Customer Reviews

Yoga: Gentle Practice

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I borrowed this DVD from my yoga instructor, and now it's definitely the most sought after item on my wish list. I'm not fat or middle-aged or elderly, but I'm just horribly inflexible. The basic/beginner yoga tapes fluster me and I end up giving up. This one, however, is definitely my pace. Zyrka is soothing and very instructive. I find the individual tutorials on each pose to very helpful as well as the guided practices.

This is a great addition to my weekly yoga lessons.

This is the best yoga DVD I own (and I have a bunch). After using it consistently for a few weeks, I noticed a HUGE improvement in my flexibility and greatly decreased back and neck pain that had been unresponsive to just about everything else. Zyrka is a wonderful, calming, soothing, clear instructor and I can't recommend the DVD highly enough. Get it!

I am a yoga teacher who's been extensively researching yoga DVD's and student reviews before I create my own. If you're looking for a yoga DVD that suits you, here's what I discovered:
1) Do your own research to find both the teacher and yoga style that best suits
your personal preferences. Pace, voice quality, clarity, etc. It's like
finding the doctor, dentist, massage therapist, etc. that you like and trust.
2) If you are a Beginner, find a reputable teacher and take a live class first,
if possible. Then research a DVD. Many of the negative yoga DVD reviews I
read came from Beginners who, precisely because they are new to yoga, found
the DVD they bought too challenging, even ones labeled Beginner or Gentle
Yoga. It takes great awareness from a teacher, particularly if they are in
shape, flexible and strong to really remember what it's like to be a
Beginner. Teachers often forget to show modifications and use of props.
3) Watch a yoga DVD first, maybe even a few times, before following along.
So, as far as Zyrka's "Gentle Practice" DVD goes, I found her style to be thorough in explanation, calming, smooth, mindful-based. She offers modifications, the use of props and is very mindful of and speaks to the refinement of body movement.
She teaches what I call classical yoga, not gymnastic yoga (pretzel poses). If you're a hot yoga fan, this DVD probably won't do it for you! I think this DVD is appropriate for Beginners.
I like that she has a section that is devoted to individually teaching several different yoga postures and then does a few different time length flows with them. Again, if you're a Beginner, her referencing the posture name might throw you off a bit but, she does do a good job of verbal cuing. I like that she cues movements a second or two before she actually does the movement which gives the viewer the ability to stay in sync with her. I also like that she incorporates in many warm-ups and basic movements along with recognized yoga postures. There's a lot of material here for your money, too.

This DVD exceeded my expectations by far. The production value is extremely high and professional - the filming, lighting, camera angles, etc, are superb. Zyrka, the teacher leading the DVD, has a wonderful, soothing presence. She is also very knowledgeable and I've learned a lot about yoga from her. I'm going to order this DVD as a gift for my mother, who has never practiced yoga. I highly recommend Yoga: Gentle Practice!

This DVD is not only a great introduction to the practice of yoga, but will provide the time and space for experienced practitioners to go deeper into the poses. Zyrka has obviously been well trained and the whole practice comes from a very solid place. She even includes inverted poses which are absent in many yoga DVDs. This is also an excellent DVD for those who are interested in learning vinyasa yoga, but need a bridge to a more active practice. If you want to deepen your yoga practice, this is the DVD for you.

As a daily practitioner of over 10 years I have a lot of yoga DVD's, but Zyrka's three releases are among my favorites. I started with this one and enjoy using it, it is a serene stretching sequence for the days when I want to go deeply into the subleties of the practice, or when I have soreness or need to slow down and recalibrate. Not sure why anyone would buy a Gentle Practice DVD and expect a power workout.

I personally prefer the six pre-designed sequences included here to those disjointed matrix DVD's. The transitions flow smoothly and I don't have to remember how to put a balanced practice together. The quality of the filming in this release is good, the sound is clear, the music is appropriate and subtle. I am fine with a simple setting--primarily it's the quality of the teaching that matters to me. Zyrka is first-rate, providing accurate queuing and refinements that are helpful, as well as very specific breathing instruction that will help a beginner to feel connected to what they are doing. If you are looking for yoga instruction for slowly penetrating your openings and edges then you will enjoy this. If you already like this one, I'd recommend Erich Schiffman's "Beginning Yoga" which you can find on his site.

This is a beautiful practice DVD. Zyrka leads us through the practice with mindfulness and attention to alignment and breath. Her instruction is clear and uncomplicated.

The real power of yoga is in becoming aware of your body without judgement. Zyrka's calming voice helps us to release tension, which allows us to free the body's energy for strength in the poses. Zyrka flows into and out of each pose, demonstrating one of the key principles of yoga as described in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras: the practice of asana with grace and ease.

I have practiced yoga for over 20 years, and have taught yoga since 2003. My studio focuses on mindfully, gently taught Hatha Yoga, and I'm often asked for recommendations of DVDs to practice with at home. This one will definitely be on my list! I'll be using this DVD in my own home practice on a regular basis!

Great for beginners, those recovering from injury, or for people who want to have a more meditative approach to practice.

This is my first review that I've ever written, so this goes to show how much I like the DVD. Personally, I liked how there is a pose guide where she will tell you the benefits and some of the contradictions for each pose. After that she will then show you how to modify each pose to meet your individual needs. Another thing that is great is her voice it's nice to listen to and after you get used to working with the DVD you won't have to keep your eyes open to follow along. Overall, this is my first yoga DVD that I had the privilege of working with and I am pleased to have gotten this one over any other yoga DVD.

I find these gentle sequences very good for me. I use them to relax. I have noticed improvements to my energy , flexibility and calmness the next day after doing these at night. I love this dvd. Zyrka is an absolute pleasure to listen to . She has a quiet gentle voice . I don't think she adds any superfluous comments that can get irritating after doing the dvd several times. I am 55 yrs old and recommend this dvd wholeheartedly to people who are stiff and want to increase their health without injury.I focus now on her instructions and this has brought my experience up to a whole new level of enjoyment. I notice that her flow series dvd Yoga: Gentle Vinyasa Flow is filmed outside under trees. Unfortunately this dvd is filmed in a white space. But I would give it more than 5 stars if I could because I love it.

I've been using this program for more than a year and think is so good, I ordered it for 2 relatives I love! I work full time and have chronic spinal pain. Doing the 30 min routine gets me going for the day. I do the longer routines on days off. Zyrka is an excellent instructor; it's a pleasure to watch her grace.