Customer Reviews

Hot Yoga - The Power yoga Method: The Initail Challenge/ Level 1 [VHS]

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

 

 

I happened to stumble upon this series of 3 yoga instruction videos. This tape is tape 1 with tape 2 being for the intermediate person and tape 3 being for someone advanced. It's clear from watching the video that Baron is used to teaching. He begins the tape by explaining that unlike a lot of exercise programs yoga is about trying and always trying to get it perfect and that no two people are going to do each and every exercise the same because we are all different. So for me, the novice yoga practioner it was good to hear that you weren't expected to be able to complete the moves but to give it a chance and eventually I would.

I expected weird music, chanting and a snail's pace. Not at all much to my delight. Baron refers to this a power yoga for a reason and that is because he moves at a crisp pace and I have worn a heart rate monitor and have found that my heart has no problem getting into the fat burning target zone. That having been said please note that if you need to go slower you should that's what yoga is all about, go at your own pace. The tape is in 3 distinct sections. The first one is essentially a core warmup and stretching segment that is awesome for everyday use. The second section is more about stabilization and balance and the third section is about building strong abs and back.

When I first started doing this video I couldn't touch my toes, I couldn't hold the downward dog pose (you are an inverted V with hands and feet on the floor) for more than 15 seconds because of weak arms and shoulders and I couldn't do one pushup on my toes and I don't even want to talk about core strength. Within a week I was touching my toes and feeling flexibility in my hamstrings that I had never felt before.

I often just do one of the three 15 minute segments when I get busy and that does me good. I now have six other yoga tapes and I keep going back to this one because it is so effective. By now I have memorized the first 15 minute segment and often incorporate it into my routine while traveling for work or on vacation. If nothing else you will feel quite energized afterwards and it will keep you limber.

So if you want straight forward yoga, to build strength and balance this tape in a series of 3 will do the trick. Oh by the way did I mention the awesome job it did in reshaping my waistline.

I was disapointed in this video for several reasons. Maybe the problem was that I had never done a Baron Baptiste video before and I didn't expect him to talk non-stop throughout the entire series. I mean he never comes up for air ! So if you use yoga strictly to exercise and you need someone to "pump you up and motivate you" he tries to do that. Personally, I use yoga routines to not only get a workout but also to relax and de-stress and someone yakking through the entire session is not my idea of relaxing. I much prefer Wai Lana's videos where she softly tells you the moves and then lets you experience it in silence. I also didn't care for the endless repetitions of the same moves, it got quite boring. I didn't count them but it seems some asanas were done 15 times, a bit much for me. Otherwise, the sessions were invigorating and effective.

To anybody embarking on yoga challenge as a way to a toner, flexible, fit body, start with this tape. Baptiste divides it into three segments and stresses that you can do one or all three.

Repetition on some forms helps that YOU learn the form and you become advanced; remember this is a beginner's workout. I like repetition on some moves; you just become better, you do them smoother. He then focuses on lower body strength and toning or to correct imbalances in the lower body. The third section concentrates on the abs and obliques. Excellent stretches of the spine.

Baptiste talks this way through, guiding you on proper form, he mingles throughout his group of perfect-body athletes who works with him, as he reinforces that they, too, do it correctly. This group of athletes takes this very serious.

He uses phrases to inspire and motive like: awaken the power, awaken your spirit, removing the blocks, hands to heaven.

For starters, this is good!....Rizzo

The first time I did this tape I was frustrated and annoyed. I find Baron Baptiste's shirtless bravado and touchy-feely stance with the students on his tape a bit creepy. However, I always give tapes a second chance after a bit of time has passed in order to see if my opinion has changed. Well, my opinion of Baron Baptiste being a little creepy hasn't changed, but my impression of the actual yoga has. This tape will certainly give you a good workout, and I found the ab portion to be very effective. So, in summation: ignore Baron and focus on the yoga and it's worthwhile.

I love this tape. I have to admit I like his newer series more - the music is divine, he comes across better (age has mellowed him?!!) and the class background in the new bunch although jampacked is somehow inspiring. BUT this tape is a great 45 minute workout - OR 3 segments easy to add on to other workouts. Personally, I find the stretch segments in most strength workouts just NOT enough. Before I used to cobble bits of other yoga tapes together, or spend way too long trying to stretch out all parts of the body. Now I just do the first segment - sun salutes plus some leg and hip stretches - and feel great, lengthened and stretched every which way - very important after weightwork. Highly recommended.

If your just getting into yoga or would like to give it a try, this is the tape to do it with. While the quality of the recording is not so high and the music is not all that great, it is a very well done routine. I especially liked the way it was divided into three segements. That was very important in the begining. If you do this work out you will sweat and sweat and within a week you will feel the results.

I've been doing yoga for many years and have many many different tapes.

This is a GREAT addition to my collection. It's challenging enough without being too much. I like the first segments which has Lunge Salutes (though he first warms you up with more basic arm raising and forward bends before moving into the lunges).

The second segment is a great standing pose flow, and I really like the variation on Warrior he does (Erich Schifmann calls this one warrior 2 in his book "Yoga the practice of moving into stillness" which is an excellent book) and I don't have this particular version of warrior on any other tape. It gives a nice side stretch in addition to leg stretch and strengthening.

The 3rd segment is the best ab series I've ever done on a yoga tape. Very thorough and intense and I felt a nice burn and fatigue in the core muscles.

Baron is an excellent, inspiring and easy to follow instructor. I'll be using this tape a LOT and I also can't wait to try the other two tapes that I got in this series.

If you like this tape and want other tapes to add to your collection, then you surely also enjoy a new series by Rainbeau Mars called "Sacred Yoga". It's a four tape set in a vinyasa flow style called "Sacred Yoga". The first two tapes are more gentle "For Beginners" and "Pure Tranquility" and the last two are more challenging "Pure Power" and "Pure Sweat". These are highly recommended also!

Namaste!