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 AM/PM Yoga for Beginners
ASIN: 094567189X
Customer's Rating: 3
Summary: Distracting and for moderate beginners
Comments: Hi everyone. I ordered this set and could not even watch the whole first video. The man wears skin tight shorts, and, call me silly, but I found it very distracting, lol. I tried the woman's video and found her moves to be somewhat complicated for beginners. For beginners, I recommend "Living Yoga; Stress Relief." These two tapes (AM and PM) are better if you have more practice.
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 Living Yoga - Back Care Yoga for Beginners
ASIN: 0945671636
Customer's Rating: 5
Summary: Solid everyday workout for back care
Comments: I bought this video a month ago and have done it every morning for three weeks. The effects haven't been as dramatic as some reviewers have described, since I have a very severe back problem, but nevertheless it has been very helpful, hence me continuing to do it every morning.
I especially find that after doing the workout, I maintain correct posture quite naturally and the hip opening exercises really help with decreasing my pain.
Another good aspect of the video is it's length, 20 minutes is not too long for me to have time to do it every morning, and then I reserve the weekends for longer yoga workouts.
Another aspect of doing a workout like this for back pain is that it balances and boosts mood, helping with the depression that is so often accompanied with chronic pain.
I would reccommend this video to anyone that is getting frustrated with traditional physical therapy not working, especially if done in paralell with a back-safe workout like swimming.
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 Living Yoga - Power Stamina Yoga for Beginners
ASIN: B00000I1OI
Customer's Rating: 3
Summary: Well, the exercises are good but...
Comments: I got a decent workout from this tape. I have back problems and was concerned that I wouldn't be able to do it but it was easy to follow and felt good. However, after the first week, I put the tape away and haven't touched it since. I couldn't take any more of watching the camera zoom in and scan Rodney in his Speedo. Ick. Dress him in something baggier and focus the camera more on the scenery and I'd happily buy another of his tapes.
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 Living Yoga - Abs Yoga for Beginners
ASIN: B00000G3GH
Customer's Rating: 4
Summary: Awesome
Comments: This was an awesome thing for new yoga people. this helped me get fitter, use this product
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 Living Yoga's Power Strength Yoga for Beginners
ASIN: B00004T6FL
Customer's Rating: 5
Summary: Not quite for Beginners--More for Intermediates!
Comments: This tape really gives me a great upper body workout. Me and my wife first bought the AM/PM yoga series about a year ago. I quickly got bored with those tapes since they were not particularly challenging to me after a while.
I decided to move on to the Power Yoga series, expecting to further improve my yoga techniques while getting a great upper body workout with improved flexibility. I first bought the "Power Yoga for Stamina" and enjoyed it very much. For more variety, I bought this video. I bought the third volume, "Flexibility" at a later time.
This tape is certainly the most challenging of the three Power Yoga tapes. You do upward and downward facing dog poses until your shoulders get so sore they can't move! You do these side arm bends which challenge your balance! And there's three different poses where you support yourself only your arms! But don't be scared away: you'll steadily improve with these poses every time you practice. I can finally do the arm lifts without much difficulty. And you WILL sweat after trying this video.
If you're new to yoga, I highly recommend that you try the AM/PM yoga first. Then buy the "Power Yoga for Stamina". It's an excellent introduction to Power yoga and is a summation of all three videos.
If you're advanced: get all three videos and practice all three in a row(never tried). The series seems to be designed to work this way. The first video (Stamina) is essentially a warmup with the middle video (Strength) as an intense workout with the final volume (Flexibility) to cool down your muscles.
Yes, it is fast pace, but you need to watch at least once without exercising to observe and then practice the tape a couple times before you get familiar with the poses. And the "Stamina" volume already introduces you to many of the poses done here. An excellent buy!
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 Power Yoga for Beginners - Flexibility
ASIN: B00000JPRS
Customer's Rating: 1
Summary: If I could twist my body like that, I wouldn't need Yoga.
Comments: Forget this one folks, you would have to be a contortionist to even begin. I've done the Yoga Zone meditation tapes, and really enjoy those, but this one even says in the beginning you will work up a sweat etc.. I can tell you this: You don't sweat because there is no exercise. It is a matter of forming your body into impossible pretzel shapes. I really think you have to be more than a beginner to do this stuff. And it seems unnatural and actually dangerous. I tried it several times, careful each time to follow the instructions to the letter, and finally decided it was a definite no for me. I am in good shape normally, so it isn't a matter of being primed for it, it's a matter of being able to contort yourself like a rubber band.
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 Yoga Journal's Yoga Practice for Intermediates with Rodney Yee
ASIN: B00004XOX1
Customer's Rating: 5
Summary: Great intermediate tape
Comments: I've been practicing yoga for 18 months and was looking to expand my practice of inversions. Since my instructor does not always include them in my weekly studio class, I bought this tape. While I have enjoyed the other Rodney Yee tapes I have (AM/PM for Beginners, Partner Yoga), I have often found that he moves too quickly through the poses with limited instruction, so I was somewhat anxious about buying this tape.
