Yoga Meltdown: Level 2

   I've just completed level 2 of Jillian Michaels' Yoga Meltdown, and let me say: holy poop. Unlike the 30 Day Shred, this isn't something that I feel scales appropriately. It's a lot harder, but at the same time, again unlike the Shred, this isn't a 'spend 2.5 weeks on Level 1 then move onto Level 2', it's a case of move on when you feel ready.

   Level 2 certainly requires more balance, and I'm actually pretty good with my balance these days (until I bought a pair of toning shoes from USA Pro, since then everything has become harder), but I struggled on the first few days. I got the hang of it, and some of the moves I still struggle with by wobbling, but I'm getting there.

   During Level 1 you do two sun salutations between each circuit. In Level 2 you do a bonus move instead, and these are hard. The crow in particular. I'm not ashamed to say that I have literally fallen on my face at least ten times, but the trick to that move is definitely patience, and if you can't lift both of your feet off of the ground without falling forwards, don't. Sometimes it's just a case of literally keeping the big toe of on foot on the ground and you'll be fine, probably partly for the psychological affect of it - you're not really off of the floor, even though you kind of are.

   I quite like the bonus moves, in truth. They're hard, yes, very hard in some cases, but as Jillian says it gives you something to work towards, and I like having things to work towards. It gives everything a little bit more purpose, as well as progress markers. For example, when I started on Level 2 on the 17th of this month, I couldn't do the crow at all. Now I've finished Level 2 (when I say 'finish' I just mean reached the end of the time I've allocated it) I have far, far more confidence with it and can hold it well enough, even getting my feet off of the ground for a good few seconds without falling forwards. I'm far from 'there' but it's happening.

   I lost a good few pounds from the yoga, and that really surprised me. I didn't think it would honestly be much good, but Jillian came through again. The thing that makes this more effective than regular yoga is that you're repping in and out of the pose before holding it, which gives you a bit of cardio as well as body weight training, which burns more calories. That's not to say that holding the poses isn't hard, though.

   I'm going to keep using this DVD in the future because it really is great, especially if you want a really good workout but the idea of jumping, spinning, kicking, punching or lifting weights doesn't appeal to you one day. This is a decent alternative!