Customer Reviews

AM/PM Yoga for Beginners [VHS]

5 star:		(86)
4 star:		(66)
3 star:		(39)
2 star:		(27)
1 star:		(20)

 

 

First, I'd like to start off by saying that before ordering this tape I have never even attempted to try yoga. I am not the world's most in-shape person, nor am I the world's least, so I really wasn't sure what to expect from this 'Beginners' set. I was quite surprised by what I was able to do, and also by what I found challenging.

It is advised that you watch the tapes at least once before attempting the exercises. While watching I thought to myself, "Wow, this has got to be the world's easiest form of exercise ever invented. I can't believe the hype over something so obviously simple!" I was not so quick to judge once I popped in PM yoga that evening. Patricia Walden makes the moves look simple and fluid, but they are challenging for the beginner! She starts off with a 4 minute centering series, followed by a 13 minute workout, and finally, a 3 minute guided relaxation. The tape isn't long, so it's easy to stay motivated when you get in and feel you may be too tired to do anything productive. The scenery is just beautiful, and the voiceover is clear, comprehensive and provides well-timed cues to the viewer. Simply fantastic before going to bed, you can really feel the stress melt away as you do the poses.

AM yoga is done by Rodney Yee. His workout, in my opinion, is not as challenging as Patricia Walden's PM yoga program, but it still provides an unexpected challenge to the beginner. Most mornings I am too groggy and irritable to think of anything besides a good cup of tea, but I somehow managed to pop the tape into the VCR. The exercises are gentle yet effective, and although, as mentionned earlier, they may look easy the first time you view the tape, they most certainly provide a great challenge! His tape consists of 4 minutes of conscious breathing, 14 minutes workout and 2 minutes seated guided meditation. By the end of the workout you feel alive and ready to face the day. Granted, it took a few mornings for me to get the hang of doing this workout, but now I actually look forward to it (although this statement may not seem like much to most, to say I am NOT a morning person is a gross understatement. Anything that makes me look forward to the morning is truely a something remarkable!). The scenery is also beautiful and inspiring in the AM series, and the voiceover is equally clear, conscise and well-cued. Also, for those of us who enjoy a beautiful man in very little clothing, Rodney Yee has a remarkable body! Something well worth waking up to!

Over all, this yoga series is something I would likely buy as a gift to just about everyone I know. It's gentle, effective, and you really see results. As with any exercise, one cannot expect instant results, but as you grow in tune with your body, the subtle effects of this age old exercise become more and more apparent.

I would also like to point out that I first bought these tapes with the idea of training in flexibility. I thought it'd make a great party trick to stick my feet behind my ears, or some such thing. The meditative and spiritual elements are not over emphasized, yet they most certainly are there. I have found I make more progress when my focus is less on the physical elements of yoga, and more on the mental and spiritual.

I purchased the am/pm yoga for beginners duo because my gym only offers yoga three days a week. I desperately needed something for the off days, and treadmills and steppers were no the answer i was looking for. I have always been an "atheletic marshmallow", however at the same time always a super flexible person. Yoga proved to be the happy medium in my life. It provides me with some type of exercise and at the same time allows me to relax. Rodney Yee has the most soothing voice. While I do find it troublesome that he often confuses "left" and "right" when giving directions, I try to remain conscious of those mistakes. I love that the am portion of the tape consists of gentle poses that ease one into waking up. I look forward to rising 30 minutes earlier each day to do the tape! Patricia Walden's pm session allows me to stretch out and release all of my day's tension and stress. I would like to see a bit more time spent on down facing dog in the pm video, but it is something I have added to my routine once the video is over. I would recommend this video set to a beginner, but I would definitely advise that you watch it more than once if you are new to this form of exercise.

I am 33 years old and I have had Rheumatoid Arthritis for 5 years. I was hesitant to try yoga but I thought the videos would be a good way to start. Then if I had any trouble I could skip certain parts without being in a class and feeling embarrassed. I saw Rodney Yee (host of A.M. Yoga) on Oprah and the sample poses he taught were simple and effective. The tapes arrived yesterday. I tried P.M. Yoga last night and to my surprise I could do it. It was difficult but I can tell that I will improve. When I was finished with the tape I felt warm and relaxed. I slept great! This morning I tried A.M. Yoga with my 5 year old son along side. Again, it was difficult but all of it was manageable. There are alternatives shown for less flexible participants and props are suggested for beginners. I would recommend these videos to everyone looking to increase their flexibility and relaxation. The programs are challenging which tells me that there is room for improvement.

