Product Details

• Actors: Linda Arkin
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Subtitled, NTSC
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Warner Home Video
• DVD Release Date: December 14, 2004
• Run Time: 149 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0004Z32O2
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #38,707 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

  #46 in

  Movies & TV > Exercise & Fitness > Yoga > Relaxation

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Yoga for Flexibility regards flexibility as "one of the key foundations of good health." Instructor Linda Arkin promises that her routine will promote this, along with increasing "range of motion, muscle tone, and energy flow." Lofty goals, to be sure, but Yoga for Flexibility could actually deliver--providing, of course, that the user practices regularly and consistently. Following an informal, chatty intro in which Arkin and an accompanist demonstrate the use of the breath and proper body alignment, the tape moves through four sequences of asanas (poses). The first two, both of which are repeated, focus on gentle forward bends and twists, all of them approached from a seated position; the third, which is repeated twice, includes five standing positions (finishing with the eagle, perhaps the most difficult pose in the entire series); and the fourth consists of a few final relaxation poses. None of it is what you would call grueling, or especially strenuous. But Arkin's good, clear instructions and the overall gentleness of the series make this a tape that will stand up to repeated viewings--and perhaps lead to a deeper, more challenging practice. --Kelly Welldon

Product Description

A collection of yoga programs designed to help you strengthen and tone muscles, and increase flexibility and relaxation.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hands down, the best yoga tape series going, February 14, 2000

By	Chris Theimer (Bellevue, WA) - See all my reviews

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

This is the one yoga series I feel comfortable with. Linda is unintimidating, and assumes that you're not a human pretzel. Her video shows her and another woman doing the same yoga poses. However, they have different levels of flexibility, to show you how the same yoga pose can look quite different depending upon the person doing it.

I've tried the Patricia Walden tapes, and just can't get through them without feeling like I'm going to injure myself. Worse yet, Patricia Walden just sort of makes me feel incompetant because I've never had the skills to do certain poses (like a backbend) even when I was a child.

You won't have that problem with these tapes. There aren't any poses that can't be done, even by the true novice, in this series. It may take you time to build up to the reps, but Linda reminds you that it's okay not to be in perfect shape when you're just learning.

Altogether, this is the series to go with if you're just starting yoga!

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best series of yoga tapes I have tried/best instructor, August 4, 1999

By A Customer

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

I really prefer Linda Arkins teaching style over any other Yoga tapes I have tried. She is the only Yoga instructer that I have seen on tape who gives a realistic demonstration of what a beginner would look like. She taylors her tapes to someone who may sit at a desk all day for example and not be that flexible. She is very soothing and not at all arrogant in her approach. She models the beginner posture and has another person model the more advanced posture. The contrast gives one a good indication of where you are at and where you might want to go. I am buying her whole series. Five Stars!

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for all levels, this tape is a great investment!, June 23, 2001

By	"amazonchicken" (Montreal, Canada) - See all my reviews

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

Yoga for Flexibility; certainly not what I expected! I ordered this tape after reading the many great reviews, and as always, I watched the tape entirely before attempting the exercises. It looked to me like the pre-school version of yoga instruction. Linda Arkin's instructions and voiceover seemed to be, at first, for someone who needed utter and complete guidance every second of the way. As usual, whenever I watch a yoga tape I, for whatever reason, think it's the easiest thing in the world until I actually get off the couch and DO the exercises. I am perfectly willing to admit how thankful I was once I got up off the couch, to have Linda Arkins precise and very detailed instructions guiding me along!

The back of the video claims you do not need equipment, but I find the use of a yoga strap is useful as I am unable to touch my toes and keep my back straight at the same time. She and Linda Hiller make a great team; Linda Arkin demonstrating the simpler moves, for those of us who are a little less limber then the average yoga instructor, and Linda Hiller demonstrating the more challenging poses for each series. The tape is divided into three seperate series, each more challenging than the last. Each segment in the series is repeated before moving on, so that you can improve your flexibility and help your body become more familiar with the exercises.

It's a great tape for beginners, and for those who need a more challenging yoga workout (just follow Linda Hiller!). It motivates me to use the tape more than I normally would, simply because Linda Hiller is there performing yoga positions that will, with time, be achieved with the use of the tape. Granted it's not as new as other yoga tapes on the market, and the scenery isn't anything all that fantastic, but it's EFFECTIVE. The exercises are also incredibly relaxing ... so I've sort of dubbed this tape the combination valium / idiot-proof guide to yoga. You simply can't go wrong with Linda Arkin's instructions and demonstrations. It's less spiritual and meditative than other yoga tapes, but it does work to relax and to STRETCH those muscles.

Most definately an excellent beginners tape that will last a long time. If you're new to yoga and serious about going all the way, then this is a must-buy! A fantastic investment!