Search - Yoga For Beginners : The Essential Beginner Yoga Guide For Runners, Walkers & Desk Jockeys on DVD

Good Beginner DVD

Audrey M. Fetzer | Marengo. IL USA | 03/25/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While this DVD doesn't offer the perfectly sculpted instructor in a sexy outfit with beautiful assistants performing incredible poses in a stunning setting while soothing music plays in the background it offers a lot to a newcomer to yoga. It offers a section on breathing, something most "beginner" DVD's don't take the time to fully address how to do and the importance of. It also offers a section on how to appropriately stretch while doing poses in order to avoid injury. It offers a section where each pose is shown and explained in detail. Then it offers multiple length workouts with varying degrees of difficulty and intensity. During the sessions the instructor offers alternatives for individuals with limited strength and flexibility. While the quality of the DVD may be limited, the content isn't. I gave it 5 stars for content, not high tech beautiful quality. It shows real people doing yoga. For more help in learning how to do different yoga poses there is a very helpful website. [...] Many yoga poses are shown in animation giving the opportunity to watch and learn. A DVD that I recommend after this one when one has learned some terminology and poses is Larry Payne's The Classic Beginner's Program for Men & Women from Samata International."

A Ton of Really Great Material

Cybister | 07/17/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is probably my favorite yoga DVD. Marleen is conscientious, incredibly detailed about body mechanics, and kinda wonky, which I really like.

In addition, you get a ton of material on this DVD. The most valuable part is the lengthy section introducing the poses. Marleen talks in detail about what the pose is trying to achieve and how your body should be aligned for maximum effectiveness and to avoid injury. Then her students, representing a range of ages, abilities, and body types, demonstrate each pose, which Marleen modifies for each person. The viewer can imitate the different approaches and pick the one that best serves his/her ability level.

The DVD also has a bunch (more than 4 and less than 10--I don't remember exactly how many) of different routines, each ranging from around thirty minutes to somewhere around an hour. We've been focusing on the first (shortest) one so far, but I think it's a great feature that the DVD can continue to offer me new material and variety as I improve.

For a variety of poses, specificity of instruction, adaptability to different skill levels, and sheer mass of information, this DVD is a terrific resource."

Good for runners & beginners!

Marty Highfield | 07/12/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I cannot compare to other yoga videos, but am glad that I bought this one. I have taken various live classes of yoga over the past 10 years, but this video is MUCH more targeted to me as a runner. As a runner, who sits at a desk a lot at work, I need something to help me work on hip flexibility, and this one has some excellent streches for that. I like the section on general instructions on stretching and the varied lenghts of different workouts. Instructions/reminders are reasonably well-done during workouts. One teeny distraction is that during part of the workout, I can hear a very faint train whistle in the background. Sort of odd for a professional video. Also as usual the closer of the "universe in me saluting the universe in you" or whatever and that sort of stuff is pretty minimal thankfully from my perspective."

If you are looking for a beginner's yoga DVD, this is it.

vonbee22 | 07/09/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Being an active, former collegiate athlete, with already one surgery on my shoulder 3 years ago, and countless trips to PT to help treat my hip problems (due to overuse and tight hamstrings) I wanted something different from my usual workouts of lifting, running, kickboxing, and spinning. I am 24 and I have never been so stiff and tight in my muscles in my entire life. I wanted to try yoga and I spent hours searching amazon and reading customer reviews on beginner yoga dvds. I bought one that was wayyy more advanced than I needed, and wanted one that broke down the positions, as well as modifications if you cannot get into some of those crazy positions. I just did this DVD twice, and LOVED it! Yes, it is "low budget," a simple studio with no music, but the people and the instructors are REAL. They are real people with the same physical ailments as the rest of us (tight hamstrings, back problems, lack of flexibility, etc.) and the instructor does not expect you to stretch like a rubberband. She gives you appropriate modifications that are right for you in order to get the proper stretch without taking your spine out of alignment or injuring your muscles. If you want a DVD or need a DVD with an engaging background, this is not the DVD for you. But if you are looking for a true beginner's guide to yoga, this is DEF. for you. My recommendation is to download some of your favorite relaxing songs (classical, yoga, new age, etc.) and burn a CD to play in the background along with her instructions, its very relaxing. The stretches and positions feel incredible and you can feel the release of tension almost immediately. An added bonus is a section for those people who work in an office, hunched over a desk or computer all day. She gives you things to do in your office to take away some of that tension. I definitely recommend this DVD to someone who is new to yoga and isn't "hip" to all the yoga jargon and positions (yet). There are no crazy expectations and it is completely individualized to you. Good luck!"