Yoga for Beginners Deluxe Set 8 Yoga Video Routines for Beginners Includes Gentle Yoga Workouts to Increase Strength

Until this video, my first and only experience with yoga had been the P90X yoga workout. Talk about jumping into the deep end! After leaving that series on the shelf for over a year, I decided to start over and approach yoga the right way by beginning with the basics. This video is PERFECT. As other reviewers have described, there are short targeted segments (10-30 min) in which one can learn and practice various poses, including correct positions, postures, alignment, breathing, etc., and longer workout segments (30+ min) that combine the basics and kick it up a notch. The instructor, Barbara Benagh, has a calm, relaxed voice and provides instruction that is easy to follow. She also provides various ways to do each pose depending on one's level of flexibility. After three weeks of practicing the targeted segments three or four times per week, I already feel improvement in my flexibility and strength, which demonstrates that even beginners can experience the benefits of yoga -- one does not have to be advanced to notice a positive difference. I am excited to progress through the DVD and move on to the "next level"! Read more

Whether you're preparing for a class or learning yoga on your own, a DVD really helps to ground you in the basics. I found Yoga for Beginners a great, relaxing way to get a handle on core positions. You start out by watching the basic area. This area has short segments that help you understand the starting moves. The aim here is to watch each short segment - and practice the moves - until they start to make sense to you. They have 10 minute backbends, 20 minute standing poses, 20 minute strength / balance, 20 minute sun salutations, 30 minute seated hip openers. You'll find some of these might be challenging for your current strength and bend ability - but this is actually great! It means you have something to look forward to as you improve and grow. If everything was super easy at the beginning, the DVD wouldn't be much help! So you practice these moves for a while, figuring out which you can do and which you need to work on. Then you go on to the actual full workout sessions. There is 70 minute basics, 40 minute energizing, 70 minute strength, 30 minute rejuvinate, and 55 minute quieting. Each segment has its own focus, so you can easily pick and choose which one you're going to work on. You might find some easy and relaxing. Others might be a bit challenging at the beginning. So for example the quieting session was really relaxing, lovely, stretchy. On the other hand, the strength session involves some moves that I had to just watch. My arm strength wasn't up there yet. However, I could do much of it and it definitely was building up strength - and I look forward to when I can do it all start to finish. The background is simply gorgeous, with the gentle ocean, the sands and the blue skies. It really helps me to feel peaceful and relaxed. The woman's voice is peaceful, calm, and provides a lot of great pointers for adjusting poses based on your current skill level. Highly recommended for beginners - and the DVD will "grow with you" to allow you to keep enjoying it even as you improve. Read more

Perfect for an under achieving yoga practitioner. I love yoga in theory, but am not consistent in practicing. At my advanced age muscles are tight and my once fit body is getting stiff. My doctor suggested I get a yoga DVD and do something at home. This one is perfect. I do the relaxation piece to ease my back and practice relating breaths and voila it works. The other sections are challenging but doable. The instructor is engaging and easy to follow. Have a mat, some pillows, and/or blankets available for support when needed. In fact watch a section thru before doing it and there will be no surprises. I am very happy with this. Read more

I decided to buy a yoga DVD after taking a yoga class and becoming distressed at how weak and stiff I was. I bought this DVD because of the many positive reviews. The DVD is good for absolute beginners. It's challenging, but not discouragingly so. You can do it even if you're not strong and not flexible. I like the fact that there are different sequences, one as short as 10 minutes, so that I can mix it up a little and don't get really bored. Also, I can squeeze a sequence in even if I have very little time. I especially like the backbends one. Barbara's voice is calming and her directions are very good. Sometimes it seems like she's there in the room, since her comments always seem to be on target. She's not there to dazzle you with her agility or to shame you into injuring yourself, but to teach you how to do the poses properly. She gives adequate time to transition from pose to pose. She gives alternatives for those who are more and less capable. So far, I have only done one sequence in the Extended Routines section of the DVD. I don't recall which one, but I admit I was a little disappointed; it was longer, but not harder than the ones in the Getting Started section. However, some of the other ones may be much harder. I don't think this will be the only DVD I ever use, but most likely, no DVD could play that role. If I lived near Barbara, I would not hesitate to study with her. Since that's not possible and since I do get bored (I've been using the DVD every morning for weeks now), I will probably soon purchase something that has even more targeted sequences (for arms, glutes, abs, or even another strength one that's just different). However, I think it's excellent for encouraging someone who may be apprehensive and/or at a very beginning stage while still teaching "real" yoga. Read more