Certified Instructor Patricia Moreno has merged the precision of yoga with the graceful and powerful motions of dance. Each seamless and flowing movement builds balance, endurance, strength and flexibility. This program ar... more »tfully blends both genres into a very accessible routine for dancers and non-dancers alike. With the mountains of beautiful Santa Barabara, California in the background, this workout not only invigorates the body but elevates the spirit as well.« less
A great pick - depending on what you are looking for
R.R. | Chennai, India | 01/01/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"People have different expectations from yoga DVDs.
If you are an experienced-beginner to intermediate level yoga practioner, looking for sweaty, endurance and strength building yoga try Rodney Yee's Power Yoga, Shiva Rea's Yoga Shakti, almost any DVD by Baron Baptiste or Bryan Kest or Ganga White's Total Body - Fire.
This is not relaxing or flexibility focused yoga either.
If you want to dance or want something similar to Shiva's Trance Dance or the Yoga Booty Ballet series, this is not for you. This is not very dancy nor a fusion with ballet conditioning although the title may suggest that it could be either of these.
I still love it.
It is gentle to moderate asanas in an ultra-flowing vinyasa. The movements are graceful.
There are two sessions on this DVD. The first is 60 minutes and the second is 30 minutes.
The camera-work and locations are astoundingly beautiful. The background yoginis/yogi who practise with Patricia are graceful and demonstrate great form. The excellent production values enhance the pleasure of doing yoga along with this DVD.
Music is so taste dependant. I absolutely loved the music and plan to buy the CD version of the music for my independant yoga practice as well as to gift to a friend who teaches yoga, to use for his classes. It sounded to me like a lovely fusion of Indian and African music with a great, slower-paced beat, to match the mood of constant movement. The music credits say the music is from Soul Food Music from the albums "Yoga Groove" and "Yoga Rhythym".
In each of the two workouts Patricia takes you through multiple vinyasa sequences. Each sequence is repeated a few times. I did not mind that, but I notice here and at other forums that some dislike repitition. For me, each successive repetition allows me to focus more on form and grace. My only peeve is that the grace/dance-like flow aspect does not come through as well as it could have, because of the instruction and pacing. For each intermediate pose in a flow, Patricia spends time instructing you on form and in setting up the pose. That is great the first time, but detracts from the flow on subsequent repeats. Perhaps, on the repitions of each sequence, Patricia could have provided minimal instructions and kept the flow moving without pauses. Or perhaps she should have had a "minimal instruction" option of each workout, as a DVD feature like some fitness DVDs provide of late.
I like my Yoga "pure" rather than cardio/martial arts/anything else infused. I appreciate the static pose style, power style or non-power vinyasa too. I find this DVD a keeper for days when I dont want my yoga to be an intense "workout", but am still looking for some movement, the joy of vinyasa and some stretching."
Good dvd, excellent music
C. Martin | Georgia | 01/22/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I love outdoor yoga workouts and I enjoy dvds by Patricia Moreno, so I was anxious to give this a try. I agree that it really isn't dance. it is more of a flowing yoga practice. I bought all the ones in this series (this one, kickbox fusion and cardio toning fusion) and I like them all. They are a fresh change of pace.
In my opinion, the music alone makes this dvd worth the purchase. I think music on an exercise dvd is very important and this is different...not the same old thing.
Enjoy!"
My Favorite New Workout
A Reader | New York State | 05/31/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This workout has gradually become my favorite. I have to force myself to do others to maintain some variety. The production is outstanding, the music is perfect, the cueing is great and Patricia Moreno is just cool. Her energy is very positive and you finish the workout feeling good. I've done many other yoga and fusion workouts but this one is unique in a very creative way. Others have complained that it is repetitive. This is true but there is reason why: the moves are repeated and they build on the previous ones so that at the end of the workout, it is combined into a single graceful yoga flow. Because of the repetition, you can complete the whole thing competently and gracefully. Buy this DVD - you won't be sorry."
Once again Patricia delivers a renewal experience for mind,b
Garcia Pliego Gabriel | Paris,France | 11/04/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Every time I do this DVD I end up feeling totally uplifted and grateful with life!!! Totally a MUST HAVE!!!"
Very effective
Marianna L. Bassham | New York, NY United States | 03/16/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I think Patricia Moreno is a great instructor. There's not much dance here actually, but particularly the 30 minute "express workout" is really quite good: works especially butt and hamstrings. I also really love the music."