Customer Reviews

Yoga for Surfers, Vol. 1

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I picked this little gem up based on a recommendation from an online fitness friend. I wasn't disappointed.

The 3rd yoga session (about 19 minutes) on this DVD is THE reason to pick this one up! Excellent side and back stretches...my lower back feels soooo relaxed after doing this "post-surf" session! Peggy's voice is very positive and soothing during the relaxation pose. I didn't want to get up....ever!

Session 1 (pre-surf) is a nice 9-minute vinyasa series. I like to use it after running...it's quick and it gets the job done. However, I have to occasionally look up at my TV screen during certain poses because the instruction in this session is not quite detailed enough to follow by Peggy's voice alone.

Session 2 (water) was a big waste of time for me. Tt's a 6 minute session while the surfers are in the water waiting for waves (I don't surf). The stretches are pretty much all upper body. However, I would imagine that surfers could get something out of this session...just not me!

...

If you have a bit of money to burn, though. This is a great little yoga DVD!

"Yoga is accessible to anyone, regardless of age or physical condition. Yoga isn't just about flexibility - it's about awareness, about being fully alive in each moment." -Peggy Hall

Top professional surfers swear by yoga and now see the infinite sea of possibilities in taking up yoga in addition to their favorite sport: surfing. They rely on the advice of instructors like Peggy Hall who writes articles for "Surf Life for Women."

In the Fall 2002 issue, she introduces some of the poses she has incorporated into her new workout video. She is an avid surfer and certified yoga instructor.

Peggy created the "Yoga for Surfers" video series and teaches yoga clinics and private classes. This is a unique workout because it is especially designed for surfers and their specific needs. Expert yoga instruction is interspersed with surf footage.

"Every surfer should discover Yoga." -Rochelle Ballard ("Blue Crush" stunt surfer)

"Yoga changed my surfing - and my life." -Taylor Knox (a noted big-wave charger admired for his powerful, fluid surfing style)

The Setting: Filmed at Ballard and Knox's favorite surf breaks on the North Shore in Carlsbad, California.

The Level: Beginner to Intermediate

The Poses: Classic yoga with a few very creative twists I hadn't seen before. Intriguing. I really loved the poses and the pace.

The Results: Injury prevention, increased strength, flexibility and focus. Helps you to avoid chronic pain and has specific moves that will sharpen your mental focus.

I loved the soundtrack, which is pleasant and calming.

Volume I has three sections:

Pre-Surf Session: Flexibility and Focus

You can use this routine to warm-up before surfing. It is an energizing routine that flows from one pose to the next and can be done at the beach. At home, a "sticky" yoga mat and a towel is recommended. This section of the workout will help you avoid injury, ease neck, shoulder, or back pain and sharpen your mental focus.

Water Session: Energy and Confidence

These are simple moves you can do while on a surfboard out in the water between sets. They can also be done at home while seated as most of the poses are for the upper body. It is fun to do the poses in your living room with the aid of the "top of a step" between
two chairs (so adventurous). There is a segment where you should really be sitting or on a surf board and it was not difficult to incorporate most of the poses into an at-home workout. If you live at the beach and can see your TV from the sand, then
you have it made.

Post-Surf Session: Stretching and Rejuvenation.

This is my favorite section. It is just so relaxing and you could do this section after a long
day because it helps to calm your mind and rejuvenate your body.

Yoga will also enhance other areas of your life and make you feel more in control of your inner world. This video has been very well received in surfing and yoga circles.

Highly Recommended because this workout not only gives you a great workout, it will help you to find a deep sense of well-being and increase your energy level.

A workout lifestyle to give you the flexibility to surf better, longer.

Also look for Volume II: Fluid Power Yoga for Surfers which is a 40-minute routine to strengthen and stretch all your surfing muscles while improving stamina, balance and mental focus.

~The Rebecca Review
Author of Seasoned with Love: A collection of
best-loved recipes inspired by over 40 cultures

I hate excercise dvds, yoga dvds, and instructional videos. I do Yoga for Surfers every night. Its really the only decent, tolerable video out there. Im getting in shape to get back into surfing and its really helping me. It makes my muscles nice and long, lean, and loose. The relaxation part really is fantastic and helps me stay focused to reach my goal of being a surfer again. My only complaint is that its slightly talk-ey for me. I could do with less talking. Overall though, it has lovely music, Peggy Hall is a great teacher, and its very relaxing. I would say its a great purchase for any level.

