Yoga Zone - Flexibility and Tone (Beginners)

Rating:
Summary: Hard on the muscles, easy on the eyes
Review: A friend of mine started Yoga classes about a year ago and has suggested I try it. I thought it was for women and hippies so I resisted and besides I didn't have time for the classes. So my friend suggested I try a DVD and recommended Flexibility and Tone. Well I guess he got his revenge. I no longer think Yoga is for women and wimps. The workout looks fairly easy on first viewing but when performed it is quite strenuous. Maybe I am stiffer than I thought. Anyways I stuck to it and although I would not recommend this as a Yoga instruction for beginners, I would recommend it to people who are somewhat athletic but who wish to increase their flexibility. The instructor provides a good steady pace and the female assistants will certainly help keep the attention of the male viewers (especially the brunette - worth the price alone). It is my first Yoga video so I don't have much to compare with but I thought it was very well done and I plan to continue with my Yoga and probably purchase more DVDs.

Rating:
Summary: Good, but not as good as other YZ sessions
Review: Could be my preferences, but this isn't the best of the YZ tapes I own. It seems to flow less well, the poses aren't held long enough, and though the instruction from Alan Finger is great (as always), I just always feel like I want more after doing it. I want to do sun salutations more than twice, for instance. For strength, the Power Yoga for Strength and Endurance is much better. For relaxation, Conditioning and Stress Release leaves this one in the dust. I'm a high-level beginner in yoga, and I only do this one occasionally, and only for the poses that aren't included in my more-favored tapes (cow's head, seated spinal twist).

Rating:
Summary: An excellent workout for beginners!
Review: I had never done yoga before, but on the recommendation of a friend, I purchased the Yoga Zone box set (4 videos). This tape happens to be my favorite, but I love the entire series. Alan Finger's voice is really soothing and encourages relaxation while you try the various poses. I became hooked and now my husband, who'd never tried yoga before, is also addicted. Since the tape includes both begginner and advanced forms of each pose, it's really easy to follow along, no matter what your level.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent, well-rounded yoga program
Review: I have done yoga off and on for over 20 years and this is one of the best videos I have found--good for beginning-intermediate yoga practitioners or someone like me who is restarting yoga after some time off. Alan Finger does a wonderful job of patiently guiding you through the poses. But the best thing about this videotape is that by the time you are finished with the 55-minute program, most all the muscles in your body feel stretched and loose and you feel great both physically and mentally. It's a very well-rounded set of poses. I would recommend it highly.

Rating:
Summary: A good workout
Review: I haven't done yoga for many years - and found this tape and the beginner video very good. Very good explanations with beginner and advanced postures are shown.

Rating:
Summary: A great tape if you can't make it to a yoga studio
Review: I just love this tape! I don't have the luxury of being able to take a yoga class and this tape really helps me with my practice. I own a lot of yoga tapes and this is is one of my favorites. Alan Finger is a great instructor. He is very detailed with the postures and reminds you throughout the practice to breathe correctly. It covers the fundamental yoga poses and breathing techniques. I have noticed increased flexibility esp. in my hips and back since starting this tape. Some may complain it's a little slow once you've done it a few times but I find it a great reference tape and am never bored with it. It's a great supplement to Power Yoga. I'm very pleased with all the Yoga Zone tapes.

Rating:
Summary: Very Good!
Review: I love Yoga Zone videos! This one is a little more challenging and I definitely feel a workout!

Rating:
Summary: Very Good!
Review: I love Yoga Zone videos! This one is a little more challenging and I definitely feel a workout!

Rating:
Summary: Great workout!
Review: I own all of the Yoga Zone series videos, and this is one of my favorites. Alan Finger is a WONDERFUL instructor; his voice is very soothing, and he's not intimidating in the slightest. He is not overly buffed; he's just your run of the mill pudgy 50 year old, but if you watch the clips at the end, you'll see that he has amazing strength and can contort himself into some very twisted poses. If you're new to Yoga, I'd suggest working with the Introduction to Yoga video in this series. I used that tape 3-4 times a week for about 2 months before I advanced to this one, and by the time I finally did, I found that I was very ready. The Introduction to Yoga teaches you most of the basic postures, and this video expands on them, but it's also a lot tougher. Having done the ItoY video though, I could progress through most of the poses easily and fluidly. And yes- you WILL feel the stretch in your muscles. Alan also guides you through a great breathing introduction in the beginning and a relaxation at the end.

Rating:
Summary: very nicely done
Review: I really like the pace and instruction in this video. Alan stands or sits in the back and tells how to get in the pose, etc and has a very calming voice. 2 ladies demo..I think one is Lisa Bennet and not sure of the other, but the modifies (except on the one pose I needed a modification!). there are some seated stretches (ahh!) then the more vigorous standing ones. one called cow's head there is absolutely no way I can do the legs like they do..they bend the knees with feet on the floor and then pull on under with heel near the hip an the other on top with the heel near the hip...maybe I just have too much fat in the way! anyways, I felt nice after doing this workout...he talks a lot with the instructions but no needless chit chat. this was also filmed indoors, not outdoors like their tv series20 minute dvds. I really like this one and will do it when I have an hour or so to spend on yoga.