Rating: Summary: Great Workout, but very quick Review: It's a great workout. I am a beginner and I find it a little challenging to keep up, but I like it alot. I also like that you can do one of the three workouts or the whole thing.
Rating: Summary: Quick but good Review: The picturesque backdrops make this DVD visually pleasing while the workouts make it physically demanding. Like some have mentioned, it is very quick and the first time I found myself watching the TV and feeling rushed. After I got the poses down I would watch only when I was in a position that lent itself to viewing the screen, and it became easier to keep up. I think the speed at which he moves through the workout is also an example of the difference between yoga and power yoga. I am in fairly good shape and think this DVD would discourage someone that wasn't already flexible. I look forward to keeping it a part of my workout program.
Rating: Summary: To Touch My Toes Review: Steel is a lot more flexible than I am, and I consider being able to touch my knees an incredible feat. The idea of touching my toes without bending a knee has been nothing more than a dream, at least until I met Rodney Yee. My stiff body finds the idea of yoga intriguing. It's a known fact that flexibility adds to greater gains in strength and sports, plus everyone talks about the mental calming of yoga. When I came across Yee's DVD of "Power Yoga for Stamina, Strength, and Flexibility", the word "Flexibility" made me decide to try what yoga is about. The DVD is separated into three workouts: Stamina, Strength and Flexibility, with each program more difficult than the previous one. The first time I tried the Stamina routine, which is the easiest of the three, I thought I had made a mistake in buying this DVD. The posses were rapid, the names of the posses were unknown to me, and my body tired quickly from bending in new directions. By the third day I could complete the routine, and after two weeks I had it memorized. The big question is, "Does it work?". I've only been doing the stamina workout for a month on an every-other-day basis. In that time, I've gone from only being able to touch the top of my ankle in a one-legged forward bend to being able to grab my foot with both hands. That's an increase by 4-6 inches. Some of the posses I'm still too tight to perform properly, but with each passing day, I perform them a little more correctly. If you're inflexible, like me, moving from between posses may be difficult. For the life of me I cannot go from "Downward Facing Dog" or "Plank Position" into the "Lunge" in one simple step like Yee does. Instead, I have to step as far as I can, and then quickly readjust. Don't give up on this DVD because you don't perform the posses like Yee does. Just remember, he's a master and has been doing this for decades. I'm sure in fifteen years I'll be able to move into the Lunge with a simple step. I don't feel this is like other exercise tapes where you slave to throw punches or jump around a step. This one shows results almost immediately, and it becomes addicting. Yoga is my favorite part of my workout. Once I started yoga I realized just how tight I really am. I have a long way to go before I can fold in half or put my feet behind my head, but I'm looking forward to what next month will bring.
Rating: Summary: Good power yoga video for beginners Review: This is not the most challenging power yoga tape if you are already familiar with power yoga, but it is definitely good for those just starting. It's also really good for morning workouts or for long days when you're a bit less energetic and less flexible. As someone else said, the DVD format is wonderful for a quick 20 minute workout or for extending it up to an hour. Yee is such an awesome teacher--his form is great, his voice is calming, and he gives just the right amount of instruction. However, if you are new to yoga, I would not recommend this tape just yet. Begin instead with a tape like Yoga Journal's Practice for Beginners or Yoga Journal's Flexibility, Strength, and Relaxation (you can buy them in a set or individually). These will help you learn the poses correctly before jumping into this tape's more flowing rhythm.
Rating: Summary: A solid choice for at-home yogis Review: This 3-part workout moves quickly, but still manages to be very relaxing. Each 25-minute workout has has both a warm-up and shavasna period, so they can stand alone or be done in combination. As a complete 75 minute workout, I would rate it at about Level 1-2... definitely not for beginners, but not a terribly vigorous workout if you've been practicing yoga for a few years. From reading the other reviews, it seems as if a few beginner yogis mistakenly bought this DVD because it looks like Yee's beginner packages -- Gaiam should take note of this and make sure they put a level on the packaging so this doesn't happen. Namaste!
Rating: Summary: Great for Power Yoga beginners Review: Rodney Yee's Power Yoga video is great for beginners and intermediate practitioners. It has 30+ minute workouts which are focused on Stregnth, Stamina, and Flexbility. These are great for my daily practice but when I'm looking for more challenge, I go for Bryan Kest's Power Yoga videos.
Rating: Summary: Not a beginner workout AT ALL Review: Unlike my other reviews, I'm going to be brief here: This workout is sold as a beginner workout and it is not for anyone who hasn't had a solid background in the poses required. Rodney Yee ought to include an instructional section to this set that leads the true beginner through each stance and pose, and gives the beginner that he is selling this DVD to a good base to start these fast paced sequences that make up this workout. I'm very disappointed. The music is nice, the backgrounds are beautiful, but this workout isn't for anyone who hasn't had a complete yoga class prior to attempting this one.
Rating: Summary: I thought it was too fast at first, but... Review: That's what Power Yoga is: a fairly continuous switch from posture to posture. The first time I did this I thought: "My God, this is too advanced for me--it's going pretty fast." After the second time I was fine: you end up listening rather than watching, and once you've figured out the routine, you know what's coming (most of the first half of the flexibility segment is repetitive). If you're an absolute beginner, don't start with power yoga. If you've done it a while or intermittently and want a step up, I like this DVD. The music's fine and Rodney's voice is pretty soothing. Recommended.
Rating: Summary: Excellent! Review: This is an excellent DVD. The workouts and settings are very, very good. As the other reviews note, the workout does move rather quickly. However, after the first workout the pace is about right. The workouts leave you feeling toned and relaxed at the same time.
Rating: Summary: As Advertised - But Not Right for Me Review: Many other reviewers complained that Yee's pace was too quick. I thought I knew enough about yoga to keep up so I ordered it. But all those reviewers were right. I do not have the flexibility to change positions as quickly as he does. While I don't have to watch the TV screen (I know what position he is going to when he says the position's name), most of the time I end up scrambling around very un-yoga-ically (apologies for the bad grammar) to get into the next position. By that time he's on the third one. Only get this if you are VERY fit and VERY limber and you know your poses.
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