Rating: 
Summary: Be committed, see results in a few months
Review: When I bought this DVD, I thought that I would be able to do all of the routines right away. But, after the first viewing and attempts, I knew that it would be a challenge. Rodney Yee and Susan Gleason present the routines clearly but quickly. For beginners this is the only fault with the contents. Furthermore, the routines are rigorous. I decided to follow just the abs rountine. After three times a week for about a month, I began to feel an increase in strength, but it was not until I had been doing the same routine for about four months before I could see a difference and longer before anyone else first took notice. After 8 months of the abs, I added the upper body routine and after 6 more months of each routine 3 times per week, I can slowly feel and see a physical improvement. Next, I will add the lower body routine and by the middle of the year I hope to have all three under my belt.
This is an excellent program for beginners, but it takes months for it to be effective. Those naysayers who have reviewed this product may not have had the willpower to stick with it, or they wanted miracle results. That will not happen. Clearly the yoga instructors have been working at this for years and the viewers have to remember that. If a viewer is easily disenheartened, this is not going to be effective. But, if one is willing to put in three to four days a week for six months or so, then the speed and the postures can be learned and practiced in the comfort of one's home. (Once it gets too easy, add some wrist and ankle weights to build up tone and strength.)
To build up strength and flexibility, I also reccomend Tamilee Webb's DVD, Total Body Stretch for Beginners and Jorge Cruise's book, 8 Minutes in the Morning. These three resources combined make for an effective and efficient weight loss, management, and strenght and toning program.
Rating: 
Summary: Terrible picture quality
Review: After watching this DVD, I was horrified at the picture quality of it. I viewed it on both a computer and a TV screen and it appeared the same on both. It was like watching a blurry video tape. The light grey writing on a white background was almost impossible to read. I can't believe it could be designed so badly. The Rodney Yee parts (upper body and abs) were excellent and the interview with him was wonderfully inspiring and I keep listening to it over and over again. I found Susanne Deason a bit irritating as she talked too much. Rodney's soothing voice is much better to listen to when practising. The sections were not too difficult for a beginner and the poses were explained in detail. Even though I love the Rodney Yee sections, I had to give this only three stars due to the bad quality of the DVD. The bonus music sampler was great though. I would only recommend this DVD if you want all three sections, otherwise buy the individual videos as the picture quality is the same.
Rating: 
Summary: Great overall yoga workout
Review: Another great Rodney Yee workout. As with his other videos, it takes at least one workout to get familiar with the moves, but each is challenging enough to keep you coming back. The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because Suzanne Deason's section is weak, because she rarely tells you when she changes positions, and you quickly find yourself lost. The added bonus on the DVD of a section devoted to proper positioning is essential! I recommend this to anyone seriously starting out in Yoga.
Rating:
Summary: Not for beginners
Review: As an intermediate student of yoga, I found the workouts on this DVD were extremely fast. A good workout for someone pressed for time. The lower body workout was mostly a standard yoga set that most beginning students learn, sun salutations etc. The other two sets had movements and positions that I've never seen before. I wouldn't recommend this to a beginner. The DVD only explains the basic positions with still pictures. The instructors don't really explain the poses well enough for a beginner. For an intermediate yoga student pressed for time, this makes an adequate DVD to have in your collection.
Rating:
Summary: Great workout
Review: As much as I like this work-out, I found that I couldn't keep up with the pace in the upper body work-out. It seemed to be going too fast for beginners. Overall though, I really enjoy the work-out and it's a challenge.
Rating:
Summary: Rodney Yee was great- Can the chick
Review: As you can probably tell by the subject, I loved the Rodney Yee parts of this DVD. My husband and I are brand new to yoga, but we were able to follow both of Rodney's sessions with ease. He explained things so well we didn't even need to look at the TV a lot of the time. Suzanne Deason however, was not so good. She did the move before she told you how, and her voice over tended to focus more on the breathing and feeling than how to get into the actual positions. I would recommend this DVD to a beginner. Rodney Yee was wonderful, and I got a good, challenging workout, without having to watch the disc 15 times before actually taking part. Don't let the short 20 minute sessions turn you off to this DVD, either. I was breathing hard 5 minutes into it, and was worn out after, but was not very sore. Overall, a great introduction to yoga. The only reason it didn't get 5 stars was Suzanne Deason.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but not for beginners..
