Product Details

• Actors: Bryan Kest
• Format: Color, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Warner Home Video
• VHS Release Date: September 19, 1995
• Run Time: 54 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (408 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6303534376
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #14,968 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

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  #3 in	Video > Special Interests > Yoga > By Instructor > Bryan Kest
  #9 in	Video > Special Interests > Yoga > Power Yoga

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Anyone wanting to get in shape like the stars need go no further than Bryan Kest's videos. Kest teaches wildly popular yoga classes in Santa Monica, California--so popular that stars like Rhea Perlman, David Duchovny, and Elisabeth Shue willingly sweat alongside the hoi polloi in Kest's packed, ancient loft studio. If you don't happen to be in the neighborhood, not to worry: Kest's yoga videos are nearly as good as being there. Volume 1: Energize is a beginner level class that nonetheless is smartly designed to provide challenges for all levels of users. Kest's Jersey-boy voice at first seems in contrast to the serene environment and inner-peace objectives, but it gradually becomes soothing and hypnotic in its own right. Stretches and strengthening moves are alternated with just enough repose to keep even first timers on track. After mastering Vol. 1, practitioners can go on to Volume 2: Tone or Volume 3: Sweat to further challenge themselves. As long as you keep in mind Kest's personal mantra--"If you're doing the best you can, you're doing this class perfectly"--you and this video should have many satisfying years of workouts together. --Anne Hurley

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

107 of 108 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Video, October 16, 2000

By	Art (Riverside Ca) - See all my reviews

Brain Kest's videos genuine, effective,powerful. Kest has a real concern for his students including those who watch his videos. Those who snipe about him posing or being shirtless are simply missing the point. Its ok to have a beautiful, healthy body!

Kest teaching style is motivational, yet compassionate.He urges the user to modify the exercises to the user's body type rather than a precise replication of the asana urged by "old school" yoga teachers. Kest understands that most students (especially westerners) cant readily adapt their tight, rigid bodies to an Iyengar level of perfection. For them to do so would put them out of harmony with their body and possibly cause injury and needless duress.I bring this up as one reviewer ( a yoga techer) complained that some of the students in the video were not in perfect form.

Anyway, his video vol 1, is best for those who have some exercise behind them, particularly some yoga.These tapes are based on Ashtanga yoga, the most physically difficult system of yoga. An out of shape beginner will find this tape very challenging.

For those stick with it they will experience a body transformation unlike any exercise program they have or will work with. Hang in there. Youll love the way you look and feel. Namaste A

121 of 124 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Motivating and effective., October 25, 1999

By	C. Aedo (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've been an on and off exerciser for years, never able to stay motivated enough to stick with a program for more than a few months. I started using the Living Arts yoga tapes at first, which are also terrific, but heard that Kest taught a really challenging and envigorating class, and he does! You get a total body conditioning workout that tones and stretches the muscles while calming your mind. I'm sorry to see a few people posting reviews saying the tape is too egotistical, I found that not to be the case. One reviewer even posted a review though he or she said they never even did the workout. Watch it once to see the series, then do it and you'll feel the benefits that have everyone else raving. Every video has close up shots and flattering lighting, that's called marketing, but the substance greatly exceeds the style here. Also, the package says it is BASED on Asthanga, so expect some differences from traditional Asthanga classes. But here it is, several months after beginning these tapes and I still look forward to my practice. The progress I see and feel are the best motivators I've ever seen.

56 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rewarding Video, March 16, 2000

By A Customer

Reading the varied opinions of this video reminds me that we all have different needs and tastes. That's good. It makes life more interesting. I think this is a beautiful video. I have the series and have thought the producers allocated more of their budget to Video 1 than the others with the idea that "beginners" need more motivation. I liked that the class includes participants who appear to be relatively new to yoga practice. The class members display some variety of strength and flexibility. This was not an easy video for me. The first time I tried it I got through 20 minutes and thought, "No way!" Fortunately, an injury forced me to incorporate some intense stretching into my training or give up my running addiction so I kept at it. Now after more than a year doing Videos 1 & 2 several times a week I am addicted to power yoga too! Just wish these videos were available on DVD. One more thought: I am fairly flexible and had little upper body strength before I began this doing this video. This workout challenges your flexibility, strength and balance. In sharing it with others I have found that it seems more difficult for those with less flexibility to stick with this video in the beginning.