Power, Strength and Flexibility Yoga

Rating:
Summary: Good for beginners
Review: Despite what other reviews have said, I really like this workout. I had never practiced yoga before and have suffered from a lot of back problems in the past. Once I started doing Rodney's workout, my back problems disappeared. After a couple of weeks I was noticeably more toned (hello triceps!). As far as the quality of the yoga, I can't say, but at the end I feel relaxed and completely stretched out. After a few months this workout seemed a bit easy (so I guess it's time to move on) but I still feel relaxed and stretched at the end, so no complaints. It is short enough that I can do it when I otherwise wouldn't have the time, and once you learn the basic routine, it is easy to follow along with just Rodney's voice and the pace is slow enough to follow but fast enough to break a sweat. I think this is a good workout for those who don't want something incredibly strenuous but want to stretch and increase their flexibility, as well as building a better body awareness.

Rating:
Summary: Great Video for building strength and flexibility
Review: I was somewhat worried when I bought this dvd that it would just be Rodney's "Total Body Power Yoga" dvd in different packaging. It turned out to be a great purchase, just what I was looking for. The first routine mixes sun salutations with arm balancing poses, at 20 minutes it is a perfect invigorating warm- up to start the day with. The second routine is a great way to stretch out and relax after a stressful day or a long run.

Rating:
Summary: Not for True Beginners
Review: My goal as a 39-yr old, fairly athletic man was to learn yoga basics before I embarassed myself in a class at the Y. I wanted to learn some breathing exercises, which were never mentioned here. I wanted to learn positions too, and at one point Rodney said he would show introductory versions of his more difficult ones (imagine some tripod thing, but angrier), but that never came. He told me to move my "sip" bone. I'm guessing occipital, but how about a little help here? Beginner, hello.

For intermediates this is probably a great workout-Rodney knows what he's doing. As a beginner, it wasn't for me.

Rating:
Summary: Not for True Beginners
Review: My goal as a 39-yr old, fairly athletic man was to learn yoga basics before I embarassed myself in a class at the Y. I wanted to learn some breathing exercises, which were never mentioned here. I wanted to learn positions too, and at one point Rodney said he would show introductory versions of his more difficult ones (imagine some tripod thing, but angrier), but that never came. He told me to move my "sip" bone. I'm guessing occipital, but how about a little help here? Beginner, hello.

For intermediates this is probably a great workout-Rodney knows what he's doing. As a beginner, it wasn't for me.

Rating:
Summary: For absolute beginners only
Review: This is not a bad yoga workout. The main reason I'm giving it two stars is for deceptive marketing.

When you start this DVD, you will notice the titles include the words "for beginners". In the accompanying interview with Rodney Yee, he talks about this being a starter workout, for the beginner. Yet nothing on Amazon or on the outside packaging of the DVD mentions that it is for beginners.

This is very basic power yoga, with sun salutations broken down into smaller and modified bits, and a few basic modified yoga poses. I would not even call it power yoga, as there is no way anyone who has any yoga experience will even break a sweat with this one.

There are two 20 minute routines on this DVD. I bought this to have a nice short routine for days when I don't have time for a full class, or even for 30-45 minutes of home practice. However, I don't find it useful for this purpose. David Swenson's "Short Forms" DVD is much better, and offers shorter routines of actual ashtanga yoga poses, in a more logical sequence.