Customer Reviews

Power Yoga the Complete Workout - Stamina, Strength, Flexibility with Rodney Yee

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Steel is a lot more flexible than I am, and I consider being able to touch my knees an incredible feat. The idea of touching my toes without bending a knee has been nothing more than a dream, at least until I met Rodney Yee. My stiff body finds the idea of yoga intriguing. It's a known fact that flexibility adds to greater gains in strength and sports, plus everyone talks about the mental calming of yoga. When I came across Yee's DVD of "Power Yoga for Stamina, Strength, and Flexibility", the word "Flexibility" made me decide to try what yoga is about.

The DVD is separated into three workouts: Stamina, Strength and Flexibility, with each program more difficult than the previous one. The first time I tried the Stamina routine, which is the easiest of the three, I thought I had made a mistake in buying this DVD. The posses were rapid, the names of the posses were unknown to me, and my body tired quickly from bending in new directions. By the third day I could complete the routine, and after two weeks I had it memorized.

The big question is, "Does it work?". I've only been doing the stamina workout for a month on an every-other-day basis. In that time, I've gone from only being able to touch the top of my ankle in a one-legged forward bend to being able to grab my foot with both hands. That's an increase by 4-6 inches. Some of the posses I'm still too tight to perform properly, but with each passing day, I perform them a little more correctly. If you're inflexible, like me, moving from between posses may be difficult. For the life of me I cannot go from "Downward Facing Dog" or "Plank Position" into the "Lunge" in one simple step like Yee does. Instead, I have to step as far as I can, and then quickly readjust. Don't give up on this DVD because you don't perform the posses like Yee does. Just remember, he's a master and has been doing this for decades. I'm sure in fifteen years I'll be able to move into the Lunge with a simple step.

I don't feel this is like other exercise tapes where you slave to throw punches or jump around a step. This one shows results almost immediately, and it becomes addicting. Yoga is my favorite part of my workout. Once I started yoga I realized just how tight I really am. I have a long way to go before I can fold in half or put my feet behind my head, but I'm looking forward to what next month will bring.

I had a baby a year ago and although I've already lost all of my baby weight (and then some) I still need a little toning. I purchased this DVD based on reviews that I read all over the Internet. MAN! Rodney kicked my butt! I never really considered myself COMPLETELY out of shape, but Rodney proved me wrong. I worked parts of my body that I didn't know existed. He's great for beginners like myself - although I had a tough time following along and trying to watch him at the same time. Once I got the basic moves, it got easier. For those of you considering yoga as a means of working out, try this one over all others. Rodney is a great instructor and he doesn't go to fast where you can't keep up. And if you're one of those people that think yoga doesn't make you sweat - THINK AGAIN! Yoga is great for relaxation, meditation and the most restful sleep ever (if you choose to do it before bed.) I highly suggest taking a peek at this workout. It's worth it!

I have been practicing yoga (primarily astanga/power yoga style) for a little over a year, and while I think that the individual segments are fairly good, do not buy this DVD expecting to replicate a traditional 1.5 hour power/astanga yoga practice session. The "complete workout" is merely the linking together of the 3 half-hour workouts, so you will have to fast-forward through the intermediate cool-downs and warm-ups if you want to maintain a regular pace and the internal heat that is key to this style of yoga. And even if you didn't have to fast-forward, you would still have the problem of the poses not being in the proper order--you go through the beginning sun-salutation poses with each segment. It's overall very annoying and NOT a good substitute for going to a proper power yoga class.

I will say that each segment on its own is quite good, and it is of course convenient that you can do a 30-minute practice at home when you are pressed for time. But, in case it isn't clear, my main complaint with this DVD is that it's billed as being four programs in one--the three short, and one long--but I don't think that there is a true "complete workout" option as advertised. Because I think the title of the DVD is very misleading (I bought the DVD because I wanted the 1.5 hour session), I gave this DVD a lower rating than I would have otherwise. Depending on your needs, however, this feature of the DVD may not be problematic for you.

When I first started this video I was so out of shape that I couldn't even get near my toes much less touch them. However, the Stamina portion of the video is just difficult enough that a total novice like me can begin to become comfortable in the postitions after a few sessions-- but you better be willing to work. Although it is for beginners, it is by no means easy. The Stamina workout prepares you for the more difficult Strength and Flexibilty workouts and I would urge that no one should go on to these more difficult workouts until they master the first, unless you like being reminded you are out of shape. The workouts are in 25 minute sections so it is adjustible to any time limitations. Since I started, my bloodpressure has gone down and I no longer have a polyrhythm heartbeat, my mind is focused and I feel more like my body is working with me instead of against me. Overall, this video has allowed me to feel a total mind, body and spiritual health that I never thought possible. Anyone who suffers from anxiety and depression should get this video.

