Do you want to try yoga and get a toned body? If you’re going to try out yoga, but you haven’t had the time nor the luxury to register in one of the yoga classes at your local gym, don’t worry because you can do yoga on your own, in the comfort of home.
Yoga is widely available in the form of digital learning platforms and can be accessed through online streaming services and traditional DVDs. Although the use of DVDs for yoga was popular throughout the early 2000s, online streaming services have become increasingly popular and enable people from all across the world to participate in yoga at any time, anywhere.
The following are some of the primary reasons why people have started to use online services and streaming for intermediate yoga over the traditional use of DVDs:
- Online services are more cost-effective in the long term when compared to a single purchase.
- Online services provide greater flexibility and more options for the types of classes available and their duration and difficulty.
- DVDs risk wear and tear, unlike online services.
- Some online services provide live streaming, which provides a more authentic experience.
- Many online services provide a community-based approach to yoga through the use of group challenges and communication boards.
- Streaming and online services provide access anytime, anywhere, unlike DVDs which rely upon system requirements.
- Most online services provide a multi-faceted learning approach to yoga by accessing articles, blogs, courses, and more.
In this article, we’ll review the 5 best yoga DVDs for toning and flexibility, including online services and traditional DVDs. We’ll also discuss the differences between yoga for toning and yoga for flexibility and provide some of the most common poses for each purpose.
What is Toning?
Toning is a phrase used to describe a muscle-building process that leads to an overall look that is defined but not considered bulky. Toning involves both fat loss and muscle development to achieve a healthy, lean look but not overly muscular.
Most yogis who are advanced in their practice have a toned appearance that is lean and healthy but not highly muscular.
Yoga for Toning
Choosing the best yoga DVD for you will depend heavily upon the factors of video length and the difficulty of postures. Let’s discuss these factors in more detail.
Video Length
The ideal video length will depend upon your schedule, and most people have minimal free time due to life’s demands. Thus, people will hectic schedules may benefit from a shorter 30-minute practice over a full-length 60-minute session.
Difficulty of Posture
If you are a beginner yogi, it’s best to start with more straightforward routines. Proper and efficient yoga practice takes time and patience, and those new to yoga may not be ready for the difficulty associated with intermediate levels of yoga.
If you have been doing yoga for a while, though, and want to progress in your practice, the intermediate and advanced level routines would take your journey to the next level.

Comparison of the 5 Best Yoga DVDs for Toning and Flexibility
Best Yoga DVD for Toning and Flexibility: Yoga International
Yoga International is an incredibly diverse yoga website that offers live-stream and pre-recorded yoga classes for yogis of all levels. It provides a community-based, multi-faceted digital learning platform where yogis and practitioners can further their practice and gain a more profound knowledge of yoga, meditation, holistic health, and mindful living.
Yoga International currently serves over 300,000 members per day and offers a free 30 day trial for new members. Membership options are available for $19.99/month or $119.88/year.
Members of Yoga International will enjoy access to:
- 500+ experts in yoga therapy, meditation, persona transformation, and more.
- Video classes, digital workshops, in-depth articles covering a wide variety of yoga topics
- 1000+ classes of various lengths, styles, and levels of difficulty
- Monthly themed challenges and multi-day training sessions are available
- Live stream classes and offline classes
- Yoga International app that’s accessible through the phone, tablet, TV
Class options are available for all levels of yoga practice, and there are also specialized classes available for Hatha, vinyasa, and other significant forms of yoga. Some of its best courses for toning and flexibility include Yoga for Functional Movement and Yoga for Athletes Challenge.
Yoga International has received ratings of 4.7 and 4.0 on the Apple app store and Trustpilot, respectively, from among thousands of ratings and is held in high regard by the yoga community.
Pros:
- 1900+ classes and 500+ expert teachers
- Live-stream classes and offline classes are available
- Accessible anywhere, anytime through the Yoga International app
Cons:
- Some customers have reported issues with customer service and billing
- Some customers have noticed issues with audio or lagging on the app
- Customers have mentioned that Yoga International has a small selection for its 60-min classes
Gentle Yoga for Balance, Flexibility and Mobility, Relaxation, Stretching for All Levels by Jessica Smith
I like the Gentle Yoga DVD because it breaks the yoga routines into 20-minute yoga exercises that can be done separately or as one, depending on your schedule. This is a consolation for someone like me with a busy schedule.
During the weekends, though, I can take all the sessions up for a full 80-minute yoga practice. I also like that every routine continues the previous routine, making each flow naturally to the next.
Flow One emphasizes releasing tension and stress on the shoulders and neck. Flow two focuses on the chest and back, relaxing the spine and opening the heart for better posture and muscle toning of the upper body.
Features:
- Flow 1 opens up the neck and shoulder workouts to relieve upper body stress and tension
- Flow 2 focuses on the back and chest to open up the spin and heart for improved posture and pain relief
- Flow 3 unlocks the joints of the hips and knees to enhance mobility and balance
- Flow 4 puts equal focus on all the essential parts of your body through a series of relaxing stretches.
