Customer Reviews

Basic Yoga Workout for Dummies

5 star:		(64)
4 star:		(29)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I wanted to gain flexibility and had heard yoga can be beneficial. I ordered Basic Yoga for Dummies, and think it is fabulous. I was concerned about doing the excercises properly without the aid of an instructor. This video provides step-by-step instruction explaining and illustrating the correct spinal alignment for each pose. It also explains where you should be feeling the stretch. The video is user friendly and has made me feel confident about practicing yoga. I have found the poses are harder than they look! I was actually sore the next day. I will continue working with this video over the next couple months, and will then try Beyond Basic Yoga for Dummies! I definitely recommend Basic Yoga for Dummies for any beginner!

Twelve basic yoga postures are presented here in non-intimidating language. Ivanhoe calmly goes over the fundamentals of each posture as well as the importance of breathing. Anyone who thinks that they need to be initiated into a secret philosophical organization before they can do their first yoga posture will be relieved by this video.

Throughout, a narrator makes points about common misconceptions, "Bewares" (or common mistakes) and helpful tips and tricks.

The big downside to this tape is that it takes quite some time to get through the twelve postures (just a little over 45 minutes). While most absolute beginners would do well to spend that much time listening to all of the tips on alignment and breathing, slightly more advanced beginners (e.g., they've read a book or even gone to a class) may not derive as much benefit. Even the brand new beginner will probably outgrow this tape sooner rather than later.

Having said that, Ivanhoe is a very good instructor on this video, balancing calm and humor. Again, no one will be intimidated by her approach.

This tape is -- as everyone else has mentioned -- an good tape for the beginner. What also needs to be mentioned is that it is a technical tape. Not technical as in jargony and difficult to understand, but that it gives the details of how to do and not to do a pose. The upside to this is that it explains to beginners the poses. The downside is there really isn't any flow, so the tape isn't meant to be used for daily practice. It should be seen of as an adjunct and complement to your daily yoga tape, not your routine. A book could fill these shoes just as easily, and there are lots of excellent books out there. Try something by Rodney Yee for beginners instead.

i ordered this at the same time as a few Yoga Journal beginner DVDs. Yoga For Dummies actually treats you like a beginner and assumes that you're not necessarily flexible (and that you may need modifications to some poses). It's refreshing to have an instructor who's very clear and encourages you to bring humor to yoga practice!

The first part which focuses on 12 poses is helpful even if you've had a few yoga classes. The instruction is slow and purposeful but doesn't bog you down. The intermediate portion, salutation to the sun, is awesome too.

If you're a true beginner, you'll appreciate this DVD because you won't feel completely uncoordinated or full of frustration--you'll feel encouraged enough to enjoy learning yoga!

I lack flexibility and this video was a great buy. It's a great video for beginners. I've improved my flexibility and I feel peaceful and serene. The instructor isn't annnoying at all; in fact she really helps make the inner peace come out. Great video.

I bought this after trying 5 other yoga videos/dvds. Not only does this spell it out for your very simply, it makes it easy. I love doing this tape. I honestly only do the yoga with the DvD once a week. The rest of the week I use the list in the Dvd case and do the positions myself. Included on the Dvd is the beginner 12 yoga positions and the intermeddiate yoga. I am not that far along yet, but I have already bought this Dvd for friends. I HIGHLY reccomend this Dvd.

-This is for the Beginner who has yet to begin, lol. Buy this tape as a pre-yoga instructional. The workout focuses on 12 basic poses, and is very easy to follow along with. The explanations accompanying each pose are excellent!
-I was amazed when I learned the correct way to breathe during YOGA! She explains perfectly how to breathe, move, change positions, etc.
-For a very first-timer, this will give you a workout. You will feel a tiny bit sore in certain areas the next day, but not too bad. I suggest buying some other beginner YOGA tapes/dvd's for after you master these 12 basic moves.

