Power Yoga - Total Body Workout

Rating:
Summary: Try another tape
Review: I generally like power yoga, but I agree that this tape is too repetitive and overall boring. There are so many other poses that could have been incorporated into the workout to keep it from becoming monotonous. I also don't like that there are no modifications - I'd love to be as flexible as Rodney Yee, but I'm not there yet. A much better workout is Bryan Kest's Power Yoga DVD.

Rating:
Summary: Well worth the money...
Review: I have been doing yoga regularly for a little over a year now, and I seem to be drawn to Gaiam's releases. Before buying this DVD, my favorite was Rodney Yee's Power Yoga for strength, stamina, and flexibility. Although I still practice with that program, this is now my new favorite. I think that the folks at Gaiam may have read the reviews of Yee's last power yoga dvd- there are many changes in this new format which make for a wonderful practice. In contrast to the former, which is three twenty minute practices, this dvd is a full hour workout. Because of this, there is no warmup/cooldown repitition, and anyone (myself included) is more likely to complete an hour workout (with this dvd), as opposed to three separate workouts. In addition, I have found that Yee's style in this practice is slightly slower, there is more detailed instruction, and, on the technical side, they do a better job of keeping the audio and video in sync. This is quite a workout which becomes easier with time. I get discouraged with people who say that they give up quickly because it's too hard, as well as with those that say it was too easy. The truth is- if it's difficult for you, the strength and stamina will come in time. Patience, not immediate graitification, is what yoga is about. If you find it very easy- you're either more advanced than this practice or, more likely, not performing the poses correctly. I have often found that the practices that are initially easy for me become more difficult over time as I come closer to getting the proper allignment. Regardless, I highly recommend both of Yee's power yoga releases. I have greatly benefited from making them a part of my daily life.

Rating:
Summary: Not for the novice
Review: I have been practicing yoga for about four years and this is a great DVD. However, if I had tried this work-out two years ago, I would have been lost with the terminology and where to position my body. Overall, a great DVD for intermediate students.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful workout
Review: I have been practicing yoga regularly for about three years, and found this dvd to be a wonderful addition to my practice. Most of the poses are simple enough so that they can be attained by beginners, however, the length of the practice and the quantity of standing poses makes for a vigorous workout. This one is not for everyone however, I was a professional athlete and continue to stay in good shape, and I found myself (after the first couple of practices) to really feel the workout in my back. If you have not done a lot of yoga, you may want to start with a less strenuous tape, however if you like to feel a deep stretch and don't mind a few sore muscles, this is the yoga tape for you.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointed
Review: I have several Power Yoga videos. I was hoping this would be interesting and challenging. To me it was not. I viewed it for about 15 minutes and did not bother with the rest. It just seemed..well... dull.. compared to Brain Kest and Bryon Baptiste.

Rating:
Summary: Road to Recovery
Review: I have yet to finish the video, because after 25 minutes I'm pooped, but so far I love it. I think it's an awesome workout and after 2 weeks I've definitely toned up a bit already. I do a little every day, as Rodney Yee says in his DVD interview. After only one day, I felt soooo much better (I've been dealing with increasing joint pain and fatigue despite getting regular body work, napping and eating a nourishing diet). I can't believe how much more energy I have. I feel at least 5 years younger. I could kiss Rodney Yee. I would recommend this video to people who've done yoga classes in the past because my previous experience helps me know what he is doing better than if I were just trying to copy his poses by looking at them. It's hard to watch carefully when you're in most of the poses!

Rating:
Summary: smooth flowing power yoga
Review: I just bought this video and previewed it. I haven't done it yet, but it looks like a winner. I only gave it 4 stars because on the back of the video box it mentions arm balances. There are no arm balances on the video version. Maybe on the DVD version. One of the 1st reviewers said that there is a crane pose? Not on the video version. I was disappointed and annoyed that the video description was incorrect on this matter. Also on Collagevideo, the review said something about a standing back bend. Very misleading. Those of us who take yoga classes thought that meant dropping into upward facing bow from a standing position. No so. It just means that you stretch back after finishing a sun saluation. Other than that, the poses are not difficult for any adv. beg./intermediate practitioner. The best part of the class is going back and forth between staff pose and plow pose. How wonderful that is for your back! Also, with bow pose you hold your feet from the inside instead of the outside, this appears to give a wonderful stretch to the shoulders. There are no inversions, arm balances or really challenging poses. All in all it is good for those of us long time yogis who are short on time, but want to get the kinks out. Looking forward to anything else Rodney does. He NEVER bombards you with useless chatter like Baron Baptiste or Bryan Kest--NO "repor with the floor" nonsense; just very useful instructions. Also he great to watch for correct body alignment.

Rating:
Summary: Rod Yee does it again!
Review: I own three of Yee's DVDs (Power Yoga the complete Workout, Yoga for Athletes, and this one), and Yee has not let me down yet. Each DVD is a little better than the last. This one may be his best yet. I think this DVD is a great intermediate level workout. The level of poses is not extremely complex, but he gives you a complete body workout in about 63 minutes. Those of you familiar with Yee's "Power Yoga the complete workout" will note that this work out goes 60+ minutes straight, versus breaking up the workout into three types (stamina, strength, and flexibility). This workout will build endurance for sure. I like how this DVD is a little less rushed than the first Power Yoga DVD. The poses are held longer, and are slightly more difficult than the first DVD, but the pace is slower. In this DVD you may feel less rushed than you did in the previous Power Yoga DVD with moving from one pose to the next. If you are new to Yoga, this may be tough for you. Although these poses may or may not be difficult for everyone, the sequence and the amount of time you spend doing them may be. I would suggest this tape for anyone looking to establish an at home practice who has practiced for at least 6 months or better, and who wants to build endurance. As I stated before Rod Yee comes through yet again with another great yoga DVD.

Rating:
Summary: Good Power Yoga Workout - EXCELLENT Quality
Review: I purchased this dvd after reading several reviews. I was looking for a challenging workout, as I've been practicing yoga for about 5 years now. I've been taking ashtanga classes about once a week and going to bikrams classes on and off so I think I have a pretty good experience level. This dvd definitely wasn't one of the most challenging workouts I've done but it was excellent for a dvd. I read the other reviews for this one and I think there is something to be said if you are a beginner. Most yoga dvds are out to try and create a workout for everyone so they do gear towards beginners more by having extra instruction and guidance. I don't think this is the case with this workout, it's really more for intermediate levels. You have to have some sense of proper alignment and where you are at in your practice. I think if I had tried this when I first began I could have gotten hurt because I didn't know how much to push. I really liked the fact that this workout was over an hour, most yoga dvds are about a half an hour, barely enough to really get a workout. I also found that I was incredibly relaxed after this workout. I did this right before going to work and I felt fantastic for the rest of the day. I'd recommend this to anyone except the absolute beginner, it's a must for your collection!

Rating:
Summary: One of my favorites!
Review: I purchased this video without reading any reviews. (Couldn't find any) and initially felt like the previous reviewer that it looked boring but I did the whole tape and it's great! It starts out slow and then builds up to where you are sweating and feeling the workout throughout your body. His routine is different in his sun salutations which was a nice surprise because if you've done them enough they can be so predictable. The variety was welcome. Also the floor work was different by moving from one stretch to another rather quickly but afterwards you feel loosened up, strenghtened and relaxed. The overall mood of the tape was calming even though you are working hard and the scenery is spectacular! I think Rodney Yee improves with each new tape he does. His earlier ones were so fast during the sun salutations that I had lower back problems afterwards but this one is at a much better pace.