Yoga for Beginners Deluxe Set: 8 Yoga Video Routines for Beginners. Includes Gentle Yoga Workouts to Increase Strength & Flexibility

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.

I just ordered this over a week ago and have been practicing every night since then. I started off listening to the Introduction, then I began with Targeted Routines. My hips tend to be very tight since I do a lot of running, I just did a Half Marathon and my hips were clicking a lot. This yoga video has routines targeted for specific areas; hips, standing positions, back stretches, standing poses, seated poses, etc,. I found the Hip Opener routine to be particularly helpful in releasing muscle tension! Since then I started some progressive routines, all of which offer a less demanding option if you're not flexible enough to handle the full position. I sleep better, my breathing is more controlled and even throughout my workday and I find myself sitting straighter as well. There are varying routines lengths ranging from 45-70 minutes as well as an evening routine (55) specifically designed to help release the stress of the day and ease your mind. I'll admit, I was never a yoga advocate before-hand. I took a few classes at my gym and always left feeling like I'd done nothing to improve my health or muscles. That is not the case in this instance! The instructor has a slow melodic voice allowing me to stay relaxed, behind her are the beautiful waves of Antigua and fortunately, the rush of the ocean is audible! Each movement is thoroughly described before she makes it allowing us to keep pace with her (which I am particularly thankful for! Never liked scrambling to catch up having to halve my reps or position hold time to get in sync). I'd highly recommend this video! For those of you who are worrying about hearing some whacky nonsense, she keeps that to a minimum and focuses on the movements and stretching. I hope you buy this!

I did yoga a few years ago but fell out of practice. While I have the knowledge, I'm more out of shape and flexibility than I was when first did yoga. I think this is pretty good for beginners. Some of the moves I wouldn't call a beginners move, that said though it is OK not to push into that move. When getting into the move, if I could only go to the first step I would just hold it. The instructor may go further but the great thing about yoga is you can adjust to your level.She does give a small intro for you to watch. I would watch it if you've never done yoga. Compared to other yoga videos (including youtube), she does give much more instruction on alignment.I really like that she has several different length if videos. If I'm in the mood to workout for an hr or more I can. If I'm tired and don't have time, there are short 20 minute videos I can do.The moves she does go over have way different names than I'm used to. I like that she uses English names versus the traditional names (They've always confused me).Something to remember is it takes time to get to the video version. I could barely hold some stances when I first began, but they have gotten easier with time and patience. I may be young but I have crappy joints from injuries. I also have a desk job that does the help. Work at your level.Buying a block and strap is very helpful. You can also use a military belt if you don't have too much money. That's what I used before I had the money to get a strap.