Yoga Journal: Yoga Practice for Strength

Rating:
Summary: Challenging and calming
Review: Although I have to agree with the reviewer who noted that the final segment of the tape contains two impossible poses, this segment literally comprises no more than a minute or two of the otherwise wonderful 60 minutes of the entire tape. I usually make up my own modifications for these two poses and just go along with it -- it's a very insignificant portion.

I like how this tape moves slowly enough so that I can really get into the poses, feeling each one, and practicing them. Then, when I go back to other tapes, I notice an amazing difference in strength, balance, and flexibility. I also appreciate that he merely names the next pose without unnecessary cheerleading or explanation -- if you've learned the beginning poses elsewhere, it makes it very soothing and allows you to concentrate fully on the poses without undue distraction. This tape also provides options for more advanced work, either repeating vinyasa or holding certain poses for longer amounts of time.

Currently, this is my favorite yoga video. I always sweat, but I come away feeling calmed, refreshed, and strengthened. I highly recommend it!

Rating:
Summary: Nice, For the Most Part
Review: Not a bad video, by any means. The first half, actually, is pretty good. You do basic poses & hold them for longer periods and that feels great. The second half, though.... I dunno...

You do some more basic moves and then all the sudden, Rodney is holding his crosslegged body off the floor, balancing on his two hands, hoisting his torso into midair.

Now, I'm a healthy female in my 30's. I've been doing yoga daily for about two years now. And I've been lifting weights daily for one year. I can do 15 lb curls, no problem, can do more tricep dips than you can shake a stick at and still -- there was NO WAY I could do what Rodney Yee was doing. I could barely get my torso off the ground.

With other yoga tapes, when you get to the challenging poses you're often shown how to use props or modify things so you can work up to this. Well, Yoga for Strength doesn't. So I just shut the VCR off when this part of the tape comes up, cause struggling to support myself as my wrists wiggle and my arms bow just isn't "yoga" to me.

If you're thinking of getting this tape, get on the floor right now. Cross your legs over your thighs, like a full or half lotus, I guess. Put your arms down by your sides, hands on the floor. Now lift yourself off the floor. Higher. Higher. Is your body parallel to the floor? If so, this tape'll work fine for you. If not, you may wanna consider another, or at least be mindful that you probably won't get all that much outta the final segment Rodney Yee teaches.

But then, even with that considered, it's not a bad tape. I don't like it to do it every day, but it's nice on the weekends, sometimes, or for a change. But definitely NOT one of my favorites.

I like Patricia Walden's Yoga For Flexibility, and for building strength really think Kathy Smith's New Yoga Challenge has some good stuff in there, too.

Rating:
Summary: 2 really wonderful, challenging yoga sessions...
Review: Though this is definitely not for beginners or people still feeling intimidated by yoga, it's a tape with 2 really great sessions with different focuses. I find the second session to be more difficult because of the super challenging arm-balances, which you may need an instructor to help you with if you've never done them. But as usual Rodney is clear in his instructions and you get a well rounded "workout" no matter which one you choose to do. I even use the vinyasa at the beginning of the tape to warm up for other yoga tapes or other workouts sometimes.

Rating:
Summary: rodney rox!
Review: WOW. A great yoga tape. This tape is advanced and it's content and difficulty are clearly stated and accurately explained in the editorial review. If you're looking for a fitness video, this may not be for you...it really is about the yoga (which I prefer) vs. the "yoga aerobics" style tapes.

Yoga is it's its own deal - like all endeavors; being able to do a pull up doesn't make one a climber...being fit & flexible does not guarentee one a proficiency at yoga. So you can't expect to hit the ground running on this tape even if you are both.

As an intermediate at best in Yoga (but an athlete who can do splits in 3 directions, back bends and hand stands) I find the tape super challenging and I can not do all the poses but it gives me something to aspire to, especially the end where the difficult arm balances happen-the most challenging part for me (and for a lot of women). It may be usefull to note that for some beginners-intermediates arm balances are easier than the leg balances and vice versa. This tape packs a challenging combo of both. I also find it nice to use an aid if I can't properly hit a pose - like a chair or strap. Don't skip the hard bits - modify the pose! (A "spotter" can help with this too!)

Remember....there is more to Yoga than being successfully bendy..........

In addition: Rodney Yee's "Yoga Conditioning for Athletes" is in my opinion a great intro to Yoga for the already athletic person. It's a great warm up for any sport and on its own a nice work out. Should be on Amazon if it's not ( i didn't find it listed)