Product Description

Studio: Gaiam Americas Release Date: 02/12/2007

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #899 in DVD
• Brand: Gaiam
• Released on: 2003-09-02
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 80 minutes

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Amazon.com
Power yoga "demands your attention," says instructor Rodney Yee. He leads a challenging, constantly progressing series of poses, one flowing into the next, integrating breath, movement, tension, and relaxation. The poses include Sun Salutation, standing poses, forward bends, back bends, twists, and arm balances. The first poses are fairly easy, and with each repetition of the series, Yee adds on more difficult movements, extending the series without pausing. You're encouraged to do as much of the series that fits your level, up to the entire 65-minute workout if you're an experienced yoga practitioner. Although you can begin at any level, some familiarity with yoga is recommended. The Hawaiian setting is gorgeous and inspiring. This is an excellent yoga workout that you can grow with, adding on more as you get stronger. --Joan Price

Customer Reviews

A wonderful workout
I have been practicing yoga regularly for about three years, and found this dvd to be a wonderful addition to my practice. Most of the poses are simple enough so that they can be attained by beginners, however, the length of the practice and the quantity of standing poses makes for a vigorous workout. This one is not for everyone however, I was a professional athlete and continue to stay in good shape, and I found myself (after the first couple of practices) to really feel the workout in my back. If you have not done a lot of yoga, you may want to start with a less strenuous tape, however if you like to feel a deep stretch and don't mind a few sore muscles, this is the yoga tape for you.

Rod Yee does it again!
I own three of Yee's DVDs (Power Yoga the complete Workout, Yoga for Athletes, and this one), and Yee has not let me down yet. Each DVD is a little better than the last. This one may be his best yet. I think this DVD is a great intermediate level workout. The level of poses is not extremely complex, but he gives you a complete body workout in about 63 minutes. Those of you familiar with Yee's "Power Yoga the complete workout" will note that this work out goes 60+ minutes straight, versus breaking up the workout into three types (stamina, strength, and flexibility). This workout will build endurance for sure. I like how this DVD is a little less rushed than the first Power Yoga DVD. The poses are held longer, and are slightly more difficult than the first DVD, but the pace is slower. In this DVD you may feel less rushed than you did in the previous Power Yoga DVD with moving from one pose to the next. If you are new to Yoga, this may be tough for you. Although these poses may or may not be difficult for everyone, the sequence and the amount of time you spend doing them may be. I would suggest this tape for anyone looking to establish an at home practice who has practiced for at least 6 months or better, and who wants to build endurance. As I stated before Rod Yee comes through yet again with another great yoga DVD.

Great Weight-Loss Tool
My primary reasons for taking up yoga were to lose weight, reallign my back, increase flexibility, and achieve more relaxed breathing. Yee's Total Body Workout, a little over an hour, achieves all my goals. First, let me say you need to have about six months of basic yoga in order to do these moves and you probably can't be more than thirty pounds overweight; many of the moves require a body that is reasonably muscular. I've got six months of yoga and thirty years of bodybuilding (both a blessing and a curse) behind me so I can do 90% of the moves. Secondly, you should invest in a thick yoga mat; they go for about forty dollars and if you sweat a lot like I do, place a beach towel over the mat so you don't slip. The only other piece of equipment you might need is a ten-dollar strap or just a belt for some of the lying leg stretches.

I like Yee's screen persona. He is authentic, direct, and clear. He spares you New Age pretentiousness, self-aggrandizement, and any other affectations.

The workout is vigorous and fast-paced. For the first five minutes, a warm-up period, you think you're going to get off with an easy workout but within twenty minutes you're sopping with sweat. The first couple of times you might just have to figure out what Yee is doing. By the third workout, you should be able to follow along seamlessly. It's worth the work. You'll burn between 500-700 calories per workout; that's over a pound of fat a week or fifty-two pounds a year.

On a more subtle note, I've noticed my breathing is more relaxed throughout the day and there appears to be a connection between relaxed breathing and less consumption of food. I've always been cursed with a voracious appetite, and while my daily hour of yoga hasn't totally cured it, my hungers are lower, I'd say 10% less than without the yoga.

Also with bodybuilding and cardio at the gym, I come home exhausted and must nap for a good hour before I can do anything productive. With yoga, I don't need a nap. I'm already energized.

It's important to change your yoga workouts so you don't go stale. I'd recommend checking out the Bryan Kest DVDs, especially his Power Yoga, which has three workouts on one DVD.