Customer Reviews

Yoga With Linda Arkin - Complete Set

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the one yoga series I feel comfortable with. Linda is unintimidating, and assumes that you're not a human pretzel. Her video shows her and another woman doing the same yoga poses. However, they have different levels of flexibility, to show you how the same yoga pose can look quite different depending upon the person doing it.

I've tried the Patricia Walden tapes, and just can't get through them without feeling like I'm going to injure myself. Worse yet, Patricia Walden just sort of makes me feel incompetant because I've never had the skills to do certain poses (like a backbend) even when I was a child.

You won't have that problem with these tapes. There aren't any poses that can't be done, even by the true novice, in this series. It may take you time to build up to the reps, but Linda reminds you that it's okay not to be in perfect shape when you're just learning.

Altogether, this is the series to go with if you're just starting yoga!

I really prefer Linda Arkins teaching style over any other Yoga tapes I have tried. She is the only Yoga instructer that I have seen on tape who gives a realistic demonstration of what a beginner would look like. She taylors her tapes to someone who may sit at a desk all day for example and not be that flexible. She is very soothing and not at all arrogant in her approach. She models the beginner posture and has another person model the more advanced posture. The contrast gives one a good indication of where you are at and where you might want to go. I am buying her whole series. Five Stars!

Yoga for Flexibility; certainly not what I expected! I ordered this tape after reading the many great reviews, and as always, I watched the tape entirely before attempting the exercises. It looked to me like the pre-school version of yoga instruction. Linda Arkin's instructions and voiceover seemed to be, at first, for someone who needed utter and complete guidance every second of the way. As usual, whenever I watch a yoga tape I, for whatever reason, think it's the easiest thing in the world until I actually get off the couch and DO the exercises. I am perfectly willing to admit how thankful I was once I got up off the couch, to have Linda Arkins precise and very detailed instructions guiding me along!

The back of the video claims you do not need equipment, but I find the use of a yoga strap is useful as I am unable to touch my toes and keep my back straight at the same time. She and Linda Hiller make a great team; Linda Arkin demonstrating the simpler moves, for those of us who are a little less limber then the average yoga instructor, and Linda Hiller demonstrating the more challenging poses for each series. The tape is divided into three seperate series, each more challenging than the last. Each segment in the series is repeated before moving on, so that you can improve your flexibility and help your body become more familiar with the exercises.

It's a great tape for beginners, and for those who need a more challenging yoga workout (just follow Linda Hiller!). It motivates me to use the tape more than I normally would, simply because Linda Hiller is there performing yoga positions that will, with time, be achieved with the use of the tape. Granted it's not as new as other yoga tapes on the market, and the scenery isn't anything all that fantastic, but it's EFFECTIVE. The exercises are also incredibly relaxing ... so I've sort of dubbed this tape the combination valium / idiot-proof guide to yoga. You simply can't go wrong with Linda Arkin's instructions and demonstrations. It's less spiritual and meditative than other yoga tapes, but it does work to relax and to STRETCH those muscles.

Most definately an excellent beginners tape that will last a long time. If you're new to yoga and serious about going all the way, then this is a must-buy! A fantastic investment!

I have four or five yoga videos on my shelf, and Linda Arkin's Yoga for Flexibility is the one that actually makes it into the VCR. I started learning yoga with the "Yoga for Dummies" tape, but once I had that down, I needed a tape where the instruction did not interrupt the flow. "Yoga for Flexibility" was my answer.

By demonstrating different levels of flexibility, Linda Arkin and Linda Hiller really make the routines accessible to many different experience levels. I love how the routine builds on itself. I can really feel the difference in my flexibility in each repetition of a sequence. Linda Arkin's reminders to listen to my body and not impose my own idea of flexibility upon it are well-taken.

The scenery for this video is lovely and peaceful and the instruction is gentle and precise. There are only a couple of spots where Arkin doesn't cue me out of a move (when I can't see the TV), but it only takes a couple of viewings to learn the sequence well enough to expect the posture change.

