Rating: Summary: Great for getting back into the "swing" of yoga... Review: I've "dabbled" in yoga several times over the last 10 years or so and have thoroughly enjoyed it, but have most recently been focusing on cardio/strength training. Having lost most of the weight I've wanted to, I started looking for alternative exercise forms to help maintain the weight loss (and maintain my interest in exercise). This video is definitely a great beginner or "starting-again" yoga workout. Finger's voice is soothing and instructive without being chatty and the fact that he instructs while having two other people demonstrate is a great format (one girl does the more intense variations and the other the more basic moves). The only negative is that it is just a tad too short (you don't want it to end) overall and the relaxation portion at the end is too long. I definitely recommend this video, however!
Rating: Summary: best yoga video I own! Review: I've bought several yoga videos over the past few months, and this is by far the best one. It's easy enough to do that you won't be intimidated, but it's challenging too. I really like how the two women are shown doing two different levels of yoga: Lisa shows the positions for a more advanced yoga student, while Michelle shows the poses for more of a beginner. Even though the video is an hour long, it's not something I put off doing and it's not difficult to go an hour when I previously only did about 20 minutes at a time. The other yoga videos I have may be shorter, but they are tougher. I'm so glad I saw the Yoga Zone show on TV, otherwise I might never have looked for their videos. One further note, I suffer from a chronic illness that also means chronic pain and the Yoga Zone tapes don't aggravate my pain at all.
Rating: Summary: Wonderful Review: I've only attended one yoga class in my life so I was looking for something that was made for beginners and this was the right video for me! A couple of the poses were vaguely familiar but most of the poses were completely new to me. The instruction is very good - I would recommend this video to anyone new to yoga.
Rating: Summary: Emphasis is on the stress release Review: The emphasis here is on the stress release rather than the conditioning, only a few of the poses require much strength. A great beginner tape, it's made a real difference in my tension level. I'd tried Patricia Walden's Yoga for Beginners which seemed too disjointed, useful if you want to learn but not if you want a "class." This is perfect if you don't want to make up your own session, just want to pop in a tape and relax.
Rating: Summary: My Favorite Yoga Tape Ever Review: This continues to be the best, most satisfying and relaxing tape I ever do. Alan Finger does the best job of any instructor in reminding us to breathe (otherwise I forget!) and in explaining how to do the poses correctly and why. I also like the 55-minute format much better than any shorter videos. This length makes me feel like I've worked out without rushing every pose, gives time to really stretch, and provides enough time for relaxation. I think Yoga Zone makes the best tapes of anyone.
Rating: Summary: Great Stress-Release! Review: This is a very basic yoga video that goes to great length to teach and remind about breathing and muscle relaxation. These techniques are so vital to yoga practice, making this video great for beginners as well as a brush-up for the more advanced yoga practitioner. I use this tape periodically for a mental and stress release when needed.
Rating: Summary: it's all about the stretch Review: this is a very fine yoga instruction tape. the greatest emphasis is placed on stretching your entire body. however the many static positions means you're getting more strengthening benefit than you realize. it's absolutely essential for beginners to start out with a tape like this because it will help them to stretch out difficult areas like hips, hamstrings and shoulders that so often limit yogis from making it to the more advanced levels. and more advanced types should relish the chance to hone in on the stretching aspects of yoga that tend to get lost in the more advanced power yoga workouts. dare i say a must for any yoga collection?
Rating: Summary: Yoga Zone: Conditioning & Stress Release Review: This is a wonderful beginning yoga program, with poses that are do-able by beginners yet some challenging ones. It took me a while to learn the program, and if there is one downside, it is that Alan Finger (the instructor) goes thru the poses faster than I would at a normal pace. The video is about an hour, but when I do it on my own from memory, it takes an hour and a half. But as you learn the program, it is easier to keep up the pace and still feel the benefit of the poses. He starts with a breathing exercise and warm up exercises on the floor, continues with standing poses, and ends with floor poses and a meditation. My last comment is that there are two female instructors who demo the poses on the tapes, and it was a bit off-putting or intimidating to see their infinite flexibility in the poses. However, it doesn't matter if you can't come close to their flexibility -- I still feel wonderful after doing the video. I hope others will enjoy this as I have.
Rating: Summary: A yoga student Review: This is ok, but in my opinion not a recommended purchase, there are better ones.
Rating: Summary: Great for people with poor posture, bad backs and/or knees. Review: This is the best video. Alan Finger shows you how to do the postures and positions... and explains what you should be feeling. He tells you how to adapt the poses so that anyone can do them (fit or not...). He works on breathing throughout the poses, which I have a hard time remembering. I feel much better after I do the workout. My posture is better, my body is religned, and I am much more relaxed. This is a beginner tape... but I will use it forever. The better I get at the poses and positions the more it works. I now have the tape memorized, but I listen to it anyway. Alan Finger's voice is so calming and the relaxation exercise at the end is terrific. I feel like a new person when I'm done.
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