Rating: Summary: Needs better production, but very beginner-based Review: I'm an absolute yoga beginner, and the beginner section of this DVD is perfect for someone like me, if they're bedridden maybe. I'm overweight and out of shape, but I found the poses in the beginning module to be pretty simple. I kept feeling like I was lying there doing nothing. It's all basic stretching, stretching, stretching. I had high hopes for this since it's got such good ratings, but I can't recommend it.The production quality is low, with a voiceover. The lighting isn't the best, and the model who demonstrates the poses looks bored. I mean no offense to her appearance, but more in how she's presenting herself. She looks like she just rolled out of bed. She doesn't look rejuvenated or relaxed, and I guess I expect a smile now and then from my instructors. I was disappointed in this, even though there's plenty of poses (something like 35). Save your money and look for something else.
Rating: Summary: A Perfect Gem Review: It is very rare that you find a product that exceeds your expectations to such an amazing degree. I read about the DVD in Yoga Journal, which gave it an unbelievable review. I figured they were the professionals and they would know, they even said teachers should buy this DVD as a great reference for how to teach beginning yoga. And boy were they right! It has fantastic detailed instruction so you are safe to explore yoga at your own pace, but it really let's you access parts of the body that I didn't know even existed. And it is so relaxing! People who are looking for some fast paced workout to really sweat to might not be as thrilled, if that is what makes you happy (I got the Yoga for Athletes from the same company and these workouts are more challenging, but equally wonderful). Its message is at points subtle, but profound: observe carefully and you will be amazed! I have tried lots of tapes and this one doesn't have much fluff, but a tremendous amount of depth and worth many times its price. I CAN'T RECOMMEND THIS DVD ENOUGH!
Rating: Summary: Great for Semi-beginners Review: Let me first say that you will really get your money's worth out of this DVD. Unlike some of the Gaiam DVDs, which are also great, this DVD contains dozens of practices (workouts). The DVD has 60-some chapters, each chapter being a yoga pose. The poses are then put into different combinations to make the various practices. They range from "Hip Openers" to "Standing Basics" to "Relaxation" and "Energizing." There are even two "Menstruation Series" with modified poses. Many of the poses do use props, as they are essential for the "Inflexible People," but they are as simple as a chair and a yoga mat. It is stated that the rest can be substituted. For example, a few books for the yoga bricks and a bathrobe belt or some towels for the strap. The production is basic - the demonstrator is not on a beach in Hawaii - but it is straightforward. One of the best parts is that time is taken to explain each pose in depth. I own about 10 yoga DVDs and this one is the best in terms of really taking time for the pose, which is true to the spirit of yoga. And you could use this DVD for weeks without ever doing the same workout twice. The only thing I would suggest is that you take a basic yoga class from a qualified instructor. (Not the YMCA or a Gym - learn from someone who only teaches yoga and has studied for a while.) The information you get when you're working with a live person makes Yoga For Inflexible People much easier to follow in terms of proper body alignment and breathing.
Rating: Summary: Great for the Yoga newbie! Review: Living in a region where Yoga instructors are few and far in between, I purchased this DVD based upon the wonderful reviews it received. I knew nothing of the subject and have been intimidated by Yoga in the past. The key word "inflexible" definitely applies to me. It offers you alternative ways through props to practice each pose. In addition, it teaches you to focus on your breathing and to relax while working out. For those who are more flexible, just simply omit the "props".
You'll like this soothing but strenuous workout. Perfect for those of us who find other forms of exercise to be too challenging. With a bit of soothing for the soul as well to top it all off.
Rating: Summary: What a difference a DVD can make! Review: My massage therapist told me to get this DVD and I love it! I have become so much more aware of how I hold tension in my body and how to release it. At first it seemed very subtle and I didn't get it, but after a few times it really began to make sense to me and I noticed things I never, ever would have noticed about my body. I love all the different workouts and how I can pick whatever I want to work on. My massage therapist told me if I did this DVD I wouldn't see her as often. I will miss her!
Rating: Summary: I Can Touch My Toes Review: My wife had been trying to get me to start yoga for a while for a bad back I got from sitting at a computer too long. She me this DVD after reading a rave review of it in a yoga magazine. I tried it and I am pleased with the product. I can now touch my toes again and the aches in my knees and back have been reduced greatly. The DVD modifies poses, which help make poses more accessible. As another reviewer mentioned, there is a variation of Downward Facing Dog that uses a chair, which helped me tremendously since I had a hard time with the regular down dog that also appears on the DVD. Part of my back problem, my wife tells me, is my really tight shoulders. There are enough routines and poses on this DVD to keep me going for a long time. I am very happy with the quality of instruction on this DVD. She also got me Gaiam's Yoga for Back Care, which was fine, but I really like this one since it is much more comprehensive.
Rating: Summary: False advertising - NOT FOR BEGINNERS Review: My wife has been into yoga for years so I thought I'd get a guide that sounded perfect for me, the INFLEXIBLE man. Review: This guide has no true 'introduction' to the art of yoga, furthermore there is no where near enough detail in the womans performance or verbal guidance to even begin to, as a beginner, grasp the subtleties of yoga poses. To add insult to injury after my wife viewed the series her comment was; "this contains very little if any meaningful alterations to poses for the inflexible". Suggestion: If you do buy this and find it as I did unsuitable do as I did and donate it to the local Humane Society, possibly some good can come from your purchase, you won't be getting any more flexible.
Rating: Summary: Great information, boring presentation Review: The information in this dvd is fantastic. Very infrequently do you find an instructor, let alone a video that describes what needs to be done to practice a position or asana with such care. And the combination of workouts is virtually limitless. However, there is no "rapor" built with the instructor as there is in say a Lilias or even a Jennifer Kries video. So my interest during the workouts started wandering.
Rating: Summary: Not flexible enough Review: The woman giving the instruction is unattractive and expressionless and her background is also not attractive or interesting. The background sound is not conducive to meditation. The directions include things like "spread your ribs" and "relax your throat" with any further explanation or direction on how to do this. Some of the movements (child's pose, for instance) require sitting on your heels, not something an inflexible person (or one with bad knees) is able to do. The workout doesn't flow, but has abrupt stops and starts. The seated general workout I is not improved in general seated workout II, some moves are just repeated. In general, I think the poses are not presented in the best order, or an order that would encourage continuous improvement.
Rating: Summary: Slightly annoying and choppy Review: This DVD concentrates on technique, rather than on the meditative experience of yoga. While the routines are great at describing how exactly you are supposed to do each pose, I found the presentation to be choppy. I would prefer to have one posture flow into another, with a soft guiding voice. The voiceover here is grating to my ears after a while, and I find myself thinking "would you please shut up", which is not the feeling with which I want to be practicing yoga! While there are a lot of routines to pick from, again, I would prefer several all-inclusive routines, rather than this variety of body parts to focus on. If you would like yoga to help you connect with your body and spirit, rather than just be a physical exercise, check out the Kripalu Yoga series.
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