Oh, and one note that might be either a bonus or a drawback (depending on your needs): this practice does not include inversions (such as the downward facing dog). If you have high blood pressure or any condition which contra-indicates inverted poses, this can be a plus. I missed the inclusion of poses along the lines of the cobra (bending back) but can always add that on my own.

This set of tapes includes all four of Linda's tapes (Natural Body Tune-up, Strength, Relaxation & Rejuvenation, and Flexibilty). This is a good way to order Linda's yoga tapes if you want a variety since they are cheaper this way than buying them seperately. Flexibilty is my favorite of the four tapes and I feel like it does me the most good.

I have done this tape a couple times and am very pleased with it. She gives you instructions at the beginning that you can skip once you have learned them. The actual routine is about 40 minutes long. Her cueing is very good. She performs a sequence of poses and then repeats the sequence a few times. She then moves on to other sequences. I like all the poses. A second instructor does harder variations of the poses. This makes it easy enough for beginners & stiffer people and yet useful for more experienced exercisers. I know I will get a lot of use out of this tape.

I've tried other tapes and didn't like them, they all seemed so awkward, uncomfortable and the poses went by too quickly. She goes at just the right pace and makes it all seem so easy. It is amazing how much better I feel after a workout. Her series has become addicting for me! I like the way she shows the beginner pose and her show-off friend shows what you should shoot for when you get more flexible. The environment in the background is nice too.

This is the tenth yoga video I have purchased since starting yoga seriously about seven months ago. I couldn't agree more with the reviewer who said that this tape holds up well to repeated viewings. Don't be fooled by the title! Although the stretches here certainly do increase your range of motion if you are consistent with your practice, this tape is not just for flexibility but also a very effective way to release stress. After a long day, this tape will very gently loosen your muscles and leave you feeling comfortably warm. It is a gentle workout, not a power yoga, drip with sweat intense one. Having said that, this is one of the tapes that I find myself reaching for most often. Even my husband willingly joins me in yoga practice if this is the tape I select. The music is relaxing and not too New Agey, and Linda Arkin's voiceover is always appropriate. There are no distractions here, just good yoga. I can't praise this tape enough!

Linda Arkin offers a nice yoga program consisting of four yoga "sequences" designed to help you stretch and open your body. Prior to the first sequence, she offers some live instruction on breathing and position using her assistant (also named Linda) as a model. Once the sequences begin, Linda switches to voiceover instruction. The first two sequences are performed in a seated position; each is about 10 mintues long, and each contains a series of yoga postures that are performed once all the way through, after which the entire series is repeated. In the the first sequence, you will perform back extensions and simple twists. The second sequence is very similar, but there is more of a focus on rounding versus extending your back.

The third sequence is the longest at about 14 minutes total; again, the entire series is performed and then repeated from the top, but this time, there are a total of three repetitions of the series. This sequence consists of standing poses, including simple triangle, warrior, triangle, side stretch, and eagle. Like in the first two sequences, Linda allows plenty of time to get into each posture, hold, and come out slowly. She performs modified versions of the poses while her assistant (the other Linda) displays more challenging variations.

For the fourth and final sequence, Linda returns to live instruction. This short (4 minutes) section again focuses on breathing during a few basic stretches, ending with relaxation pose. One thing I didn't like about this video was the "take it from the top" sequences, which left me feeling bored at times. In addition, I would've liked a greater emphasis on standing postures rather than the two sequences in a seated position. Overall, however, this practice delivers what it promises in terms of gradually working towards increased flexibility.

This has three programs, Flexibility, Strength & Relaxation + Rejuvenation. They are set outdoors with muted light music & nature sounds. Linda Arkin looks to be in her early 40s to late 50s, speaks fast & hurried in the intros, but her voice over is much better. Almost all poses are held for 10-20 seconds. She tells you benefits in a western way, how to keep alignment & never speaks about eastern or spirituality. She could give more cues about body placement so those who like detailed instruction might be frustrated by her slow late in the pose instruction on body placement. She does have a decently calming voice over, slow & unhurried, the music is barely audible, but since her voice is calming, you barely notice. Each of the 3 programs has the help of Linda Hiller (who models the more advanced ways of doing the pose) who is in her late 30s to late 40s.

