Rating: 
Summary: The best way to start working on your body and mind
Review: Getting myself to exercise has been one of the biggest challenges of my life. I have not been motivated to exercise fearing not being able to handle it - I've found many routines abusive to my body.I'm thrilled to share with you that thanks to this extraordinary tape, I finally understood what the real problem was. People in general are not ready to do high impact aerobics, etc, WITHOUT first preparing their bodies. Linda Arkin's approach is one that walks you through each exercise and emphasizes how important it is to not jump into something that your body is not ready for. Instead, she prepares your body so that you are finally comfortable and capable of doing other types of exercises AFTER having regained the flexibility and strength that your body requires. Thanks to her emphasis on patience and compassion towards your body, you are able to handle poses and stretch yourself in ways you did not think possible. You will no longer be spooked by challenging exercise, you will feel confident and ready after using these tapes. This tape teaches much more than Yoga - it teaches us to pay attention to what our bodies are saying to us. The experience is empowering and the wonderful feeling of confidence and relaxation after each tape will make you feel positive and capable of handling other types of exercise. This is a MUST have and great for all ages!
Rating:
Summary: The best way to start working on your body and mind
Review: Getting myself to exercise has been one of the biggest challenges of my life. I have not been motivated to exercise fearing not being able to handle it - I've found many routines abusive to my body. I'm thrilled to share with you that thanks to this extraordinary tape, I finally understood what the real problem was. People in general are not ready to do high impact aerobics, etc, WITHOUT first preparing their bodies. Linda Arkin's approach is one that walks you through each exercise and emphasizes how important it is to not jump into something that your body is not ready for. Instead, she prepares your body so that you are finally comfortable and capable of doing other types of exercises AFTER having regained the flexibility and strength that your body requires. Thanks to her emphasis on patience and compassion towards your body, you are able to handle poses and stretch yourself in ways you did not think possible. You will no longer be spooked by challenging exercise, you will feel confident and ready after using these tapes. This tape teaches much more than Yoga - it teaches us to pay attention to what our bodies are saying to us. The experience is empowering and the wonderful feeling of confidence and relaxation after each tape will make you feel positive and capable of handling other types of exercise. This is a MUST have and great for all ages!
Rating:
Summary: Truly improves flexibility - yoga beginners, athletes
Review: I checked several yoga videos out of my local library before making my decision on what to add to my home collection, and Linda Arkin's Yoga for Flexibility tape not only made the cut, but has become one of my favorite tapes. Okay, at first (listening to the intro I now fast-forward through) I thought she was going to be annoying and over-simplified in her approach. But I was wrong. I credit the sequences she's chosen to include in this tape with helping me overcome super-tight hips and hamstrings that were creating painful lower back spasms and interfering with my favorite sports. The results have been impressive, and this tape is one of the main reasons yoga is now part of my daily routine. Having the two levels of flexibility so clearly shown has made this tape useful beyond the beginner level, and the simple but effective series is one I come back to as the basis for my own independent practice.
Rating:
Summary: Great yoga video for many levels of experience
Review: I have four or five yoga videos on my shelf, and Linda Arkin's Yoga for Flexibility is the one that actually makes it into the VCR. I started learning yoga with the "Yoga for Dummies" tape, but once I had that down, I needed a tape where the instruction did not interrupt the flow. "Yoga for Flexibility" was my answer. By demonstrating different levels of flexibility, Linda Arkin and Linda Hiller really make the routines accessible to many different experience levels. I love how the routine builds on itself. I can really feel the difference in my flexibility in each repetition of a sequence. Linda Arkin's reminders to listen to my body and not impose my own idea of flexibility upon it are well-taken. The scenery for this video is lovely and peaceful and the instruction is gentle and precise. There are only a couple of spots where Arkin doesn't cue me out of a move (when I can't see the TV), but it only takes a couple of viewings to learn the sequence well enough to expect the posture change. Oh, and one note that might be either a bonus or a drawback (depending on your needs): this practice does not include inversions (such as the downward facing dog). If you have high blood pressure or any condition which contra-indicates inverted poses, this can be a plus. I missed the inclusion of poses along the lines of the cobra (bending back) but can always add that on my own.
Rating:
Summary: I love this video!
Review: I have really enjoyed this video. I am not a very strong or flexible person, but am able to do the postures in this video. It is really helpful that 2 levels of flexibility and ways of doing the postures are modelled. Arkin reassures her viewers constantly that even if they cannot go very far into the postures, they are still deriving the same benifits as those who can. This video is encouraging, relaxing, and safe, and I think it's a great way to practice yoga.
