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It's hard to say how Shiva Rea would react to being called "the Madonna of yoga," a phrase that appears on the cover of Creative Core Abs. But one thing is certain: the popular, California-based yogi's several DVD programs are uniformly first-rate, and this one is no exception. Roughly defined as the area between the upper thighs and lower ribcage, with particular focus on the abdominals and lower back, the core is "more than our physical center," says Rea; it is "our inner fire," the seat of our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual selves (not to mention the center of a great many yoga poses). Mindful that core exercises are for many of us "a duty, not a pleasure," Rea has designed three different programs (ranging from seven to seventeen minutes) that aim to offer a more creative, innovative approach to the work. The "Water Core" segment includes various seated movements, many involving the arms as well; there are also sequences done on the back, somewhat akin to the bridge pose, as well as the "water wheel," which combines lifting the hips while alternately extending the legs. The "Spontaneous Core" section incorporates some of the previous movements with several new ones, while the "Fire Core," the longest of the three, blends very challenging poses such as chaturanga and the forearm plank with familiar standing asanas like the Warrior II. As usual, the musical accompaniment is effective but not intrusive, while the setting (New Mexico's White Sands National Park) and the HD cinematography by Sion Michel (a camera operator for Memoirs of a Geisha) are stunning. None of that may matter much while you're flat on your back, struggling to understand what it means to treat a pose as if you're "skateboarding on the empty bowl of your pelvis," but Creative Core Abs is likely to yield satisfying results for those who stick with it. --Sam Graham
Description
"The Madonna of yoga, exuding creativity and inspiration" —Yogi Times Good things flow from a strong core: a long lean torso, a healthy back, a positive flow of energy that benefits every aspect of your life. Now, one of the yoga world's top female teachers shows you an enlightened way to a powerful core. Unlike repetitive conventional abs work, Shiva's fluid yoga-based approach awakens your creativity and inner fire, building strength and grace in the same way that surfing, rock climbing, or dancing does—while you're enjoying yourself, not counting the minutes until it's over. The program includes three flowing segments, which can be done all at once or individually. Filmed at White Sands National Park, the program was directed by James Wvinner and shot in HD by Hollywood's Sion Michel (Memoirs of a Geisha). Beautiful, effective, inspiring. It's an abs workout you'll look forward to doing again and again.
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Shiva Rea - Creative Core Abs
- DVD: 0 pages (2006-10-31)
- Publisher: Acacia
- Label: Acacia
- Starring: Shiva Rea
- Format: Color, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC
- Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1,
- Rated: NR (Not Rated)
- Studio: Acacia
- DVD Release Date: 2006-10-31
- Run Time: 37
- Average Customer Review:
 based on 49 reviews
- Sales Rank in DVD: #3154
Avg. Customer Review:
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Interesting, kinda yoga, kinda dance-like, builds a nice core warmth 2008-06-17
Comment: I ordered Shiva Rea Creative Core Abs DVD from the library interloan system and it came in today! Yay! So here is the review.
Takes place in White Sands National Monument with a drummer on a rock and cool music. There is also a 'just music' option that is nice for just moving to or doing one's own yoga moves.
There are three workouts that can be done on their own or all rolled together. Done together it's a real nice burn for the torso/core in 35 minutes.
In separate sections here are the parts -
Water Core (10 min) - the 'easy' part. A good warm-up but still an excellent core burn. Creative, fun.
Spontaneous Core (8 min) - very tiring - this is really the hardest part, as there is no rest once you get both your head and the hips/legs in the air. The free form part is cool if you like Shiva's style.
Fire Core (17 mins) - Shiva moves fast in this, as she does in this whole DVD. You pretty much have to accept that it's okay to not be able to follow along at first, and not having a ton of structure until you've seen this a few times. This particular section is harder than part one and easier than part two.
I was some reviews on Amazon on this DVD and a lot of people find the last part, the Fire Core, the hardest. The Fire Core has a lot of regular planks, followed by one-legged planks and then this section where you kind of "run in place" while doing planks. Hard to describe but pretty nifty: I felt strong doing that. There are also some flowy warrior poses where you 'draw an arrow on a bow' - also pretty neat - and then whip your arms around while holding warrior 2. Made me feel like Artemis. :)
There is no Savasana in this DVD. I thought that was a bit odd, but I guess this is to be a short, contained core workout and not strictly yoga? Besides a few planks and cobras there are few typical, recognizable poses.
This DVD is experienced beginner to intermediate and I DO NOT think any yoga novice should expect to be able to follow along very closely. Shiva moves quite fast and does not explain what she's doing as she goes.
This is not a boring ab routine. What's best, in my view, is the 'creative' part. There are no crunches, just some really interesting freeform-yet-intense pulsing moves.
Definitely gets your sheen going! I did feel a fire in my belly afterwards, chilling out on the couch with the TV. The inner heat lasted about 20 minutes.
Well recommended for a quick, slightly intense core experience that Shiva stamps with her typically enjoyable creative mark.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: I LOVE SHIVA!!!! 2008-05-26
Comment: Shiva Rea is such an inspiration to me... this DVD is GREAT... I feel my abs every time I use it... great workout and music... you can't go wrong with Shiva Rea!!!!
0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Irritating Exercise 2008-05-15
Comment: This DVD gives several options for viewing, unfortunately turning the music off isn't one of them. I never did make it through and entire workout because of this.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: Shiva does it again 2008-03-29
Comment: This is a fun core workout that's a great change of pace when you want to work your core, but are sick of the boring repetitive movements. All of my Shiva Rea DVDs are high quality, fun, and a good workout.
2 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
Customer Rating:
Summary: Disappointed 2008-03-07
Comment: I have only done this DVD once...have no inspiration to do it again, as it was not a good work out. I really expected more from Shiva- her other DVDs are great.
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