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63 of 63 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tough but accessible workout, November 4, 2003
This review is from: Beryl Bender Birch Power Yoga: The Practice (DVD)
I loved this DVD. The workout is by no means easy. I think that if you either have good endurance or want to improve your endurance, then buy this DVD. This DVD goes no stop for roughly 75 minutes. This is the full primary series she is doing, plus a few poses she throws in. The DVD has no bookmarks or stopping points, it's basically either you do the whole thing or you just fast forward past what you don't want to do. I know some reviewers saw this this as a hindrance moreso than a help, but the idea is do all of the poses in a certain sequence. The fact that there 8-10 people of different skill levels doing either the full pose or some modification makes up for lack of bookmarks/stopping points. If you do want to just perform segments, then purchase Richard Freeman's Primary Series workout. You can elect to do the whole workout (including opening and closing chants), or just perform segments (sun salutations, standing poses, seated poses, etc.). However, there are no modifications, and Freeman is performing these poses at a near perfect level (check your ego at the door). If you are looking for a shorter more accessible version of Ashtanga yoga, then try either Baron Baptiste's Power Yoga 3 or MTV's second power yoga tape. While Baron offers a condensed (45 minute vs 75-90 minute) version that includes most of the easy to intermediate poses, the MTV version is a loosely based version of the primary series where many of the poses are there, but not necessarily in order, and the instructor uses a lot more creative license. I found this DVD highly motivating. Seeing people of different skill levels get through the entire workout spurred me to go on. Berly makes the primary series fun and accessible, but you will sweat. If you think that 75+ minutes is too long, then try one of the other tapes I suggested, however, if you want to try to complete the primary series, and want to build the endurance needed to do 1-1.5 hrs of yoga, then buy this tape.
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43 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Challenging with Expert Instruction, October 17, 2002
By A Customer
This review is from: Beryl Bender Birch Power Yoga: The Practice (DVD)
This is a wonderful class -- various levels of students proved to me that I can tackle this kind of yoga practice without being a pretzel, former dancer or gymnast. Beryl is a true expert -- she's no celeb with a few weeks of training. Her matter-of-fact voice and her expert adjustments truly inspire you to take things at your own pace, but to realize that with patience and time all is attainable. As far as the content of the practice -- this is the primary series of Ashtanga vinyasa yoga. You do need some yoga experience -- either having learned basic postures in other hatha classes, or having done some ashtanga, or having a book with precise posture guidance to refer to when you need some clarification. I liked the fact that there really were people of all body shapes and sizes in the class -- all fit, but not clones. Each person had their own strengths and weaknesses. There is always someone to follow for modifications. And Beryl always suggests care and modifications. This is the ONLY ashtanga (or power) class on I have done -- on tape or in a live class -- in which the instructor made you feel like everyone belongs here. Everyone, with patience and some commitment, can achieve something more than they thought possible. Especially since Beryl shows you how. I cannot say enough of about how really good this practice video is -- if you buy no other yoga tape in this style, you will be very pleased.
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34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great practice for the patient and well-informed, May 7, 2004
This review is from: Beryl Bender Birch Power Yoga: The Practice (DVD)
I am a 41 year old yoga teacher, and I been studying and practicing yoga about 8 years, and doing Bikram-style and power yoga for about three years. My prefernce is a very challenging practice that makes me sweat and try asanas I am not familiar with. This DVD is not for everybody, but I loved it. I also loved Beryl's book which I found at a used book store last winter (which you really MUST get UNLESS you have a great Ashtanga Primary Series class locally) so although many of the reviews were negative, I decided to try the DVD. I am so glad I did! I learned so much just from doing it for a week! I find Beryl very knowledgeable about all aspects of practice, her cuing is very nice but I can see how you could get lost if you are not familiar with the series. I have to modify many of the postures that require lots of hip or shoulder flexibility, but... so what? As Beryl's guru Patthabi Jois is often quoted, "Do your practice, all is coming." It sounds like many of the disgruntled reviewers were expecting to be able to just "DO IT" and were frustrated that they weren't "told" this practice takes TIME (1.5 - 2 hours), Patience, and ongoing practice to master. People -- this is yoga. That's the deal. Yoga is a process of self-awareness. If you just want to jump around and get in shape, The FIRM workouts are nice. Baron Baptiste's power yoga videos are sort of "Ashtanga Lite" and may help prepare you for a more rigorous practice like this. But I think Beryl is a great teacher, and her only mistake was not making a package out of her book and DVD, because they really have to be used together to get the most out of it.
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