My fears were unfounded - Rodney does a great job of providing very detailed instructions on working into the poses, alignment, etc. The pacing of the tape is great - poses are held long enough to make you really work at them if you know the pose, or to get into them with good alignment if they are new to you.
I am a novice at handstand and forearm stand, and found the instruction very helpful at learning how to get into the pose safely and effectively, while overcoming the disorientation, etc. that comes from beginning to work upside down. I have been practicing shoulderstand for a while, and found the hints about how to deepen the pose to be outstanding. The work in the wheel/inverted bow is also excellent. After a few weeks of using this tape a few times a week, I can get into these poses confidently (although I still can't hold them very long). I'm looking forward to continuing to use the tape to deepen my practice.
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 Living Yoga - A.M. Yoga for Beginners
ASIN: 0945671873
Customer's Rating: 5
Summary: ** GREAT for those with BUSY Schedules and Neglected Bodies!**
Comments: This is a great video for people on the go. The tape is approximately 15 minutes and easy to incorporate in your daily routine. "A.M. Yoga" offers a very basic and relaxing yoga routine. The beautiful scenery, voice-over, and music will calm your mind, while the gentle stretching poses will relax your body. Rodney Yee's yoga routine mainly consists of seated positions and hamstring stretches. Please be advised that he uses a yoga strap for the hamstring/leg stretches, but a piece of fabric or belt could work as a substitute. There is also a nice, relaxing meditation at the close of the routine--which could easily put one to sleep. =) My only complaint is that he does NOT hold the poses very long for a thorough stretch and the routine does seem a bit rushed. In a yoga class, you would normally hold a pose for 2-3 minutes.
I found the routine straightforward and easy to integrate in my hectic daily schedule. After using the video, I always feel energized and ready to take on the day! After three weeks of practicing this routine, I NOW feel motivated to continue exercising and to seek a more advanced fitness routine. For me, this video was the perfect starting-place! I would recommend A.M. Yoga for *beginners* and those who just want a quick stretch.
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 Yoga Practice for Meditation
ASIN: 6304448392
Customer's Rating: 5
Summary: Great for relaxing and calming the mind
Comments: I love this tape. I use it at least 4 times per week in the mornings. It calms my mind and prepares me for the work day. Great for beginners or those new to yoga practice. Even if you don't have time to do the entire tape, the first two sets are rewarding in and of themselves.
Buy, practice, and enjoy!
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 Yoga Conditioning for Athletes
ASIN: B00004Z4S0
Customer's Rating: 5
Summary: Just excellent
Comments: I have a lot of back problems, but I love jogging, cycling and swimming. I have found out that doing yoga 3 times a week allows me to do all these sports that I love so much. I took part in a 5k race about 2 years ago, and I hurt my back really bad. I got this DVD about 3 months ago, started using it (about 3 times per week), and started training at the same time for another 5k race. I did the 5k race, and the difference was incredible. I was perfect the next day. Yoga has made a huge difference for my back. Also, I would like to add, this DVD has several "mini-routines" targeted to specific sports (jogging, tennis, swimming, cycling, golf, others), every time I go jogging around my house, my back is always hurting a little bit, as soon as I do the "jogging mini-routing", the pain is gone. Something very good about this dvd too,is the fact that is divided in several parts, so it's like having several dvd's. I really recommend it. I wouldn't say that it's for beginners, you must have some practice. Another plus... his voice, it is sooo relaxing.
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 Yoga Journal's Yoga Practice for Relaxation
ASIN: 6302481953
Customer's Rating: 5
Summary: Very Relaxing
Comments: This is the first yoga video I have ever tried, and I am really happy with it. Patricia Walden and Rodney Yee are great teachers, and the video really does help me relax.
True, the props can be annoying at times-- for each pose in the first session, you need a bolster and blankets. I use firm pillows stacked on top of each other which have seemed to work well.
I would recommend this video to anyone who really needs to relax, provided they are patient and willing to invest the time and dedication that it requires in order to be effective.
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 Yoga Journal - Yoga Practice for Strength
ASIN: 6302481945
Customer's Rating: 5
Summary: rodney rox!
Comments: 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 and 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)
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 Living Yoga's Upper Body Yoga for Beginners
ASIN: B00004T6FJ
Customer's Rating: 5
Summary: Perfect for Unwinding After Work!
Comments: This video has been a godsend to me for unwinding after work. The exercises target the places where we all feel tight after sitting at a desk all day: the neck, shoulders, and upper and lower back. Yee's videos always feel as much like meditation as yoga. His soothing voice and slow pace is so relaxing, along with the peaceful locations (this one is filmed on a grassy hill in Maui, overlooking the ocean). This video contains lots of "down dog" and "upward dog" moves, along with a few backbends and even some leg stretches to balance out all the upper body work. And don't be afraid of the backbends! He starts slow with moves that will prepare your back for this!
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 Yoga Journal: Yoga Practice for Energy
ASIN: 630394177X
Customer's Rating: 4
Summary: Separate practices to meet different needs through the day.
