Product Details

• Actors: Rodney Yee
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Gaiam
• VHS Release Date: June 13, 2000
• Run Time: 60 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 630394177X
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #133,931 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

77 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars excellent intermediate practice, January 14, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Yoga Practice for Energy [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I bought this tape about 4 years ago--when stressed out, and in bad shape, and looking for a quick fix. This tape wasn't it. While I could handle the first two segments, I couldn't even begin to do the postures in the third, and I quit after a few days with very sore muscles. However: I've since begun a regular fitness program, and returned to the tape, and I now love it and use it frequently. The 5 segments are tailored to different energy levels and different needs. The first, easy segment is good for a wake-up, and sometimes I use it for a stretch when I am stiff from the computer. It's very short---probably not even 10 minutes, and just the right time period for a refreshing break. The second segment, "Centering," has a lot of balance postures that, with practice, really improve your focus and concentration not just in yoga but in other areas of life. This one is really my favorite---I look forward to doing it, and have felt very positive changes from having this routine in my life. The third segment is the most strenuous---sun salutes and backbends, but you can modify those poses with props. The fourth and fifth sections, "Reflection" and "Surrender," are, respectively, a seriew of quiet forward bends and stretches, and a total relaxation. The only problem here, as another reviewer mentioned, is that Rodney Yee comes in very abruptly with commentary at the end of the relaxation, and you have to be lying there on the floor with the remote control in your hand in order to turn him off.

This tape is a great, adaptible practice, and fits in with other exercise tapes (for example, you might want to use the "reflection" or "relaxation" to cool down at the end of an aerobic workout). I would suggest for beginners doing only the first part of the tape until you feel confident enough to go on...but you should really have a little prior instruction because he calls out the names of the poses and doesn't talk you through them. You have to know them already---it's hard to pick them up from a first time viewing. A book is more helpful here than a tape. I found that "The American Yoga Association Beginner's Manual" by Alice Christensen was an ideal supplement for me.

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Separate practices to meet different needs through the day., August 1, 2002

By 

Beth Cholette "doctor_beth" (Upstate NY USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Yoga Practice for Energy [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I've been practicing yoga with tapes for about 9 months now and consider myself to be an advanced beginner. This tape was very different from any of the others I've tried, mainly because there was no narrative instruction. The instructor, Rodney Yee, simply states the name of each pose, assuming that you are already familiar with the poses. Therefore, this tape is NOT for beginners who have never done yoga before. However, for those who have already learned the poses elsewhere, the difficulty of this tape is at a beginner or advanced beginner level.

The five sections of the tape are designed to be performed throughout the day based on your needs. The first, Awakening, is 9 minutes of mostly floor stretches and moves very slowly. The second, Centering, is 7 minutes of relatively easy standing poses and is designed to be used in the morning. The third and longest section (15 minutes) is Creativity. This section is designed to be done during the day for energy, and it moves much more quickly than any of the other sections. Although I enjoyed how Rodney flowed from one pose to the other, it moved a little too fast for me--for example, you must very quickly move from downward dog to a standing pose such as proud warrior. One interesting thing was that the standing poses weren't just done on one side of the body and then the other. For example, instead of doing proud warrior left and then proud warrior right, you do proud warrior left, then side stretch right, etc. in a whole sequence before eventually going back and reversing the sequence to do the moves on the other side. Again, I liked the flow, but it moved very fast.

The last two sections really are meant to be done together. First is Reflection, which contains 11 minutes of seated forward bends for tranquility. Finally comes Surrender, 4 minutes in relaxation pose. This is the only time which Rodney provides more instruction, as he leads you through a guided relaxation. At the END of the tape, Rodney talks about the purpose of the workout as well as how to modify the poses, so it would probably be helpful to watch this section first. The scenery is a beautiful beach setting, and the music is softly new-agey (flutes, etc.). For the three middle sections, Rodney has 1-2 others performing the routine along with him.

Although I liked this video, it doesn't really meet my personal needs. I think this workout would be best for someone who can purchase a DVD version, which would make it a lot easier to move between the different workouts. If you are someone who would like to do different types of yoga routines at different times of the day, this tape would be for you.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars best yoga video I've seen!, November 5, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Yoga Practice for Energy [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I have 5 or 6 yoga vidoes, and this is definitely the best. Starts and ends slowly (as yoga should). Moves you through most of the typical standing poses, and includes lots of flexibility as well as strength exercises. Not boring, little talking, and a thorough workout. I highly recommend this video.