Baron Baptiste - Journey Into Power Level 2

Rating:
Summary: Good Start
Review: I've taken various yoga classes (a course many years ago in college, and scattered classes at the gym) and have always been a bit "Eh" about it all. I'm more athiest than Buddhist or Hundu, and many teachers seem to focus a lot of certain methods of breathing and spiritual issues that I'm just not into.

I did this video for the first time this morning and really enjoyed it. It was definitely challenging, but everything in the routine seemed like it would be possible with practice. Baptiste provides some inspirational commentary about being in the moment and whatnot, but there's definitely no, "Feel the river of chi flow through you, connecting you with the universal Ohm!" In other words, it was enough to keep me going through tough poses, but not enough that I had to come out of position to gag. I built up a bit of a sweat and worked my muscles, but wasn't exhausted afterwards, and I feel less knotted up now than I have in weeks.

The DVD shows a class with people at different levels running through the routine, with Baptiste giving instruction and making corrections more than actually doing the poses himself. It was useful to have a variety of modifications displayed. I'd guess this DVD is good for beginners with a little background, and lower intermediate yoga practitioners. I had seen or done almost all the poses in classes I've taken, so I imagine more advanced practitioners would get bored or feel under-challenged.

Rating:
Summary: Good Start
Review: I've taken various yoga classes (a course many years ago in college, and scattered classes at the gym) and have always been a bit "Eh" about it all. I'm more athiest than Buddhist or Hundu, and many teachers seem to focus a lot of certain methods of breathing and spiritual issues that I'm just not into.

I did this video for the first time this morning and really enjoyed it. It was definitely challenging, but everything in the routine seemed like it would be possible with practice. Baptiste provides some inspirational commentary about being in the moment and whatnot, but there's definitely no, "Feel the river of chi flow through you, connecting you with the universal Ohm!" In other words, it was enough to keep me going through tough poses, but not enough that I had to come out of position to gag. I built up a bit of a sweat and worked my muscles, but wasn't exhausted afterwards, and I feel less knotted up now than I have in weeks.

The DVD shows a class with people at different levels running through the routine, with Baptiste giving instruction and making corrections more than actually doing the poses himself. It was useful to have a variety of modifications displayed. I'd guess this DVD is good for beginners with a little background, and lower intermediate yoga practitioners. I had seen or done almost all the poses in classes I've taken, so I imagine more advanced practitioners would get bored or feel under-challenged.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent for beginner to intermediate
Review: If there was a four and a half stars option, I would have chosen that, but this is in all an excellent video. It's my favorite that I keep coming back to, even though my level of ability has improved. The positions are explained really well, which was very helpful as a beginner. His reflections and comments on mind-body connections are relaxing and not overdone - they serve their purpose, which is just to remind you to breathe, not tense your face, etc., but in an eloquent fashion. The music is subtle and appropriate - not distracting or cheesy. The level of challenge is great - I'm slightly sore after, but my muscles feel exhilarated, not fatigued. This video definitely works all the muscles and is great for a fairly short (45 minute) all-around, mid-level practice.