Comments: I've been practicing yoga with tapes for about 9 months now and consider myself to be an advanced beginner. This tape was very different from any of the others I've tried, mainly because there was no narrative instruction. The instructor, Rodney Yee, simply states the name of each pose, assuming that you are already familiar with the poses. Therefore, this tape is NOT for beginners who have never done yoga before. However, for those who have already learned the poses elsewhere, the difficulty of this tape is at a beginner or advanced beginner level.
The five sections of the tape are designed to be performed throughout the day based on your needs. The first, Awakening, is 9 minutes of mostly floor stretches and moves very slowly. The second, Centering, is 7 minutes of relatively easy standing poses and is designed to be used in the morning. The third and longest section (15 minutes) is Creativity. This section is designed to be done during the day for energy, and it moves much more quickly than any of the other sections. Although I enjoyed how Rodney flowed from one pose to the other, it moved a little too fast for me--for example, you must very quickly move from downward dog to a standing pose such as proud warrior. One interesting thing was that the standing poses weren't just done on one side of the body and then the other. For example, instead of doing proud warrior left and then proud warrior right, you do proud warrior left, then side stretch right, etc. in a whole sequence before eventually going back and reversing the sequence to do the moves on the other side. Again, I liked the flow, but it moved very fast.
The last two sections really are meant to be done together. First is Reflection, which contains 11 minutes of seated forward bends for tranquility. Finally comes Surrender, 4 minutes in relaxation pose. This is the only time which Rodney provides more instruction, as he leads you through a guided relaxation. At the END of the tape, Rodney talks about the purpose of the workout as well as how to modify the poses, so it would probably be helpful to watch this section first. The scenery is a beautiful beach setting, and the music is softly new-agey (flutes, etc.). For the three middle sections, Rodney has 1-2 others performing the routine along with him.
Although I liked this video, it doesn't really meet my personal needs. I think this workout would be best for someone who can purchase a DVD version, which would make it a lot easier to move between the different workouts. If you are someone who would like to do different types of yoga routines at different times of the day, this tape would be for you.
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 Yoga Journal's: Yoga Remedies for Natural Healing: For Beginners
ASIN: 6304851790
Customer's Rating: 5
Summary: A Fun Workout That Relieves Tension and Pain
Comments: I have chronic body pain (especially in my neck and shoulders) due to injury and trauma. I am also a modern dancer, so any kind of natural pain relief is a blessing in my life. On most days I create my own yoga, dance, Qigong, fitness, meditation and relaxation routine (as well as taking classes). But, sometimes it is nice to pop in a video. This video is the best I have found. The video includes the sun salutation and many stretches that aid in physical pain and digestion (another area of discomfort for me). It is an entire routine all in one (exercise, stretching, healing, meditation and relaxation). I love it! Rodney Yee is very focused, and his voice soothing. All of Rodney Yee's yoga videos are fabulous. He is an amazing yogi and teacher.
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 The Art of Breath and Relaxation
ASIN: B00004RDLA
Customer's Rating: 3
Summary: frustration for the novice, not relaxation
Comments: I like the format of a yoga video filmed out in the desert and I found the gentle music with Rodney's voice is very soothing. The first few poses were easy to follow and relaxing. However, as a novice yoga student, I was totally frustrated trying to follow his rapid directions on how to use the necessary props for some of the later poses and how to get into them, particularly because I couldn't even see from the video the exact prescribed shape and position of the pillow, blankets and bolster he was using and I don't happen to have 2 extra blankets, a bolster, a huge pillow and a strap just sitting around my apartment. What the heck is a bolster, anyway? By the 4th pose all vestiges of my earlier relaxation had gone. There must be some less frustrating way to relax.
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 Living Yoga's Yoga for Two: Yoga for Beginners
ASIN: B00004T6FI
Customer's Rating: 3
Summary: 2 complaints
Comments: The video was OK, but not as good as we hoped it would be. My husband and I are athletic, however, we felt rushed and un-coordinated while trying to follow this video.
First, there is not much time between different poses, so we constantly had to pause the video and figure out how to position our arms and legs correctly so we can feel that we are actually doing yoga (and not aerobics). It has improved slightly when we followed the video a few times, but it is still rather fast paced. And second, this video requires lots of floor space, so don't buy it unless you have at least 20 square feet of practice space.
I feel that my husband and I bond better while doing yoga moves independently than following this couple-oriented video.
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 Broken Angel
ASIN: 6302717345
Customer's Rating: 4
Summary: good suspension-packed film with erika in great form
Comments: This film does not dissappoint. The plot is good, the acting is excellent. Erika Eleniak in particular delivers a powerful believable performance in her pre-Baywatch days.
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 Living Yoga Collection
ASIN: B00006ADH5
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 Yoga Remedies for Nature/Balance
ASIN: B000067JD0
Customer's Rating: 3
Summary: to the viewer from seattle
Comments: To the reviewer from seattle, grow up! Reviews are written to help other people know if they would like that video or not. It is obvious that this video would be compared to Ms. Deason's previous video. I didn't find anyone crying in these reviews except the 'viewer from seattle'. Suzanne Deason is a wonderful yoga teacher, but I personally did not enjoy this video as much as her yoga conditioning for weight loss, which I see as continually challenging because you can always do yoga on a deeper level.
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