Yoga For Inflexible People

As others have pointed out there are numerous routines in the DVD, and what some people perceive as "minuses" are in my opinion pluses. For instance:

- The introduction in sanskrit for each exercise is short and lasts no more than a few seconds. If you are new to yoga, it is an excellant way to learn the names of the exercises in english and sanskrit

- The use of chairs, walls and props is a benefit to to those of us who are inflexible, and are made as recommendations to assist inflexible people in performing the routines. These are sugestions by the intructor and not always needed if you do not feel you need assistance. The instructor makes that clear.

-There is an extensive variety of routines, and there are many shorter routines to build on. Out of the 30+ routines on the DVD, there are 7 routines or so of 15 - 20 minutes and about another 7 or so of 30 minutes. There is more then enough material to build on, and when you progess, there are many other routines on the DVD.

Perhaps there could be a bit more pep at points, and if you are a more advanced student you may be looking for different things in your workouts.

I was looking to learn yoga properly to increase my flexibility and this DVD is excellant. As the Yoga Journal said (which is above in the editorial reviews along with other publications that rated this DVD highly) this is an intelligent and useful DVD.


Good intro to basics!   March 28, 2004
 4 out of 4 found this review helpful

I was not too interested in this DVD at first--mainly because of the title. I thought the yoga workouts would be too basic. Although I'm not as flexible as I'd like to be, I can still do the postures without the props. I'm still a beginner, so the benefit is in the pacing. It's incredibly slow. At first I was frustrated by the slow pace, but then I realized the DVD gives me the perfect opportunity to work on my form in doing each posture. The whole point of yoga (for me) is to relieve tension and not run through poses like an obstacle course, so therein lies the benefit. It forces one to slow down and really contemplate each pose while focusing on the breath and proper form. This is not a DVD for anyone looking for a "power yoga" workout, but the selection of routines is varied and can fill whatever time one has to practice. With sessions ranging from 15 minutes to 75 minutes, viewers can mix and match to fill the time they have. The only negative is in the voiceover--it's a tad too monotonous.


Wonderful   March 17, 2004
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Easy to use and very profesional for every level


This is my favorite!   March 9, 2004
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

I love this DVD! The beginning background music is very soothing. The narrator has a calming voice to go along with the instuctor's movements. All of the yoga poses are done in a slow, smooth manner. When you have to sit at a desk all day at work, it causes tension, immobility and stiffness in your joints and muscles. This DVD helps to relieve ALL of that for me.


Dissappointed. Plays more like a book than an a video   February 22, 2004
 0 out of 2 found this review helpful

I bought this video on the recommendations made from the Amazon feedback. I was very, very dissappointed.

Pluses:
There are a number of programs and the DVD menu is extensive.

Minuses:
The presenter is uninteresting.
Each exercise is painstaking introduced with a title card, a voice over announcement, and then the actual video of the routine. Some of which are cut choppily.
There isn't much encouragement or uplifting spirit coming from the video.
There is too much reliance on chairs, walls and props.
Its captures none of the "flow" of yoga.

If what you are looking for is a clinical walk-through of poses you might see in a yoga book, this is the video for you.

If you are looking for a video that has 15 to 20 minute routines you can build on, this is not the DVD for you.

I had higher hopes.