Customer Reviews

Bryan Kest - Power Yoga Boxed Set [VHS]

5 star:		(304)
4 star:		(85)
3 star:		(40)
2 star:		(28)
1 star:		(40)

 

 

Brain Kest's videos genuine, effective,powerful. Kest has a real concern for his students including those who watch his videos. Those who snipe about him posing or being shirtless are simply missing the point. Its ok to have a beautiful, healthy body!

Kest teaching style is motivational, yet compassionate.He urges the user to modify the exercises to the user's body type rather than a precise replication of the asana urged by "old school" yoga teachers. Kest understands that most students (especially westerners) cant readily adapt their tight, rigid bodies to an Iyengar level of perfection. For them to do so would put them out of harmony with their body and possibly cause injury and needless duress.I bring this up as one reviewer ( a yoga techer) complained that some of the students in the video were not in perfect form.

Anyway, his video vol 1, is best for those who have some exercise behind them, particularly some yoga.These tapes are based on Ashtanga yoga, the most physically difficult system of yoga. An out of shape beginner will find this tape very challenging.

For those stick with it they will experience a body transformation unlike any exercise program they have or will work with. Hang in there. Youll love the way you look and feel. Namaste A

I'm a yoga novice and ever since I purchased this DVD, I have consistently used it three times per week. The first few times I was unable to maintain the poses for long, but I listened carefully to Bryan's instructions and when it got to be too intense, I sat down and watched. He's a wonderful instructor and getting this DVD and learning from it was better than some live yoga classes I'd paid for and been disappointed by.

Reading the varied opinions of this video reminds me that we all have different needs and tastes. That's good. It makes life more interesting. I think this is a beautiful video. I have the series and have thought the producers allocated more of their budget to Video 1 than the others with the idea that "beginners" need more motivation. I liked that the class includes participants who appear to be relatively new to yoga practice. The class members display some variety of strength and flexibility. This was not an easy video for me. The first time I tried it I got through 20 minutes and thought, "No way!" Fortunately, an injury forced me to incorporate some intense stretching into my training or give up my running addiction so I kept at it. Now after more than a year doing Videos 1 & 2 several times a week I am addicted to power yoga too! Just wish these videos were available on DVD. One more thought: I am fairly flexible and had little upper body strength before I began this doing this video. This workout challenges your flexibility, strength and balance. In sharing it with others I have found that it seems more difficult for those with less flexibility to stick with this video in the beginning.

I go to Bryan's class about 2-3 times a week and have all 3 of his videos in this series for the days I don't feel like going to class (which truthfully, is not that often!) or for when I am travelling out of town. Bryan's philosophy merged with the asanas of yoga offer the perfect mind-body-spirit workout for those who commit fully to the process. It's not about wrapping your leg around your head, or how far you can extend any single body part--it's about breathing and staying calm throughout incredibly physically challenging moments. You WILL lose weight (and start to relinquish negative body image views and diet-obsessed thinking) You WILL change the shape of your body (and look longer and leaner) You WILL increase your ability to focus in everything you do. But these are all side effects--because when doing the video, the only things that matter are each moment you experience --one by one. ANYONE can benefit from these videos. I took my out-of-shape, but naturally flexible 60 plus year old mother and nearing 70 year old -of-shape, not-at-all flexible father to class and they both liked it and found it useful. The key is that you do what Bryan instructs TO YOUR OWN DEGREE. There is no doing it "right". There's only what's right for you. Bryan teaches you how to approach what that is, and as your body changes and grows, you will find more and more you can get out of each of these videos in the series. Listen to what he says--besides that his voice is soothing and will help you focus, the messages of being loving and aware of your body as you practice are important for people who have been inundated with a no pain no gain, gym mentality approach to exercise for far too long. My only complaint as a person who takes Bryan's classes and practices on an advanced level is that videos are a little short for me--but rather than stress over that (which would be very unyogalike) I just run each section twice! I will never belong to a gym again. I have found what I didn't even know I was looking for-- a non-competitive way to be physically active--since competitive sports never had any thrill for me as someone to whom winning and competing seem overrated. I have also found a sweet, supportive instructor, now friend, who has helped me learn how to change and focus my life and body in ways I couldn't even have imagined until I began my practice in earnest. I cannot encourage more strongly that you check this out and see what it can do for you.

Many have criticized Kest but I don't care that he's a performer. A great yoga leader has to have a larger than life persona so I don't criticize him for his approach. Besides, these are great workouts, no doubt about it. I get into a huge sweat and feel great afterwards. At first I was turned off by the brassy instruction but I've grown used to it. This DVD is for people with a background in exercise, not overweight inactive people who are just starting. If you want to test your limits, Kest does a good job. One small flaw: The moves are done so quickly and the camera shots are so close-up, that it's impossible to replicate over 40% of the exercises. But after a half dozen times you can follow it.

