Back in the 1980s, aerobics was king. But since then, the popularity of yoga has grown. "Power yoga" and other variations geared more toward exercise than meditation are in vogue in the West, making yoga and aerobics increasingly alike. Now, with the "Yoga Moves" portion of this two-tape set, Molly Fox attempts to erase the distinction completely. The 45-minute program begins and ends with some yoga postures (sun salutations, forward bends and lunges, the downward dog), but the bulk of it consists of six brief (roughly five minutes) sections of low-impact aerobics, replete with hops, skips, and jumps, knee lifts and side steps, and turns and arm movements familiar to anyone who knows Jane Fonda and her aerobic offspring. Fox's choreography is reasonably simple, with lots of repetition; the moves are fun, and a good workout is assured. But is it yoga? Not really. Purists will gravitate more toward "Yoga Sculpts," the other tape included in the Yoga for Everyone package. This vigorous, 35-minute yoga workout includes many of the basic poses-sun salutes (including an interesting variation that involves lowering the elbows to the floor from the downward dog position), triangle, the two primary warrior poses, and so on-in addition to some more unusual asanas, like crow (a challenging balance), boat (for the abdomen), and bridge (a backbend). Most poses are repeated, but the pace is pretty brisk, and while Fox clearly knows her stuff (she's particularly good when it comes to reminding users about how and when to breathe), her instructions regarding positioning and aligning the various poses are less than complete. [+]

Molly Fox's Yoga: Yoga Moves presents an unconventional workout that combines the fluidity of yoga with the invigoration of aerobic movement. Instructor Molly Fox has crafted this 50-minute workout around the body's full range of motion. Traditional yoga techniques such as breathing and alignment are explored, while dance-like choreography increases the heart rate. The session begins with sun salutation, which allows the body to acclimate to the movements that are yet to come. Following the warm-up are five separate aerobic routines that Fox has named after seasons and nature. This ensemble is creative and different from other workout programs. The steps are similar to interpretive dance moves and they encourage expression while using the major muscles. Some familiar movements like lunges and knee lifts are found here, but the majority of this workout includes combinations that are not seen in most aerobic formats, offering diversity for anyone who is bored with the commonplace cardio moves. Fox suggests that this workout can be done with or without tennis shoes, and the impact is variable. The originality and imagination offered in this cohesive regimen are anything but boring, and the lengthening moves are sure to make you break a sweat. [+]

Molly Fox's Yoga: Yoga Sculpts utilizes the ancient practice of yoga to strengthen and elongate major muscles. This 45-minute program offers an alternative to traditional weightlifting with postures that require a full range of motion and deep breathing. Instructor Molly Fox kicks off this sculpting regimen with sun salutations and continues the session with warrior and triangle formations. Poses are held isometrically and the abdominal muscles become key in stabilizing the body. The midsection gets a killer workout while holding the body in alignment throughout movements that encourage spinal flexibility and hamstring pliability. Beginners and participants with injuries or weak joints will find an accommodating format that moves slow enough for mastery of exact form. This program would be a terrific addition to any exercise fanatic's fitness library (especially for strength trainers who are burned out on mainstream resistance exercise). The music and scenery are nondescript but the content makes up for any lack of inspiring imagery. With repeated use, Yoga Sculpts has the real potential to increase flexibility, definition, and lean muscle. -Olivia Voigts.

Molly Fox is a veteran instructor who has been in fitness for a couple of decades, and her experience shows. She is friendly and personable, and teaches clearly. This 51-minute aerobic workout is from 1989, but that doesn't outdate the effectiveness. The moves are mostly simple-lots of walks, step-touches, and lunges, for example-with plenty of repetition. The choreography never gets more complicated than a turning grapevine, and usually it is simpler than that. Fox includes a couple of impact moves, such as jumping rope and a plié jump that is similar to a jumping jack. (It would have been helpful to have someone in the class demonstrating low-impact modifications for exercisers who would rather not jump. ) Each time she adds a new move, Fox repeats it until you get it, then strings it onto the moves you've already done, so you're building a sequence and repeating the first moves through the whole workout. The music is both low-key and low-volume, used mainly as background and to keep the beat, rather than to add excitement. -Joan Price.

This is a reissue of a 40-minute workout video from 1989, consisting of traditional floor work that targets the thighs, buttocks, and abdominals. After a good warm-up, you use a mat and towel for a varied series of thigh and buttock exercises. You don't need any weights for these exercises. (However, realize that traditional floor work is not as effective for strengthening and shaping the lower-body muscles as exercises performed with weights, or as functional as those done in a standing position. ) After the buttocks and thighs, Fox does a strong seven minutes of challenging abdominal exercises, including several reverse curl variations. Her cueing and alignment tips are excellent, including modifications and explanations of why you're performing the exercise in a certain way. Her stretch sequence at the end is thorough, effectively releasing every muscle group worked in the video. -Joan Price.