Rating: 
Summary: Nice yoga stretching that is appropriate for beginners
Review: Linda Arkin offers a nice yoga program consisting of four yoga "sequences" designed to help you stretch and open your body. Prior to the first sequence, she offers some live instruction on breathing and position using her assistant (also named Linda) as a model. Once the sequences begin, Linda switches to voiceover instruction. The first two sequences are performed in a seated position; each is about 10 mintues long, and each contains a series of yoga postures that are performed once all the way through, after which the entire series is repeated. In the the first sequence, you will perform back extensions and simple twists. The second sequence is very similar, but there is more of a focus on rounding versus extending your back. The third sequence is the longest at about 14 minutes total; again, the entire series is performed and then repeated from the top, but this time, there are a total of three repetitions of the series. This sequence consists of standing poses, including simple triangle, warrior, triangle, side stretch, and eagle. Like in the first two sequences, Linda allows plenty of time to get into each posture, hold, and come out slowly. She performs modified versions of the poses while her assistant (the other Linda) displays more challenging variations. For the fourth and final sequence, Linda returns to live instruction. This short (4 minutes) section again focuses on breathing during a few basic stretches, ending with relaxation pose. One thing I didn't like about this video was the "take it from the top" sequences, which left me feeling bored at times. In addition, I would've liked a greater emphasis on standing postures rather than the two sequences in a seated position. Overall, however, this practice delivers what it promises in terms of gradually working towards increased flexibility.
Rating:
Summary: Nice yoga stretching that is appropriate for beginners
Review: Linda Arkin offers a nice yoga program consisting of four yoga "sequences" designed to help you stretch and open your body. Prior to the first sequence, she offers some live instruction on breathing and position using her assistant (also named Linda) as a model. Once the sequences begin, Linda switches to voiceover instruction. The first two sequences are performed in a seated position; each is about 10 mintues long, and each contains a series of yoga postures that are performed once all the way through, after which the entire series is repeated. In the the first sequence, you will perform back extensions and simple twists. The second sequence is very similar, but there is more of a focus on rounding versus extending your back. The third sequence is the longest at about 14 minutes total; again, the entire series is performed and then repeated from the top, but this time, there are a total of three repetitions of the series. This sequence consists of standing poses, including simple triangle, warrior, triangle, side stretch, and eagle. Like in the first two sequences, Linda allows plenty of time to get into each posture, hold, and come out slowly. She performs modified versions of the poses while her assistant (the other Linda) displays more challenging variations. For the fourth and final sequence, Linda returns to live instruction. This short (4 minutes) section again focuses on breathing during a few basic stretches, ending with relaxation pose. One thing I didn't like about this video was the "take it from the top" sequences, which left me feeling bored at times. In addition, I would've liked a greater emphasis on standing postures rather than the two sequences in a seated position. Overall, however, this practice delivers what it promises in terms of gradually working towards increased flexibility.
Rating:
Summary: Had all 3 Videos, now have the DVD
Review: Pre-ordered the DVD. Received it. Using it. Love it.
'Nuff said. (Hey, and I'm a male karateka and I love it).
Rating:
Summary: Hands down, the best yoga tape series going
Review: This is the one yoga series I feel comfortable with. Linda is unintimidating, and assumes that you're not a human pretzel. Her video shows her and another woman doing the same yoga poses. However, they have different levels of flexibility, to show you how the same yoga pose can look quite different depending upon the person doing it. I've tried the Patricia Walden tapes, and just can't get through them without feeling like I'm going to injure myself. Worse yet, Patricia Walden just sort of makes me feel incompetant because I've never had the skills to do certain poses (like a backbend) even when I was a child. You won't have that problem with these tapes. There aren't any poses that can't be done, even by the true novice, in this series. It may take you time to build up to the reps, but Linda reminds you that it's okay not to be in perfect shape when you're just learning. Altogether, this is the series to go with if you're just starting yoga!
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely one of the best!
Review: This is the tenth yoga video I have purchased since starting yoga seriously about seven months ago. I couldn't agree more with the reviewer who said that this tape holds up well to repeated viewings. Don't be fooled by the title! Although the stretches here certainly do increase your range of motion if you are consistent with your practice, this tape is not just for flexibility but also a very effective way to release stress. After a long day, this tape will very gently loosen your muscles and leave you feeling comfortably warm. It is a gentle workout, not a power yoga, drip with sweat intense one. Having said that, this is one of the tapes that I find myself reaching for most often. Even my husband willingly joins me in yoga practice if this is the tape I select. The music is relaxing and not too New Agey, and Linda Arkin's voiceover is always appropriate. There are no distractions here, just good yoga. I can't praise this tape enough!
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