Customer Reviews

Hemalayaa: Yoga for Everyone

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm not a yoga star, not even close. I've tried a few yoga classes at my gym and at a couple different Yoga centers and have been left feeling completely inept. I'd been looking for a fun introduction to yoga and this is it. Maybe once I master this DVD I can find a more intermediate DVD.

If you're one of those stuck-up yoga people at the gym, this DVD will be too easy for you. Spend your money on another Vinyassa Yoga class.

If you're new to Yoga and want the benefits of Yoga without the stuck-up Yoga people, get this DVD.

I do love Hamalayaa and do have all of her DVD's. If you are looking for a yoga DVD from her I would recommend her "Yoga for Urban Living" and "Yoga for Young Bodies" over this any day. This one is a repetition of cobra and floor lunges, with one short tree and very few short down dogs. It is more of a stretch, but once again, lots of repetition in those. Her sticking her tongue out and chanting really throws me off, too, as I am much more of a "Hatha centered" yogi myself. It is two twenty minute programs but I saw no difference in the two.

i love yoga and i have all of the Hemalayaa DVDs which i highly recommend along with this one. i am looking for beginner yoga that arent a long workout. a few years back i got out of yoga and have been trying to get back into it due to a very stressful job and the threatening high blood pressure readings and chidings of my doctor mother and various friends. i preordered this and waited while i went through injuries falling down 4 stairs and dealing with an impossible set of co-workers that drive my blood pressure up and just this week antibiotics and a sinus infection. so when i get the mail today and i get this DVD i think i'll just watch it maybe meditatate a little if she has a relaxation section. she does. i got to tell you its 2 workouts 20 minutes each and they are just what the paragraph says- relaxing centering i feel better calmer and i'm smiling because i had fun. i finished the first and only due to time constraints i reluctantly ended the second ten minutes in. These yoga positions are really on the easier side if you have concerns about past injuries and definately good for somebody starting back in again like me. for those of you who are serious about your yoga this workout is FUN and shows creativity to its producers taking a new look at yoga. i will put this on my do first list. Highly Highly recommend.

I thoroughly enjoyed this DVD! I am not a hard core yoga person. For me yoga is something that complements the other fitness activities that I do. In fact, before I did the first segment I had been on the elliptical for 15 minutes, done 40 minutes of strength exercises and 15 minutes of stretching. I had also worked out prior to trying the second segment.

I think this DVD would be good to use after a workout to provide some stretching and flexibility. I also think it would be good after a long day at work to relieve stress. I like the 20 minute segments as they are easy to fit in anyplace.

The words Hemalayaa uses to describe the DVD are "fun", "joyful", "smile". I think these are good descriptions. I'm easily bored by yoga DVDs that are so serious, and seem to go on forever. She does have some mantras/chants (yum, rum) and also some funny facial expressions. I am NOT a chanting person, but in the spirit Hemalayaa does them they are simply fun. If you don't feel like doing them, then don't (or smile that she does them). The expressions - well you can do them or not, but they are also in the same fun spirit.

The poses are not difficult, but I also think the DVD is not boring. (I've been burned by "beginner" yoga DVDs that could put me to sleep.) I think she has done a good job of putting together a DVD that will appeal to a wide audience, not just very serious yoga followers (in fact, it may be the more serious yoga followers that have the most trouble with this DVD).

When I finished both practices, I felt cheerful, more flexible and relaxed. There are differences between the two practices, although they are also similar. That might be the one improvement she could have made - to distinguish between the practices a little more.

I have a bad knee and the only pose I skipped was the warrior pose in the second practice. I was able to adjust all other poses to respect my knee.

This workout DVD satisfied me, not because I am a beginner, but it's fun and pleasant to do. I didn't have to struggle with lunges because Hemalayaa has her knees down, I didn't get vertigo because you slowly and briefly hold a position. There are 2 workouts at 20 minutes each. As usual in her DVDs, there's her voiceover and a quiet, subtle percussion background music. The stage is decorated with candles, pillows, and flowy sheer curtains. The choreography transitions from the sitting cross-legged on the floor with a brief chant, then standing and ends on the floor lying on a bolster (rolled up blankets). The unique qualities of this workout is the movement in the positions-you're either swaying, shaking, pulsing, rotating wrists. There are also facial movements (stick out your tongue) and bursts of exhalation. Satisfied workout that I will use many times in the future.

I've done the first part 4 or 5 times now. At first I was a bit put off by the "yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmm"ing and tongue-sticking-outing, but that does seem to be a good way to release tension. This gets 4 rather than 5 stars because the breathing can be rushed in places, but there's no reason why you can't do them more slowly. I think I wind up doing 3 lungs for every 4 she does. You do have to watch the directions the first time through (later, you should be able to do them without watching, when your face is away from the screen). But to balance that out, there is a brief medition/quiet time at the end of the routines. I can definitely tell I'm working while doing this, but even in my currently grossly overweight and out of shape state I finished (with a few breathers). But best of all, I really do feel more relaxed and calm after finishing.

I haven't done the second part yet because I've enjoyed the first so much, but I'll give it a try this weekend.

I just started doing yoga over the last three months, and have taken lots of classes from several very serious instructors. I decided to purchase a few DVDs for convenience to do at home. I must say I am very pleased and surprised by this particular DVD; it has such a happy, free, and unintimidating feel to it. I'm laughing and doing a lot more unconventional fluid movements than I do with my serious classes and it just feels joyful! I highly recommend to shake up your usual routine. Thanks Hema!!!

I love Hemalayaa and all of her dvds. I have had difficulty finding a yoga dvd that is not too complicated (trying to bend me in ways that my body is just not ready to go) and not too instructional (I get bored with overly instructional yoga dvds).

Get this DVD! I purchased "Yoga For Everyone" at a Half Price Book Store and I can truly say that this is the type of Yoga DVD's that I'm seeking. Hemalayaa stretches and relaxes you as well as includes meditation. The background with the sheer white curtains and candles is so relaxing, it makes you smile! Hemalayaa's bubbly spirit transforms through my t.v. I have to warn you about the stick out the tongue on the exhales with certain poses, it's weird at first, but once you get use to it, it actually purges your tension! After doing the DVD, I felt so happy and relaxed! Money well spent, and I agree that This IS Yoga for EVERYONE!

update: 06/29/2011. I've been having sore knees, and I'm 95% sure it's because of this Yoga Video. Be careful with this video because she does quite a few lunges. Which I think is the culprit!


Overall rating: 5.0 stars

I have practiced yoga on and off for the past year so, it is safe to say that I am a beginner and not hard core. I do several other types of dance fitness workouts in which some of them leave me quite stiff and sore afterwards. This dvd is the perfect routine to do after the cardio/toning sessions. It completely loosened me up and relieved the soreness in my muscles and joints. And, to my surprise it even relieved the tendonitis flare-ups I sometimes get with the faster paced aerobic routines. I love all the stretching. It feels so good! It should be called 'Healing Yoga'. This one is a definite keeper!