Rating: 
Summary: Yoga For Everyone!
Review: I just did this DVD this morning for the first time and thought it was really well done. I have about 70 yoga videos these days and have been practicing Yoga on a daily basis for about 7 years. I also have the good fortune to study with a wonderful and gifted teacher so I have quite a bit of experience with Yoga and Yoga Video/DVD programs. While I was probably the most skeptical person in the world about "fitness queen" Kathy Smith doing yoga and thought it was probably a "Get on the Yoga Bandwagon" phase for her, I have to admit that I think this and her other Yoga videos are very well done. First I think it's important to clarify something, Rod Stryker is the one who put together this and her other programs and Rod is as knowledgable and reputable a Yoga teacher out there. Kathy has also been doing Yoga for over 20 years and is extremely adept at demonstrating the poses, plus she's a very experienced teacher who is very easy to understand. I also like the fact that this video isn't rushed (it's about 55 minutes long) and so you aren't rushing through the postures, something that you don't always find. Many videos that are shorter are fine (such as the Yoga Zone shorter routines) but I find I have to actually do about 15 minutes of warm ups before doing them, with this video you don't need to do that. Regarding some complaints that it's repetitive, I would highly disagree. Of course you are going to do many repititions of Sun Salutations, but that is the most sound way of warming up your body. So while you may do lots of "repetitions", it's not "repetitive" because of a lack of creativity or for the sake of filling up time . This repetitions heat the body and prepare you to safely do the poses that are held for longer periods of time. In fact, I like to start the Sun Salutes with modifications and gradually work up to the more "full expression" of the various postures with each repetition of the sequence. This way of working really keeps things especially interesting and makes you really internalize your practice (since you need to really feel what your body is ready for during each repetition). I also like that this program uses "Lunge Salutes" which are excellent hip openers and leg strengthers as well. What's also nice is that these are different Sun Salutes from Kathy's advanced program which use the Sun Salutes A and B. This makes for nice variety if you have the whole set of tapes/DVD's and allows you to work your body differently. The poses are shown with modifications so you can adapt your practice to your ability and or energy level. I would highly recommend this program (or the whole set) to those folks who want a well rounded and easy to follow yoga practice. Also, while I am very much into the spiritual aspects of Yoga, I understand that many folks are not. These programs definitely focus on the physical aspects of the practice so those who only want that aspect of Yoga will be pleased. Those who want to go into the more internal aspects can do so on their own if they like. Of course there are many wonderful Yoga programs for sale and depending on your personal preferences you may like some more than others, but as someone who has a large collection of programs I think this and Kathy's other Yoga programs are as good as any out there and believe me I was VERY skeptical. In fact I highly recommend this and her other Yoga programs. Another outstanding intermediate Yoga program is Sherri Baptise Freeman's "Baptiste Power Of Yoga" (available on amazon). This is one of the best Yoga programs available by one of the best teachers around! Namaste
Rating: 
Summary: New Yoga with Kathy Smith and Rod Stryker
Review: I just started doing yoga for the first time a few weeks ago. This tape really teaches the basics well and I actually sweat and get my heart rate up during it. It makes me feel so good when I'm done. However, at the very end of the tape when you are totally relaxed and about ready to fall asleep on the floor, a VERY LOUD commercial comes on selling more of her videos and it is very disturbing. It actually made me jump a foot off the floor the first time I used it. So much for relaxation!!
Rating: 
Summary: disappointed
Review: I like all of Kathy's videos but I'm dissappointed about this one because it's very similar to her Mind Wellness and Body but just a little longer. Other than that, this is a good tape for beginners, it's pretty basic.
