Yoga for Beginners

superb introduction to yoga

I have used this often -- I have the VHS version. While it is not as glitzy as some of the videos by stars, it does a very good job introducing you to yoga *properly*, which is something many videos don't do. It is great to have a video that explains and demonstrates proper form, breathing, etc. This is, however, an introductory level video, so if you want an Ashtanga or "flow" workout, this is not going to provide it.

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

A Good Place To Start

This video does what it apparently set out to do: it introduces beginners to the fundamental Yoga poses and stretches. For me it was and is an inspiration to see how the poses are supposed to look, how they are to be done. I don't really feel the narrative is "hokey". She was trying to use words to express how the poses make her body feel. There is definitely a spiritual component to how these poses are done. If you want to have someone show you how to stretch get a video on calisthenics (the stretches won't be as effective.) Finally, this is an art that should be done slowly, with awareness re how our bodies are responding to the stretches. It's obvious that a beginner, whether with scoliosis or not, should not attempt to stretch to the full extent that this expert practitioner is demonstrating. Again, this is a superb video for learning how the forms are supposed to look.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Really like Patricia Walden's approach. Good for beginners learing poses.

This was the first DVD I got when I started yoga and I lucked out because I really like her manner and knowledge. She actually studied with one of the masters in India in the 60's. So she is direct lineage to the master teacher and she has been doing this a long time.

More importantly, she has a very calming way of teaching and instructs in away that makes me concentrate on the right things as I do the poses. She is now older, and as an older person myself, that is inspiring. I like the way she takes her time in explaining everything well. She also sits in a pose long enough for me to start to get the muscles loosened. To me, she is very graceful and that is inspiring in my practice.

GAIAM does a good job with adding some extras like an interview with Patricia and a short workout.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Got Back Problems? This is not the DVD for you...

I have Scoliosis and constant back pain, so it was recomended to me that I start up Yoga again but use a DVD for beginners. So, I purchased this DVD, foolishy believing it was for those truly just beginning, even though I have done a bite of Iyengar Yoga before. Well after several attempts with this DVD I realised my back pain worsened. This DVD is not at all made for those with back pain, nor tall people, nor those with Scoliosis because the poses require you to be extremly flexible and with back pain and or Scoliosis it is quite difficult to JUST sit up straight and this DVD requires you to constantly bend in positions that are just not possible for tall, weak, or not absolutely flexible people, or people with back problems. I feel that I gave muscles a fair amount of time to become more flexible but I never came close to being able to bend my body in those akward and uncomfortable positions that I believe are not truly part of Hatha yoga...

2 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

Don't Bother

I bought this DVD because it said it was for beginners and I'm just starting out. I haven't really used it all that much because it's really an unpleasant experience. First off she spends way too much time talking before the poses, but not during, so you spend a lot of time listening to a bunch of hokey mumbo jumbo, but you'll have no idea if you're actually doing the poses right and risking injury. And this might just be me, but I thought it was way too hokey. The instructor talks in this weird voice and keeps saying things like "Your spine should feel light and free" I don't find that at all helpful. I bought the DVD a couple of weeks ago and I've only done it a couple of times because it was so unpleasant. It's a good thing it was only 10 bucks so I didn't waste too much money on it.

2 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

GREAT!!!

The information was displayed in an eye appealing and informative manner. I found my product one, two, three and it was shipped and received in a reasonable time. Overall, a great experience.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

IT WORKED FOR THIS BEGINNER

As a real beginner and never having done poses or correct breathing, I find this yoga experience to be very positive. Every time I have difficulty, I can just do it again. The instructor is very happy because she doesn't know. This beats trying out yoga in a gym and trying to keep up with everyone else.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Least Hokey and Most Accurate I have Found

For those who have been doing Yoga for a while this probably isn't for you. And for those who have no idea what Ayengar Yoga is, and don't want to do "real" Yoga, this may not be for you either. But for those who enjoy meditation and true inner reflection and are beginners, this is for you! It is equipped with enough of a challenge to keep you working till you get what the instructor is asking you to do and it is very relaxing and rejuvinating. I highly reccomend it but only for beginners.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Perhaps try a different one

I bought this as a video a while ago and have only used it a couple of times. While the moves were decent the format was boring and not at ALL challenging. I understand it's for beginners, but I never felt compelled to go back to the video. I just didn't like it. I'm still interested in Yoga, but this isn't one that I'll use again. There are better videos/DVDs out there for Yoga.

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

A little confusing.

This is a good training video for learning the basics. The menu is confusing to me for differentiating between the training moves and a workout.

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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