"Yoga is a marathon, not a sprint; slow and safe persistence gives you the best results. The main thing is to have fun and keep your sense of humor. Enjoy and you're more likely to stick to it." ~Sarah Ivanhoe

You may be pleasantly surprised to see Sarah Ivanhoe as the yoga Instructor in this video. She is a certified yoga instructor who presents exercise in a caring, cute way. I love her teaching style because it is nurturing and she never makes me feel rushed.

If you have read any of the "Dummies" books you will recognize the quirky little icons. This video is a bit like a book because pages turn and there are little icons that appear with additional information. The bong, bang, zip of the little icons appearing on the screen do get your attention but might not amuse everyone. I was actually not overly enthusiastic about that situation at first, but my mind seemed to start to ignore the zing, zang, zip of the little icons. Jargon Alerts, Myth Buster Icon, Remember Icon and Alerts appear more at the start of the workout than at the end.

The modification sections appear in a split-screen format and can be helpful for beginners. The slower pace and extended time for poses present possibilities for beginners. If you are new to Yoga, this might be a great place to start.

Intermediate and Advanced users may enjoy the extended time for deeper stretching. Each pose is held for six breaths, but even more time is given due to the explanations. Each yoga instructor has a unique perspective and you pick up new tricks and tips when exercising with a good variety of instructors. Sarah presents a non-intimidating program and explains yoga in easy-to-understand language.

Sarah teaches you twelve poses/exercises:

1. Cat Pose
2. Mountain Pose
3. Standing Forward Bend
4. Lunge
5. Tree
6. Standing Side Stretch Pose
7. Downward Facing Dog
8. Cobra
9. Child's Pose
10. Seated Spinal Twist
11. Seated Forward Bend
12. Final Relaxation Pose

You may want to use a yoga mat, strap, chair, pillow during various poses. Sarah gives you as much time as you need to complete and partially master each pose. It takes years to master some poses and after a few years you will be amazed at your progress. The reason yoga never gets boring is because there is so much to learn about each pose.

Since Yoga is not a religion and it is not competitive, it is really perfect for everyone. Not only will yoga give you inner peace, you will find that the exercise help you develop your inner strength all while your body starts to look younger and definitely more toned. You might notice increased blood flow and a relaxed state that lasts for hours and hours.

Also Quite Relaxing:

Crunch Candlelight Yoga - Candles, sweeping curtains and Sarah is the instructor.

Karen Voight YogaSculpt - Modern and healing

Hemalaya Behl's Yoga For Urban Living Series - Authentic and deeply relaxing. I love them all.

alimacgraw Yogamind&body - My first experience with yoga, it is yoga in a desert, which is an exotic, authentic and healing workout. Definitely must be done in the dark with candles.

Yoga Zone Intermediate Flexibility and Stress release - one of my all-time favorites for stretching and I learn so much from this video, each and every time.

OM Yoga - For the more curious who want to learn all the original names for the poses. This is not a video workout and you use flash cards. Perfect for anyone who is advanced or intermediate and wants a system that is highly portable.

~TheRebeccaReview.com

This was my first yoga tape, and my introduction to yoga. I loved it, and still use it occasionlly, though I've moved onto a more challenging workout. The instructor is fantastic, and the other videos I own are hers as well. She is very easy to follow (a little slow once you learn the workout), and very pleasant. I began to see changes almost immediately in my flexibility, figure and stress level.

I have been doing Yoga for about 3 months now and have had incredible results. I have been mainly using Bryan Kest's Power Yoga series.

I wanted to get my sister involved, but felt Bryan may be too fast and aggressive for her.

I could not believe how good this video is!

Also, the host is very pleasing to the eye. I would love to take a class with her - I wouldn't take my eyes off her. (yes, I am a guy).

Get this if you want an introduction to Yoga and learn about basic poses.

I really couldn't believe it when she explained Namaste! Good background learning here as well.

Enjoy!