Customer Reviews

The Art of Flow Yoga

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a wonderful flow yoga DVD. Each time I practice I get more out of it. I've fallen in love with flow yoga recently and have watched and practiced with many DVDs. You can tell when an instructor's goal is to teach and guide well.

Zuzana offers variations for the postures, typically providing the beginner option first, then progressively more advanced options as the pose is held. Usually this works well. There are a few instances when it's not clear whether options are being offered or a pose sequence should be repeated (especially with the camel-rabbit sequence), only because she is trying to fit all of the necessary information into her voiceover. Zuzana is especially concerned with the breath and postural alignment, so she provides excellent cues, more than many other DVD instructors. As someone recovering from a first-time back injury, I am grateful for the "pull your navel to your spine so your lower back is flat and protected" reminders. She is not "chatty," though; her comments are instructive and to the point. Her voice is clear and calming.

There are no times listed with the DVD sections. The following are approximate. The sun salutations* section listed below doesn't correspond to the one listed on the DVD cover because some of the latter, more intense sun salutations are included in the DVD "Flow" section, but I timed them together.

Introduction
Breathing/Seated positions (2 minutes)
Stretches, basic spinal twists, warmup (7 minutes)
Sun Salutations* with twists and stretches (12 minutes)
Balances, stretches, splits (8 minutes)
Backbends - Camel/rabbit (3 minutes+)
Stretches - Shoulder, butterfly, reclining spinal twist, reclining butterfly (5 minutes)
Inversions - Legs up wall, plough, shoulder stand, knees to ears, fish (2 minutes+)
Attention to breath/relaxation/meditation - corpse posture (7 minutes)

Some of the latter sun salutations are different and challenging (disclaimer: I am an advanced beginner to intermediate practitioner). As others have said in their reviews, Zuzana makes this practice accessible to beginners as well as more demanding for the more advanced. The guided relaxation and meditation is wonderful and allows you to integrate the practice well. (Many other DVDs cut this part of the session short, and when they do it feels like something is missing.)

The production quality of this DVD is excellent. The only (very minor) negative comment I have is that, once or twice, the shot went from Zuzana showing a posture to something else a little too soon.

The only problem (a compliment, really) is that the practice is always over too quickly! Thank you, Zuzana, this DVD is wonderful. Please make longer and more advanced practice DVDs!

Wow! This is a very impressive video. I am an avid yoga enthusiast and own many videos, but this one is truly different. It is shot in what I would describe as an almost "cinematic" style. It is beautifully rich and vivid. The session has been designed in a fashion that gives it a very intimate and personal feel -- like you would receive during a private lession at a very fine resort. It is well worth the money. I return to it often in my practice at home, and I never travel without it!

How many yoga instructors have you had that didn't help you to improve your poses? I have had many and it is disappointing. Well, this is the first yoga DVD that I have bought where the instructor really helps me to understand how to hold certain poses correctly and why it is important. It is almost as if she is right there with you and knows when you're tempted to be sloppy! After watching this DVD, I find that I recall what she taught and I apply it in yoga classes.

Also, as a very frequent traveler, this DVD is the next best thing to having a great yoga instructor right there. It is always in my suitcase!

I bought this based on the reviews here and was disappointed. I have only previewed the DVD but have not yet worked up the enthusiasm to actually do this practice. I would not normally write a review unless I did the yoga. When I get a new yoga DVD, I am typically very enthusiastic to find the first available opportunity to try it, but that I cant seem to do this DVD is in itself an indication that may perhaps be useful to others.

As background, I learnt yoga from a wonderful, talented teacher in a live class for three years. I practice regularly with dvds since four or so years since, and have a wide collection on video. My favorites are Erich Schiffman, Sarah Kline (from yoga today), Rodney Yee and Shiva Rea (when she isnt beeing too freestyle/fluid). I also like one off yoga DVD productions of instructors like Deb Dobbins, Christina Pedersen and Zyrka Landwijt. Zuzana's dvd did not appeal to me at all. Perhaps it could be because I own a lot of DVD media and have high expectations. Or perhaps Zuzana's is a style I dont just click with.

