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Summary: Was My First Yoga Tape...
Review: A few years ago I bravely attempted Yoga for the first time after having read favorable reviews about Ali McGraw's Yoga VHS tape.I remember finding a couple positions above a beginner's level, but it didn't take long before I could do them after some consistent Yoga sessions. The moves are at just the right pace & speed, allowing sufficient time for breathing, meditation, stretching & full relaxation- unlike several Yoga tapes I've tried out since finding this one. I tend to either have a nap or at night, sleep after, so consider it a warning not to do this tape before going to work. It will completely relax you into a peaceful state. You will just want to sleep, or be.
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Summary: most wonderful
Review: A lot of these reviews say that this video isn't for beginers. This was the first yoga I have ever done and I LOVED it! I found it easy to follow especially because of the long pauses between poses. It made me feel relaxed and energised at the same time. I highly recomend it.
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Summary: My first Yoga experience!
Review: About 2 years ago I bought this tape for a friend of mine as we were both NEWBIES with Yoga. well if THIS TAPE doesnt inspire you to LEARN and become more fluent in the practice nothing else will! This Video was extremly inspirational from the BEAUTIFUL MUSIC and the BREATHTAKING scenes. You really get LOST ..
It is not for beginners I must admit. And there really isnt too many "modified" positions offered. But I made through it...and I wanted SO badly to be able to be as fluid as the beautiful people on this tape that little by little I did manage to memorize the tape and have continued to used this tape with NEVER becoming bored. I have ALWAYS bought NEW tapes..but none are as beautiful or as soul touching as this one.
Again, if you are an extreme beginner and havent a CLUE about Yoga or KNOW you are not flexible or in any kind of shape.. you porbably wont enjoy the video until you get a bit more practice by perhaps OTHER Tapes that are more "instructional"
BUT the one thing that annoys MOST people who do yoga are a bunch of YAPPY instructors.. but in the beginning you MAY need this. If you need step by step by step instruction this may not be for you..Once you have a bit of confidence or just want some inspirtation BUY this tape..you wont be sorry!
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Summary: Feel peaceful and toned after this workout :)
Review: After a few times doing this workout, I began to get better at the Ujjayi breathing which I found relaxed me and made me feel energetic at the same time. You can not be in a distracted mood when you do this. For me, my breathing is not as relaxed if I am thinking about what I need to get done after the video. The music is very motivating to me. The scene is beautiful, but often my eyes are closed or I am not facing the TV, so the scenery is wasted on me. The music, which is a sort of new age flowing type, helps me to get into the flow of doing the warm up sun salutations. Some poses I found a little difficult to maintain at first, (the tree), difficulty holding the balance, but I got better at it as I practiced more. I could really feel the toning effects in my legs, (bridge pose), and arms, (downward dog). So, this is not a hurry up and get your cardio workout video, but you will get a good, different workout. It helped me to be still. I recommend using a good yoga sticky mat to help with the poses and for safety.
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Summary: A wonderfully relaxing workout for old and young
Review: After boughts with anxiety attacks, my wife talked me into trying out yoga using this tape. I was very skeptical at first, but after the very first workout, I already saw the advantages of yoga. As a beginner, I found this tape to be somewhat strenuous, but not so much that I was put off by the workout. I worked and worked and continue to work, and the tape gives me great satisfaction. I would highly recommend this to anyone thinking of trying yoga or expanding their existing horizons. Although Ali McGraw may have been 52 when she made this tape, I think most participants will be hard pressed to match her agility and prowless. But as she indicates at the beginning of the tape, "Yoga is not a competitive sport". I've tried a few other tapes, but most of them (AM/PM yoga especially) are full of advertisements and attempts to push products on you. AM/PM starts with 15 minutes of advertisements that you either sit through or fast forward through. That was not something I was particularly fond of when I sat down to begin the workout. Seems a little contrary to the Yoga spririt to me. This is a tape devoted to a nice relaxing workout that flows from the very beginning to the very end, with no added "junk mail". A+ for Ali McGraw and Eric Schiffler for a great tape. The complaints from other reviewers about the production may be true, but after the second or third time through this workout, you really don't pay attention to the video itself. You're able to do the workout and concentrate on your breathing and technique. The volume of the music does seem to overlap the voice of the instructor in parts, but again, after you have been through this tape a few times, you are really only using his voice for cues instead of instruction. You will prefer the music more at that point.
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Summary: Great alternative workout
Review: After having just done this workout for the first day I am definitely impressed. I am a devoted fitness fan trying not to get bored with the same tapes. This is a great way to become more flexible and clear the mind. I wouldn't recommend doing the whole thing in your first day but gradually increasing your time. Some of the stretches in here could be real killers!
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Summary: Not as effective as personal instruction!
Review: After having practised yoga for three years with an instructor, I found Ali McGraw's video both disappointing and ineffective. The poses were not appropriate for yoga beginners and I found McGraw's instruction to be, at times, annoying. The purpose of yoga is to reach personal goals in flexibility and in clarity of mind, not to be rushed into bending and posing without the proper relaxation. I was thoroughly unhappy with the video and do not recommed it to any prospective yoga participants!
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Summary: Great video
Review: After taking about 12 group yoga lessons, I was able to follow the video pretty well. I had also read Eric Schiffmann's book "Yoga - Moving into Stillness" and been over to his website, www.movingintostillness.com. So perhaps I was already familiar with him and his style and that helped. I can't do all the poses yet, and I certainly can't do them to the depth the actors on the video do. But with yoga you have to be patient and do what you can. Progress comes if you stick with it. BTW, Eric Schiffmann is currently working on another book and video. It's hard for him to do because as you can see from the schedule posted on his website, he travels frequently all over the world and seems to be booked a full year in advance! I recommend this video to those with some light experience and patience. I alternate this one with the Rodney Yee AM yoga and also take group lessons twice a week. I think this video is a good addition to your arsenal for mixing up your yoga practice to prevent boredom and to get a feeling like you're making progress. A sticky mat for this video is a must -- you can get nice ones at a bargain prices from the wholesaler, www. buymats.com.
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Summary: Yoga made beautiful........
Review: Ali MacGraw an inspiration for the over 45 set --- she was 52 when she made this tape !! The entire tape is a blessing --- the music is beautifully eastern, but upbeat ... it keeps you moving during the posture flow sections. The setting is the wonderful White Sands National Park, they use long, slow moving shots of the dessert between sections of the tape. It is fun just to watch. The group in the class is very mixed -- young girl/old woman/black guy/Ali is very flexible, but she is not stick thin -- it makes you feel anyone could be able to do yoga.
What I like best about this tape is that it can be used for one long yoga workout (53 mins) or it is very easilly divided into three major parts. First there is an intro into breathing techniques and an easy to follow sun salutation set. Next is a great standing flow (triangles/warriors...) That part is very slightly strenous, but it can be smoothly done after a bit of practice, plus it is good to get the heart rate up a little. The tape ends with a group of floor postures. The three parts are divided by a brief balance posture or breathing. I like inserting part of this tape into my daily practice to keep from getting bored.
This tape is OK for beginners who can follow insturction or better yet for students who have had some classes and are looking for something to inspire them on.
I rate this as the best of all the yoga tapes I've tried to use!!!!!!!!
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Summary: Prefect
Review: Ali Macgraw is a winner! She proved again that love story! is in the past! The shortness of the video is my only concern! I purchased several copies! and found the work-out to be surround -ed with beauty! Ali Macgraw is both beauty and yoga! Yoga is a time and space process for the inner working`s of the soul! I waiting for part 2! What a religion! THE BEST! Don Gerling
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