American Power Yoga, Strength

Rating:
Summary: Excellent workout
Review: As the title suggests, American Power Yoga helps to build core muscle strength and tone, but the system also provides more traditional yoga benefits like improved breathing, flexibility, and balance - all of which help with other exercise and provide energy for the rest of your day. I've found it to be a particularly effective compliment to weight-lifting and running.

Rating:
Summary: Great Strength Yoga, Not Enough Hip and Back Opening
Review: First of all, this disc is a great deal and I would recommend it to anyone who likes power yoga. It has a lot of great strength-building movements for the upper body and some for the lower body as well. It definitely delivers what it says it will. I only have two complaints: first, the disc lacks all of my favorite body-opening poses, namely the triangle series and the hip-opening poses like pigeon pose. I find that as a result I don't feel as energized, loose, balanced and strong as when I do one of Bryan Kest's or Baron Baptiste's sessions. Second, and this is only aesthetic, the teacher's manner may get on your nerves. To me that is a minor problem and the I would definitely recommend the disc.

Rating:
Summary: Great Strength Yoga, Not Enough Hip and Back Opening
Review: First of all, this disc is a great deal and I would recommend it to anyone who likes power yoga. It has a lot of great strength-building movements for the upper body and some for the lower body as well. It definitely delivers what it says it will. I only have two complaints: first, the disc lacks all of my favorite body-opening poses, namely the triangle series and the hip-opening poses like pigeon pose. I find that as a result I don't feel as energized, loose, balanced and strong as when I do one of Bryan Kest's or Baron Baptiste's sessions. Second, and this is only aesthetic, the teacher's manner may get on your nerves. To me that is a minor problem and the I would definitely recommend the disc.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent workout
Review: First of all, this DVD does not use any of the inherent advantages of DVDs at all: i.e., chapters, different workouts, and special features

Having said that, while this DVD does emphasize more aggressive or challenging postures, in the end, it offers nothing whatsoever over any of the other many Yoga DVDs. The workout is much too short as anyone that has practiced for a while will notice.

The instructor is great, not preachy, and the music is tolerable, but instead look at any of the Yoga Journal or Yoga for EveryBody DVDs.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing, move on to another
Review: First of all, this DVD does not use any of the inherent advantages of DVDs at all: i.e., chapters, different workouts, and special features

Having said that, while this DVD does emphasize more aggressive or challenging postures, in the end, it offers nothing whatsoever over any of the other many Yoga DVDs. The workout is much too short as anyone that has practiced for a while will notice.

The instructor is great, not preachy, and the music is tolerable, but instead look at any of the Yoga Journal or Yoga for EveryBody DVDs.

Rating:
Summary: good way to get back into yoga
Review: First, I have to reinforce what a previous reviewer said--this CD is a great value for what you get. I used to do a little yoga years ago but was having trouble getting back into it. I really like this routine--it is a good mixture of easy and challenging poses. The music might bug you at first like another reviewer said, but if you open yourself up to it it actually becomes a great accompaninment. My wife was making fun of Kurt's style but I have warmed up to him and like the pace and mix of his routine. I am always looking forward to repeating. I am glad I had some yoga background because I already know proper position and tilt but if you lack that background you will want to combine this video with some background reading or some real instruction. I live way out in the country and I like that this DVD makes you feel like you are part of the class. I will want to try some other DVDs or CDs in the future but I really like this one.

Rating:
Summary: good way to get back into yoga
Review: First, I have to reinforce what a previous reviewer said--this CD is a great value for what you get. I used to do a little yoga years ago but was having trouble getting back into it. I really like this routine--it is a good mixture of easy and challenging poses. The music might bug you at first like another reviewer said, but if you open yourself up to it it actually becomes a great accompaninment. My wife was making fun of Kurt's style but I have warmed up to him and like the pace and mix of his routine. I am always looking forward to repeating. I am glad I had some yoga background because I already know proper position and tilt but if you lack that background you will want to combine this video with some background reading or some real instruction. I live way out in the country and I like that this DVD makes you feel like you are part of the class. I will want to try some other DVDs or CDs in the future but I really like this one.

Rating:
Summary: An amazing workout for mind and body
Review: Having done many kinds of yoga over the years, I personally found that I was either bored with the repetition of poses or that my mind would wander. This is an awesome workout to do! Especially if you are cross training with weights or any other sport. Helps with preventing injury, flexability, and attitude. Do this workout. You will LOVE it!!

Rating:
Summary: Whoa...
Review: I didn't expect all this. I had planned on getting a yoga dvd with a little more kick, so i could get a bit of cardio in at the same time. Well, this had me sore the next day, I couldn't believe it. The guy instructing made me try harder than i normally would at home, and i even sweat. This is definitely the best yoga dvd/tape i have ever done. If you're looking for a workout with yoga benefits, i would recommend this one!

Rating:
Summary: Great for runners and anyone else!
Review: I have been doing yoga for a few years, and I have taken classes from this actual instructor...with results. This was at first a great supplement to my attendance at classes but since I moved, I have relied on this dvd as my only source of yoga, since I cannot find an instructor/class I liked as much. I am an injury-prone runner and do these tapes in my off days which helps me loosen up as well as build strength. I do think that taking a few classes at a studio helps one get the most out of the dvd...but think beginners would like it too! This can be as hard or easy as you want it to be.