Product Details

• Actors: Patricia Walden
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Gaiam
• VHS Release Date: June 13, 2000
• Run Time: 95 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302481872
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #10,785 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)

  #3 in	Video > Special Interests > Yoga > By Instructor > Patricia Walden
  #27 in	Video > Fitness > Stretching
  #7 in	Video > Special Interests > Yoga > Yoga Studios > Yoga Journal

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Yoga Journal's more advanced offering of yoga stretching exercises presents two routines for flexibility: back stretches and front stretches. Each routine begins with a short warm up, though if one is not already well practiced in yoga stretching techniques, not to mention already flexible, some of these stretches should not be attempted. Even the so-called "moderate" poses for those with less strength and flexibility are difficult to achieve. Patricia Walden encourages the viewer to practice often and work toward the stretching goals, and conscientiously demonstrates the stretches in a methodical manner. The principles of balance and strength in all parts of the body (achieved by practicing both front and back stretches) is a lofty goal for many, but one to work toward in small increments. The two distinct routines in this video are conveniently presented separately so that they can be combined or practiced alternately. (If you're not already on your way to yogic flexibility, in the beginning you may be sitting out a good part of this video.) The production value, like the other Yoga Journal offerings, is consistently good and even. Certain stretches require props such as yoga blocks, but chairs and phone books are a good substitute for the home user. --Gilia Angell

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars If you're not already flexible, don't bother, February 20, 2000

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

This review is from: Yoga Journal's Yoga for Flexibility (Beginner's Practice) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I found this tape particularly frustrating. It emphasizes backbends and nothing else. If you're trying to get overall flexibility(including your arms and legs), it's inadequate. Worse yet, if you've never been able to do a backbend, even as a child, you'll feel incompetant in no time.

If you want a good series (a) for more overall flexibility, and (b) with less intimidation, check out the Linda Arkin series.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent video, but not for beginners, May 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Yoga Journal's Yoga for Flexibility (Beginner's Practice) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This tape was a wise investment for me. I am 47 and although the poses are challenging, they are all achievable. I have been doing some of them in a YMCA yoga class for about a year, but have found my attendance dropping off as it didn't fit my schedule too well. Having that small amount of practice was enough to encourage me to try Patricia Walden's workouts on Yoga Practice for Flexibility, and I have found them to be very beneficial. I would highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in maintaining and/or increasing flexibility.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Get Flexible, but feel challanged, March 24, 2004

By	Lizzie R "missanneshirley" (Earth) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Yoga Journal's Yoga for Flexibility (Beginner's Practice) [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is definitely a challanging video (and only the second session seems like a beginners practise to me)- but, it has become one of my favorites. I was a cheerleader in highschool and very flexible, but, hadn't done any flexibility exercises in *years*.

Poses you learn and do:

Downward facing dog, Standing forward bend, Mountain pose, Warrior pose, Triangle pose, Revolved Triangle pose, Side angle stretch, Wide angle forward bend, Camel pose, Cobra Pose, Upward Bow pose, Staff pose, Heros forward bend, Heron pose, Head to knee pose, Seated forward bend, and Seated wide angle forward bend.

I still find the first segment challanging, but after doing it for a few months (no more than once a every other week- its so challanging that I *dread* it) and practising some of the poses on my own, I can now do the first segment well. I would warn those though- the last segment in the first series is very challanging. Although it is not too difficult to do camel several times, it is *very* difficult to do an upward bow pose 5 times (once supported)! Each time focusing on a different feeling from the practise. When I first got this video, I found the first practise hurt my wrists. Also, be sure to really release the lower back. If you are weak in the lower back, the series of upward bow poses is very hard. The rewarding part of the first session is she does go into a detailed explanation of the primary yoga poses- like downward facing dog, warrior, triangle pose, etc.

As far as the second segment "forward bends"- this is one of my very favorite yoga practises. This is why I gave this tape 4 stars. I do this one every week, and do some of the stretches after I do aerobics, too. I found this practise easy to learn, and feel very relaxed afterward (compared to feeling just plain exhuasted after the first one!). The props used in this practise make it easier for beginners than the first practise, and I believe you see and feel results quicker. After doing this practise for three months, I was doing side splits like in high school. Also, I feel like doing this practise also helped me ease into Pilates. I have been doing this practise once a week for almost 8 months. I just love it!

So, if you want to learn some yoga poses, and get your legs more flexible, you will enjoy this tape... but, if you are buying it as a total yoga beginner, you are going to feel really really challanged.

I rank the first segment a 2, and the second a 5.