Customer Reviews

Power Yoga Practice

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

 

 

This is a wonderfully produced DVD. Beryl's voice is pleasant and I enjoy that there is a range of body types in the "class". There are also a number of modifications shown, although occasionally I think the camera cuts too quickly so it may be difficult to see enough of them.

But this is a fast-paced, complete Ashtanga primary series. It is wonderfully useful for those like myself who have had some Ashtanga instruction and practice already but who maybe are not quite advanced enough to have memorized the entire practice and do it without cues. Or for those who enjoy feeling like they are in a class setting now and then instead of solo practice every day. It does NOT give instruction on how to do the poses and it is NOT for beginners or for anyone who is not used to a vigorous practice. That instruction is best obtained from a class, (although BBB's book is very good, I found I was doing many poses incorrectly once I branched out from her book to live instruction).

I am a 41 year old yoga teacher, and I been studying and practicing yoga about 8 years, and doing Bikram-style and power yoga for about three years. My prefernce is a very challenging practice that makes me sweat and try asanas I am not familiar with. This DVD is not for everybody, but I loved it. I also loved Beryl's book which I found at a used book store last winter (which you really MUST get UNLESS you have a great Ashtanga Primary Series class locally) so although many of the reviews were negative, I decided to try the DVD. I am so glad I did! I learned so much just from doing it for a week! I find Beryl very knowledgeable about all aspects of practice, her cuing is very nice but I can see how you could get lost if you are not familiar with the series. I have to modify many of the postures that require lots of hip or shoulder flexibility, but... so what? As Beryl's guru Patthabi Jois is often quoted, "Do your practice, all is coming." It sounds like many of the disgruntled reviewers were expecting to be able to just "DO IT" and were frustrated that they weren't "told" this practice takes TIME (1.5 - 2 hours), Patience, and ongoing practice to master. People -- this is yoga. That's the deal. Yoga is a process of self-awareness. If you just want to jump around and get in shape, The FIRM workouts are nice. Baron Baptiste's power yoga videos are sort of "Ashtanga Lite" and may help prepare you for a more rigorous practice like this. But I think Beryl is a great teacher, and her only mistake was not making a package out of her book and DVD, because they really have to be used together to get the most out of it.

I am very frustrated with this purchase. NOWHERE on the cover does it even state that this video is not for beginners, and after reading the reviews by others on this website, it obviously is only for the very advanced. The back of the dvd box reads "The students on-screen, ranging widely in age and ability, demonstrate modifications" ...... LIES!!! To repeat... At least MENTION IT IS NOT FOR BEGINNERS. Now I am stuck with the purchase. Oh yea, the claim "with detailed explanations" is a JOKE. Just read the other reviews. Summary- purposely concealed the intended audience to increase sales to unsuspecting consumers. An HONEST description would have been the ETHICAL way to go about promotion of her product!

. . . it was exactly what I was looking for, a video version of the primary series to use when I can't get to yoga class. Bender Birch is amazing and I love the way she leads the class through the asanas.

Reading the other reviews I want to be clear: this video is the primary series of Ashtanga yoga. If you don't know what that is, you may find this tape difficult and confusing to follow. The Sanskrit terms are used because that is what is used in Ashtanga. The poses can be difficult, but this is to be expected, the primary series always involves the same poses. The same response can be said to those saying the workout isn't hard enough. The primary series is what it is. If you don't like it generally, you won't like it on this tape either. But I would suggest people learn about what it is and decide if it's for them beforehand rather than buying the tape and then complaining about it when it is exactly what it claims to be. Ashtanga is not just about getting a hard workout, there are many things we try to develop through our practice. Bender Birch makes it clear that the DVD is to be used in conjunction with her book, Power Yoga, and it is probably a good idea for you to take this advice to heart if you have no ashtanga experience. I can see, however, how some people might buy the video anyway because the blurb on the back mentions that people of all levels are doing it. You do see people of varying levels on the tape, but they are all obviously quite experienced.

Anyway, yes, this is a challenging and dynamic practice. You are not supposed to immediately be able to do all the poses. The practice is something we work on throughout our lives and are never finished. If ashtanga or "power yoga" is not your thing, or if you don't have the experience to do the postures, please don't blame the tape, that would be like me buying a Kundalini tape and then complaining about all the chanting. This tape is excellent for the right person, and if you're looking for a challenging and dynamic yoga video and you already practice or are interested in trying out Ashtanga, this is just the tape for you.