I have grouses with the production values. I found the chaptering on this DVD poor. Zuzana takes a long time to set up and introduce the poses at the beginning and I can see how that would help someone new to yoga or on the first time through, but I cant imagine going over it every time. From all the descriptions about beautifully shot, I expected more. I think Shiva Rea's yoga productions are beautifully shot. This one doesnt come close to what I consider moderate well shot. There is nothing wrong with the production and the camera angles are competent, is the best I would say for it. I could ignore that if the practise itself is wonderful, but Zuzana's demeanor as a teacher was too low key and uninspiring for me and the yoga itself on preview did not inspire me.

If I do manage to summon up the enthusiasm to try, I will come back to edit my review.

I attended Zuzana's yoga classes at the Phoenician resort and absolutely loved her style of teaching or better to say guiding through yoga practice - gentle, light, joyful, full of positive energy but maybe challenging and powerful sometime.

While any media would be limited in conveying the charm of Zuzana's live instructions I still would highly recommend the dvd to both beginners and intermediate yoga practitioners. Zuzana sets a focused pace for beginners. For the more advanced, she suggests variations and creates awareness about small adjustments in the posture that would help to open up the full potential of the body. I also would like to note a nice bonus - guided meditation through an extended relaxation pose.

Zuzana's gentle guidance, beautiful surroundings and professional shots make this dvd a very good option for someone who travels or who lives far from Zuzana's classes.

This is a wonderful flow video. Zuzana is an outstanding teacher both in the yoga studio and on your screen at home. She guides you through each movement encouraging mindfulness of the breath. She reminds the viewer to utilized his or her core while maintaining peace of mind and thoughtfulness of practice.

The dvd is both encouraging and accepting, like the best of friends.
The beautiful setting, the high production values, and the just-right sound track all contribute to the dvd being a work of art. And the fact that Zuzana is an athletic, beautiful woman and a very accomplished, third-generation, European-trained yoga practitioner and instructor helps, too. But what gets "The Art of Flow Yoga" into "something special" territory for me is the many levels of guidance on it, and the confident and caring voice with which Zuzana provides that guidance. I have had this dvd for quite a while and find it to be a multi-layered guide for whatever level of practice I aspire to at the time, whether it be a full journey, a short warmup, a "fundamentals" session, a challenging session, or just a calm and caring voice in the room.

I first tried yoga years ago but did not stay with it. Then I ran into Zuzana. After practicing with Zuzana for two years my practice has become an integral part of my life. One of my friends takes The Art of Flow Yoga DVD on business trips. Even if she can't watch it she listens to it and is able to enjoy a peaceful nights sleep on the road. I gave the DVD to my daughters last Christmas and now one wants to become a yoga instructor.

The Art of Flow Yoga is a great new DVD on Flow Yoga. While there are a number of videos out, this is the first one that takes flow yoga breaks it down into simple but yet advanced Flow Yoga. Yoga and Flow Yoga taught by Zuzana is great for beginners as well as experienced practioners. I find this DVD a great addition to my practice.

Greetings to all those seeking balance, peace and light! Before you read this review any further, I must reveal my bias as I have been guided in my practice by Zuzana in person, and I must complement Zuzana: each class with her is its very own gift and experience. I was very pleased when I learned that Zuzana created this truly beautiful video that captures her very unique style and interpretation of this ancient practice so that we, her students, have easy access to the beautiful light of yoga at the time when we may be away from Zuzana's studio and continue in our practice.

Whether you are a beginner or aspire to teach yoga one day, you will find Zuzana's precise pace, well put sequences and gentle guidance to be the source of both great relaxation and energy. While I enjoy Zuzana's classes in person, this video is a great tool that will allow you to practice yoga in solitude where you could truly experience yoga practice from within. Zuzana's simple and concise instructions coupled with just the right tempo and reminders to breathe work perfectly in that they set out just the right atmosphere for meditative movement, leaving you "ready to receive."

I am thankful that Zuzana captured the beauty of her soul in this simple video as it can be felt through her voice, smile and wisdom. I hope you too will find this simple but graceful practice inspiring. Having this DVD by your side will make it easier for you to "stretch" yourself to a greater beauty and to a greater good and wisdom through relaxing music and practice that will align your heart, mind and body in a perfect unison ready for any challenges that our daily lives bring us. Just turn it on, surrender to the beat in the background, listen to your breath and let Zuzana's instructions do the magic for you!
You will be glad you did!!