mommymedia : DVD

Prenatal Yoga with Shiva Rea

Satya — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:15:00 GMT

This is a great prenatal yoga practice. It is equally challenging for both beginners and advanced yoga practitioners. The DVD is visually beautiful and engaging, the music is calming and Shiva Rea’s soothing voice helps the pregnant yogi sink deeper into a relaxed state.

There are three women practicing for the viewer to follow: Poppy is the furthest along, Britta is in her second trimester and Shiva is performing yoga as if she is in her first trimester. Even though Shiva is not pregnant, she has been a yoga teacher for a long time and is a mother herself, so understands pregnancy and childbirth. Every pose is modified for each trimester of pregnancy. There are three sections of poses: the warm up, standing poses and floor work. Each section is a workout in itself, or you can practice all three in a row. They work seamlessly with each other and lead you gently into a deeper state of relaxation. The practice is followed by a guided meditation in a resting pose that is guaranteed to leave you completely relaxed.

Some women who bought this DVD and practiced it found it annoying to have to fast-forward through the rather long introduction. Other than that, though, this is a perfect prenatal practice for any stage of pregnancy. Shiva Rea goes slowly and explains the benefits of each pose. She reminds you to breathe constantly, which contributes to your deepening state of relaxation. What more could you want? Well, some versions of the DVD offer an extra video, instructing partners in prenatal massage. You’ll drool watching it and if you can get your partner to do it, what a lucky girl you would be. So make sure you get one with the extra video! An essential DVD for any pregnant woman’s collection, to be passed on to pregnant friends and relatives as the need arises. Pick up a copy here.

Baby and Toddler Yoga DVD

Madelyn8278 — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:51:00 GMT

Baby yoga is such a great idea but it’s not just for improving your baby’s flexibility. The exercises and gentle movements included in this DVD can help with digestion, promote sleep and encourage muscle development (theoretically helping your baby gain the strength to lift his or her head and sit up earlier). In addition, you and your baby will learn to communicate subtly with each other through practice. However, the beginning of this DVD seems to offer the mother very little in the way of exercise, which seemed odd. In addition, there were no accommodations for women who have had c-sections. Only a few of the movements for the infants seemed beneficial and enjoyable for the baby, but the few that were made the baby’s eyes light up with delight and their bodies seemed relieved afterwards. It was interesting to see how certain exercises visibly energized each part of the baby’s body.

The first part of this DVD had an ad-lib nature of teaching, making it seem unorganized and hard to follow. The toddler yoga on this DVD, however, is a completely different story. Some of the teachers were absolutely wonderful, the toddlers were so happy to take part in yoga and the parents got good exercise too. Even if you don’t like yoga, this section of the DVD will provide you with creative ways to interact with your toddler and the children’s antics while they do yoga will bring a smile to your face. That yoga “high” that you feel through practice is obviously a benefit children can feel too.

While this DVD is satisfactory and easily accessible even if you haven’t done yoga before, there are undoubtedly better ones on the market.

Pick up a copy here.

The Business of Being Born- DVD

Satya — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:03:00 GMT

The Business of Being Born turns society’s expectation of birth on its head by refuting the common belief that birth must be done in a hospital with an OB-GYN. Any industry knows that gaining new customers is the key to flourishing and the medical industry is no exception. The c-section epidemic in this country has become the poster child for a more fundamental issue in the birthing industry.

The DVD features talk show host Rikki Lake and renowned midwife Ina May Gaskin who shine a spotlight on the unfortunate state of childbirth in the United States today. The US has the second highest infant mortality rate in the world and the most medicalized birth process. As the film reveals, more interventions during birth bring more risks. The film uses facts and figures to back up their opinion that women are treated like a commodity in a hospital; to be serviced in the quickest manner and then sent on her way.

While the producers do the viewer a disservice by making such blanket statements that herald homebirths and demonize OB-GYNs as such a wide-range of experiences is possible, even in the hospital, the real message of the movie is one that all women in America should hear: play an active role in your child’s birth. According to the film, childbirth is an experience, not a medical emergency. After watching the videos of homebirths included in the film, you will surely see how powerful an experience it can be (and might even find yourself in tears). The film is truly convincing and well made, but one wonders if it is overly dramatized and exaggerated for shock value or really accurate. Either way, it is one strong view that many women hold and the general message is a good one. Overall, it is a strong case for women to empower themselves and take control of the most life-changing event of their life: the day they give birth. Pick up a copy here.

NOVA: The Miracle of Life

Satya — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:25:00 GMT

The Miracle of Life is the first filmed record of human conception. This movie may seem like it’s going to show the development of a fetus. Unfortunately, it better resembles a sexual education class from the seventies. However, this film does serve as a good introduction to how conception happens for those who have no prior knowledge, such as adolescents.

It begins with a world view of how life transitioned from the sea to dry land before getting into the basics of human conception. The viewer is taken on the journey of the sperm and the egg in graphic detail. The most educated person will still probably learn a few things they didn’t know and at the very least be amazed at how the whole process really looks.

The last few minutes are the most fruitful for expectant parents. The growing fetus is shown in different stages with factual narration about what the fetus goes through. The film ends after showing a live birth in a hospital setting, which makes childbirth look easy as pie.

Overall, the movie is mildly educational, slightly entertaining, but probably not what an expectant mother is looking to watch. Pick up a copy here.

Dunstan Baby Language DVD

Satya — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:01:00 GMT

This two-disc DVD set, full of fascinating and useful information about the Dunstan Baby Language, is presented in an informal and low-tech format, perfect for teaching new parents how to evaluate their baby’s different cries to determine his or her needs.

