Rating: Summary: A nice dvd to learn and grow with Review: I am a beginner in the wide world of yoga. I took a class this semester with an instructor who really views yoga as a way of life, and his gentle approach got me hooked. Up until now I've been sticking with supplementing the class with the Living Arts AM & PM yoga set which is fantastic, but when the class started I wanted to get something longer to sort of replace it. I chose this and could not have done better.The dvd is divided by levels and times, so there is ample oportunity for plenty of variety. I love the instructor encouraging and understanding manner "Go as far as your legs want to go today" etc. They also show modifications with props if you are less flexible. Understand that the way the variety is created is each pose or series is put on the dvd as a separate chapter and then when you chose a routine you get a preprogramed set of poses&series, so it is not a set of individually created workouts but rather different mixtures from a common bag. However there are enough poses there that it does not feel repetitive. All in all if you were to purchase one yoga dvd, I would highly recommend this one.
Rating: Summary: Best Video I Ever Owned Review: I been practicing yoga for about 2 years and found this DVD to be very comparable to being in class. The instruction is clear and concise and perfect for beginners and advance alike. The variety which you get for the price is incredible especially when you look at what else is out on the marketplace, you cant go wrong.
Rating: Summary: Great so far (a beginner's view) Review: I bought this because of a recommendation on a yoga site. I've only taken 1 class before this, so I have no knowledge of yoga. I've only tried the beginner routines, so I can't judge the whole dvd, but what I've seen so far is very good. Every movement is explained in great detail and I've had no problem following them. There are 16 different routines just in the beginning section (7 less than 30 min and 9 greater than 30 min), so there's plenty of variety. Although the titles of each routine (i.e., Standing Routine, My Aching Head, etc.) might cause you to skip a routine, IMHO you shouldn't. Every routine has common poses, but each introduces something extra, so if you want a more complete "library" of poses, you should try them all. The most demanding for beginners appears to be the Standing Routine. The down side(s): First, I agree with the reviewer who commented there's no continuity. The first pose may end seated and the next starts standing or kneeling. This was done so they could piece together routines to cover areas you want to work on (back, posture, etc.), but the result is absolutely no flow. Also, I've noticed she spends more time on one side than the other because she explains it more the first time. Finally, the dvd says there's a QuickReview feature to allow for instant replay, but there's no explanation what that is or how to use it. Bottom line: despite the minor problem areas, this is an excellent dvd and I highly recommend it.
Rating: Summary: No Continuity Review: I bought this DVD because it mentioned numerous different workouts. I figured I would get my money's worth. Problem is, they are not fluid routines, but simply several chopped up poses put in various order to make up a number of different routines. I have used it twice at most and went back to my VHS tape that had an hour workout with one pose flowing right into the next. This one sounds better than it is and now collects dust.
Rating: Summary: Not for Beginners Review: I do not recommend this DVD for beginning Yoga students: I found no instruction on essential breathing techniques, nor on proper use of abdominal muscles to help avoid back strain. I find it irritating to have to watch (or manually skip/fast forward over) the disclaimer that appears before every exercise series. The DVD does provide a number of different series of exercises, at different levels of skill; however, it appears to do this merely by mixing a relatively small number of exercises in different sequences. I would not recommend this as one's first, or only, Yoga video; however, it might be a useful adjunct to a well-established collection.
Rating: Summary: Easy to follow Review: I enjoy the DVD tremendously, it is gentle when I want it to be a more challenging when I need it. I can't believe all the routines they have on a single DVD. Certainly the best-buy I have ever made for a yoga DVD.
Rating: Summary: Nice Video Review: I enjoyed this video a lot. I have done some yoga in the past and I found this to be an excellent way to practice at home. My husband, who I couldn't get to go to a class, has become a closet yoga person because of this video. This alone makes the video worth it! I recommend it highly - I also got Power Yoga for Every Body which is great.
Rating: Summary: Great Selection of Workouts, Great Value Review: I have a few Yoga VCR tapes. This is my first DVD. I am pleased that it makes good use of options DVD provides - the ability to provide menus and skip forwards and backward easily. There are several workouts for beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels. Within each of these categories, there are further selections for long and short workouts that are either general practices or have specific goals (body areas, aches & pains, etc). I have not done an advanced workout yet. I was pleased that in an intermediate workout there were 2 poses I have not seen before on a tape or in a class. The poses were clearly explained and it was easy to follow the tape. The instructor, JJ, often shows or tells you about different ways you can modify poses to suit your body's ability (or inability!). I have a 2 year old. I absolutely love that there are so many workouts to choose from that I can always find one to fit in the free time I have while she naps, or early in the morning, or while she's playing with Dad. No more saying, 'Well, guess I have to do it tomorrow' just becuase I don't have an hour free to complete one of my tapes. Sure, I know, I could just make my own workout up, but it just doesn't happen. Some reviews complain about the black screen between poses - that it is disruptive and not conducive to flow. I don't have a problem with it. The first time you do a workout you will notice it. The second time through, you begin to see ways to connnect the poses on your own - for example - pose one might end in downward facing dog pose, and pose 2 begins with it - so you just hold it an extra second. In general, holding the end of a pose until the next one begins seems to work OK. It seems that on the shortest workouts this doesn't always hold true - they don't always flow well. BUT - you have plenty of time to recover and get into position. If flow is what you are after, then you will be disgruntled, but otherwise there isn't a problem. I suggest watching the brief segment on technique review. She clearly explains the different body parts and alignment cues she mentions. I found it very helpful. The teacher's style is very relaxed and straightforward. I do not like overly flowery and spiritual delivery - I always feel like that should be up to the student. I found JJ's style to be perfect for me. In all - this is a great DVD and I recommend it to anyone looking for a good variety of quality workouts. The instruction is clear enough for beginners, the workouts challenging enough for at least intermediate students. I'm not advanced, so I can't speak for them!
Rating: Summary: Great value and I actually use it Review: I have never done yoga before and found this dvd very good. I love the choices it gives. It has beginner, intermediate, and advance level and also allows you to choose program based on the amount of time you have and which part of the body you want to focus the exercise on. Unlike other exercise tapes I have purchased which sits in the house, I actually use this one.
Rating: Summary: This is great for beginnners! Review: I just recieved this item last week. So far I am loving it. It has 9 routines under 30 minutes and 9 over, all for beginners, and then you can work up to intermediate and advanced. I love that it is an item I can grow with and will change with me. I also love that I can do a different routine for different times in my day (Good Morning, Preparing for Meditation). Some of the routines are challenging, and I consider myself somewhat flexible, but as long as you expect to not be an expert right off, you'll be ok. I definetly will recommend this one!
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