I have purchased other yoga/pilates dvd but never followed though. Why? I was simply too inflexible and uncoordinated for most of them--when I bend over I can very touch past my knees and I'm also about 40 pds overweight. But this video is doable for me--the routines are simple and give you time to work into a pose unlike others that move too quickly. I also like how the instructor uses props such as a chair to aid in stability. Essential Yoga For Inflexible People
As someone who is rather inflexible and who is beginning to explore the world of yoga, this is an incredible product.
I like to go to yoga classes, but have trouble fitting that into my schedule and following up in the weeks that pass between classes. So I had tried other yoga videos, but found them to be far too fast paced to follow along, and had pretty much given up on them.
There's a ton on this DVD, something like 3.5 or 4 hours altogether, and it's fun to try and do different parts on different days.
I wanted to give it 6 stars, but amazon only allows 5!
A great DVD for beginners. The pace is excellent for those learning the poses - the speed is relatively slow so the viewer can take the time to move into a pose and focus on attaining correct alignment. The instructions are clear. Rationale and purpose of most (maybe all?) poses are provided as well.
It's also a great DVD for advanced beginners. I am an advanced beginner, and I found that it was helpful to see close-up how my body was supposed to be positioned. Sometimes in yoga class it's hard to see an instructor's subtle movement: you may be in the back of the room, the instructor may not hold the pose because he or she needs to assist students, or you may not be wearing your glasses (like me)!
The video allows you to progress at your own speed. There are routines that focus on one type of pose (eg seated), one body part (eg stubborn hamstrings), and full routines too (eg AM practice). The DVD culminates in a 90 minute routine, which I believe is comprised of other parts of the video.
In summary, it's a great yoga DVD with, ironically, a ton of flexibility in how it can be used. The scenery is beautiful and Maggie Rhoades' voice is soothing and calming. I highly recommend it!
(Disclaimer: I am actually a student of Maggie's. If you ever have a chance to take a class from her, do it. She is an amazing teacher with a great sense of humor and extraordinary enthusiasm for yoga practice and life.)
Essential Yoga for Inflexible People is a DVD which offers a variety of beginning-level yoga practices. These practices are designed for inflexible people in particular by providing various modifications of traditional yoga poses, including use of props such as a chair and a blanket. The Main Menu of the DVD offers the following options:
Short Routines--Learn the Basics
Short Routines--Continued
Extended Routines--As You Progress
Credits
Each of the above options is broken up into practice sub-menus as described below. The times are as listed on the DVD, but I have added my own comments.
SHORT ROUTINES, BASICS
*Sun Salutations with Chair (6m)--2 rounds of sun salutations performed at a slow, modified pace using a chair
*Sun Salutations without Chair (7m)--2 rounds of slow sun salutations, still modified but without the chair
*Standing Poses with Chair (25m)--despite the title, these postures DO NOT use a chair; rather, they are modified standing postures including mountain, triangle, warrior 2, and side stretch
*Standing Poses with Chair II (14m)--this segment actually does use a chair, but only for a few postures; consists mainly of variations on intense side stretch pose
SHORT ROUTINES, CONTINUED
*Seated Poses (9m)--held seated postures including staff pose, cross-leg, cobbler's pose, and hero; a blanket is used
*Forward Bends with Chair (15m)--chair is used to support hands/arms for both standing and seated forward bends; ends with reclined leg stretch using a strap
*Beginning Back Bends (8m)--gentle variations of cobra pose
*Yoga Twists with Chair (11m)--starts with twists seated on chair, then moves to floor for additional seated twists and reclined twists
All of the practices in the final segment, Extended Routines, are made up of the the shorter segments from above; most of the practices add a 5-minute relaxation segment as well.
EXTENDED ROUTINES
*Extended Standing Postures (30m)--both standing segments from above
*Legs (40m)--seated segment, forward bends, seated twists, and relaxation
*AM Wake Up (45m)--seated segment, sun salutations w/chair, 1st standing segment, and relaxation
*Spinal Work in 3 Dimensions (40m)--sun salutations w/o chair, forward bends, back bends, and twists
*Stubborn Hamstrings (65m)--sun salutations w/chair, both standing segments, forward bends, relaxation
*Full Routine (90m)--combines all of the above
Overall, these practices are definitely appropriate for those with little pre-existing flexibility who are new to yoga. Instructor Maggie Rhoades generally provides good voiceover cues. However, she moves VERY slowly, often taking several minutes to set up a single pose. Therefore, anyone with prior yoga experience may become easily bored by these practices, even those with limited flexibility. Furthermore, although the practices are filmed against the beautiful backdrop of Half-Moon Bay in Antigua, the camera sometimes focuses too much on the scenery and not enough on Maggie, which may make this video challenging for those just starting out with yoga. For a true beginner who is very flexible and looking for short, modified yoga practices, this DVD might work very well; I would recommended, but it would not be my first choice for either someone new to yoga or someone who is inflexible. - Beginners Yoga - Beginner Yoga - Stretching - Yoga For Beginners'
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