Customer Reviews

Yoga-Beginners Level [VHS]

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

 

 

This video is too short! It is only a half and hour long and the actual stretching workout is about 12 minutes long. If one is going to buy a yoga tape, one expects more to it than one little quick routine. I was hoping for something at least an hour long and less hurried. The stretches are demonstrated well, but Ms. Foster rushes though the actual stretching routine, barely holding poses for 10 seconds. Any beginner yoga class I've ever taken has us hold stretches for much longer, and breathing into the stretches was an important componant. This video does not discuss the importance of breathing into the stretches, or breathing at all for that matter, nor does it discuss any kind of history or philosopy behind yoga as a form of exercise. The production value is good, the stretches are demonstrated in a pleasant-looking dimmed studio setting with ambiant new age music, and Ms. Foster has a nice gentle voice, but I still felt rushed! If you're on the go, maybe this is a quickie reminder tape you can use. But its brevity is just too limiting.

The first 6 minutes of this hatha yoga tape give you Stephanie's resume, which is quite impressive, and it shows her grace and loveliness as a dancer (she danced with the Twyla Tharp group, among other dance companies) and her expertise as a martial arts practitioner.

"Section 1: Postures".16 minutes long. These are simple to do, and make you feel relaxed; most of them are floor exercises, that keep your spine flexible and the back of your legs stretched. There are also alternative movements that are shown, where one can scale them down to be done sitting in a chair or against a wall for support.
Other than occasionally saying "inhale" and "exhale", Stephanie does not go into the breathing involved in yoga practice.

"Section 2: The Moving Sequence". 15 minutes long. We get the basic positions in Section 1 set into a flowing order, with some pleasant "new age" music by Devon Cormack.
None of it is difficult, and one can follow at one's own level. These exercises are invigorating and at the same time restful, and will make you feel more agile.

Attention to people with weak/trick knees like me: Any posture with a standing lunge puts a lot of stress on my knees (and there are 2 exercises in this set that include a bent knee that is taking most of the weight), and I simply substitute a pose, usually my favorite "downward dog position" makes a good alternate.
A nice exercise tape, but not great. Well worth a try if you can find it at your local library, for a change of pace rental.

For all the careful instruction of how to do the poses, I was taken aback by how short the workout was in the end. While this tape is an excellent source for learning how to correctly do the postures, you should probably use it in conjuction with another tape that actually gives you workout.

I've had it for years and am still using it. Has a 17 minute routine that I do each day. This video got me started, when I didn't know anything about yoga.

I don't have much basis for comparison, having never taken a yoga class before, but I felt wonderful after completing the routine and had no problems understanding the instruction. I may tend to agree with another reviewer who preferred more time to hold the postures, but I can easily do that myself once I've memorized the routine and no longer have to follow the video. On a personal note, I took ballet with Stephanie many years ago and knew her to be extremely talented and intelligent. It's a pleasure to learn from an old friend.

it was slow and easy to follow, highly recommend

very entertaining and useful.must see for all future generations.highly educative and should be seen by adults only.