Search - Power Yoga the Complete Workout - Stamina, Strength, Flexibility with Rodney Yee on DVD

To Touch My Toes

Russell Diederich | Littleton, CO United States | 02/07/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Steel is a lot more flexible than I am, and I consider being able to touch my knees an incredible feat. The idea of touching my toes without bending a knee has been nothing more than a dream, at least until I met Rodney Yee. My stiff body finds the idea of yoga intriguing. It's a known fact that flexibility adds to greater gains in strength and sports, plus everyone talks about the mental calming of yoga. When I came across Yee's DVD of "Power Yoga for Stamina, Strength, and Flexibility", the word "Flexibility" made me decide to try what yoga is about. The DVD is separated into three workouts: Stamina, Strength and Flexibility, with each program more difficult than the previous one. The first time I tried the Stamina routine, which is the easiest of the three, I thought I had made a mistake in buying this DVD. The posses were rapid, the names of the posses were unknown to me, and my body tired quickly from bending in new directions. By the third day I could complete the routine, and after two weeks I had it memorized. The big question is, "Does it work?". I've only been doing the stamina workout for a month on an every-other-day basis. In that time, I've gone from only being able to touch the top of my ankle in a one-legged forward bend to being able to grab my foot with both hands. That's an increase by 4-6 inches. Some of the posses I'm still too tight to perform properly, but with each passing day, I perform them a little more correctly. If you're inflexible, like me, moving from between posses may be difficult. For the life of me I cannot go from "Downward Facing Dog" or "Plank Position" into the "Lunge" in one simple step like Yee does. Instead, I have to step as far as I can, and then quickly readjust. Don't give up on this DVD because you don't perform the posses like Yee does. Just remember, he's a master and has been doing this for decades. I'm sure in fifteen years I'll be able to move into the Lunge with a simple step. I don't feel this is like other exercise tapes where you slave to throw punches or jump around a step. This one shows results almost immediately, and it becomes addicting. Yoga is my favorite part of my workout. Once I started yoga I realized just how tight I really am. I have a long way to go before I can fold in half or put my feet behind my head, but I'm looking forward to what next month will bring."

Good instruction but with timing issue

Johnny | Plano, TX United States | 05/06/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I am surprised no one mentioned this in the reviews I read: the timing between Yee's visual and audio cues are inconsistent, i.e., sometimes his movements are ahead of his words, other times behind. This is not a big deal if you always follow Yee on the screen but becomes a big deal if you mostly listen. While most of his movements are slightly behind his audio cues, Yee does move ahead of his own words on multiple occasions.I disagree that it's a "complete" workout. IMHO, many fundamental poses are missing. Furthermore, there are 2 sets of distracting cool downs and warm-ups if you do all 3 programs together. Or maybe I have ADD.I also disagree that this is for beginners. In order for this to be a complete beginners' program, the DVD--at very minimum--needs to include a section that concentrate on individual poses. For example, a person with no yoga background might not know what "lift the arch" means.Despite above shortcomings, this is one of the best instructional videos I've used. The instruction is mostly concise and clear; the choices of camera angles are helpful; and the background music and visuals are awesome. What I like the most about this DVD is the pace. Yee makes sure you don't just sit there and impatiently wait for next thing to happen. Even when you're not moving, Yee makes you work on "internal" elements such as breathing or concentrate on stretching a particular part of the body."

Can you say, "Kicked my butt..."

blkasianqn | Harbor City, CA United States | 05/15/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had a baby a year ago and although I've already lost all of my baby weight (and then some) I still need a little toning. I purchased this DVD based on reviews that I read all over the Internet. MAN! Rodney kicked my butt! I never really considered myself COMPLETELY out of shape, but Rodney proved me wrong. I worked parts of my body that I didn't know existed. He's great for beginners like myself - although I had a tough time following along and trying to watch him at the same time. Once I got the basic moves, it got easier. For those of you considering yoga as a means of working out, try this one over all others. Rodney is a great instructor and he doesn't go to fast where you can't keep up. And if you're one of those people that think yoga doesn't make you sweat - THINK AGAIN! Yoga is great for relaxation, meditation and the most restful sleep ever (if you choose to do it before bed.) I highly suggest taking a peek at this workout. It's worth it!"

NOT a "complete workout"

blkasianqn | 04/17/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I have been practicing yoga (primarily astanga/power yoga style) for a little over a year, and while I think that the individual segments are fairly good, do not buy this DVD expecting to replicate a traditional 1.5 hour power/astanga yoga practice session. The "complete workout" is merely the linking together of the 3 half-hour workouts, so you will have to fast-forward through the intermediate cool-downs and warm-ups if you want to maintain a regular pace and the internal heat that is key to this style of yoga. And even if you didn't have to fast-forward, you would still have the problem of the poses not being in the proper order--you go through the beginning sun-salutation poses with each segment. It's overall very annoying and NOT a good substitute for going to a proper power yoga class.I will say that each segment on its own is quite good, and it is of course convenient that you can do a 30-minute practice at home when you are pressed for time. But, in case it isn't clear, my main complaint with this DVD is that it's billed as being four programs in one--the three short, and one long--but I don't think that there is a true "complete workout" option as advertised. Because I think the title of the DVD is very misleading (I bought the DVD because I wanted the 1.5 hour session), I gave this DVD a lower rating than I would have otherwise. Depending on your needs, however, this feature of the DVD may not be problematic for you."