Customer Reviews

Power Yoga for Runners [VHS]

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

 

 

Yoga for runners is important because inflexibility for runners means injuries. Although the series of moves is useful, I find myself distracted by three flaws in the video. Little warm-up precedes the quick, strenuous moves. The sound quality in few places is poor. Most annoying, at the end, Thom disappears right before Birch leads a relaxation segment. I'm supposed to be relaxing and find myself wondering where he had to go. Everything else is done professionally and well, so these flaws mystify me and, unfortunately, distract me.

This DVD is well chaptered and filmed nicely. Beryl and her husband Thom Birch perform a 30 minute routine inside a sparse room with a wooden floor. Not much to look at, but I find that really doesn't matter with yoga anyway, as there isn't much chance to look at the screen.

This is a modifed Ashtanga sequence that is about 30 minutes long. Very nice for short practice days. The DVD is very well chaptered and has more instruction as a separate chaptere after the workout. I highly recommend this for anyone interested in a shorter routine. They did a great job putting together a good sequence of postures that flows, and also discuss someof the more cerebral aspects of yoga (which can be avoided if that is your choice).

This routine is rushed and awkward -- the poses aren't held more than a few seconds, so there's little opportunity to properly stretch or work that muscle group much. If you've done even basic yoga before, you know that "flow" -- the progression and grouping of poses to work muscles, heart, and breathing in well-constructed sequences -- is a big part of yoga. Ain't no flow here, folks. This is just a calisthenic routine, and not a very good one at that. It's laughably short. If you're already a runner, this will increase neither your flexibility nor your stamina. It plays like a Yoga for Seniors workout at doublespeed. Save your time and money; you're better off investing in a Bryan Kest yoga vid instead.

This is a short, hard-hitting workout. But, if you are an athlete, this video can greatly enhance your training program. Like Astanga Yoga from which it is derived, it is intense but will provide an excellent way to cross-train for flexibility, balance and strength.

There are also sections on correct breathing, posture alignment and deep relaxation instructions.

This is a wonderful video and I highly recommend it.

Although the production and sound quality of this DVD are not the best, it does provide a good, short, and no nonsense power yoga workout. It has one great chapter called Detailed Instructions. When you go into this chapter it lists most of the poses used in the workout. You can chose any or all of the poses, and you will get detailed instructions as Thom and Beryl demonstrate the pose. If you are not familiar with the poses, this would be a great place to start before jumping into the workout. The workout moves along at a quick pace, and there are a lot of down facing dogs. The 1st part of the workout has a lot of repetition (they do a series of poses and then do the same series about 2 more times), but the 2nd part of the workout introduces many new poses. Some of the poses include warrior, down & up dog, expanded leg stretch, sun salutations, spinal twist, triangle, and half bound lotus. The set is nothing fancy, a plain room with a sky/cloud background. They have a voice over instructing Thom & Beryl what to do next. As one reviewer pointed out, it was a little bit wierd at the end when all of a sudden Thom just disappeared,I found myself staring at the TV for a minute wondering if he was going to come back or not! I have read several articles about how yoga is beneficial to runners because it makes them more flexible, and helps to strengthen ligaments around the knees and throughout the body. Workouts like this definitely make me feel better after a long run!

This was a waste of money as far as I am concerned. First of all I did not get close to breaking into a sweat. The moves transitioned so quickly I did not even feel like I received a stretch. I was not relaxed at the end of the video. If you are limited to 30 minutes I strongly recommend Baron Baptiste who has two 30 minute power yoga videos, one for core conditioning and the other for athletes, its much better then this and less money! Baron provides a well rounded yoga routine within the limited time of 30 minutes and you feel as if you hit the target areas of the body that get tight, such as hips and low back muscle and you work up a little sweat, more than this one begins to do. You also get the feeling of relaxation. After this video I felt like I should put in Baron Baptiste or Byron kest, who I also highly recommend. Do not waste your money on this. I gave it two star, simple because the pose generally speaking are done correctly but with no explanation of alignment, and no time to properly "feel" the pose. The pose are not held long enough to be beneficial. Again, if you like power yoga, try Baron Baptiste , Byron Kest or Tracy Rich. This will be put with the other tapes I won't bother using.

This tape packs quite a punch in a mere 30minutes. You never stop until a well deserved corpse pose at the end. The poses will be familiar to practicing yogi's. Sun Salutes, triangle,warrior etc. That being said, I wish you could spend more time in the poses. By the time I get aligned the instructors are moving to next pose. Don't know how often I'll use this, but it was worth the price.

The instruction on this video is too fast. There is no time to properly get on pose before it goes to the next move. Also, the voice is not coordinated and lags behind the demonstration.