Customer Reviews

Yoga Essentials [VHS]

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

 

 

This is not yoga. It's callistenics. If you really want yoga, go elsewhere. I do not recommend Denise Austin.

I was very disappointed with this tape. Denise Austin is not a good yoga instuctor. Also, the "workout" is quite boring. Since I now have more experience with yoga myself, I realize how much this video misses the mark. The Yoga Journal series is much, much better, just fast forward the annoying ads at the beginning.

This is a very good tape for someone who has taken a few beginner yoga classes and wants to practice the moves at home. More advanced practitioners of yoga will probably not feel challenged enough. The tape focuses on balance, relaxation, and flexibility. It is not for those who want a power yoga work-out. It is a good introductory tape and I liked the fact that it is broken into sections so that you can do the parts you have time for instead of the whole thing. I will continue to use it as I add other tapes to my collection.

This is not yoga. The moves are done way too fast, without an emphasis on the "correctness" that is essential to getting a yoga workout. Also, there aren't nearly enough postures. And Denise is incredibly annoying. I will never buy another one of her tapes. And I've discovered much better yoga tapes - especially Rodney Yee.

The moves are easy to do and Denise is very helpful in her explanations of each sequence. There are four distinct segments (Sun Salutations, Standing Poses, Floor Work and Relaxation), so you can pick and choose if you're pressed for time. The outdoor background scenery is magnificent!

I've had this tape for a long time. I did it quite a bit but have quit doing it because I have others that are better. She does way too many 'sun salutations'. A few would have been enough. For a good stretching tape, the best I have is Karen Voight's Pure & Simple Stretch. I feel I get much more benefit from it, for the time invested, than I do this tape.

If you know your postures and have taken Yoga, this is a good video. It is 47min. and not easy, but the first 2 sections are the hardest. Very little explanation of postures is offered, so not for beginners. Great relaxation section.

This Tape is A++ The Best of the Best

Too "talky" without saying very much, and doesn't seem to understand that yoga involves the mind as well as the body. She moves so quickly from one position to another, I never stayed in any pose long enough to really benefit from it. Her words of encouragement were completely obnoxious. Do you really think she could see my smiling face, or was she actually proud of me? UGH!! Try Ali MacGraw's tape instead, it's great.

The first portion of this video is good if you're looking for an areobic workout. Ms. Austin seems to miss the "yoga" part of her yoga video, though overall it's a good workout & helpful for flexability.