The am and pm yoga tapes are great for my busy schedule as a graduate student. I've just begun a level 1 yoga class one day a week and I've been using these tapes in between. The am tape is relaxing and easy-going. Overall, the am tape is great for beginners. However, the pm tape is a bit harder and demands more. I like it better because I like to be challenged. I also feel great after stretching my body. Because you have to focus more on your moves in the pm tape, you forget the stresses of the day and increase your flexibility and relaxation. Just be careful, don't overexert yourself, and work at your own pace. With time, both tapes will come more easily and you can move on to more challenging tapes. I would reccomend a yoga class, along with tapes, for those just beginning a yoga practice. For those who haven't begun a yoga practice: start now.

These tapes are wonderful, but the PM tape doesn't take the time to fully explain the poses and their objectives, the muscle groups you should be feeling stretched and proper breathing techniques. You cannot watch Patricia while doing the some of the poses unless you are already a skilled contortionist.

Rodney's AM practise was excellent for me as a beginner. It's a great introduction to learning a conscious connection between the mind and body. It is relaxed and much easier than Particia's tape. Rodney's easy on the eyes, too, ladies...

I'd suggest one of the slower paced, informative tapes such as "Yoga for Dummies" or one that details the poses you practise as an introduction to yoga. Yoga practise needs to be done safely and that particular tape provides alternative poses as well for the less flexible beginners. I know it gets old to work with the beginner tapes and you do find yourself fast-forwarding once you are comfortable with the poses, but isn't that a good time to try a set like this AM/PM practise? You don't learn Yoga fast and it is a great goal to desire to learn how to flow gracefully and purposefully from one pose to the next without hesitation.

Though it says beginners, be sure you have some flexibility and some balance for this set. If you're not used to intense stretching, this will seem difficult. For example: on the P.M. Yoga, at one point she says, "Now gently rest your forehead on your shin..." If you're still working on touching your toes, this is quite difficult!! But, if you keep in mind to only go as far as YOU can, only stretch as much as your body allows, these are very useful tapes.

Both videos included are for beginners but you should be somewhat flexible. You should be able to at least touch your toes standing up. If not, you can use blankets, straps or blocks if you can't initally stretch as far as the poses dictate. But no matter what, you DO need a strap for a stretching pose in the AM session. A soft carpet or mat is also essential.

The AM yoga session is less intense of the two videos and mostly involves relaxing and stretching. The PM session is longer and more demanding, with tougher stretches and poses. I get a little sweaty afterwards. Both Rodney Yee (AM yoga) and Patricia Walden (PM yoga) put you at ease and do an excellent job of instructing you along the way. The background music is also very calming to get you in the mood.

OK, this video won't solve all your problems, but it will most definitely leave you in the most relaxed state you've ever been. The effects of performing the AM and PM yoga even once or twice a week last for several days. I've found myself to be more at ease, and less stressed. And most importantly, I get along with my wife much better than before. We all need that, don't we? I can't recommend this video set enough. Buy it now!!

Both videos are quite good, and are just the right length for me. The pacing is just about right, although I prefer to hold some of the poses a bit longer than the video does. The instruction is quiet and doesn't distract, and after watching it once I was able to do both videos without watching the screen. (just following the audio) It's true that the PM video calls on a little more flexibility, but I'd say that gives more benefits for beginners -- you need something to aim for.

Living Yoga is meant to be an introduction of what yoga can do for you: help you relax, focus on your body, and improve stance and breathing. I really enjoy the P.M. tape, and when I spend 30 minutes (10 for basic stretching on my own before so I won't pull a muscle like a dodo-head, 20 for the exercises) before bed doing this, I feel better going to sleep. In addition, I can feel the effects the next day. I find my posture is better and I breathe much deeper. Some reviewers don't like the ads that precede the exercises. I wonder if they get angry about previews and ads on regular movie videos? Simply fast forward through the ad and cue up the tape ahead of time to skip the ad.

Bottom line: if you've never done yoga, stretch out and give this a try. Keep trying. You'll get better the more you do it. Then start going to classes!

Having never done yoga before, but being fairly flexible I found the AM tape to be a bit slow. However the PM tape brought in some yoga moves which I found more challenging but easy to follow along with. The 20-minute length is perfect for a quick end of the day tension releaser.