Customer Reviews

The Athlete's Guide to Yoga: A Personalized Practice for Strength, Flexibility, and Focus

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This DVD is presented by Sage Roundtree, registered yoga teacher and author of a book under the same title. Roundtree is an endurance athlete herself, and she designed the routines on this DVD to work with an athlete's base, build, and peak cycles. In addition to these longer preset sequences, Roundtree includes shorter practices focused more specifically on problem areas. The DVD also offers a customizable option which allows users to create their own personal routines to suit their individual needs.

The Main Menu of the DVD lists the following options: Preset Sequences-Customized Routine-Play All. Selecting the Preset Sequences leads to the following submenu options: Strength (Base), 57:05; Flexibility (Build), 48:26; and Focus (Peak), 47:05. There are also three problem area premixes (Building Core Strength, Stretching the Shoulders, Opening the Hips, Encouraging Recovery), as well as the Customized Routine option mentioned above.

This DVD could have been even better if Roundtree had mirror-cued the postures (she is a bit difficult to follow at times, especially given that some of the sequences move rather quickly), and if she had held the poses longer to allow for greater stretching benefits. Those who are brand new to yoga may find that they require more instruction than the DVD alone provides; in this case, Roundtree's companion book, The Athlete's Guide to Yoga, would likely be a valuable investment. More experienced yoga practitioners will find a variety of practice options to suit many different needs. Overall, this is worthwhile DVD and I would definitely recommend it, with a final rating of 4 1/2 stars.

I have a back injury (most likely from running). I have a disc that is herniated and a couple of areas that are torn etc. I was going stir crazy, so I was told I could try doing Yoga to increase my core strength and flexibility. This was my first Yoga DVD.

It is great that I can pick and choose which routines to do. Customizing my routines for what I need or what I have to do. The routines that are high impact will wait for later. I now do the back, hams and core twice each. I have had very few problems and I can complete the workouts.

I have seen a noticeable improvement in my flexibility and a decrease in the pain associated with the injury. Before I started this Yoga routine I was 10" from being able to touch the floor. Yesterday, I almost had my palms flat on the floor. I am not saying this is a cure all. I am also lifting weights, walking and using a Tens Unit. So I am putting a significant effort into the process of healing. The routines from this DVD really stretch my back, hams, core etc and the stretch feels great.

I am sold on Yoga. It will be part of my workout routine for the rest of my life.

The workouts are easy to follow and her voice is soothing. I recommend this DVD for everyone looking for a quality Yoga DVD, even Non-Athletes.

We've wanted to add yoga to our training for years. But between the jobs and the kids, we never made the time for a drive to a class or found a dvd we loved. (If we had the time, we'd always opt for cardio and wind up running or cycling)

This DVD is perfect for us. The 3 programs are each about 50 min and the presentation of the 3 levels is very helpful. Being able to customize a session by selecting up to 12 segments is a great feature.

It may not be ideal someone who has been practicing yoga for a long time, but it my husband and I like it very much.

This is my first yoga DVD. Pretty straight forward. I like the 3 preset workouts, plus you can customize to your liking. Easy to follow after the first couple of time. It might be easier if you already know how to do yoga. I did not.

I've been looking for a good yoga video to help with both stretching and strength training. I'm 40 and a triathlete and the wear and tear of daily training has been really hard on my body. I've used this video a number of times now and find it easy to follow but fast paced. I have a favorite pilates dvd that is great but it runs at a beginner's pace making it really annoying when you've been doing it for years. This video moves right along and has many different workouts to choose from. I really like it!

Sage is great, providing beginner, intermediate, and advanced models to vary your workout. I love the custom workout option too, so whether or not you have limited time or 2hrs, you have options.

I can change my routine to match whatever mood I'm in. There are separate workouts for strength, flexibility, and focus - so you can pretty much do whatever you want and skip all the stuff you don't like. The customized routines were awesome! You can select only the poses you want and then hit play. Nice.

This is the best yoga video I ever used. Most dvd's in my collection I don't like and they just sit. This one I will use over and over and over. The flow is wonderful and realistic. Perfect mix and I like how you can make a choice of what you want to do.

I can finally stop buying Yoga DVDs. I am a triathlete and personal trainer and I wear my body out on a regular basis. I didn't want a hard-core yoga DVD - I've done that kind of yoga and there is a time and a place for it. What I needed right now was something to help me recover... not one more sport to push myself to the wall for. I couldn't find a yoga DVD that was well-done, had different workouts to tailor to what part of my body I had abused, and was more about flexibility and less about strength (although I haven't tried all the segments yet so I don't want to imply there is no strength element).

The other reviewers are right on the money - the best part of this is the customization feature. Typically I go for the IT band, Pigeon Flow, and Hamstring Strap sections and my legs are ready for my next workout! I love that I can make my yoga sessions 10 minutes (if that's all I've got) or much longer. There is a much better chance that I am going to pop this in and do a short workout than something that is a fixed 45 minutes in length.

I would recommend this DVD to anyone - there are 3 demonstrated levels so I think it's even good for beginners. For athletes with sore bodies it is perfect!

I'm going to add this dvd to my library of yoga dvds. The sequences are interesting and straighforward. I haven't been what I consider an athlete since I had my children and have limited time. The modifications were very useful. For poses that were easy for me, the modifcations allowed me to intensify a pose if I wanted. If I found a pose to be challenging, the modifications allowed me to decrease the intensity and find peace in the pose. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of this dvd and highly recommend it.