Customer Reviews

Total Yoga [VHS]

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As an dancer- it alarms me that people buy tapes and attempt them on their own-having never had any yoga instruction- proper alignment is difficult to learn via video- no matter how great the instructor- without this knowledge you can really hurt yourself- at any rate- Total Yoga is a welcome change to many of the yoga tapes I have seen as the poses flow into each other- and you are not left bored and awkwardly waiting while what seems to be needless chatting goes on - in a live class these breaks can be fundamental as you learn as your instructor verbally and physically repositions you and your classmates-but I find this does not often translate well into the videos which are geared more for practice and maintenance as opposed to a live class enviornment which should nurture growth- again, the style of this video is grande if you have the basic knowledge to execute the poses without hurting the body- I sometimes like to hold the poses a bit longer- but it is possible to "lag" behind in this video and still stay with the program- I wish that Rich and White would create a more advanced video instruction- but this tape does have a few inserts where White demonstrates alternative advanced poses to Rich's poses-it would be nice if there was more of this so you could "grow" further with the tape- It is hard to know what videos to buy- but really- you can't go wrong with Total Yoga- as a beginner you can grow into it- and as you get more flexibility you will grow with it- it is not a video you will work with a few times and discard-Total Yoga supplies exactly what a yoga video should-

As a yoga teacher I found this tape very complete, with emphasis on breathwork, alignment and postures which worked the entire body and ending with a relaxation. Not too much useless chatter with good examples of modifications for both beginners and more advanced. I love doing my sun salutations with Tracey Rich in the morning, but I wouldn't call this an advanced tape. The holdings are not very long, nor are the postures particulary difficult. I believe any beginner could benefit from this tape and raise their level of proficiency, but advanced students would be bored. Should be part of a serious student's library because of it's completeness and yogic tone, but add some Rodney Yee and Bryan Kest for more stamina work.

This is the first yoga video I ever purchased. It is not filmed at sunrise in some tropical locale, but it is my favorite yoga video, bar-none. I have purchased several videos since this one, and invariably I always come back to Total Yoga. So many of the yoga videos I have do not really focus on or teach breathing techniques, which are SO important in yoga. Tracey Rich begins by teaching ujjayi complete (3-part) breathing, which is something that few videos teach. The tape also includes the relaxation pose (corpse pose) at the end, in which Tracey guides you through the feel of the pose. So many other videos leave this pose out completely, or mention the pose in passing at the end. This is unfortunate because this pose is important for balancing the body.

The Total Yoga workout is wonderful, I think. It concentrates on uniting the body and breath -- Tracey is explicit about when to inhale and exhale, and she also reminds you constantly to keep up the ujjayi complete breath. It is a meditative workout without a lot of extraneous chattering. It seems a bit challenging at first (as a beginner), but if you keep trying, you'll get it. If you want a meditative yet challenging yoga video, without a lot of needless fluff, I recommend this one.

This was the first Yoga video I've done, actually it is what first got me into doing Yoga.

Of all of the different Vinyasa (flow) series out there, this one encompasses many of the most fundamental asanas in all of Yoga. It thoroughly explains how to do each posture as it also shows alterations which make the postures less strenuous or more challenging to fit your level of practice. It's easy enough for a beginner, but challenging enough for the advanced practicioner, as all of these postures take time to master.

The sequencing of the postures is very flowing and balanced in the way it first warms up the body before moving into the more difficult postures and moves the body back into relaxation as the video ends, providing a balanced workout all the way through.

I haven't tried many other videos, but if you're looking for an effective hour long routine, that's easy enough for a beginner but challenging enough to test your limits, and give you a complete balanced workout, this is certainly one of the best out there...

I bought this tape because all the reviews said it was a tape definately not for beginners. I have been practicing yoga for a few months and wanted a step up. If you are intermediate, it's a good tape, about 4-5 stars. Shortcomings at the intermediate level would be sounding a bit military at times and not enough time showing the "for those more flexible" poses. I really loved the variations explored in some of the sun salutation series, rather than doing 5 of the exact same thing. Another super feature is that they explain what many of the moves do for the body (aligns this, opens that, relaxes the other thing...) and that was of particular interest and value to me.
But being that is labeled for beginners, I would rate it only 1-2 stars. My husband, who is real beginner, quit 3/4 through the tape. This tape includes moves like shoulder stands which I dont consider beginner moves. Even the beginner moves that are used, sometimes are not explained until 3/4 into the tape. Leaving timid newcomers exasperated.
So on average it was a 3. We will use this tape for a change of pace, but for now we'll stick with our other beginner tapes.

This was not only my first yoga video but also my very first exercise video. In 1995, I was out of shape. Although I had done and enjoyed yoga in the past, I found this very challenging. The lunge with a twist in the C series sun salutation nearly killed me and left me frustrated. Still, there was something soothing about the visual style of the video(I inherently distrust elaborate sets on a yoga video) and the excellent breathing instruction at the beginning that always kept me coming back.

I am in much better shape now, but I still come back to this tape. I enjoy coming using it as a measurement of my progress- the lunge with a twist is easy now- but I also feel that I get a very thorough workout with it. It's not ashtanga, but I agree with Ganga White's statement that every day should not be about Power Yoga. Also, I feel it's one of the few tapes out there- with the exception of the new series- that take the time necessary to talk about the breath and go through a thorough relaxation at the end. I think both of those sections may be largely responsible for my feelings of calm and courage during the workout.

I thoroughly enjoyed this tape, it's a very well explained, and well demonstrated tape. I don't think you could go wrong with this one! In buying tapes, it's easy to buy one that's below your level -- this tape is for the intermediate and higher level of yoga ability. Excellent tape.

After ten years and twenty pounds I have returned to yoga. Because classes can be expensive, yoga videos are the best way to keep motivated between classes. I tried half a dozen and this one is by far the best. The other videos either bored or hurt me. This one is not a beginning video, but if you have a sound body you will quickly get the hang of it. Total Yoga is 97% Tracey Rich who has a pleasant voice and perfect appearance. She demonstrates this flowing form of yoga at a steady pace; which isn't easy to follow at first. Do watch the video before doing the practice. After a week, I can almost do the entire video in one sitting. Next, I plan on perfecting the postures. Probably the most important attribute of this video is that it is a flowing form of yoga that leaves you feeling physically balanced. As with any practice; you will eventually need to find a good teacher that can help you to master the postures.

I had no yoga experience when I picked up this video. I loved it, and within two months was in better shape than I have ever been. I am rarely inspired to exercise, and hardly keen to do a 60 minute routine. However, I loved this so much that I went out and bought some new DVDs of other instructors to vary the pace a bit. I thought, "I'll try that Rodney Yee guy, maybe that other girl that my sister likes." Everything else I have purchased sits on the shelves. I think she's charming, physically inspiring without being disgustingly thin or over the top, and soothing. I love the pace of this video, and have had to re-purchase it (I wore it out!!) and move into her Total Yoga series in order to vary the routines a bit. I cannot recommend this video or instructor strongly enough, although beginners will benefit both from patience and outside instruction.

I own a bunch of yoga videos and dvds but this one is the most complete workout. I highly recommend the warm-up exercise at the beginning for stiffness, very helpful. Also this video has the famous shoulder stand which many videos omit. The benefits to your body from this one pose cannot be overemphasized. All throughout the tape every pose is explained carefully and the benefits are highlighted. Never rushed, as that is not the point of hatha yoga. This video gives me the quickest increase in fitness over any other yoga workout I own when done regularly.
Thoroughly recommend.