Customer Reviews

Kripalu Yoga: Gentle [VHS]

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have been a couch potato for the past year, but no more I said. I ventured out and purchased kick boxing and aerobic tapes, and I just dumped then. A friend then suggested I tried yoga. Without any specific directon, I looked through Amazon's choices. Being that Kirpalu Yoga had such a good rating I bought it. I've only had it for a short time now, but it is excellent. My body gets to stretch and relax, as well as stiffen. I feel more fit, and centered. This video has a calm effect to it, and it urges me to do whats best for my body. After a session I feel relaxed, a bit more toned and very calm, and I am not gasping for air. Even my husband who thinks yoga is uninteresting gave it a try. He too loves it, and pops in the video when I'm not home. Try it, you will not be disappointed. A new experience every time.

After spending a lot of money looking for the perfect yoga workout...I've finally found it. "Kripalu Yoga: Gentle" IS TRULY gentle, (unlike Suzanne Deason's "Gentle Yoga", which is too fast, or Rodney Yee, whose pretzel-like positions are just plain impossible for the beginner.) Carolyn Lundeen is a wonderful instructor. As a beginner (I've only been doing yoga for about 6 weeks), I found it just challenging enough. When completing this workout, I felt exactly the way you are suppose to feel after a yoga session...relaxed and MILDLY exercised. The half hour sessions are short enough to do 3-4 times a week; and I like the fact that you can alternate between two different workouts, for variety. I also gave an enthusiastic review of Kathy Smith's New Yoga Basics. But I think I will probably do this Kripalu tape more often, because it requires less time and energy.

I've been doing yoga for several years, seven days a week and have worked with many different videos. This one is definitely a "keeper".

I'm writing this review just a bit after using this tape a few hours ago so it's fresh in my mind (and body). Generally I prefer to do a more vigorous Ashtanga type routine (David Swenson's tapes are wonderful for this by the way, check out the "short forms" if you are looking to try that for the first time). However on days (like today) where I woke up very tired and achy I felt a need for something more gentle and restorative that would challenge my body in a more "subtle" way.

By the time I finished both of the gentle routines on this tape I felt like my body was gently stretched out and realigned as well. I am very grateful that I had this tape in my collection for days like today. It's nice to know instead of having to spend the day stiff and in pain one can "take control" of their bodies (and minds) and feel really good again without having to take Advil.

By the way, the instructor is very easy to follow, speaks in a soothing voice (which is especially nice if you're not feeling 100% to begin with).

I highly recommend this video, either for beginners who want to start yoga in a way that will ease them gently into the practice or for more experienced practitioners who want a gentle routine for those days when they aren't up for something more intense.

Other Gentle Yoga Videos I'd highly recommend are Rainbeau Mars "For Beginners" and "Pure Tranquility" from her "Sacred Yoga" four tape set. These are a vinyasa flow style and are excellent in every respect. Suzanne Deasons "Stress Relief Yoga for Beginners" is another excellent video. For a slightly more challenging tape you might want to look into "Earth" from the "Total Yoga Flow Series" by Tracey Rich and Ganja White. This is beautifully done!

Namaste.

Kripalu Yoga Gentle is simply the best yoga tape I've ever seen. Sudha is a wonderful coach and leads you through the sequences with very clear, compassionate instruction that lets you go at your own pace. I have experienced much greater flexibility in my shoulders and arms, a more comfortable lower back and general sense of well being after using this tape. If you buy only one yoga tape, make it this one, I do it frequently and never tire of it. It's time for her to do another tape...

I am a 53 year old male who realizes that my flexibility is diminishing. I bought this video, after reading many reviews, in order to experience what Yoga might do for me. Its wonderful, and I mean both the video and the result. The video is superb. I do the whole thing once per day which takes less than an hour, but if you only do half, its still great. The instruction is very clear and easy to follow. The flows are easy for beginners to do without getting hurt but allow for improvement when your body is ready. Since starting this two weeks ago, I feel wonderful. I am less stressed mentally, stronger and more flexible. And attention you golfers: this is a great, private way to improve your game, both physically and mentally. I am hooked. As soon as I finish a workout, I immediately begin looking forward to my next one...

I HAVE NEVER DONE YOGA BEFORE BUT DECIDED TO TRY IT OUT. I TOOK MY TIME READING REVIEWS AND THIS WAS THE ONLY TAPE THAT DIDNT HAVE A BAD REVIEW. AND NOW I KNOW THERE IS A REASON FOR THAT. I LOVE THIS TAPE IT HAS REALLY RELIEVED A LOT OF MY STRESS,AFTER DOING THIS TAPE MY BODY AND MIND ARE BOTH COMPLETELY RELAXED AND PEACEFUL. IM NOT WORRYING ABOUT ALL OF THE THINGS I USUALLY WORRY ABOUT. IF YOU WANT MY ADVICE, BUY THIS VIDEO, IT IS DEFINATELY WORTH IT.

Sudha's teaching is so clear and compassionate. I love the postures in each 30 minute sequence. The timing is perfect, just enough yoga before work! I use this video most mornings. The filming is outstanding as is the musical score. Would love to see her in another video!

I agree with the other reviewers that this is a wonderful tape. I like that it is split into two parts so I can do either half of the workout or the whole thing. I had never taken a Yoga class before, but I wanted a video that I could use with my small children in the same room and not worry about tripping over them. My body feels wonderfully stretched and mildly exercised afterwards. My worst problem is that when I'm on the floor stretching my kids think its a great idea to crawl on me.

I have had MS for 5 years. I walk every day. I do 3 reps of sit ups a day and I do yoga. Now there are days when the MS is getting the best of me and I cant do anything that is where this yoga tape really comes in handy. The first flow is very easy and very relaxing and I like the fact that it eases my stiffness. The other thing is that these flows are 30 minutes.

Although there are many yoga videos that claim to be "relaxing," most move too quickly to allow you to truly relax into the poses. I'm happy to say that Kripalu Yoga: Gentle is different, as it delivers exactly the gentle, relaxing yoga practice that it promises. The video consists of two half hour practices (the first is slightly longer) designed to be done either together or separately. The main instructor, Carolyn Lundeen (Sudha), provides a soothing, instructive voice-over to the slow yet steadily flowing practice. Although many familiar poses are included, they are frequently motified to be more gentle--eg, Eagle pose done with the arms only.

Unlike many other yoga videos, this practice begins in a seated position. After a focus on breathing, you do simple seated stretches to begin warming the body. Next you move to your knees for a lunge series and additional twists. Following this, you do a series of three very gentle sun salutations: this is a very relaxed, slow-moving but flowing version of the sun salutation postures. Finally, you will do some standing poses (Warrior I, II, and Triangle) before moving back to the floor for reclined postures.

The first program ends in relaxation pose, and the second practice picks up from this point. Towards the end of the second practice, there is a several minute long "free" period during which Carolyn and her two assistants perform whichever poses they want; they instruct the viewer to do the same. I actually found this to be somewhat distruptive to the flow of the workout, as I would have preferred Carolyn's guidance to being left to my own devices. Overall, however, I found this to be a unique, soothing, and relaxing yoga practice which I thoroughly enjoyed.