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Ali MacGraw - Yoga Mind & Body

Ali MacGraw - Yoga Mind & Body

List Price: $12.98
Your Price: $10.38
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: The Soundtrack Totally Distracted me from the Workout!
Review: Sorry folks, but I just dont see what's so great about this video.
Maybe it's because I am a sound - sensitive professional musician, but I just coudn't get into this video with all the background commotion. Conga drums going wild like Carnival at Rio, electionic ohms rising in volume and drowning out the speaker during the final relaxation, synthesized rock beats, chanting, native american flutes, electric guitars, ominous electronic wind noises....really I couldnt wait for the video to end. I could have used less art and more yoga.
Too bad, because the workout is decent. Standard stuff...sun salutation, standing poses, cobra, bow, spinal twists, etc. Lots of edits and cuts. At one point I looked at the screen to check a pose, and the camera was pointed at the sky.
I will stick with my Yoga Zone vids, Sarah Ivanhoes Dummy Series, Yoga for Surfers Power Yoga, and Rodney Yee.
One last request for any Yoga video producers out there....How about an instruction-only option. I can provide the music if I want it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One of the best produced yoga videos
Review: I really don't have a lot to add to the rest of the 164 reviews but this is really a beautiful yoga workout, good music , relaxing, just a little bit challenging . Not for complete beginners. 56 minutes.The DVD has a menu with chapter selection of every sequence of poses : sun salutations, standing, etc.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: best Yoga video I have seen
Review: I bought this video 8 years ago and it is still the mainstay of my home practice. I have 18 other videos and have taken Yoga from numerous teachers including Erich Schiffman. His voice is wonderfully soothing, the poses flow easily, the scenery is gorgeous and the music is great, if just a tad too loud. After 10 years (it was produced in '94)it still ranks at the top.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The best yoga I have found!
Review: This really is the best yoga instruction that I have found for in home use. The poses are challenging enough that you will be able to use this dvd for your whole yoga practice from your first days to when you are limber. I suggest that you get some yoga props to help you in the begining, as the poses are a challenge.

Of all the yoga videos, and dvds that I have tried I always come back to this one. Not only is it beautifully made, but it is the one that makes me feel the most like I have really done something. This tape also keeps the focus on the breathing, and the poses, which is the heart of yoga practice, which is missing in so many other yoga videos.

If nothing else, get it just to watch and listen to the beautiful music and the amazing scenery. You will be inspired to try the poses!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: In a word - stunning
Review: The cinematography on this must surely have been done by professionals in the film industry... and all I can say is... wow. Other yoga videos and dvds I've seen aren't in the same league at all. Ali MacGraw put together a great team to produce this and I for one, am grateful. It's a stunningly beautiful workout for both the spirit and body, and captures the true heart of yoga.

Don't be fooled by the "new age music" label - I dislike new age music (usually find it boring and lacklustre) but the musical score on this is mesmerizing, hypnotic and wonderfully different (exotic). That along with Erich Schiffmann's soothing voice and the slow, deliberate pace never fails to put me in a wonderfully serene state of mind. And of course it goes without saying that the white desert sand backdrop at dawn, and interesting camera shots make it a visual feast for the senses.

I agree it's more for intermediate levels. Though beginners wanting inspiration and something to build up to would appreciate it as well. The stretches are deep and if you're a beginner not used to stretching, they might leave you feeling achy the next day. I'm always tempted to lend this out to friends new to yoga, but sometimes hold back for a while because it doesn't include modifications for beginners. But so long as you remember to only go as far as your body is comfortable without pushing it, I can't think of a more inspiring yoga routine out there.

Ali MacGraw has given at-home yoga practitioners a great gift in this yoga production. This routine has been around longer than many, & it's no accident it regularly shows up on yoga practitioners' lists of all time favourites. A classic... my yoga collection wouldn't be the same without it.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: disappointed
Review: Don't buy it, if English is not your mother tongue, with the loud drum in the background and the man murmurs to describe the movements, it is a bit of a torture to follow up. I have to sit down just to watch it repeatedily in order to know what to do.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Great Yoga!!
Review: My house got burglarized about a year ago, and with it my video tape.. Last week, I bought a DVD player ( I finally decided to get out the dark ages,) and made the mistake of buying AM/PM Yoga. Hated it! Needless to say, I have returned to Yoga Mind and Body --a true classic, and one that will continue to challenge me. Its a little advanced, so if you're looking for a good beginners tape, I suggest Kathie Smith Yoga.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: MY ALL TIME FAVE!!!
Review: this is the video that got me hooked on yoga. i'd say it's better suited to a strong beginner with yoga experience rather than to a novice. although my practice is more "power" based now, i still come to this once a week or so when i want a more tranquil practice. my only caveat with the dvd is that i wish there were some bonus material. the cover says there is a new interview with ali macgraw, but i can't find it. but still a great dvd.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: great
Review: By far my favorite yoga tape. I was impressed with the instructor, the background, and the music. I had some previous experience with yoga and some of the poses were a little bit difficult for a beginner, but after doing the tapes a few time I can alredy feel improvement. If you have had a little experience, or if you're a fairly fit beginner, I would definitely recommend this video.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A beautiful hatha yoga workout led by one of the best
Review: Erich Schiffman, one of the yoga community's finest instructors, guides us through this 45-minutes workout set in the White Sands desert. Ali gives a brief introduction at the beginning of the tape and joins the rest of the students in demonstrating the poses. As you begin this workout you will focus on ujayii breathing to prepare for the more rigorous poses. You will also learn a modified verson of the Sun Salutations (surya namaskar), different versions of the bridge pose and appropriate counterposes. The workout ends in Shavasana (corpse pose), argued by many to be the most important pose in any yoga practice.

Many aspects of this workout make it a keeper for the intermediate yogi. First, many reviewers have discussed the beautiful scenery; this is wonderful for any yoga program although you may not look at the TV often. At least you can enjoy it when you do look up! Another great part of this workout is Erich's soothing instruction, which upon hearing would make anyone want to relax. Note for advanced yogis/yoginis: he does not call the poses in their sanskrit name, and infrequently by their English name. He just does a great job at describing the movement. Lastly, for those who do not mind new-age music, the soundtrack provides a wonderful background sound perfectly balanced with Erich's cueing.

The ideal person for this workout is someone who has done the beginner level yoga workouts and is looking for something more from their yoga practice. You will not break much of a sweat but will generate some cleansing heat in your body. The slowness and steadiness of the movement really makes you think about your form and focus on breathing. For those who are looking for a tougher ashtanga workout, this may not be what you're looking for (I might suggest Bryan Kest or Baron Baptiste instead). I would highly recommend this workout as a more gentle practice in between ashtanga sessions or as a meditative stretch after a strength-training workout. If you do decide to pick this one up and have minimal exposure to yoga, I would suggest that you read an introductory book to understand the proper form. Namaste!


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