Customer Reviews

OM: Yoga in a Box

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

On the heels of America's current love affair with yoga -- at least 12 million Americans are now practicing some form of the ancient discipline -- comes OM yoga in a box. Developed and taught by Cyndi Lee, one of America's top yoga instructors and Director of Manhattan's OM yoga center, this brilliant new product contains everything needed to begin and sustain a basic level, varied yoga practice at home! Ideal for those who live where no classes are available, or who don't have the time or money for classes (or who'd rather not be seen in a class!), OM yoga in a box contains two CDs: one features Ms. Lee leading a 70+ minute hatha-based yoga class, the other is an all-music CD to accompany practice or relaxation. The instructional CD can be programmed into shorter, targeted classes, including one especially for brand new beginners. Also included are 68 flashcards showing correct postures and describing their benefits, a yoga belt, candle, incense and incense holder. Lee, a practicing Buddhist, brings to OM yoga in a box her unique combination of vinyasa, or flowing style, yoga, and a Buddhist sensibility. The yoga practice is vigorous, yet done in a relaxed manner. The Buddhist values of mindfulness, heartfulness and compassion make the practice a true integrator of heart, mind and body. This is an excellent way for brand new beginners to get started in a well-designed, meaningful yoga practice ... or for people already on the yoga path to have a top-notch support system for practice at home.

This really is the ultimate in home yoga. Since you don't have to watch anything, just listen to a CD you can become very in tune to your body and breathing. The program really covers all basics of yoga and I was so shocked when, at the end of my first "Class", I was standing on my head! The only drawback to this you never know if you are doing the positions right. The cards are good, but I think that a class with a teacher would help for the first time so you could see the postures in real life. Its great though, I LOVE IT!!

I am so glad I found this, but before I order it, with the level of excitement I am feeling, I had to share my rating with you. I am in my 40's and taking a college yoga class. I had to ask her the name of the cd, so I could enjoy it at home. My professor plays the second instrumental cd for the winding down portion of the class, where we lie in semi-dark and breathe, letting go of our surroundings. It is SO BEAUTIFUL ! What an experience. The rhythm is so perfect at facilitating such a slow deep prana breath.

The progression from one "song" to the next is seamless. The Eastern influence, with occassional background chants supports my transcending experience. If you are looking for a subtle, instrumental, without interruption of flow -- and without instruction -- this is a good selection.

I look forward to the first disk also enclosed to lead me, as I am a beginner.

Good Luck. Namanste!

I just got this set, along w/ the intermediate one that follow, and I absolutely love it! I feel like I could do this all day and then some. Cyndi Lee does an excellent job teaching the class with just the right amount of talking so that you can understand what she means but still have a peaceful, relaxing yoga session. The cards are definately an added bonus to help you along with the CD, or you can use them when you don't have access to a CD player. The second CD with music is great if you just want to relax, or do yoga without the narration. Definately 5 out of 5, just wish there was more!

I have heard of Cyndi Lee by my pilates-teacher. Unfortunately I cannot use her DVDs in Germany / Europe.
But I am very happy with her "OM in a box", which contains a CD! It is easy to follow her explanations, she has a sympathetic voice and the included cards help to recognize the poses. It is the first time for me, that I succeed in doing exercises regularly two or three times a week - and I like it!

I'm used to working with a yoga instructor; however, in between yoga sessions I use "OM in a Box" and it's like having an instructor in the room with you. I really like the beginners set best although I've been practicing yoga for over 3 years. It helps reinforce the foundation of various yoga poses, and keeps you flexible to bridge into intermediate and beyond.

"Yoga is a practice of awakening and connecting with all that is." ~Cyndi Lee

I can think of very few gifts that will actually change a person's life and this is one of them. Yoga can actually change your life. Yoga is so much more than a duplication of poses.

While other exercise routines can make you feel a bit like a robot, yoga opens your inner world and as you complete the poses, you actually grow and change and become a person who is more aware of the world and yet the world influences you less. You start to connect with the deepest levels of your inner self and as you continue practicing yoga, you start to feel very good about the poses you have mastered. In this way, you also start to boost your self-esteem, all while being very aware of how you affect everyone in your world.

Cyndi Lee has a unique and very effective method of introducing you to yoga. She has a fun almost playful approach and I laughed out loud a number of times because of her witty humor. She is the director of the OM yoga center where she teaches hatha yoga. She has been teaching yoga for over 20 years, but her pictures look like she is ageless. Her beauty represents the deeply calming benefits of yoga. Her work has been featured in Shape, New York Magazine, Yoga Journal, Elle, Forbes, Newsweek and Self. She writes a regular column and lives in New York City. She travels to lead workshops and retreats in places like London, France, Italy and the Virgin Islands.

I wish I had found these boxed sets a long time ago. Each box contains everything you need for yoga practice besides a blanket and a yoga mat. I'd also like to recommend a soft blanket or comforter, a pillow and yoga blocks if you are just starting your practice. You can use the yoga blocks for some of the poses like triangle pose.

This box contains 2 Compact Discs, flash cards, a yoga belt (nice feature!), a candle, incense and an incense holder. The 2 Discs are in a durable little book with additional information.

The first CD is a 70 minute instructional CD that guides you through:

Warm Up
Sun Salutations
Standing Poses
Seated Poses
Backbending
Finishing Poses
Relaxation

When you open the box it is like an exotic experience. The Bodhi Sattva incense has permeated the entire box and everything has the scent of "celestial sandalwood."

Once you start the CD you soon realize that there is a method here. I had enough time to quickly place the cards out in order so I could see all the poses. This is very effective and unlike most yoga workouts on video, you can actually see the poses while you are doing them. A lot of yoga poses have you looking straight down at the ground, so it is great if you have cards placed out where you can see them.

Each flash card has information on both sides. When viewing all the cards from the top, it is easy to see the different colors of cards and separate the cards into sections. What I loved most about the cards is the names of the poses and the additional information on each card.

During the workout, you will learn the basic poses first and then put them into practice in the Sun Salutation section. On a "standing poses - sun salute card" you will find information on the "swan dive forward" with drawings and information on how this pose stretches the hamstrings and strengthens the legs and back. On the other side of the card, you will see Cyndi Lee illustrating the pose and see the words: Surya Namaskar. I found that these cards added a new depth to the yoga positions and loved learning all the added information most yoga workout videos don't ever discuss. This is a very authentic yoga workout.

The second CD is an amazing musical experience. This is music for when you want to experience the benefits of Yoga on your own without instruction.

OM Yoga is a well-organized system that provides a quiet sanctuary where you can regain physical strength and mental clarity. There is a emphasis on the breath and you can create your own practice sessions with the cards and CD.

There are 5 Suggested Practice Sessions:

OM Yoga Basic Level
Short Practice 1-3 (Three variations for added variety. Choose 35, 45 or 50 minutes.)
Very Short Practice - You can warm up and then relax

If you are already practicing yoga, you might want to buy this for yourself and some for gifts. This is truly serenity in a box! Also look for: OM Yoga Flash Cards: A 68-Card Deck with 32-Page Booklet. I really think you might enjoy both because I loved reading through the little booklet and seeing how the cards are used in each section. If there is a more perfect workout system, I haven't found it. This is just a beautiful healing gift for the body and soul.

~The Rebecca Review