As far as yoga instructional DVDs go, this is not one I would recommend. Particularly if you are not familar with yoga already. The poses are not explained as well as in most not-for-surfers DVDs. Often times, you can not see the feet of the instructor, so you do not know how to place your feet unless you already know the pose. I think Peggy is probably a good instuctor, but this DVD isn't a good example. The best part of this DVD is the advert for Rochelle's surf camp, which includes a cameo appearance of Minnie Driver. I found this portion of the DVD to be inspiring. If you are looking for some instruction on yoga poses, this is not a good choice.

The music alone is worth the money on the DVD. Very upbeat. The practice is a flowing easy to follow Hatha Yoga. Peggy Hall has a very postive attitude and doesn't talk too much. Easy to follow, quick work out. Peggy has a lot of interesting variations. The practice is broken into 3 segments: Pre-surf Session of flexibility and focus, Water Session Energy and Confidence, and Post-Surf Session Stretching and Rejuvenation. You can do each session separate for a short session or together for a longer session. You can even do the water session and pretend you're on your board!

I'm not a board surfer, but I love the ocean and the surf. This is a beautiful, well made DVD. I practice yoga everyday and I love mixing this practice into my week. I have the "Special Edition" and I think this means the music quality is a lot better.

Please check my other reviews on Amazon for Yoga DVDs. I'm a Yoga Video Enthusiast ;o). This is a good one and well worth the $ whether you're just starting to learn yoga or have some experience already.

I got Yoga for Surfers about two months ago. I use it religiously (everyday, sometimes twice a day). I am convinced that it is, by far, the best yoga tape, ever. It really has improved my surfing, and helped with those sore spots I never thought would feel good again! I can't wait for YFS volume 3 !!

I'm actually her husband reviewing this.

I think I have bought about 4 copies of Vol. I since this came out. I keep giving them away. I have been recommending this to friends, neighbors, strangers, and anyone else who will listen. This is the best thing that has happened to my back.

I have injured my back over the years of surfing, skateboarding, other sports and aggravated by bad posture and computers. I have been to massage therapy, physical therapy, chiroprators, accupunturists, medical doctors - I was headed for surgery. My wife finally dragged me to yoga classes and after 6 - 90 minute sessions in 2 weeks, my back started to noticeably improve. I have a pinched nerve in my upper back that causes discomfort/pain near my right shoulder blade.

Then I heard about this not too long afterwards and bought the DVD. This was when it first came out. The 10 minute warm up and the 20 minute post sessions were exactly what I needed. It was quick, it focused on the back and shoulder - surfer problem areas. They are easy to do and do not take up much time. I would (and do all the time) highly recommend this to anyone having any back problems. Try this before you try surgery, drugs, accupuncture, etc. Now as long as I do these 30 minute sessions 2-3 times a week, I am pain free! Thank you Peggy Hall!

I enjoy both the pace and the variety here. The pre surf and after surf sequences are very effective and arranged well. A great way to stay relaxed and focused in and out of the water. After about 3 weeks I began to notice increased flexablity and upper body strength and I've noticed measured improvement that I can 'surf better, longer'. So why just 3 stars? The downside for me is the narrative/interview part kind of chops it up a bit making the pre surf warm up seem a little like an infomercial and taking away from what could/should be instruction for beginners technique-wise. Even when the camera is focused on the instructor it's often only waist up. I enthusiastically recommend this dvd but ONLy if you already have several dozen yoga classes under your belt.

first, let me say that i am not a surfer, but i really love to watch surfing and the footage here is wonderful. this is a great yoga practice tape. there are two short practice segments, perfect when i don't have a whole hour to devote to yoga. the instructor is wonderful. so many yoga practice tapes have someone talking you through who sounds like they'd rather be doing something else.

you can tell that peggy hall genuinely enjoys surfing and yoga. that makes a big difference when i am tired and cranky and want to do a yoga practice that makes me feel great. the music is nice and not too distracting. all around, a great yoga tape.

I'm a 49-year old surfer living in San Luis Obispo, CA. I've been using YFS I for the last 2 years and start my day with it whether I surf that morning or not. I've found it's a great way to get my day off on the right track. I've also had great success with the in-the-water sequence and the post-surf "session". My wife and I have been using YFS II along with surfing and hiking for exercise. It's great! I hope they come out with another new routine. Namastay.