercises would take practice to complete fully. Modifications and suggestions are offered to enable all levels to participate fully. The voiceover is encouraging and I found this helpful to keep going when the 'going got tough'. I am finding, with this DVD, that the breath of fire is becoming more effortless to perform and sustain. The DVD is in 4 workout segments so you can compile a workout of your choosing. I will not re-iterate the structure of the DVD (others have done that) but I will say that if you have the time-do the lot-you won't regret it. I particularly liked the meditations. The 'teapot' one is sooooo soothing and would be great for calming the nerves. Then emotional healer meditation is awesome! You basically conjure up feeling of hurt, anger and upset and you are encouraged to let go through the mantra Sa Ta Na Ma. This may sound cranky but, when thinking of one particular incident, I cried, but as soon as I began to chant Sa Ta Na Ma, my feelings of upset were progressively replaced with joy. My hands were vibrating after that meditatation. Powerful stuff but embues a wonderful feeling. After you have completed the workout and 'tuned out' you are treated to a session where Ana does a lot of 'goofy' dancing. When I watched this for the first time I thought 'no way' but when I actually completed the workout I couldn't stop myself from doing it. I felt so uplifted and without restraint that I joined in too. The only negatives about the DVD are that Ravi's voice is so calm and monotone that I sometimes missed cues as I did not hear (probably concentrating or blissed out). Also, I'm so impressed with this DVD that I want to buy all the Raviana titles but can't afford them (booooo!) I will update regarding the weight loss side of things as it's too soon to say if this will be of benefit.

This was my very first Raviana purchase. I didn't really know what to expect from Kundalini Yoga, and I did find it a bit strange at first, but I love it now and can't imagine my life without it. I have 13 of their DVDs and have been doing one workout per day, every day, for close to four months now. I've seen very dramatic results and am constantly asked what I have been doing. I tell them all about Ravi and Ana's DVDs, and although this type of yoga may be a little different from what you're used to, know that it comes highly recommended. I've lost approximately 25 pounds over the past few months, but it isn't about the number, it's really about how great you feel at the end of each workout, and each day afterward. Instead of running and jumping around like a crazy person while trying to get into shape, I now do Kundalini Yoga. It works on the glands, hormones (especially the thyroid which is a major factor in weight gain and the inability to lose weight), your moods, your mind, and your spirit, in addition to shaping your body. I've never felt better mentally, physically, or spiritually. They really changed my life. Thank you Ravi and Ana! :D

Excellent workout that works all aspects of your body. Fat Free yoga uses the breath of fire more than some of their other workouts. It really works your cardio and is a very cleansing breath. The workout is just over 80 minutes, but it has the matrix option so you can modify it if you have less time. I find that when I do these workouts the time seems to fly by and after I feel so much more uplifted and ready to conquer the day in comparison to other forms of yoga or aerobics. I have been doing these workouts for 4 months and I look and feel the best I ever have. They are truly addictive. I love the positive physical, emotional and spiritual effects that Kundalini yoga provides so much that I rarely go a day without doing one of their DVD's. Truly transforming workouts!

I've never heard of Kundalini yoga before, bought the dvd to add variation to my exercises based on the excellent reviews on Amazon and expected something like power yoga. I was never more pleasantly suprised. I've been doing it for almost two months and literally got hooked on it. For the first time in my life the desire to exercise is stronger than my laziness and it doesn't even feel like an exercise, thanks to the spiritual aspect of it and to the almost hypnotic effect of the Ravi's voice over. Beside an excellent body workout that covers both the yoga stretching as well as cardio, it helped me feel more balanced and positive without even seeking it. Any physical excercise usually has very positive effect on mental well-being but the effect of this one seems to be more profound and long-lasting. After 2 months I feel very energetic and flexible and can see slight but constant improvement in the muscle tone all over my body. I already bought two other Ana and Ravi's dvd's, Kundalini Yoga for Beginners and Beyond and A Journey Through the Chakras. The Fat Free Yoga was a good preparation for them and they both seem to add to it, they're more demanding in the areas that Fat Free Yoga doesn't cover so much - I think they really complement each other very well. I highly recommend this dvd to anyone who looks for an exercise dvd that brings results, is fun to do and helps to keep one motivated and content.