Good if you're a Dummy! Otherwise, average.

DVDs:


	• Beyond Basic Yoga for Dummies Sara Ivanhoe Starz / Anchor Bay, 2002 average customer review:based on 17 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Good if you're a Dummy! Otherwise, average.

I received this as a gift from someone that chose it for the familiarity of the brand, against the myriad of other yoga videos available. Like many other Dummies publications, it delivers an adequate amount of information in an easy-to-understand and unsaturated fashion. While I would have preferred a better exposition of the principles involved, Beyond Basic Yoga for Dummies provided a fairly rigourous and rewaring yoga workout that left me with an extremely calm feeling of energy upon completion. My biggest complaint is the frequent interruptions of the trademark Dummies tips as they're very distracting, especially when you're supposed to be focusing on the movement; Ironically enough, one of the tips tells you to eliminate distractions! Sarah Ivanhoe is a great instructor, but I think that her Crunch Candlelight Yoga video far surpasses this one if you're interested in a better understanding and demonstration of Yoga.

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Great for beginners.... VERY BASIC

This is a good DVD if you have NEVER EVER done Yoga before. It is very basic but informative. If you have basic knowledge of yoga, I would go for the intermediated dvd. But, like I said, if you have no knowledge whatsoever, this is a great dvd.

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Yoga Postures for Strength and Flexibility

Sara Ivanhoe's nurturing teaching style makes her workouts perfect for beginners, but even if you are intermediate, she still knows how to present challenging postures in a way that makes you want to try them. This workout begins with a series of stretches to warm up the upper body, but you may want to walk for 20-30 minutes or do some aerobics to warm up the muscles. I found that without the walking or biking, I was not as flexible.

"The Daily Dozen" exercises are a little more challenging than the first DVD and I was actually surprised at two of the exercises because they almost seemed advanced. It was more the length of time you are required to hold the posture that seems to make them go beyond intermediate. Upward Dog is surprisingly challenging when held for six breaths. Normally I've tried this in a vinyasa style workout with flowing postures. When you take each posture and focus your attention for six breaths, this becomes a test of patience and endurance. The postures include:

Chair
Warrior
Triangle
Wide Leg Standing Forward Bend
Low Lunge Twist
Upward Facing Dog
Dolphin
Cow - I had never seen this exercise before! Total challenge!
Wide Leg Seated Forward Bend
Reclined Butterfly
Supine Twist
Final Relaxation

I really loved "Dolphin" which is like Downward dog with your arms bent and your head almost on the floor. It tests your upper body strength and balance, but feels great once you are done with the breathing exercises. Each posture presents a physical and psychological challenge which makes them even more fun.

"Cow" felt very much like an advanced exercise, mostly because of the flexibility required to even get into the posture. I literally sat there laughing when I realized there was no way my legs would "pretzel" the way the exercise required. So, you may just want to adapt that one for beginner/intermediate and it still seems to have the desired effect. Beginners will find some of the exercises to be more intermediate, and intermediate practitioners may find this workout great for developing patience.

For some reason, which I can't explain, Sara Ivanhoe's workouts leave me feeling more centered, balanced and generally happy and peaceful. It is as if the world spins a little more smoothly after the workout. A meditation session is also offered and Sara Ivanhoe teaches you a new mudra. I can also highly recommend her Candlelight Yoga workout and all of her 20-minute Makeovers.

Items needed: Yoga Mat

~The Rebecca Review

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A little disappointed...

I bought the First DVD, Yoga for Dummies. It was great because it had a section where she showed you each pose and then she actually gave you a full routine that you could practice to. This DVD only gives the instructional part but there is no routine to follow. And I agree with the other reviews...the pop-ups are beyond annoying. I do not think these existed on the first DVD and I am not quite sure why they were added. I like Candle Light Yoga and Crunch Fat Burning with Sara but I would not recommend this DVD due to the fact that it is basically instructional with no practice routine to go with the instructional.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4

The Beyond Basic Yoga Workout For Dummies is the next step for anyone who has enjoyed Basic Yoga Workout For Dummies and is ready to learn 12 more postures. It is a little more advanced than the Basic Yoga program, but still features the For Dummies format. You'll discover ways to customize the workout to your level through modifications that make poses easier or more challenging according to your needs. Includes bonus guided meditation segment.

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