Customer Reviews

The Trainer's Edge: Long and Lean Yoga

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you own Baron's "soul of strength" or "journey into power" there's nothing really new here. Some poses are held longer, and there's more focus on upper body & core strength. this dvd seems more "western" not as much attention to going within, not much of a relaxation segment. I'll return to this from time because I really like Baron's style but it's at the bottom of my pile.

If you are looking for a challenging yoga dvd.. this is it. Baron's latest in the Vinyasa Flow style we have all come to know, expect and love from Baron. There is a new strength sequence in the series... its incredible. Challenging. Men will love this DVD... for its challenge... Women for Barons graceful and soothing style. The message is a clear one...be who you are completely and fully.. .in your poses, on your mat, and in your life!!! My all time fav Baron DVD.

For general maintenance there is absolutely no better power yoga DVD than Baron Baptiste's Long & Lean Yoga. The reason behind this claim I am making can be summed up in one word - timing. Before I became interested in yoga, I spent years at the gym lifting weights. After studying Ashtanga and purchasing a number of less balanced yoga tapes and DVD's, my introduction to this simple but physically challenging workout has made me feel stronger and look better than any other hatha program. I know it doesn't have every asana in the world and is a little heavy on the boat pose, but when I am done, I feel strong, alert, and ready to begin my day. I really enjoy Baron's added upper body workout, his sequence of primary standing, power poses, and his quick but efficient abdominal routine. Most importantly, something in the pacing of this sequence makes me breathe deep and sweat. I have memorized this routine and when I travel, this is the power yoga set I do.

I am a big fan of Baron Baptiste, and bought this one to complete my collection. My impression is that this is intended to be a great introduction sampler to yoga, and that the producers brought in a great teacher to make it a fair and exciting introduction to the practice. If that's your situation, this is a good DVD to get, as Baptiste is terrific.

If you already familiar with Baron Baptiste, there won't be anything new here, and you'll find the early sequences slow. He takes extra time to explain everything, and his patter emphasizes the benefits of yoga in sort of an Elevator Speech style. The core sequences at the end are novel, though, and worth owning if you're a Baptiste fan. But I wouldn't expect this to be your favorite DVD if you already have others.

The music is aerobic class electronica, but not intrusive.

Baron Baptiste was clear & easy to follow while using 2 women to demonstrate the poses & modifications. The set is minimal but the music was very forgettable, a basic beat, kinda rock, but not conducive for either relaxing or for inspiring you to move more & very annoying to me.
The pace is VERY slow so he can give you in-depth, detailed instruction on what the pose helps, how to make sure you're doing it right & few things to watch out for. He always reminds you to relax. This is why it's great for beginners. Intermediate or advanced practitioners may find the constant talking annoying.
The poses done:
Sun Salutations & Standing Poses:
standing forward bends, mountain pose, plank, low push up, upward dog, downward dog. Added in is: powerful pose, warrior 1, warrior 2, side plank, 1 legged downward dog, twisted side angle, twisted chair pose, eagle.
Upper Body Workout:
A lot of normal plank, low push up, upward dog & downward dog.
Lower Body Workout & Spine:
bow 2x, camel 2x, boat 6x, laying on back legs raised ab work, laying down butterfly, foot to knee hip stretch then turning into 1 legged tabletop, legs crossed seated spinal twist, sitting fwd bend w/straight legs, last is tabletop.
Relaxation:
sitting for 1-2 min while Baron tells you relaxing is important the whole time.
There is a bonus 10 min cardio blast (old aerobics style) workout with Petra Kolber.
The reason I took off stars was the music & Baron's energy on this dvd. I've read others have said & a girlfriend & I have felt his energy is a bit jumpy, slick/overly sexual though he does nothing physically to show this. My gf even couldn't take him for more then a few minutes though she was a novice, but sensitive to energy of others. She loves Rainbeau Mars, Rodney Yee, Seane Corn & Wai Lana much more in comparison as do I. I found the energy of his "Unlocking Athletic Power: Live" DVD better, though stiff, maybe because of the better energy of the 30? people in the room. I didn't come close to a sweat, but it is quick 25 min.
Others may not be as aware/sensitive to this energy & like the more physical only development Baron focuses on rather then any mind/body spiritual connection.

You can see a preview at collagevideo com & the first 2 min if you look up on google video

I have been doing this dvd daily for years. I love it. It is a great solid yoga workout. What I like most about this dvd is the flow and movement. You will sweat.

Netflix used to have this on streaming and I became hooked so once they no longer offered it I bought the DVD. Great overall workout. Not meditative at all but great strength building yoga with stretching. Can kick your butt at the start.

Was wanting to get into yoga and this video was on Netflix for a while. I enjoyed the video and ended up purchasing it. I'm not that knowledgeable about yoga but this video has helped me feel great.

It starts slow with a warm-up and moves quickly into a really good workout. Then it takes you to a cool down and relaxation. It's great for me.

Prepare to sweat.

I have tried about a dozen of yoga dvd. And this one stands out as one of the best exercise DVD I have seen. Some of the moves are Challenging; but that is needed for a good workout.

I will admit, I got bit by the yoga bug a few years ago when we got our wii fit, unfortunately the stop go between each exercise gave me a good work out, but I really wanted the flow of an actual workout. I thought about buying a DVD but was nervous about trying one. All the classes at my local gyms (I've checked several) do not fit in with my schedule so I thought DVDs would be my answer. I started reading reviews (keep in mind I am a TRUE beginner, but HIGHLY/naturally flexible), and came across one that said something about trying yoga DVDs out on netflix... whoa what? Netflix has workout videos?! Yes, and this was one of a few that I tried, and I liked it so much I moved it to #1 of my instant queue and will definitely use again and again. I like how he emphasizes that not everyone will be on the same level and shows many easier modifications to the more difficult poses. As he suggested when the workout got to be too much (I like an idiot decided to attempt this right before lunch after skipping breakfast so became a little lightheaded, my own fault) I paused, relaxed and started it up again a minute or two later. He says it's important to stick with it even if you can't do everything right the first time, in time you will, and I'm sure he's right, but it's nice as a beginner to be encouraged, instead of made to feel like you SHOULD know this and be able to do it. I thought the flow was a little fast, but for the most part kept up, I'm sure after I get the swing of the movements (in a day or two) I will be able to keep up just fine. I am also sure as I continue to strengthen my body will still be challenged for quite sometime (I DID have to use some of the easier modifications and hope to be able to do them properly soon).
My biggest complaint about this is while he emphasized breathing he wasn't always clear which movement went with the enhale or exhale, and should have reminded the audience to do so more frequently (as I have experienced with other beginning videos). I found too often I had to take extra/rushed breaths to sync a movement with what his instructions said to do and it left me behind and then rushed. I suggest if you have the patience, watching the video first to know what to expect next (as it is often hard to watch his models and do the exercises properly)... but this is a problem I've seen with a LOT of yoga DVDs, can't turn your head to see when your body is twisted and contorted in ways you didn't even know you could bend!
At the end of the video I was sweaty (he says it's my body cleansing itself of toxins... I'll remember that next time my kids tell me I stink after a workout), and felt as if I had a GOOD workout, WITHOUT that feeling of oh no I'm going to hate myself later because I can't move. I'll probably sleep like a rock tonight and be no worse for wear. I feel no tightness in my body (no pulled muscles or stiff joints) like I have had in the past starting a new workout program. I wish he would have taken a little bit more time at the end to "wind down" and stretch to relax.
OVERALL: I thought it was pretty good for me, I will use it again, and would recommend it to anyone who hasn't (and those who HAVE) tried yoga before!