Search - Yoga Journal's Energy Balance Yoga on DVD

Excellent intermediate practice

01/14/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this tape about 4 years ago--when stressed out, and in bad shape, and looking for a quick fix. This tape wasn't it. While I could handle the first two segments, I couldn't even begin to do the postures in the third, and I quit after a few days with very sore muscles. However: I've since begun a regular fitness program, and returned to the tape, and I now love it and use it frequently. The 5 segments are tailored to different energy levels and different needs. The first, easy segment is good for a wake-up, and sometimes I use it for a stretch when I am stiff from the computer. It's very short---probably not even 10 minutes, and just the right time period for a refreshing break. The second segment, "Centering," has a lot of balance postures that, with practice, really improve your focus and concentration not just in yoga but in other areas of life. This one is really my favorite---I look forward to doing it, and have felt very positive changes from having this routine in my life. The third segment is the most strenuous---sun salutes and backbends, but you can modify those poses with props. The fourth and fifth sections, "Reflection" and "Surrender," are, respectively, a seriew of quiet forward bends and stretches, and a total relaxation. The only problem here, as another reviewer mentioned, is that Rodney Yee comes in very abruptly with commentary at the end of the relaxation, and you have to be lying there on the floor with the remote control in your hand in order to turn him off.This tape is a great, adaptible practice, and fits in with other exercise tapes (for example, you might want to use the "reflection" or "relaxation" to cool down at the end of an aerobic workout). I would suggest for beginners doing only the first part of the tape until you feel confident enough to go on...but you should really have a little prior instruction because he calls out the names of the poses and doesn't talk you through them. You have to know them already---it's hard to pick them up from a first time viewing. A book is more helpful here than a tape. I found that "The American Yoga Association Beginner's Manual" by Alice Christensen was an ideal supplement for me."

Best yoga video I've seen!

Beth Cholette | 11/06/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have 5 or 6 yoga vidoes, and this is definitely the best. Starts and ends slowly (as yoga should). Moves you through most of the typical standing poses, and includes lots of flexibility as well as strength exercises. Not boring, little talking, and a thorough workout. I highly recommend this video."

Suits my needs perfectly

michellenz | Jacksonville, FL USA | 10/31/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This video is great for me because it is split into 5 short workouts. I don't know about anyone else, but getting up way early to exercise just isn't possible, but 16 minutes early to do the first 2 sections is entirely doable. The scenery is nice and the only instruction is the name of the pose, no lengthly instruction which may get on your nerves after the 15th time you use the tape. So, if you are a complete beginner i would suggest doing the Yoga Journal's Practice for Beginners for a little more instruction."

A wonderful and delicately intense yoga video

Andrea E. Still | Boston, MA | 03/23/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I love this video. I purchased it a few years ago after taking a series of classes; so I already knew a few poses. As I could no longer afford to take classes, I started looking for a good, soothing video from which to develop a daily routine. This definitely was it: the program moves from a gentle stretching phase to a more vigorous series of poses and then back again. All of the routines emphasize a continuous flow between poses (no jumping around here!) Few of the poses in the video are out of reach for the average beginner and, even more importantly, the video stresses doing only what is comfortably within your range of motion - unlike some live classes! The only reason I award this video 4 stars instead of 5 is that I found the duration of each segment to not be long enough - the stretching was over before I was sufficiently warmed up, and the more vigorous routines ended before I had had enough, forcing me to divorce my attention from meditating through each pose to locating the remote and rewinding the tape (I'd really love it if these were on DVD). Still, I would recommend this video to anyone who was either developing a passion for yoga or just interested in a deeply relaxing yet invigorating workout!"