The Flexibility comes with 9 min of intro set at the beach, including helping to find your proper alignment posture when standing, sitting & lying down. She also teaches deep yogic breathing she calls the "whisper breathe". There is a sitting series which includes seated forward bends, knee to chest, twists, wide legged stretch & butterfly. There is also a standing series which include side bends, side angle, triangle pose & eagle. That's all the poses that are done since these are done in a sequence & that sequence is repeated 3x. It ends with a sitting arm stretch, lying down spinal twist, breathing into middle section & 1 min of corpse pose. The whole thing is 47 min including the 9 min speaking intro.
The Strength program also has an almost identical intro for 8 min & set in a forest. It starts with shoulder rolls w/bend elbows, cat/cow pose, lifted opposite arm/leg in cow pose, semi crunches with legs bent the 1st time & lifted 2nd time. The next sequence is done 2x, starting with lunges on each side with arms on floor or up for advanced, regular plank, downward dog & child's pose. The stomach down sequence is done 3x: cobra, locust done 1-legged, then both legs, then both legs & arm & last, child's pose. Standing poses are done 3x: warrior 3 (leg leg stand, each side), standing forward bend, warrior 2 both sides, plank, downward dog, mountain pose. It ends with arm stretches, seated spinal twist, lying down twisted leg twist for 3 min with 1 min corpse pose.
Relaxation has 5 min of intro of posture with her alone. This program is her talking real time, no voice over so she's constantly speaking. It starts with forward bends, wide legged bend with bent elbows, head rolls. Seated, head bends with lifted arm, facial contractions, palms to eyes, shoulder rolls, arm stretches & slight side bend, triceps stretch, spinal twist, ankle rolls, wide legged one leg stretch, head rolls w/knees up, butterfly, mid-torso breathing, one legged forward bend & then twist, indian style forward bend, lifting foot slightly in that pose & abdominal breathing. Lying down, knee to chest, butterfly lying down & twisted leg spinal twist for a total of 40 min. The meditation is 4 min.

I did find her voice somewhat soothing, she does cue YOUR left/right, not hers, there is close captioning for those hearing impaired, this is good for the older generation to see older people doing it & not using age as excuse why they can't be flexible, I do feel she has some decent body awareness, it's great for people who don't want any spiritual/Eastern information, just yoga cut/dry for stretching & strength & somewhat taught to blend breath with body movement.
I didn't like is her doing sequences 2-3x, I felt she should have just held the poses longer or done them 2-3x in a row. She didn't give enough focus on breath, sometimes she wouldn't mention it at all, the poses were never done in a flowing/vinyasa way, but more like a gym/stiff hatha yoga style. I see other reviews have been put/scared off by really flexible yoga teachers on other dvds which I find incredible. I don't expect to be able to do it as well as them, but I rather learn by them then someone who can't since it means THEY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING & more BODY AWARENESS then those who can't do a simple sitting forward bend. In the past 5 years EVERYONE has jumped on the yoga dvd bandwagon to make $$, even those who have no business teaching.
Interesting Note: I did this once when I first got it at the date shown, but now in 2007, I did the flexibility & strength programs again (though only did poses 1x each - I find repeating sequences monotonous) and I got a backache for 10 min & stiff back feeling for another 20 min. I did not even have any back stiffness before doing the yoga dvd. I think I did the first time as well, but I thought it was a fluke. I never get backaches from any of my other yoga dvds (except Rodney Yee's Yoga for Back Care ironically enough) & I've been doing yoga for 5+ years though dvds. I also never get backaches in my daily life & also can touch my nose to the ground in butterfly (knees on ground as well, feet all the way into the groin) all my life w/ease & that pose is for stretching the lower back & hips.
Try renting it online or your local library first.