Search - Yoga Zone - Yoga Basics for Beginners on DVD

Only for the very beginners

Katherine Eby | Davis, CA USA | 02/08/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I've done yoga a few times in classes, but I'm fairly inflexible and don't consider myself an expert by any means. I was looking for a DVD that would give some simple poses to do and could help me relax.
Well, this DVD oversimplified it. If you've never done yoga before, this might be a good place to start, otherwise, your money is better spent elsewhere. There was no flow between poses, and each one was held for a very long time as one of the instructors explained it. I had a strong dislike for both instructors by the end of the first segment.
The production value of this DVD was also pretty poor. It seemed slightly out of focus for the first segment. The instructor would talk almost constantly, and would sometimes look right at the camera, but not always at the right camera. The music was barely audible and really didn't add anything. Leaves fell through the shot. People walked through the background. I was unable to find a sense of focus and relaxation because of all this.

Overall, this DVD might give good instruction to someone who had never done yoga before and wanted to learn about a few poses. If you've done some yoga before, no matter how little, I would advise to skip this DVD."

Not what I expected-- but very good!

book junkie | 10/04/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"To me, the title "Yoga Basics for Beginers" indicates a methodical lesson, during which tons of poses are introduced and explained. What I got was 20 beginers workout, with some explinations thrown in. I like what I got. The first session is taught by Michelle and demonstrated Al Bingham, reversed in the second session. Al is a far superior instructor. Michelle doesn't do a great job of explaining poses. Overall, the second workout is better, and I'd recomend starting with it because its poses "flow" more logically. And because we all love lists, I've decided to tell you what I thought was good and bad about this (my very first) yoga DVD and let you decide.

GOOD
-Al is my fave yogazone instructor
-Lovely settings
-Hard for a novice at first, but you'll get through it on try 5 and you'll feel accomplished
-Can do 20 minute workouts seperately or together
-Will introduce you to yoga

BAD
-First downward dog in second session is too long
-Sometimes they have you do the poses without giving the name
-Both sessions are relatively similar; if they weren't, we could have been introduced to more poses."

Good, but an absolute beginner shouldn't start with this one

S. smith | Texas | 07/25/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I've done yoga off and on for a little over a year. I don't consider myself advanced by any means and I know I'm very weak in the upper body, overweight, and not very flexible. However, with yoga and walking I have improved a lot. I love yogazone's programs, and really enjoy most of the dvds with 2 20 minute workouts on them like this one. But, I feel a beginner beginner, esp to exercise, should start with one that's more instructional, like in the other series yoga zone puts out...I didn't start with the beginner one with the yellow cover, but did flexibility and tone and while it's hard, the instruction was there. the main problem I had with 'basics' being a beginner workout is the amount of time spent in downdog. it's a lot! If I had to recommend a 20 minute yoga zone for an absolute beginner, I would suggest total body conditioning, esp the 1st workout, because she goes fairly slow and explains enough to do the pose and does a nice variety of standing and seated poses..and no downward facing dog! I also love stretching for flexibility 1st part(sheholds down dog a long time but is very encouraging and a nice stretch espif you're already warmed up) and strong and healthy back is nice too,esp the 2nd program..the 1st has a lot of twists and is also nice but requres a lot more flexibility imo!"

Great Great Great

S. smith | 05/17/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Perfect! Do I need to say anything else? The timing is great--20 minutes for each program. Wonderful for beginners--I'm pretty much brand new to yoga, but I can still tell a HUGE difference in my body. This one is a must if you are looking for something to get you into yoga."