I am an advanced beginner and has been taking yoga lessons at the local gym and doing yoga to videotapes for the last 3 months. I found the DVD a bit disappointing since to me, it was not very challenging, particularly compared to the Power Yoga classes and DVDs I've seen and practiced. In comparison, Rodney went through the motion far too quickly (for my taste) and I hardly broke a sweat when doing his routine. I also found it disconcerting that what he narrates might not be what he is doing at the same time. However, once you get used to the routine, I just listened to him and rather than watch his positions. Lastly, some of the positions are also way difficult for beginners (for which I assume this DVD is). The cinematography in this DVD is great though. If you truly want a challenging power yoga workout and is advanced beginner/intermediate like me, I really enjoyed Bryan Kest's Power Yoga series.

This is not the most challenging power yoga tape if you are already familiar with power yoga, but it is definitely good for those just starting. It's also really good for morning workouts or for long days when you're a bit less energetic and less flexible. As someone else said, the DVD format is wonderful for a quick 20 minute workout or for extending it up to an hour. Yee is such an awesome teacher--his form is great, his voice is calming, and he gives just the right amount of instruction. However, if you are new to yoga, I would not recommend this tape just yet. Begin instead with a tape like Yoga Journal's Practice for Beginners or Yoga Journal's Flexibility, Strength, and Relaxation (you can buy them in a set or individually). These will help you learn the poses correctly before jumping into this tape's more flowing rhythm.

Amazon list's the title of this DVD as "Power Yoga for Beginners - Stamina, Strength, Flexibility with Rodney Yee". This is not correct. The title of the DVD is "Power Yoga - the complete workout." Nowhere on the DVD package does it make a claim of being for beginners. The package says it is "accessible to anyone with a familiarity of yoga and a moderate level of fitness."

Do not buy this DVD if you are looking for an introduction to Yoga. Don't be fooled by Amazon's misleading title.

I used to belong to a gym, I worked out 6 days a week. Did I get in shape? Well, yes. But now with a busy schedule and taking card of my daughter, I had to find another way. Yoga has always sounded appealing to me, so I bought some of the Living Arts series. My favorite is Power Yoga. Rodney Yee is amazing! In no time, I have rid myself of back pain, I sleep better, and I'm seriously toning up! Friends and co-workers are asking me every day what my secret is. When I say "yoga," they usually dismiss the idea. But I gotta tell you, it's very worth the effort. Try it, don't give up!!!

Unless you're already familiar with a variety of yoga postures and their correct form (not to mention really flexible and fast on your toes), I'd recommend going with another DVD.

Though the production is beautiful, Yee's rapid-fire commands to adopt one posture after another will frustrate anyone just starting out. Imagine someone instructing, "Downward dog, lion pose, inhale, exhale, up to forward bend, inhale, back to downward dog, exhale..." for 30 minutes, and you get a good idea of what this DVD offers.

If the DVD had included some kind of instruction on the poses and their proper form, I'd forgive the rest. Without this, however, the result is an intermediate workout more like yoga-flavored calisthenics and less like something slow, easy, relaxing and doable for beginners.

Having used virtually all of the Yoga workouts available (Power and Non), this DVD workout is simply the best available. It provides the option of doing one, two or all three of the workouts: Stamina, Strength and/or Flexibility. Each of these workouts is a complete workout on its own. This is perfect for those times when my time is more limited, such as in the morning before leaving for work when I'll choose one of the three to jump-start my day. When I have more time such as in the evenings or on the weekend, I'll do two or three of the segments. Doing just one of the workouts per day is more than enough to help me feel that I am keeping fit. I consider myslf an average yoga practitioner. As such, I find the routines to be quite "do-able", with the exception perhaps of some serious pretzel-type positons in the Strength workout that get easier each time I do them. Rodney Yee is a clear and inspirational instructor; half of the enjoyment of the workouts is listening to his calming instruction. My recommendation is to view each of the workouts once before engaging in them just to review any positions that may be potentially challenging. If you're looking for the one yoga DVD that will provide a challenging workout whatever your needs and time constraints, look no further. This is the one!