For a beginner's level, easier-to-follow yoga workout, without check out the Yoga Zone Premiere 4 Pack Collection.

Post Script: After viewing dozens of other power yoga DVDs I have to say this is the best one. So kudos to Bryan Kest. One more positive point: Unlike some of my yoga DVDs, this one, to its credit, does not require blocks, belts, chairs, etc. All you need is a mat. I hate yoga workouts where they don't warn you that you'll need a bunch of equipment. Suddenly the instructor is sitting in front of you with blocks or a belt. Happily, Kest's workout is streamlined and doesn't surprise you with sudden equipment requirements.

Most people think of the stereotypical yoga teacher as someone with a calm, soothing voice spouting all sorts of New Age wisdom as you twist yourself into impossible asanas and contemplate your third eye. Well, Bryan Kest is not that sort of teacher -- I couldn't do this video at first without giggling a little at this guy telling me to "get into the sweetness of the pose" in this tough, New Jersey-ish "dude" voice. That said, this is an EXCELLENT video for a beginning-to-intermediate practitioner who has had some yoga experience. It is an excellent workout and uses a wide variety of stretches to challenge your body and your mind. There isn't much detailed instruction in these videos -- not many breakdowns of positions or explanations of movements, which is why I wouldn't recommend it to a rank beginner. It is much more like attending a class as opposed to an instruction video. In terms of production values, it is beautifully photographed and lit, and the wide variety of (admittedly very attractive) people featured in the video give a good sense of how to adapt poses to suit your own body's needs. And the background music is both pleasant and non-obstrusive. If you can adapt to Bryan Kest's mannerisms and voice, this is an awesome tape. In all honesty, I find him really positive, encouraging and rather entertaining, and it's refreshing to see a teacher who isn't into showing off his or her superior flexibility for all to see and admire.

This is a great video.
If, and I mean IF you're experienced with yoga. This is not a beginer's set of videos. I wanted to try some yoga that was more powerful and advanced than the Yoga journal's AM PM yoga tapes. I didn't really consider myself a slouch at it, but my goodness! I got the Bryan Kest - Power Yoga set for myself for christmas. Yoga that involves pushups! Had me panting and sweating heavily, and that's the first tape..but dispite the fact I didn't keep up with the class of Gumby like perfect people I felt like I got a good workout and it woke me up.
It's impossible to watch the tv and follow along with the tape, so you -have- to know all the asana's before you start so you can just listen and follow. It's a good work out, but let me repeat, this is NOT for anyone just starting out, or anyone that gets discouraged by the perfect people in the class. Good luck! and keep with it!

I approached yoga with the same trepidition I did my first half marathon:why the hell am I doing this? After 5 kids and yeras of running and dance, I have the flexibility of granite. Becoming a human pretzel was not on my dance card. This tape,howvere,radically altered that perception. Kest,who sounds like my neighbor,but is from Detroit,calmly expains and cajoles you into each position. Some people have complained that he talks too much,though I find it reassuring{it IS a beginners tape,after all}. The poses though are not broken down quite as explicitly as I would have liked, though viewing the class{made up of hard bodies,which is daunting and not inspiring} I found following along quite simple. After 3 months of daily practice, I have found my body is quite a bit more flexible, and I can do the positions about 50%{I statred at about 10%,so there has been great improvement}. Kest doesnt seem interested in being anyone guru{which is nice,for a change}, and simply and calmly leads you through this tape. I have done this every day but one the last 3 months, and it is a good strenuous,vigorous workout that you can mine deeper each time. HIGHLY<HUGELY RECOMMENDED, especially for the yoga-phobes like myself. Very very good

I could no longer stand mindless aerobics. I've long been interested in Yoga but I wanted something vigorous and challenging -- this tape (and his two other tapes)was a great answer. I'm trying to work up to doing the whole series! That's 26 some odd poses over 2 hours of practice! (And that's just one series - the first series. There are six, altogether.) I'm not ready to tackle the whole first series (yet!) -- it's just too much(So far!) These tapes will GET me into that classic astanga class without feeling totally overwhelmed. Kest, on the back of his tapes, claims that his yoga is "Astanga-style" and it is, the poses linked with movement creating heat and a vigorous workout. For me, at this stage in my yoga game, it builds strength, endurance, and provides a great foundation for my regular yoga classes (my instructor was impressed with my form and concentration, particularly when I told her my primary instruction came from a video). I find Kest's comments (although his voice can be tad whiny)informative and comforting. Doing my yoga practice has made such a difference in my life (I know, that sounds corny, but it's true.) These videos have been my springboard into a new, and very illuminating world. I think he's terrific.

This video has transformed my body and my life. I highly recommend it to first-timers. My muscle-bound husband has recently tried it and really liked it too. Before purchasing, I rented a number of videos and found Bryan Kest's to be the most instructive, relaxing and appropriately paced for a novice. Now that I know what I'm doing, I still use it to tone and relax. The other Kest videos are exceptional as well.