Customer Reviews

Basic Yoga Workout for Dummies

5 star:		(100)
4 star:		(42)
3 star:		(20)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I have other VCR yoga tape that I have used. This is the first DVD yoga instructional video that I have bought. I am a beginner in the practice of yoga and the way that Sara presents this material makes it very easy to follow. I have been using this DVD every day since I bought the disk. Because this is a DVD I am able to go the part of instruction that I want to review immediately. That is a nice time saving convenience. I use my laptop computer to watch the video so that I can do the exercise and not have to twist around to see the video. It is also convenient to use when I travel. Sara does a wonderful job explaining the poses, showing beginners alternatives to do so that they can still do the exercises and get the benefits of the exercises. I find this video very comfortable to use and would recommend it to anyone that is thinking about beginning yoga. For those of you interested in the spiritual side of yoga there is not much of that presented on this video.

This DVD is excellent for starting out in yoga. I have been interested in Yoga for years, but due to lack of funds and time have never been able to actually go to a yoga class. Instead I bought several videos, some better than others. The problem was that I always felt I was doing things wrong, and unfortunately non of the other videos ever took the time to really explain what I was supposed to be doing. This DVD is different. It explains in detail the correct way to perform each posture without being condesending, tedious or intimidating. It gives down-to-earth instruction for people who want to learn yoga, without necessarily getting deep into the spiritual aspect of yoga. The DVD allows you to skip to specific poses which you may want to review, and it includes a basic 12 posture workout and an intermediate workout which goes into 9 poses you can graduate to once you feel comfortable with the first 12. After watching this DVD I am able to go back and watch and follow my other yoga videos knowing that I am doing the postures correctly. I also feel much more confident about moving on to other yoga videos with more challenging postures. Basic Yoga Workout for Dummies has really helped me improve my yoga practice. I would recommend it highly to anybody who wants to start practicing yoga, as well as people who, like me, have had some experience with yoga but are still not quite sure they know what they are doing.

When I bought this item I was looking for a tape that would reintroduce me to some of the basic yoga asanas and principles of practice. In particular, I wanted a tape that focused on fundamentals, that emphasized proper form and how the asanas should feel while you are doing them, and that included modifications for people like me who are flexibility challenged. Also, I did not want a tape that emphasized the "flow" from one pose to another, because some of the videos I've seen in that style either don't give enough instruction for my level or assume that the viewer has more experience than I do and needs less instruction on the basics. This tape is great for all of those things I wanted, and it has none of the features I wanted to avoid.

I have used this tape for maybe a dozen or so sessions, and I still learn a little something about doing the asanas every time I view it. I suspect that'd be the case for many more viewings to come.

The limited number of asanas demonstrated makes it easy for beginners, or those coming back to yoga after years away, to focus on getting them right. However, after several viewings, I imagine that many purchasers, like me, will want to branch out from the "daily dozen" poses. And, the slow pace of the tape and emphasis on detailed pre-pose instructions make it a little tedious to follow after a while. But, those are not really criticisms per se, because no one tape could possibly fulfil the needs of everyone every time. The tape does what it purports to do, and does it very well. Besides, once you know what's coming, it's easy to simply get into the asanas earlier, hold them longer, etc. The instructor is charming, and she knows her stuff, which counts for a lot when it comes to viewing longevity.

I will soon purchase other tapes to expand my yoga horizons, but I suspect I will return to this one periodically for a tune-up and change of pace. It's worth keeping in the collection.

Yoga for Dummies with Sara Ivanhoe is really a fantastic video. I have tried many previous Yoga videos, but allways found that they assume a lot of previous knowledge concerning yoga. This is true even of the other "beginning" yoga videos. The great thing about Yoga for Dummies is that it assumes absolutely no knowledge. It starts with the basics and makes them fun. Sara is delightful, funny, and attractive. This is great way to start to learn Yoga. I am hoping that she will make a more advanced version once I am ready for it.

I have several yoga tapes. The problem is that they are often too difficult for me. This tape, like the Yoga for Dummies book, has basic yoga poses that are a good "daily dozen" that I can do. Just because they are simple doesn't mean they aren't good; these are the best basic poses and they good for strength and flexibility.

This tape is really great because it helps you stay on a routine to do yoga without getting hurt or discouraged.

