Rating: 
Summary: Not for true beginners.
Review: A beginner is someone with very little or no experience. I have not had formal yoga classes, having learned what little I know from an old Lilias Folan Yoga book. This is not a good video for the true beginner. Breathing and reflection are two of the most important parts of yoga and I don't feel Kathy goes into enough detail. I would not recommend this video to someone who wanted to give yoga a try to see what it was all about. Some of the positions are too difficult for beginners. It would be a good workout for someone with a little more experience in yoga, somewhere between beginner and intermediate.
Rating: 
Summary: Great yoga beginning...and beyond!
Review: I agree with the previous reviewer in that the background music and ambiance of the DVD are good, but that was pretty much the only redeeming quality I found in this yoga DVD. I find Kathy Smith's "basics" (in general, aerobics and strength training videos included) to be a little too demanding for a beginner. I think she is too in shape for her own good and can't relate to how hard it is for a real beginner to get started.My mom bought this DVD as an introduction to yoga, and she said it was really hard. As a somewhat experienced yoga student, I tried it, and I could totally understand her viewpoint. I myself found it too slow, and I think she could have made better choices in terms of what postures to demonstrate. The ones she does perform are kind of awkward, especially if your muscles are not extremely warm (a fact she briefly mentions at the beginning of the DVD). It's like Kathy Smith can't decide if she wants this to be for relaxation or for a tough workout, and I think that really weakens the whole experience. Half the time I wanted to close my eyes so I could just focus on my breathing and posture, but then she'd be jumping into a strenuous posture (like warrior pose) without much warning. If you really want this DVD, I recommend you watch it a few times before you actually do it, and I recommend you turn your air conditioning off before you start. Otherwise, you will be floundering trying to figure out what you're supposed to be doing every second, and your muscles will be too cold to stretch the way she expects you to.
Rating: 
Summary: Not good for a beginner
Review: I agree with the previous reviewer in that the background music and ambiance of the DVD are good, but that was pretty much the only redeeming quality I found in this yoga DVD. I find Kathy Smith's "basics" (in general, aerobics and strength training videos included) to be a little too demanding for a beginner. I think she is too in shape for her own good and can't relate to how hard it is for a real beginner to get started. My mom bought this DVD as an introduction to yoga, and she said it was really hard. As a somewhat experienced yoga student, I tried it, and I could totally understand her viewpoint. I myself found it too slow, and I think she could have made better choices in terms of what postures to demonstrate. The ones she does perform are kind of awkward, especially if your muscles are not extremely warm (a fact she briefly mentions at the beginning of the DVD). It's like Kathy Smith can't decide if she wants this to be for relaxation or for a tough workout, and I think that really weakens the whole experience. Half the time I wanted to close my eyes so I could just focus on my breathing and posture, but then she'd be jumping into a strenuous posture (like warrior pose) without much warning. If you really want this DVD, I recommend you watch it a few times before you actually do it, and I recommend you turn your air conditioning off before you start. Otherwise, you will be floundering trying to figure out what you're supposed to be doing every second, and your muscles will be too cold to stretch the way she expects you to.
Rating:
Summary: perfect
Review: I began practicing yoga a few weeks ago and this was the first video I tried; it is still my #1 choice for home yoga workouts. I felt the results of the workout immediately; after 2 days I saw small, but noticible improvements in balance and flexibility and I was slightly sore in all the right places. After each workout I feel refreshed, calm, and relaxed. Kathy has a soothing voice that interjects instruction on breathing and positions at all the perfect times. It seems like she knows exactly what you are doing wrong and tells you, making you concentrate on correcting it. She tells you what should be happening and what you should not be doing. It is also nice that she states the purpose of each pose is in regard to the parts of your body that are being exercised. The easy-to-follow poses are held for the right amount of time; as soon as you think you can't stay in the pose any longer, it is over. After doing the video two times, I was able to follow simply by listening to Kathy's instruction rather than looking at the screen. The workout time (approx. 50 minutes) is also perfect. I highly recommend this video for yoga basics, breathing, stretching, and toning. I'm 20, but my 14 year old sister and 50 year old mother are always jumping in to my home yoga workouts; they love this video too. Make sure you watch it a couple times before actually participating and it will be much more rewarding.
Rating: 
Summary: Great for fit beginners!
Review: I began yoga with this video, and I loved it. Kathy Smith gives great, detailed instructions and provides a well-balanced yoga workout that you will feel the next day. I have a dance background, so I understood the instructions, but if you are totally unused to dance or aerobics or yoga, they might be a bit confusing at first. The only other very minor drawbacks are the fact that you do have to have some props around (a chair, a blanket, a towel, a belt). Still, this is easily the best beginner's yoga video out of the four I tried.
Rating:
Summary: A terrific yoga DVD for beginners
Review: I had used Kathy Smith's yoga tape years ago and found it easy to use, even for someone as uncoordinated as I am! So, when looking for a yoga DVD to relax and get toned after chasing my two-year-old son all day, this seemed like a good choice. I wasn't disappointed.
The instruction is clear and there are frequent reminders how to get into the pose and signs that you may be doing it incorrectly. I also like Kathy's comments about which poses may be more difficult for beginners. Helped to remind me it was alright not to be able to do them my first weeks at it.
My only complaint is that the DVD is so long -- about an hour to complete the program. However, I can also understand an ACCELERATED yoga program kind of defeats the point of learning to relax!
A good DVD for people who want an introduction to yoga or just want to learn to relax after a busy day while getting toned in the process.
Rating:
Summary: Well produced, easy to follow.
Review: I have both this tape and the Yoga Journal Beginner tape and I like this one much better. I feel it shows more varied yoga postures, not just the standing poses and is more complete. I always feel good after I do this tape.
Rating:
Summary: New to Yoga? Stressed out? This tape is for you!!
Review: I have IBD and found it impossible to keep up a workout regimin.
However, I was told to be physically active in order to keep stress levels low, so it wouldn't aggravate my symptoms. Yoga seemed to fit the bill. I tried Kathy's tape and absolutely loved it. She narrates everything really well so you don't always have to look at the TV, and she is pleasant to listen to. I felt physically invigorated, mentally refreshed, and limber. After a couple weeks I noticed I was less stressed and because of that my IBD symptoms have noticeably eased. I suggest this video to anyone in similar cirumstances, or to those who are very stressed out. Don't suffer.
Rating:
Summary: Great yoga beginning...and beyond!
Review: I have to agree with the last reviewer -- this is a great tape for yoga beginners. Personally, I was looking for an excercise which focused less on weight-loss, and more on shaping, toning and strenghtening my flexibility. Yoga is IT. I've been doing this tape twice a week for 3 weeks, and alternating with Rodney Yee's yoga abs for beginners. So I do yoga for times a week. It's the ideal exercise for mind and body -- and this tape is a terrific start. If you're like me and just browsing on the site for the right tape, get this one. You won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: It is not for beginners!
Review: I have viewed Kathy Smith's video "New Yoga Basics" and it is not for beginners. I knew the basic movements and positions for yoga and if I had not taken a yoga class for one year, I would had been lost. Some of the positions are not ment for people who are over weight or trying to lose weight; however, the video will help you relax and feel more at easy. Yoga is mainly for relaxation and remember you have to be in good shape to do it.
| 
