Search - Yoga Conditioning for Athletes with Rodney Yee Deluxe Edition on DVD

Great yoga/stretching for everyone, not just athletes!

Beth Cholette | Upstate NY USA | 04/21/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"NOTE: This same DVD has been released under several different covers; it was originally a "Living Arts" title but is now being distributed by Gaiam.

Let me begin by saying that I am definitely NOT an athlete; I do exercise regularly at home (with a recumbent bike and strength/yoga videos), but I've never participated in any kind of sports activity. However, when I was first learning yoga, I borrowed this video from the library after someone recommended to me as a good overall yoga tape, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that I didn't need to be an athlete to complete the workout. Since that time (almost 8 years ago), Yoga Conditioning for Athletes has remained one of my all-time favorite yoga practices.

Instructor Rodney Yee begins the practice with Opening, a 13-minute stretching segment using a chair. These segment includes some more traditional stretches, and the work focuses particularly on opening up the hips and hamstrings. Although I've never been naturally flexible, I was able to do all of the stretches without modifying. However, Rodney practices with two background exercisers, each of whom offer different levels of modifications if necessary. After the Opening segment, Rodney moves on to Conditioning, or 21 minutes of standing yoga postures. I particularly enjoyed how Rodney takes the time to hold each pose; as he does so, he explains how to work towards increasing your flexibility by gradually moving deeper into the pose over time. The standing work is followed by 17 minutes of yoga moves on the floor; this sweet Integration segment consists mainly of forward bends and twists. Finally, the practice concludes with a 5-minute relaxation segment.

I originally owned this practice on VHS, but I now have it on DVD, and the DVD version does offer several nice advantages. First, there is a camera option features which allows you to focus in on one of the background exercisers (as opposed to Rodney) if you prefer. Second, the DVD offers eight "mini" practices, each of 7-9 minutes in length. Although these practices are designed to be used for certain sports, I use all of them for a quick stretch depending on the the area I want to target (eg, Swimming when I want to stretch my upper body, Running when I want to stretch my hips/hamstrings, etc.).

This practice certainly IS appropriate for athletes, especially since throughout the workout, Rodney talks about how the exercises will benefit one's athletic performance. However, for those us who aren't athletes, this is an excellent, easy-to-follow yoga/stretching tape with an emphasis on both flexibility and balance. I would say that virtually all of the moves are appropriate for beginners; however, because Rodney does not explain how to do the yoga poses (he simply provides the name of each pose) some prior familiarly with basic yoga postures would definitely be helpful. Rodney is an excellent instructor, and over the years, he has become one of my favorites.

This practice still has a solid place in my yoga collection, and it is often the first title I recommend for those looking for a yoga video in order to increase flexibility."

Great work out.

J. Richards | Logan, UT United States | 09/08/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've only been doing yoga for about 5 months.I have several yoga videos and so far Rodney Yee is by far my favorite instructor. I use his Yoga for Beginners every single day, doing the morning and night exercise. I use this video about once or twice a week. It is an excellent, hard, but doable work out. Sometimes I can't get myself to commit to the hour the full practice takes. But when I do I don't have any back, or knee pain for 2 days. I don't consider myself an athlete, but I do play basketball a couple of times a week. Because of work I spend a lot of time sitting in a cubical. The stretches and positions in this video help me stay limber, flexible, and strong so when I do go play basketball I don't pull a muscle due to other muscles being tight or week.

I can't recommend this video enough. If you are starting yoga and are only buying 1 video, get Rodney Yee Yoga for Beginners. Once you see how great yoga can be, and what a good instructor Rodney Yee is you won't hesitate to get this video."

Does not focus on volleyball or softball/baseball stretching

aimhigh | USA | 05/26/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The description of this item was slightly inaccurate. I purchased it so that my daughter could use it for softball and volleyball. After I got it, I realized that those sports are under the "general" category. Therefore, focus on muscle groups was less than I expected. If you like swimming or tennis, this is a good video."

Great yoga video!

P. Zula | Ohio | 06/23/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I really enjoy this video and the yoga positions. He holds the positions for a good amount of time and does not rush through it. Make sure to give yourself time when doing these workouts (about an hour). I love the different options to let me work on flexibility, strength, or combine the two. I also enjoy his attitude!"