Product Details

• Format: Color, Original recording reissued, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: KOCH VISION
• VHS Release Date: November 16, 1999
• Run Time: 55 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6305661707
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #156,563 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

"Go at your own pace, don't strain!" Alan Finger reminds viewers in the introduction to this Yoga Zone workout. They're words of wisdom for anyone who's ever tried (and failed) to emulate the moves of some perfect-looking human pretzel on what purports to be a "beginners" videotape. In contrast, Finger's gentle, refreshingly detailed Introduction to Yoga begins with basic breathing techniques and moves on to some of the most fundamental poses in any practice, including lunges, twists, cobra, dog, triangle, and even a corpse pose tutorial that comes complete with guided relaxation. (Later tapes in this series build on the asanas taught here, adding more advanced variations and positions.) Two instructors demonstrate different versions of each pose, one for more flexible advanced students and one for less flexible beginners. We even get to see one student topple out of stork pose! Calm, thorough, absolutely unrushed, this is a great tape for those who've never taken a yoga class in their lives. Even experienced students, however, may find that the relaxed pace helps them reach a deeper level of understanding of how body, mind, and breath can work together. Fittingly, the credits roll over Finger and his fellow instructors demonstrating advanced positions of impressive strength and beauty; like the tape itself, it's a perfect introduction to the continuing rewards of yoga practice. --Mary Park

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

157 of 159 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Excellent!!, August 4, 2001

By 

Juliet Blake (Atlanta, Georgia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Yoga Zone - Introduction to Yoga [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I first discovered yoga in the late 70's when I had the good fortune to learn from a teacher who had studied with a bona fide yoga master from India. That was long ago and far away and soon afterwards I moved to New York City. Due to the hurly burly of trying to get established and live here, my yoga practice gradually slipped away.

I have made several attempts to rekindle my initial enthusiam by purchasing over a dozen books and videos and taking numerous classes. Up until I saw this video, I had failed to find anything that replicated the quality of the instruction I first experienced.

It is unfortunate that two prior reviewers of this tape called it "boring" and one went over the top and panned everything about it, ending the review by citing preferred videos made by people in the fitness industry.

First of all, if anyone finds this video boring, I suggest the problem may not be with the video but rather the person. Even though now there are many styles of yoga to choose from (Bikram, Kundalini, Ashtanga, Kripalu, Iyengar, and so forth)--and I have tried several of these--the fact remains that classical hatha yoga is supposed to be slow, deliberate, precise, meditative and mindful. Anything that deviates from that is usually some bastardization of it. I once took a yoga class from a local high-quality health club and the instructor never once even went over the proper way to breathe, never made reference to the mind-body discipline of it and the hour passed as nothing more than a stretching class.

Now that yoga has gone mainstream in these intervening 20 or so years since I first discovered it, there are a lot of people out there teaching it who obviously have no business doing so. It seems that every celebrity and fitness guru has a book or video out on it and there is nothing that authenticates these people as qualified to teach it other than their names.

Don't get me wrong, I am not a yoga expert, I still consider myself a beginner, but I can recognize excellent instruction when I see it. Alan Finger is all a yoga teacher should be--he teaches the proper breath and form throughout. He is gentle, slow and tells you where every every toe, arm and vertebra should be. He is thorough, exacting and precise: since yoga is not some new phenomenon of pop culture but an ancient art and science, his manner of instruction recognizes that and dignifies it as such. I am so inspired and impressed with him that I would lay out all the extra money it would take, and schlep all the way down to the other end of this city, if I thought I could study at his studio with the man himself. Trust me, this is a quality video. All the superlatives apply.

111 of 114 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to follow, very well-done, December 30, 1999

By 

Corrie (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Yoga Zone - Introduction to Yoga [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I purchased this video as the first in a set of 4 by Yoga Zone, led by yoga master Alan Finger. After 4 months of use, I'd say this video and the others in the set are an excellent choice for those new to yoga. Instructor Alan Finger's pleasant voice gives clear, encouraging, and careful direction from move to move, and the three yoga practioners with him perform at different flexibility levels, so you won't feel intimidated by advanced pretzel maneuvers. The production quality is first rate, and the accompanying music is pleasant and unobtrusive. I'm grateful for such a positive first yoga experience, and I highly recommend this video and the other 3 Yoga Zone videos in the set. Enjoy!

60 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Beginner Tape I've Found, April 25, 2000

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Yoga Zone - Introduction to Yoga [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I have tried several beginner's yoga tapes and have been disappointed in the lack of real instruction in them. Alan Finger gently guides you through each position and gives clear, concise instructions for everything. You are never left wondering - what should I be doing now? The pace is perfect for a beginner - he moves you along slowly, lets you get the feel of the pose and has you hold it long enough to really feel what you are supposed to be accomplishing. The atmosphere and music on the tape is very soothing and Alan Finger's beautifully accented voice is just a pleasure to listen to. The yoga workout lasts for close to an hour and when I was done with it, I felt wonderful! Alan takes you through the process of relaxation so completely. On other tapes I have felt rushed - relax your neck, now your arms, now your back ...etc. Alan eases you through it gently and completely. This is a wonderful tape for beginners - it is the first tape I have found that left me feeling like I thought I should feel after a yoga workout - stretched and relaxed. Alan also relies much less on props than other videos I have tried - all you need is a mat and a strap. Having people of various flexibilty levels demonstrating the poses in another unusual feature of this tape - you can view a modified approach to each postion, as well as the ideal. This way you can see what to do now, as well as what to aim for, at your own pace. This tape is perfect.