I had taken a Yoga class prior to this video and wanted to learn more about Yoga without committing to classes(I also didn't want to look silly in front of people that were familiar with the practice!). I found this tape to go at the right pace, explain the poses thorougly and slowly and allowed me to gain a further understand of what I was doing. Sara Ivanhoe is a great instructor and I enjoy doing this workout everytime because she doesn't do these crazy poses and "leave you behind" while she goes on. I definately recommend this video to anyone that is curious about Yoga and the wonderful relaxation it can bring.

I have never really done yoga, or so I thought until I viewed this tape. Being active all of my life has kept me flexible and so I was surprised to know that I had been practicing "yoga" without knowing it. A few of the poses were new to me but mostly they are common sense stretches. OR SO I THOUGHT. Now I know, thanks to Sara, stretching isn't yoga. Yoga is an art that unites the body and mind. It combines poses with focus and breathing which result in a feeling of calm AWARENESS. Sara has the gift--a very pleasant, friendly, poised and positive instructor that is the perfect example of the way yoga will make you feel: calm, relaxed, focused, balanced, positive and strong.

Here are the "daily dozen" of which each should be held through six breaths:
1 Cat pose*
2 Mountain pose*
3 Standing Forward Bend
4 Lunge
5 Tree*
6 Standing Side Stretch Pose*
7 Downward Facing Dog*
8 Cobra*
9 Child's pose
10 Seated Spinal Twist*
11 Seated Forward Bend*
12 Final Relaxation pose
(* a favorite pose of mine/ feels great)

Sara says, "THIS IS YOUR PRIVATE TIME. SO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT ALLOWS YOU TO FOCUS AND REALLY ENJOY YOUR PRACTICE." That being said, I recommend using this tape until you are happy with your results (yoga is not competitive) and then muting it and do your moves to your favorite dreamy, inspiring music. As you advance, get another book or video, or incorporate your favorite moves from different tapes (I really love Tai Chi) and go through your own poses.

BOTTOM LINE: This is a terrific yoga introduction of poses concentrating on the proper alignment, breathing, and focus for the beginner to advanced athlete. However, if you already have yoga experience you might want to try a more advanced tape or class.

Ms Ivanhoe presents an easy to follow introduction to yoga. I have tried one other yoga tape and I have read 2 yoga books. This was by far the best introduction to the method I have encountered. The poses are not too difficult, but they are a challenge to someone without a lot of fexability. The key is the low intemidation presentation by the instructor. I never felt as if I was being talked down to. Ms Ivanhoe is very encouraging and helps the student along with a winning smile and gentle support. The tape makes you want to come back and experience yoga again.

Well worth the money.

I know many who still don't want to buy into the "Dummies" series! They are Dummies for not taking advantage of these great resources. This is an excellent tape/DVD, especially if you are new to fitness or are a returning 40-something as I am. Oh yes, I'm also a guy. I've found yoga (and deep stretching) to be a perfect compliment to a pick-up game of basketball, an hour of karate practice, or a cardio kickboxing aerobics session. The relaxed tone of this DVD is also a nice way to gently unwind after a stressful day at work or with the kids.

If you are sore for a week after you work out, or jog, or play weekend sports, chances are you're not stretching as much as you should, especially afterwards. This DVD/tape will show you that basic yoga is an excellent way to gently stretch your muscles, reduce stress, and relax. The deep breathing that is key to yoga and is well described by the workout instructor "Sara Ivanhoe" also helps you to think more clearly and creatively. Despite the yoga postures on the DVD seeming relatively simple, I monitor my pulse during this workout and am routinely up around 110-115, and work up a nice glow of a sweat.

I really believe that yoga combined with other types of exercise is a way to keep your mind and body in synch. I searched for a tape/DVD to replicate my experience of doing yoga in our local health club, and found this one to be the best and easiest to follow. At the low price, it's also a great buy for the traveler who might be carrying a laptop with a DVD player.

Oh yeah...if you embarrass easily, contrary to the image of yoga that I once had in my head, you don't have to tuck your legs up over the top of your head or otherwise contort your body in weird ways. The basic yoga "postures" demonstrated by Sara feel natural, and actually look pretty cool (even with a guy doing them).

I have always been impressed by the flexibility and peaceful demeanor that people who practice yoga often carry. I wanted to see what it could do for me as far as stress relief ( I am a very high strung, high stressed overworked person) I am so glad I chose this as my first yoga experience. The instructor was great, easy to follow and genuinley aware of the limitations of beginners. Even the way she speaks is relaxing. I became more flexible each time I did the video. Great Great Great starter video, no cheesey, distracting palm trees or ocean in the back ground, this is not Gilads workout. Very well executed and professionaly done by Sara Ivanhoe.