Flow Yoga: Elements of Yoga: Air & Water by Tara Lee
I always had a good feeling about this yoga DVD since Tara Lee is an award-winning yoga instructor, and this is one of her renowned works. While it is not intended to be a beginner DVD, I found that any beginner can quickly adapt to it, and it has fantastic yoga routines for muscle toning.
I like that the DVD is divided into three sections and that I can either do each separately or all at once for full 2-hour yoga practice. The first section emphasizes the upper body combined with flowing routines and ends with a core workout.
The second section is more challenging and emphasizes the core with planks and a series of core exercises and poses. It focuses on core strength and muscle flexibility, which ultimately tones your body. I also love the bonus section that provides 10 minutes of breathing, core, balancing, and 5-minute relaxation and cool-down exercises.
The third section emphasizes working out the knees and hips to free the joints with a sequence of mobility and balance routines that target the feet and ankles. Flow four wraps the sessions up with a smooth full-body stretch.
Features:
- 20-minute yoga routines for starters
- Flow one exercises the shoulders and neck
- Flow two focuses on the chest and back
- Flow three opens up the knees and hips
- Flow four cools down with a full-body stretch
YogaSculpt by Karen Voight
At first view, I immediately knew that this yoga DVD was designed to develop muscle toning because it enhances strength and flexibility on virtually all body parts. Thus its name – Body Sculpting.
Combining all active yoga postures with various body sculpting exercises, this 45-minute yoga session begins with 25-minute yoga routines and poses that stretch and sculpt the body, proceeding to a 20-minute workout on the mat to develop core and back strength.
This yoga routine is perfect for both toning and flexibility.
Features:
- Combines yoga with body sculpting
- DVD divides the entire 45-minute routine into two parts
- Part one begins with a 25-minute stretching routine
- Part two presents a 20-minute mat-work
Yoga Stretch for Beginners and Beyond by Jessica Smith
This DVD presents two full-length yoga workouts from one of its most prominent instructors – Jessica Smith. What I like about this workout is that it gently tones and strengthens the body. You take part in an invigorating yoga session that improves focus, boosts energy, and lifts your spirits.
If ‘you’ve just had a stressful day, then ‘you’d find refuge in this relaxing session – it will calm your mind and revitalize your muscles. This rejuvenating practice of stretching and relaxation makes training more convenient.
The yoga routines are mixed with soothing classical or calypso guitar music. The instruction uses non-Sanskrit terms, so it becomes easy to follow.
The movements are explained thoroughly with the postural alignments, and transitions are carefully presented. The video is set in Florida’s sunny poolsides, giving it a soothing effect while working out.
Features:
- AM Energizer helps boost your energy and start your day with a series of strength and flexibility exercises for 30 minutes
- PM Relaxation stretches out the body to de-stress and relieve sores and other body pains through a series of relaxing yoga postures.

Conclusion
Each of the above programs provides professional guidance and routines for yoga practices that enhance toning and flexibility.
I would recommend the AM/PM Yoga by Barbara Benagh and Yoga Stretch for Beginners and Beyond for short yoga routines by Jessica Smith.
If you have more time to spare, then the Gentle Yoga for Balance, Flexibility and Mobility, Relaxation, Stretching for All Levels by Jessica Smith and Flow Yoga: Elements of Yoga: Air & Water by Tara Lee are fantastic options. These DVDs will enable you to take your time and get the most out of your session.
If you want to take on more challenging routines and feel the burn, then you would enjoy YogaSculpt by Karen Voight.
Check out this 40-minute yoga workout for toning by Jessica Smith:
References
- A. Ross, A. Brooks, K. Touchton-Leonard, G. Wallen, “A Different Weight Loss Experience: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Behavioral, Physical, and Psychosocial Changes Associated with Yoga That Promote Weight Loss”, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2016, Article ID 2914745, 11 pages, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/2914745
- Bernstein, A. M., Bar, J., Ehrman, J. P., Golubic, M., & Roizen, M. F. (2014). Yoga in the Management of Overweight and Obesity. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 8(1), 33–41. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827613492097
- Parasuraman, S., Wen, L. E., Zhen, K. M., Hean, C. K., & Sam, A. T. (2016). Exploring the pharmacological and pharmacotherapeutic effects of yoga. Pharmacology, Toxicology and Biomedical Reports, 2(1).
- Tosca Braun, Crystal Park, Lisa Ann Conboy; Psychological Well-Being, Health Behaviors, and Weight Loss Among Participants in a Residential, Kripalu Yoga-Based Weight Loss Program. Int J Yoga Therap 1 January 2012; 22 (1): 9–22. doi: https://doi.org/10.17761/ijyt.22.1.y47k2658674t1212