Rating: 
Summary: visually beautiful full yoga practice
Review: This was the first yoga video I ever bought. I had a hard time following it at first, but after a few months of a regular group yoga practice I could do every asana with reasonable grace. If you buy this video (and I think you should), I recommend that you watch it at least 3 times before trying any of the poses. It helped me to write down the sequence of the poses so I could remember what came next. Please go slowly if you are a beginner. Start with just the sun salutation series and learn it before you move on. You WILL progress through the whole video, but don't push yourself too fast. The video rewards you with great music, beautiful visuals and a logical sequencing of yoga poses. It shows a gentle sun-salutation series. When I need more upper body conditioning, I add a yoga push-up and change the cobra to an up-dog. The only complaint I have is that it is hard for beginners to see a full pose on the screen from beginning to ending -- especially during the sun salutation series. The camera cuts from actor to actor doing the same pose, and I became confused as to exactly how to move through the whole pose. I ended up looking at books to figure it all out -- alignment is so important, especially to beginners. Having said that, once I knew what I was doing, I enjoyed seeing the cut-away shots of the sky, sand and trees. Some other videos are boring because you only see a full shot of a yoga instructor going through the poses. This video is never boring, even after 4 years of watching it. I sometimes watch it just to relax, without doing any yoga myself.
Rating: 
Summary: This tape got me started
Review: I have purchased various "exercise" videos over the years. This one is different. I found the instruction to be excellent and as a beginning yoga student it was challenging but guided enough to help me learn the poses. When I can't make it to my yoga class, I prefer this video to the others I own. At close to an hour it may seem long at first. However, I have found that after practicing with this program anything shorter is not long enough for me to fully "let go" of my day and immerse myself in my practice. I say forget the beautiful scenery (it is nice though) and Ali MacGraw - Erich Schiffman is a wonderful guide and teacher in the video. I've tried other yoga videos, but this is my favorite and I still recommend it to any friend who expresses an interest (I've used it for about 2 years).
Rating:
Summary: Aesthetically Pleasing....
Review: This is such a beautifully produced yoga CD !! I bought it because I wanted to follow a workout that was not too long but that had all the ingredients of a full body workout. The actual DVD is so beautiful, that I had to sit quietly and watch it the first time just to admire the music and asanas merging. The instuctor's voice in the background is quite soothing and his aura is felt throughout the DVD. Ali and the group of students look great and give a very nice rendition of what the poses should look like. All in all, just a superb yoga DVD. Good Show Guys !! Much Appreciated !!
Rating:
Summary: Mystical and chanllenging
Review: Even though this DVD production is over 10 years old it has qualities well worth adding to your collection. The music is mystical and enlightening. The practice is challenging. You should have some knowledge of yoga already, so don't make this your first DVD.Check my other yoga and meditation DVDs on Amazon.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful and inspiring
Review: I did a yoga class over 5 years ago and loved it. I bought AM/PM Yoga and have been doing it daily, finding it deceptively simply but very effective for my upper back and neck pain, and my posture. I am one of those people who find my shoulders up around my ears in times of stress. At the same time I ordered this tape, based on the reviews, thinking I would have it when I was ready to move on to a little more challenge and a longer "workout" than either AM/PM offers. I watched it through completely and felt daunted, but it was so beautiful, and I knew that when I was a little more flexible I would try it. Today I tried it for the first time and it's so amazing. Not as hard as I thought, especially if you are easy on yourself and do what you can do gently, as the instructor advices. By the time we got to the meditation/relaxtion at the end I couldn't believe the time had passed so quickly. I also experienced a powerful energy in my chest area, and understood what is meant by yoga being for your soul as well as your body. That was completely unexpected for me, as I was really only initially interested in feeling better, more toned and flexible physically. Like many of the other reviewers, I would love if they or Eric Schiffer would please do another video. The guidance through is wonderful, the music and scenery as well. This is a beautiful tape that I feel would be hard to tire of.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully done!
Review: I really loved this video. I have done a number of them and found it really enjoyable. Although the moves are for more flexible people, I feel they are ones that even beginners can work towards! I enjoyed the music and Erich's voice and instruction! I love it!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully flowing yoga practice
Review: Yoga Mind and Body is a classic yoga video which stands the test of time. It is designed for those already familiar with yoga (ie, there is little instruction on how to perform each pose), and it will gently challenge you while also providing deep relaxation. The practice begins with instruction on ujjayi breathing, a basic form of yogic breathing to accompany asana (posture) practice. The warm up then continues with a cat/dog tilt series to open the spine. This beginning section lasts about 7 minutes total, but once you understand the breathing, you can skip over that segment. Sun salutations comprise the next 10 minutes of the practice. You will begin with simple breathing and forward bends before adding lunges to the sequence. After practicing tree pose for balance, you will continue with another 10 minutes of standing poses performed in steady flow; postures in this segment include warrior, triangle, and side angle. The next 14 minutes of the workout involves floor work. You will begin on your stomach for cobra and bow, then switch to your back for leg extensions, lying twists, and bridge. The only seated posture is a single seated forward bend, and then you will return to your back for a relaxing 1/2 bridge pose. The practice ends with approximatley 4 minutes in shavasana for a total of 45 minutes. Although others have complained about the background music, it didn't bother me--when I even noticed it, it seemed to fit nicely with the postures, as it varied from being upbeat to more soothing. One minor criticism I have of this video is that although the scenery is beautiful, the cameras sometimes focused too much on scenic views when I wanted to see close-ups of the poses being performed; similarly, there was a bit too much shifting between cameras for my liking. However, this issue did not detract from the fact that this is an excellent yoga practice which I will enjoy for a long time to come.
Rating: 
Summary: Why is this rated so high? Big disappointment.
Review: I don't understand it. Why on earth is this rated so high? I bought this DVD based on the great reviews here. I just wanted a good yoga video with a great instructor. I didn't find it here. This instructor (who looks strangely out of shape, why would I want to look like him?) doesn't instruct much. The middle eastern music is annoying. (I prefer new age music for yoga). I'm NOT new to yoga, but I'm just not that flexible and probably never will be. Where are the variations for people like me? Avoid this DVD unless you're advanced, don't need much instruction and can bend like a pretzel. I, like many other reviewers, found the music extremely distracting. Isn't yoga supposed to be relaxing?
Rating: 
Summary: Pretty, but....
Review: The scenery in this tape is gorgeous (but on the other hand, who really concentrates on the TV screen during yoga practice?). During this yoga session, Erich Schiffman places emphasis on the emotions that accompany the physical sensation of yoga; the effect is wonderful. The downside, though, is that many important physical cues necessary to start your yoga practice off moving correctly and to get the most out of it are missing. It's too hard for beginners and missing too many elements (like sun salutes - they're on there, but far too modified) for more advanced practicioners.
Rating:
Summary: Stunningly Beautiful Experience
Review: Guided by the Yogi master Eric Schiffman. This DVD is stunningly beautiful to watch. Even for those people not a hard core fan of Yoga, this DVD is still gem to watch. I have not seen a more a beautifully filmed Yoga workout. Ali MacGraw is breathtaking in her white outfit. I find the Yoga sequence beautiful and englightening. I would sure watch this DVD again and again. The only flaw I find is the sometimes jaggy editing.
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