Dunstan Baby Language founder Priscilla Dunstan was inspired to better understand her son Thomas’s various cries when he was a colicky baby. She began recording his cries, discovered patterns and successful settling methods and wanted to share her discovery with other parents. She found that every newborn uses five distinct sounds that signal hunger, tiredness, need to burp, lower wind/gas and discomfort. For example, the sucking reflex makes a sound of “neh,” meaning the baby is hungry. The videos provide plenty of examples of the sounds babies make from many different infants, making recognizing them in your own infant easy.

The videos are filled with testimonies from mothers who were amazed at how well they could suddenly understand their baby’s needs based on their cries. The second disc features a group of women using the Dunstan Baby Language with their babies to demonstrate how easy it is to learn and use. The Dunstan technique seems very effective but may take some time to understand the mixed signals some babies send; however Priscilla provides easy tips on how to decipher these mixed sounds. In addition to the technique, Priscilla also gives lessons on methods of burping, feeding, holding and more.

This is a great DVD for a rental; however, because the Dunstan language consists of just a few “words” you may find you only refer back to the DVD for Priscilla’s helpful lessons. Pick up a copy here.

The Happiest Baby on the Block

Madelyn8278 — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 19:49:00 GMT

With a five-star rating on Amazon and more than 200 stellar customer reviews, “The Happiest Baby on the Block” teaches you how to transport your baby from screaming to serene. In a few simple steps, Dr. Harvey Karp promises to help you switch on your baby’s “calming reflex,” a sort of automatic off-switch for any baby’s crying.

It almost sounds too good to be true, right? Still, thousands of parents, from working moms to superstar celebrities like Madonna and Michelle Pfeiffer, have turned to Dr. Karp to discover his secrets for making babies happy.

Many couples think Dr. Karp’s techniques are successful because he acknowledges the existence of a “fourth trimester,” referring to the first three months of your baby’s life and her need to feel as she did while she was in the womb. These techniques are summarized on the DVD as the five S’s: swaddling (tightly, to resemble the environment of the uterus), side or stomach position (also known as the “football hold”), shushing (at the same sound level as her crying), swinging (to replicate your movements when she was inside you), and sucking (using your finger or a pacifier).

Annie, once the frustrated mother of a 4-week-old, found great success with “The Happiest Baby.” She says, “Our son went from being fussy before bedtime … to drifting off to sleep without any drama. We couldn’t believe the transformation.”

In one bonus area of the DVD, Dr. Karp answers questions from real parents about calming babies and helping them fall asleep. In another, the entire contents of the DVD can be viewed in Spanish. And our favorite bonus feature of all: three tracks of a wonderfully calming mix of womb sounds and pulsation that can be played individually or in succession to gently guide your baby to sleep.

Get a copy here.

Yoga for Your Pregnancy

Madelyn8278 — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:30:00 GMT

In recent years, yoga has skyrocketed in popularity not only among women looking to get in shape, but pregnant women, as well. “Yoga for Pregnancy” teaches you regular prenatal yoga practices that can give you the energy to truly enjoy your pregnancy, the serenity to build a deeper intimacy with your body, and the ability to be totally present for the miracle of your child’s birth.

One of the benefits of practicing yoga while pregnant is ease from the discomforts of pregnancy including moodiness, shortness of breath, swollen ankles, nausea, indigestion, and insomnia.

Part one of “Yoga for Pregnancy” provides 30 minutes of energizing and strengthening techniques, helping you practice a posture known as gentle flowing to alleviate the discomforts caused by pregnancy, and build strength and stamina for the physical demands of labor. Part two is a 15 minute lesson in relaxation and rejuvenation, teaching you exercises to help you manage your contractions, and meditation techniques to help you stay calm and be able to concentrate during labor.

What makes “Yoga for Pregnancy” different from other prenatal fitness videos on the market is that instead of showing you basic yoga techniques that are safe for pregnant women, it focuses on specific positions and breathing practices that you can really use. It also offers postnatal yoga advice so that you may gently regain your strength and flexibility six weeks after your baby is born. As an added bonus, several articles from Yoga Journal and Lamaze Parents magazine are also included on the DVD-Rom.

Happy relaxation!

Get yourself a copy here.

Classical Baby (3-Pack: Music, Art & Dance)

Madelyn8278 — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:18:00 GMT

If you have a love for the arts and are the parent of a child between six months and four years old, both you and your little one are sure to enjoy the “Classical Baby” three-disc DVD set. Each 30-minute disc focuses on a single area – music, art and dance – using bright colors, catchy melodies, and animated characters to introduce babies and toddlers to famous pieces of music, well-known works of art, and various styles of dance.

Disc one, “The Art Show” provides a tour of some of history’s greatest masterpieces by such modern visionaries as Monet, Van Gogh, Pollack and more, complete with cute little animated frogs. Famous musical themes, from classical to jazz, also set the scene for an exhibit of sculptures from the 1500s to the 20th century.

Next, “The Music Show” features an animal orchestra led by a toddling baby conductor performing pieces by classical composers including Bach, Tchaikovsky, Mozart and Bartok. Violin-playing crickets take part in performances from chamber music to opera.

“The Dance Show” is delightful, as animal characters perform dance moves from ballet to Broadway, inspired by choreography greats like Pilobolus and Balanchine.

While the “Baby Einstein” series has received more media attention, many moms prefer HBO’s take on introducing children to the arts. One mom, who is also an elementary school music teacher, says, “While both [‘Classical Baby’ and ‘Baby Einstein’] are totally conducive to the overload of visual stimulation for the very young, ‘Classical Baby’ has a more artistic approach, and I find it to be more fruitful for young minds.” Another mom says, “I do not find ‘Classical Baby’ as nerve-wracking as the ‘Baby Einstein’ DVDs after repeated plays … a pleasant experience for the entire family to enjoy over and over again.”

Get yourself a copy here.