Bring It: P90X YogaX Workout Review

P90X, created by mastermind Tony Horton, is just one of the many programs offered by BeachBody. It is a 90 day program and is a step up from Horton's original program P90. The X stands for extreme and if you are looking to intensify, this is a great workout to get into.

The program consists of 12 different DVDs and if followed properly, it will take you 90 days to complete. One of these workouts is YogaX.

P90X is based off the concept of muscle confusion. While you are expected to eat appropriately to fuel your body, it outlines everything for you so you can get max benefits. There are three phases, and each phase ends in a Recovery Week. However, don't be deceived because Recovery Week can be much worse than the workouts prior.

I have completed P90X twice and during that time I lost several pounds and inches. If you would like to follow my journey with P90X, click here to start at the beginning. This is my own personal documentation of what I went through during the first 90 days. While I am currently not doing P90X, I will still throw in one of the workouts occasionally; I am just not following the program as I am have started my next journey with TurboFire, which will hopefully bring me to my goal!

YogaX is definately not the traditional yoga workout everybody envisions when they think of yoga.Even though I am not in the midst of P90X, I do occasionally throw in the YogaX DVD. Why? Because it is a great workout and one of the best Yoga workouts I have found. Not to mention I feel much more stretched after I have completed it.

YogaX is extreme - and definately will not disappoint. If you have never done Yoga before, you may find this difficult, or maybe even close to impossible. It is based off of hatha yoga and during the workout you will focus on your breath and you will stretch.

Overall, this workout will help strenghten your entire body and will also increase your flexibility. It is an integral part of the P90X program and should not be missed. This workout will help you improve on all of your other workouts.

For this workout, you will need a mat, yoga blocks, and a towel. It is also essential to have a calm and relaxing environment during this workout. That might mean waking up a bit earlier so you don't have normal life distractions. Believe me, this workout is much more effective and relaxing when you don't have all the disruptions.

Yoga X lasts 1 hour and 32 minutes. If you thought this was going to be the relaxing part of your workout, you are wrong. Don't be surprised when you start break out a sweat; and when you are sore the next day, remember YogaX is a workout.

YogaX is also one of the few DVDs in the program that you will do each and every single week. Not only is it scheduled during your regular parts of the phases, it is also a big part of recovery week as well. So, if you think you are going to get a break from Yoga, think again.

The first portion of the workout is the moving series, or moving asanas. This is a series of Vinyasas (or sun salutations) with a forward leg swing. From there you will go into familiar poses such as Crescent Pose, the different Warrior poses, Chair pose and so on. It lasts for about 50 minutes. By the time you are done you will be Downward Dog and Upward Dogged out and you will not believe the pretzels he expects you to attempt. Those who are advanced, will also be doing several pushups in between. Remember, not only are you working on your breathing and flexibility, you are also working on your strength.

Toward the end of the first section, you may find some of the moves are too difficult to do. Believe me, I have done 2 rounds of P90X and I am still practicing YogaX. But as Tony Horton says, "Do your best and forget the rest!"

The second section of YogaX is the Balance poses. Here you will do poses such as the Tree and Royal Dancer. You will also be introduced to a session of "Yoga Belly" which will really challenge you core muscles.

Naturally, by the time you are finished with this grueling workout, you will be happy to be in Child's pose and Shavasana (Corpse Pose). You will also be greatful for the end, which is the meditation pose. This last part is really a great way to clear your mind.

This is a long and difficult workout. For those who have done yoga in the past, the combination of the moves will make them realize they have muscles they never knew before. For those who have never done yoga, they will wonder how some of these moves are even possible. When it comes to workouts, don't discount this one. It is one tough Yoga workout!

When I first started YogaX I struggled - and not just a little. This really surprised me because this was not my first experience with yoga. The moving series was difficult as I lacked the upper body strength. To get through the first portion of YogaX, I found I needed to modify. But, with each time I completed the workout, I found I got stronger and stronger.

What I also found was that I was not very fond of this workout. By the time I got to the balance poses, which left me with 42 minutes left to the workout, I was so exhausted I was almost falling over. And the balance poses are what I enjoy the most (or at least in the past!)

Now, after completing 2 rounds of P90X, I can happily say that I can make it through the entire YogaX. I still break a sweat, and I still feel physically exhausted by the time I am done. But I have learned to love what it has done for my body. I am much stronger because of this in all aspects of my fitness.

I still enjoy throwing this workout in from time to time, however, I will admit I am not a fan of the length of time. With having kids around when I work out, I have plenty of distractions. But don't shy away from this workout. You may not enjoy it at first (like me) but eventually, you will realize what it does for you and you will grow to love it! You will feel completely relaxed and mentally clear by the time you are done.