I have been doing yoga for almost 2 years now and thought I might be up to this level. NOT!
This is basically an ADVANCED class recorded onto a dvd with little to no instruction. Yes, there are people at different levels in the video but they hardly show them and she never goes into modifications for the poses. She barks out orders first in the sanskrit name (i guess, because she never explains that either) and then (sometimes) in the english name. Very annoying.
The shooting makes it difficult to see the details of the poses and when Beryl does demonstrate a pose, it's so quick and from too far away, that it's just more of a frustration than a help.
The class is very fast paced and the fact that there are no "chapters" makes it practically impossible to review anything. The further along the class goes, the more ridiculous and more difficult the poses get.
I like a challenge but unless I develop plans of joining the circus and becoming a human pretzel, I won't be working with this video. This might be a great dvd for an advanced yoga student or teacher with a daily practice who just doesn't feel like driving to class every day. Otherwise, forget it. My search for the perfect yoga dvd continues.

I loved this DVD. The workout is by no means easy. I think that if you either have good endurance or want to improve your endurance, then buy this DVD. This DVD goes no stop for roughly 75 minutes. This is the full primary series she is doing, plus a few poses she throws in. The DVD has no bookmarks or stopping points, it's basically either you do the whole thing or you just fast forward past what you don't want to do.

I know some reviewers saw this this as a hindrance moreso than a help, but the idea is do all of the poses in a certain sequence. The fact that there 8-10 people of different skill levels doing either the full pose or some modification makes up for lack of bookmarks/stopping points. If you do want to just perform segments, then purchase Richard Freeman's Primary Series workout. You can elect to do the whole workout (including opening and closing chants), or just perform segments (sun salutations, standing poses, seated poses, etc.). However, there are no modifications, and Freeman is performing these poses at a near perfect level (check your ego at the door). If you are looking for a shorter more accessible version of Ashtanga yoga, then try either Baron Baptiste's Power Yoga 3 or MTV's second power yoga tape. While Baron offers a condensed (45 minute vs 75-90 minute) version that includes most of the easy to intermediate poses, the MTV version is a loosely based version of the primary series where many of the poses are there, but not necessarily in order, and the instructor uses a lot more creative license.

I found this DVD highly motivating. Seeing people of different skill levels get through the entire workout spurred me to go on. Berly makes the primary series fun and accessible, but you will sweat. If you think that 75+ minutes is too long, then try one of the other tapes I suggested, however, if you want to try to complete the primary series, and want to build the endurance needed to do 1-1.5 hrs of yoga, then buy this tape.

I take live power yoga classes 2-3 times a week. I've acheived wonderful results in 6 months of practice. I wanted to bring the practice home and so purchased this based on these reviews. Honestly, I'm surprised this has been rated so highly by many. From the power yoga point of view, there isn't much power behind it. She starts off with the basics: sun salutations A & B, followed by triangle, revolved triangle extended side angle, etc...(not necessarily in that order, but you get the picture) There is a lengthy 15-20 minute segment right in the middle of the series that goes through 6 or 7 seated postures starting off with the staff pose. By this point, whatever heat you've built is completely gone and it feels a lot like a cool-down session. There is still another 20 minutes of poses after these seated postures.

I'm the kind of person who likes to break a sweat, and I've had live sessions where I've left the room completely soaked as if I had run 10 miles. I barely broke a sweat with this DVD, it was a moderate workout at best and NOTHING like the high intensity that power yoga is supposed to be (well, for me at least). I finally got smart and asked my yoga instructor what she follows for home practice and she recommended Baron Baptiste. If only I had consulted her prior to purchasing this DVD! I was very disappointed overall and I would not recommend this if you're seeking a serious power yoga workout.

Beryl Bender Birch Power Yoga: The Practice is the best dvd!!! Beryl is amazing!! The dvd motivates me to keep practicing. Thank you Beryl!

I have been taking yoga classes for almost two years now, and this is the only tape I have ever purchased that is too difficult for me. If you are not able to pull your feet up behind your head, this tape is not for you.

I have been taking yoga classes for almost two years now, and this is the only tape I have ever purchased that is too difficult for me. If you are not able to pull your feet up behind your head, this tape is not for you.