Customer Reviews

Power Yoga: The Initial Challenge, Level 1

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I've been doing Yoga daily for the last 9 years and have over 80 programs on VHS and DVD at this point. Baron's programs fill a large portion of my collection and my practice because his programs are always well put together.

I've had this particular program on VHS for a while (along with the second and third volumes of this set) and it still holds up quite well. I just picked it up for next to nothing in DVD format in a discount store and I'm glad to have it on DVD since it is a solid Power Yoga practice. In fact it's my favorite of the three of the original "Hot Yoga" series.

In this program he uses Lunge Salutes rather than the Traditional A and B salutes which is a nice change of pace. These type of Sun Salutations are extremely beneficial for opening the hip flexors This is especially useful for people who do any type of running though just as beneficial for those who just want to feel more open in their day to day lives.

This first section can be used as a warmup by itself before doing an athletic activity.

The Second section has a well rounded series of standing postures which include some balancing poses as well.

The third section is a pretty intense ab section which will get your midsection screaming :)

While I would admit that I like Baron's newer programs in every way more than this one (some of the newer ones being "Journey into Power 1 and 2, Soul of Strength, Core Power, Unlocking Athletic Power") this is still a very good program to use to mix things up a little. It is a bit dated in terms of the production values , but the practice is still valid and you will still reap the benefits.

A previous reviewer had criticised the fact that Baron warns that something upcoming may hurt a little. In my opinion, he mentions that just to prepare people (especially those new to yoga) for the fact that there may be some discomfort coming up.

In my experience, most people in our society seem to associate any physical discomfort with bad, injurious pain which is not what he is talking about. This is a safe and very sound, well designed practice, but of course you still need to listen to your body and learn how far to push yourself. Less IS more in Yoga, you are better off easing into a pose with awareness than plunging in too quickly.

I also wanted to address the fact that some reviewers found Baron to be annoying. While I agree that he has these quirky little sayings (some of which rhyme) that he uses which may put some people off. The fact remains that the benefits of all of Baron's programs far outweigh any negatives someone might come up with. Baron is a fabulous and inspiring teacher who I find to be very easy to follow.

For those who don't know about Baron Baptiste's background, he has been doing yoga since he was a child, practically in the womb. His parents, Walt and Magana Baptiste started one of the first Yoga center on the West Coast long before most people in the west even knew what yoga was. Baron studied with some of the top teachers in the world (actually living in ashrams in India when he was a boy)and not only the physical practice but the philosophical side as well (though he doesn't push the philosophical stuff here). In a nut shell, Baron is the real deal and has a rare Yoga pedigree.

Ok, ok, the music and Baron can be a little campy. However, this is one of the most complete beginner workouts you can find. If you are a real beginner (no yoga experience) then I recommend Brian Kests 20 minute and step-by-step DVD. You will sweat with this and crunch your abs! If you can get past the music and Baron's funny lines this video is one of the best!

I've had this yoga dvd for years and do the first sun salutation section every day. Recently, I've been adding the second, fifteen-minute lower body toning section onto the first. I have lots of yoga DVDs and tend to rotate the different ones, but I still consider myself a yoga beginner, as I often only do a few poses a day. I have a half a dozen of Rodney Yee's programs, plus various others, but I've found that this basic sun salutation sequence is my favorite for daily practice. If all I get is twenty minutes of sun salutations, I'm still getting a good all over workout--even though I don't feel I'm working hard, I feel more energized, more flexible, and stronger.

Power Yoga is its own type of yoga. Baron Baptiste is the originator of Power Yoga, which is based off of Ashtanga, but with a different philosophy. It's definitely a more western approach, as Power Yoga focuses more on the ability of the individual to discern his or her own path (self-discovery)in the exercises, instead of on the technical aspects of the yoga poses. As one earlier reviewer noted, Baron Baptiste studied under Iyengar, Patthabi Jois, and Bikram Chondhury (originators of Iyengar, Ashtanga, and Bikram Yoga). Power Yoga focuses more on the individual's own intuition and not on dogma. This can be reallyc onfusing, because Ashtanga Yoga is sometimes also referred to as Power yoga.

My first introduction to yoga was in the Iyengar style, and it didn't work for me. Baptiste's approach is more comfortable for me, and I like that he gives frequent reminders of when to breathe and tips for improving the poses. It helps if you try to take one breath for each movement, other than when holding the asanas. I appreciate that he doesn't talk much about Yoga philosophy, because it makes it easier to listen to the routine day after day. I find the sermonizing on some other DVDs tiresome after a while.

Sure, it's an older DVD and the production values are not top-notch. Baron Baptiste has a unique way of speaking which some (including my husband) find annoying, but that's really only an individual response. He doesn't annoy me at all, though I get a chuckle out of his careful pronunciation of "e-QUAN-imity." But I think he describes the poses accurately and gives time to deepen the poses. It's not difficult to follow the movements; even when the poses are difficult to accomplish, at least you know what you're supposed to be doing. The focus here is on improving the poses and releasing toxins, and of course on flexibility and toning, but not on variety or novelty. Especially for someone who hasn't done yoga much or consistently, sun salutations are an easy place to begin, and not intimidating. For someone who's done yoga for years, sun salutations make an excellent beginning to any further yoga practice.

I borrowed this DVD from a friend who didn't like it because she found the host annoying. The host indeed, was annoying. However, it is a good beginner workout and I will return it to its rightful owner with new knowledge of yoga moves that I can do on my own without Baron Baptiste's cries such as, "Power, People!" and "Unleash the monster within!"

I have been disappointed in the past with yoga DVD's. This one is really good. I have been doing the crunch yoga for a while and wanted a change. I seem to sweat with this one. The moves are not complicated for beginners. At first, I thought it was going to be boring because Baron is a little monotone. He does simple moves but over and over. I recommend it.

I have practiced Hatha Yoga for some time and wanted to try Vinyassa style yoga; this was my first dvd in that style. I'm also a runner and triathlete and had read good things in the training world on what Baron was doing. This is a very good starting point for exploring power yoga. I'm now into Ashtanga Yoga, and focus on "Primary Series", but have learned from Baron Baptiste and consider his contributions important.

The content is great, but the DVD quality is poor.
It goes blamk at three places for a few minutes each while the sessions are on.
It is pretty disgusting.

I've used this dvd on and off for years. It is not for absolute beginning exercisers or for those who've never attended a yoga class. Baron does not give detailed instructions for many poses. Some days I just do part 1-sun salutations and stretches. Other days I do the whole program for a complete workout. Part 2-standing poses gives my legs a burn. Part 3-the ab workout is good, but is only half yoga-maybe pilates or gym stuff is the rest. I like that it ends in shavasana-at the end of the whole dvd I feel very relaxed.

I've been using this dvd a few times a week for two months. The biggest difference I can tell is that I can breathe much more deeply and fully than I could before.

I've had this one for a while - I practiced this one today for the first time in over a year and I liked it. It's challenging. My spine has some issues and it feels a little warm right now but doesn't hurt. 3rd segment for the abs is amazing - borrows from Pilates mat.
Level one for power yoga, not for absolute beginners however. You should be somewhat physically fit and have a knowledge of basic yoga poses/alignment before trying this.

This is great yoga for beginners and veterans alike. It's flow, it's mind/body and it's perfect in the segmented way the disc is set up. If you'd like to do a series of sun salutations, do the first bit. If you'd like to continue on to the more challenging lower body workout, it's there. This is the yoga for all.
Always loved it, always will.