Rating:
Summary: disappointed
Review: I like all of Kathy's videos but I'm dissappointed about this one because it's very similar to her Mind Wellness and Body but just a little longer. Other than that, this is a good tape for beginners, it's pretty basic.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Workout
Review: I started using this video twice a week about 4 months ago when too much running and too much weightlifting resulted in sore tendons that were not clearing up. I had never tried Yoga before, but found Kathy's instructions to be very clear and easy to follow. I am very pleased with the way this video has improved my overall fitness program. Oddly, I find that I am stronger despite cutting back on the strength building and aerobic exercises. I recommend this particular tape to anyone who is just starting out. I wish that I had started Yoga 20 years ago.
Rating: 
Summary: I wholeheartedly agree with geekgirl79
Review: I wanted to write a review of this video, but, after having read geekgirl79's review, I have little to add. Her review expresses all the grievances I was prepared to write. I'd like to add that I enjoy Suzanne Deason's videos. I, too, find Kathy Smith annoying and really find her continuous babbling during corpse pose enough to make me want to throw something at my tv - not quite the mood that yoga is supposed to induce. Yes! Smith jumps on any bandwagon to make a buck. The set and camera moves and vo (voice over narration) are annoying. Why does Stryker take over in the middle of the Sun Salutaions? There's NO flow and no true feel for what yoga really is. With the strenuos workout is supposed be a feeling of energizing, calm and introspection. Not here. It's rather sterile and perfunctory. Also, I find that she doesn't hold the poses long enough. Just as you get into Eagle, out you go. Same for Tree, Triangle, etc. I would stick with someone who's a yoga instructor, not a fitness instructor.
Rating:
Summary: New at Yoga
Review: I watched a yoga program on television & it looked like something I might want to try. I have a herniated disc in my lower back and this particular program was too advanced for me. However, it spurred me into going to the video store to see what else was out there. Years ago, I bought one of Kathy's fitness tapes, so when I saw that she had a yoga tape, I knew that I would like it. She knows how to make a video that is easy for people to use. After "working out" with Kathy, I saw that a problem between my shoulder blades (that can only be corrected by a chiropractor), was corrected. I found that I couldn't do the "upward dog", because of my herniated disc, so I just skip that exercise. I still have a great workout & I start breaking into a sweat when I don't feel that I've done anything. After working out to this tape, I feel good & I can see that it is what I need to "stretch out my body".
Rating:
Summary: New at Yoga
Review: I watched a yoga program on television & it looked like something I might want to try. I have a herniated disc in my lower back and this particular program was too advanced for me. However, it spurred me into going to the video store to see what else was out there. Years ago, I bought one of Kathy's fitness tapes, so when I saw that she had a yoga tape, I knew that I would like it. She knows how to make a video that is easy for people to use. After "working out" with Kathy, I saw that a problem between my shoulder blades (that can only be corrected by a chiropractor), was corrected. I found that I couldn't do the "upward dog", because of my herniated disc, so I just skip that exercise. I still have a great workout & I start breaking into a sweat when I don't feel that I've done anything. After working out to this tape, I feel good & I can see that it is what I need to "stretch out my body".
Rating:
Summary: I fell asleep!
Review: I'm a beginner too and maybe I had a high expectation of what Yoga would be like... Well, it wasn't very difficult to follow although I wish they would show more of the modified easier versions more clearly and more frequently. It was very relaxing indeed and by the end of the breathing exercise, I fell asleep. I think it would be great to use it at night before going to sleep but for the morning? I don't know...
Rating:
Summary: The one to have if you're having only one
Review: I'm a yoga tape junkie (I probably have 12 now), a do-it-yourselfer who has managed to build a rewarding practice with informed at-home study. This was the tape that started it all, and is still one of the best. It's a melting-pot of styles, with just the right level of instruction for beginners who catch on quick. It's also a great full-body workout, with a nice balance of vinyasa and standing poses, foward and backward bending, action and relaxation. Plus, Kathy's a rare bird for a work-out queen-she's motivating in both appearance and presentation without being too perky (a la Denise Austin). And though she's known better as an aerobic instructor, she clearly knows her stuff-which shows in both her verbal cues and perfect postures. Get this one and Ally McGraw's tape, and you're set.
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