Bollywood beauty and Celebrity Big Brother finalist Shilpa Shetty turns her attention to yoga, in this new DVD timed to fight the festive bulge. Journalist and yoga lover Alison Batley gets into the swing.
Aim and style
Released at the end of December, the undeniably stunning Shilpa turns her efforts to helping viewers develop a lean, toned body not unlike her own.
She's a warm, friendly presenter who encourages you to get up and join in.
Filmed in three luxury locations in Kerela, Southern India, alongside the Arabian Sea, even the background is gorgeous.
Shilpa's accompanied by the voice of her male yoga teacher who gives careful, precise instruction, as well as noting the physical benefits of each pose.
It has to be said that all this perfection can be a bit off-putting, but it's a pretty good excuse to push the sofa back on a cold January morning and start working off those Christmas excesses.
Five section format
Suitable for all levels of fitness there are five sections, each focusing on a different area of the body - back, stomach, neck and shoulders, standing and sitting.
Shilpa's workout aims to strengthen and tone through a series of calming poses which focus on slow movements and breath control.
However, it is hard to navigate your way round the DVD - the best approach to creating your own balanced session isn't clear. It's also difficult to assess how long the session will be when you first start.
Neither does the DVD lead you through in real time. Shilpa demonstrates each asana a couple of times as her teacher gives clear instruction, but there isn't time to hold the postures as suggested before they move on.
This does make it easier to tailor it to your own level, but you need to keep one hand on the remote control - and be disciplined with yourself.
Extra motivation
The Extras Section features a handy 15-minute quick fix for the whole body, a useful tool to keeping up regular practice. Less endearing are her Meet Shilpa and Behind The Scenes sections.
The DVD comes with a free CD of chill-out ambient music to help you unwind, relax and take your practice anywhere.
On balance
What's nice is the introduction takes time to explain what yoga means. Despite its focus on creating physical perfection, the practice does take a holistic approach, with notes on breath throughout.
There is also a pranayam section, with instruction in several breathing techniques.
Alison Batley is a freelance journalist based in London. She has practiced yoga for nine years, and has studied with both the British Wheel of Yoga and Association of Yoga Studies. She can be contacted at alison.batley@virgin.net
