Customer Reviews

Yoga Zone - Yoga Basics [VHS]

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

 

 

I've done yoga a few times in classes, but I'm fairly inflexible and don't consider myself an expert by any means. I was looking for a DVD that would give some simple poses to do and could help me relax.
Well, this DVD oversimplified it. If you've never done yoga before, this might be a good place to start, otherwise, your money is better spent elsewhere. There was no flow between poses, and each one was held for a very long time as one of the instructors explained it. I had a strong dislike for both instructors by the end of the first segment.
The production value of this DVD was also pretty poor. It seemed slightly out of focus for the first segment. The instructor would talk almost constantly, and would sometimes look right at the camera, but not always at the right camera. The music was barely audible and really didn't add anything. Leaves fell through the shot. People walked through the background. I was unable to find a sense of focus and relaxation because of all this.

Overall, this DVD might give good instruction to someone who had never done yoga before and wanted to learn about a few poses. If you've done some yoga before, no matter how little, I would advise to skip this DVD.

To me, the title "Yoga Basics for Beginers" indicates a methodical lesson, during which tons of poses are introduced and explained. What I got was 20 beginers workout, with some explinations thrown in. I like what I got. The first session is taught by Michelle and demonstrated Al Bingham, reversed in the second session. Al is a far superior instructor. Michelle doesn't do a great job of explaining poses. Overall, the second workout is better, and I'd recomend starting with it because its poses "flow" more logically. And because we all love lists, I've decided to tell you what I thought was good and bad about this (my very first) yoga DVD and let you decide.

GOOD
-Al is my fave yogazone instructor
-Lovely settings
-Hard for a novice at first, but you'll get through it on try 5 and you'll feel accomplished
-Can do 20 minute workouts seperately or together
-Will introduce you to yoga

BAD
-First downward dog in second session is too long
-Sometimes they have you do the poses without giving the name
-Both sessions are relatively similar; if they weren't, we could have been introduced to more poses.

This video is great for yoga beginners. I have been interested in yoga for years but never acted on it, and when my fiance bought this and we popped it in the VCR, we were hooked!

It has two 20 minute sessions which is a great time frame to squeeze in before work and before going to bed. We now do it everyday and can really tell a difference in our increased flexibility and calmer frame of mind. I found myself sitting up straighter, walking taller, and bending in a safer way. Yoga makes you very aware of your body and what you can do, and this tape is a great way to embark on that journey.

I've done yoga off and on for a little over a year. I don't consider myself advanced by any means and I know I'm very weak in the upper body, overweight, and not very flexible. However, with yoga and walking I have improved a lot. I love yogazone's programs, and really enjoy most of the dvds with 2 20 minute workouts on them like this one. But, I feel a beginner beginner, esp to exercise, should start with one that's more instructional, like in the other series yoga zone puts out...I didn't start with the beginner one with the yellow cover, but did flexibility and tone and while it's hard, the instruction was there. the main problem I had with 'basics' being a beginner workout is the amount of time spent in downdog. it's a lot! If I had to recommend a 20 minute yoga zone for an absolute beginner, I would suggest total body conditioning, esp the 1st workout, because she goes fairly slow and explains enough to do the pose and does a nice variety of standing and seated poses..and no downward facing dog! I also love stretching for flexibility 1st part(sheholds down dog a long time but is very encouraging and a nice stretch espif you're already warmed up) and strong and healthy back is nice too,esp the 2nd program..the 1st has a lot of twists and is also nice but requres a lot more flexibility imo!

You will need to know quite a bit about warming up your own body to do this without straining. They do not give you enough restorative poses. As a result I would not recommend this tape for beginners. Even if you are intermediate in your practice, you better be able to do a warm up before this tape. For a much more well-rounded routine, I recommend Total Yoga with Tracey Rich and Ganga White.

I take Yoga classes and sometimes find myself wondering if I'm practicing the proper form when I try the techniques at home. This video was very helpful in covering the basic postures and it carefully details the appropriate alignment of the body. There are 2 instructors working together (one demonstrates the technique while the other explains it a little more). It's not very long and involved so it's perfect if you want a quick warm-up or a quick, simple refresher.

Perfect! Do I need to say anything else?

The timing is great--20 minutes for each program. Wonderful for beginners--I'm pretty much brand new to yoga, but I can still tell a HUGE difference in my body. This one is a must if you are looking for something to get you into yoga.

I could be one of the most inflexible people I know. I have never been able to touch my toes and I thought that I would never be ablet to do yoga. Not so, with this tape. It eased me into the different positions and has allowed me a lot of practice. I can feel my body loosening up. I think this tape is great for beginners and I would recommend it anyone.

I've been using this DVD off and on for a couple of years now. It provides a great stretch before a workout, or can stand alone as a light workout. You work the core; and the first segment with Michelle provides an amazing stretch through the back and legs. However, the next segment with Al Bingham annoys the crap out of me. Al comes off as being preachy and judgmental IMHO; explaining to me that I'm not in a race or trying to "win yoga". I don't need a lecture; I want to learn some poses. And I definitely don't want to be lectured in the middle of a pose! I've never been able to work through the second part of the DVD with good ol' Al. His condescending prattle shatters the zen-like state I'm trying to achieve.

I've taken yoga in the past at an excellent studio but wanted the convenience of doing yoga at home when it fit into my schedule. There are two 20 minute yoga routines. Michelle and Al do an excellent job of explaining how to do each pose. On busy days I do one routine and if I have time I do both for a really good stretch. Now that I've been working on the basics, I plan to buy some additional DVDs for more variety. I felt my purchase was worth the money.