Review: For those that are just starting out, like me, you need to wait a bit before getting into this workout. This moves too fast and is difficult for someone who isn't knowledgeable of all the moves. I was lost the first time I tried it. I plan to continue with it but it's definately a level 1-2 workout, and not for someone just beginning. I wish I'd read the reviews before buying it, there seem to be a lot of people who agree with me.
Rating:
Summary: Beginners (and those with bad backs)...Beware!
Review: I agree with the last few reviews. This DVD is quite difficult for a beginner who is: 1)UNfamiliar with the poses; 2)lacks upper/lower body strength; and, 3)has not worked out for an extended period of time. I bought this DVD as an extension to my at-home Pilates workout. While Pilates (the Performer/Reformer machine and tapes) starts you off slowly and works in more difficult positions as you get more into the workout, this *beginner* DVD took me AND my pulse by surprise! You'll surely be sweating up a storm, but the narrative instructions provided move too quickly...so that either you're trying to listen or constantly lifting your head to watch Yee demonstrate the moves. Of course, this defeats the whole purpose of "relaxing and centering yourself" because you become more concerned with catching glimpses of the moves. But--DO NOT be discouraged! If you do try out this DVD 5-6 times, consistently, you'll eventually get it. But, don't expect this DVD to smoothly transition you through the moves. My advice is this: check out the poses (stills) and practice them a few times on your own, so that when they're called out during the workout, you have a vague idea of what the moves look like. In addition, try to LISTEN to the instructions, instead of trying to watch them. The instructions alone are pretty specific and helpful, while trying to listen/watch can be confusing. IF this is your first-ever attempt at Yoga, and you insist on buying this DVD (like me), PLEASE start off with the ABS Yoga section of the DVD first. BE CAREFUL with moves that strain your back (if you have previous problems with this area). The ABS section moves slower, so you have the chance to feel what Yoga ought to do for you. ABS is challenging, but less confusing. NEXT, move to the Lower Body workout, and finally follow up with the Upper Body. My mistake was to begin with the Upper Body workout, and I started to panic about my abilties to continue with the workout altogether. Just barely made it! Also, if at all possible, take a couple of Yoga classes with a good instructor who'll give you hands-on help with the basic poses. It'll help you IMMENSELY with this DVD. FINAL Call: this is a very challenging and thorough (intermediate) workout, once you get the hang of the moves. Just be prepared for MAJOR muscle aches for a few days after your workout! Namaste.
Rating:
Summary: Agreed -- not for beginners
Review: I am a fan of both Deason and Yee but would have to agree with the previous reviews that this is not a DVD for someone who is a beginner, especially for those who have not done any kind of resistance or physical training. Without the support of upper body, lower body and core strength, this DVD is not much instructional use for a beginner. For beginners, Deason's Yoga for Weight Loss is much better (DVD format) -- especially for those who have never done an exercise program and have little core strength and are looking to improve strength, tone and stamina.
Rating:
Summary: the best abs workout!
Review: I bought this DVD simply because I love Rodney Yee---and he didn't disappoint me. The abs workout is awesome! I also have several pilates dvds and I alternate between this abs workout and pilates and I've never seen my abs flatter (especially my belly). I gave away my ab roller and my little ab wheel because they didn't give me nearly the result that I get with this DVD. The abs workout is more relaxing (and easier)than pilates and I use it when I'm not as peppy but want a great workout. I actually started with this abs workout to build up to pilates so I can honestly say that even if you don't do pilates, you will get great results. I love how Rodney first directs you to relax your jaw/throat/neck before doing the workout---I never realized that I tensed these areas, thereby straining them, and end up making my workouts harder and less effective. As for the other sections, Rodney's upper body workout is very good---it focuses on opening and stretching the upper body after a hard day's work hunched down at your desk. I alternate this upper body workout with Rodney's power yoga for strength. I agree with other reviewers that the section on lower body is weak, but for me, Rodney's sections make it all worth the money. The only gripe I have with this DVD is that the introduction and workout for each section are not separated (unlike Rodney's power yoga for strength, stamina, flexibility). You have to go through the introduction each time you play a section (or fast forward to the workout part of it...and this is a hassle). I'd also like to add that this is not for the absolute beginner. It is, however, a DVD that you can "grow with".
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