Customer Reviews

The Yogi's Companion

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This has got to be my favorite Yoga class and I have tons of videos and also "Yoga Sanctuary" by Shiva rea and Bryan Kest's advanced yoga cd, I find Lauren's "Yogi's Companion" to be my favorite, because it has alot of my favorite poses and it's only 72 minutes and not 90 like someone else mentioned here, you can also make a shorter practice .The level of this cd in general is intermediate to advanced but you can choose only a few tracks for an easier practice, track 4 is the most challenging and my fave, it has tough arm balances like handstand ,peacock feather pose( forearm balance) and insect pose, your arms will be pumped after this! You also get a poster with all the poses, it's worth it!

I prefer yoga CD's to videos. I travel a lot with work, and CD's are easier to practice with. I also don't like trying to watch a TV screen, and get in and out of poses. I find with CD's I listen better, and feel more centered. Of all the CD's I've done, this is the easiest to follow. The pace is good, instructions are clear, and the included chart is very thorough. Now that is not to say the class is easy. Some of the tracks are quite challenging. There is a guide that instructs you on which tracks to skip, if you are just starting out. I like this, because as you improve, you can do more of the CD. All in all, this is a very skillfully put together CD.

If you are familiar with ashtanga yoga or power yoga and desire an intermmediate level workout, this is the CD to buy. Having done David Swenson's short forms DVD and Brian Kest's 1995 video series, I was looking for something similar in difficulty that I could take with me when I travel. I've found that the CD allows me to focus on alignment and breath - and it does provide an invigorating practice. Lauren is an advanced ashtanga practitioner and her knowledge is evident in this CD. She offers various modifications so that the practice is accessible to newer students, but includes some very challenging segments (namely track 4) to keep more advanced students growing in their practice. Highly recommended!

I'm at a beginner level and I was looking for a CD to supplement my practice. I really appreciated the CD and the care that went into producing it. My favored approach to yoga is a slow mediative practice, so there were two minor issues with the CD: 1) I wanted to hold the poses longer, as in my 90 min yoga class. The flow seemed quick to me, but I could be an ultra slow yoga person, and 2) I found the speed of her voice too "fast" for me. It's a very subtle thing, so I don't think people would be annoyed. I wasn't used to a teacher talking so quickly and found myself distracted by it.

All in all, if you want the CD to take you through the moves, it seems like a great CD. I tried Yoga Sanctuary right afterwards and liked Shiva Rea's flow and tone of voice much better. It might be a preference thing as you could consider Shiva Rea's voice "sleepy" instead of "calming". :)

This is a wonderful yoga CD. I have practiced with two CD's from Jivamukti, and some videos. Since buying this CD, I notice I keep reaching for it when I practice at home. The first track starts out slow, with a lot of attention to alignment, great for stiff mornings. The second track gets you moving with sun salutations, and variations. There are lots of good guidelines for modifying poses. The balancing track is next, very centering and quiet. Track four is challenging, sometimes I skip it, but when I do it, on my stronger days, I notice the improvement. I always do tracks five and six. Floor stretches, twists, backbends and shoulderstand on five, savasana to Deva Premal's lovely Gate Gate on six. I always feel great after doing this CD. It is packaged cleverly, folds up neatly, with space for the chart. Every pose is shown, clearly, in lovely photos. Just looking at the chart photos is enough inspiriration to keep me practicing. It beats paying $15.00 a class. Perfect for an aspiring yogi on a budget!

As an Ashtanga yoga teacher, I would highly recommend this CD to aspiring yogi's or yogini's with a basic knowledge of yoga and a fairly good physical fitness level. Individuals who are new to Yoga or with injuries or other physical issues would be better to try something a little more basic, however. Lauren's voice is soothing and beautiful and she does offer alternative poses for the less flexible. I started using Devi Premal's "Gate Gate" in the Savasana's in my own classes after hearing it here.
The only drawback I would say about it is that she does not bring the more spiritual side of Yoga--"finding the infinite being within" as Patanjali says. But, overall a great CD and a great workout.

I've been alternating this CD with Shiva Rea's Yoga Sanctuary and classes when I'm able to get to them. I like the freedom to do yoga wherever and whenever I can and have experienced benefits since using the CD's. The music is very calming and relaxing. I love this CD!

I did an ashtanga workshop with Lauren once, and was delighted to see this CD available at Amazon. Lauren it a gifted teacher. While the CD varies from a traditional ashtanga practice, it is an excellent class. Sometimes I'll just do a couple of the tracks,when I'm short of time, or the last two tracks at the end of a long day, to stretch and relax. I always feel great afterward.

This is a very nice CD for yoga practice.As all the previous reviews by other viewers. The only thing I want to add is,I wish that the last track # 6 is longer, because it is a relaxtation pose and it is too short...

This is a very good CD. The instructions are clear, and easy to follow. The chart is the best I have seen in a yoga CD. Every pose is well demonstrated, most are beautifully modeled by Lauren. Variations are shown by models other than the teacher. I like that she used an older woman as well as a child to show some alternative poses. I have a few videos and CD's, and this is a great addition to my collection.