Yoga Zone: Gentle Yoga for Beginners [2003]

Customer Reviews:

These discs don't contain YogaZone.......2007-11-30

I used to watch the series (and do the workouts) when it was on Channel Health, but that was pulled so I was really pleased to see the DVDs available on Amazon and placed an order. This was in September 2005.

Unfortunately, the first set I received wasn't YogaZone, but the New York City Ballet Workout - even though the label on the disk itself was YogaZone. I sent it back & Amazon sent out a replacement - same problem, New York City Ballet not YogaZone. Same thing happened again, so I just cancelled the order.

Two years later, I thought I'd try again, but this time tried renting one of the DVDs. Nope, still the ballet so it's been returned.

Each time I've told them what the problem is but they just don't seem to have done anything about it.

So, just watch out - if you order these DVDs you may not get what you're looking for.

It's charm is in it's cheesiness.......2005-03-13

These DVDs are about as cheesy as you can get, but after the first few minutes when you begin to wonder what you've got yourself into, that's the last thing on your mind. Alan Finger is so passionate about yoga that you can't help but want to join in. It makes a change from all those DVDs and Videos out there which are all about the way things look and sound. These guys just love yoga, and want to share their knowledge with other people. It is really refreshing. I recomend this without hesitation to anyone who wants to learn about yoga for themselves, and not because it's trendy. Strictly only for beginners, with the un-flexible persons versions shows as well, and reassurances not to strain yourself. I did the flexibility workout everyday for a two weeka and suddenly I could bend in ways I never thought possible, just like the guys on the DVD!

A slightly different view to the others.......2005-01-23

First and foremost, I do not want to be misunderstood: these are good Yoga DVDs. However, having bought them, I would like to say that all four discs are tailored for the beginner. The workouts should last you for a while, as they are presented in a way that you can tolerate listening to over and over again; and the postures will probably challenge the budding yoga practitioner (Yogi for a man, Yogini for a woman) for a good few months, especially regarding loosening up those hamstrings!

The first drawback that I would like to mention is that the teacher, Alan Finger, spends nearly ten minutes explaining how to sit and breathe properly at the beginning of each DVD in exactly the same way. It only needed to be covered once, and so this results overall in something like half an hour being taken up by something which should have taken a third of that. I guess that these workouts have been put on to DVD from videos that were intended to be sold separately; the quality is fine, however.

There is one disc which is a specific introductory workout for the starter; one which takes you through two complete meditations; another which is geared towards 'conditioning and stress relief'; and the final one, which is probably the most advanced, promoting flexibility and toning. All workouts end with a few super-relaxing minutes spent in 'corpse pose' (lying flat on your back, letting all of your muscles go slack, breathing deeply and trying not to fall asleep!).

I think it is a good idea to have a separate disc for each yoga workout which concentrates on a separate issue, but it would have been better to have a beginner lesson, then an intermediate one, then a slightly more advanced lesson giving the practitioner something to really 'get their teeth into', as opposed to covering several very similar topics all at the beginner level. Having said that, the separate meditation disc is definitely a good idea. What I am trying to say is that given the fact that this series combines to cover approximately four hours of yoga, it seemed to me to fail to really 'get stuck in'. Postures are not held for very long and you have to pause the playback while you repeat a movement or hold a pose for a little longer to accelerate your progress. Alan Finger does do a good job of reminding you to breathe throughout, though, which is helpful as that is so important.

All in all, this is probably the best introduction to yoga that a novice will come across in DVD format, and it is handy to be able to skip to the part that you want. I just believe that you could get a deeper feel for yoga in four hours than has been accomplished here: overall, four stars.

Well worth the money.......2004-03-30

This collection of 4 DVD's represents very good value for money. I am a relative newcomer to yoga and have been fairly lucky with my choices so far and this choice is no exception.
Alan Finger has the sort of voice that bears repeating and has a most relaxing way about him. Each DVD is a complete practice in its own right and its great to be able to vary them as you like (you soon have your own favourite).
The setting is in an attractive studio (which I prefer as its more approachable given that's the surroundings in which most of us do our yoga). I also like the fact that the first disc has 4 people in the class as it really 'involves' you.
I found the positions very challenging at first but its so satisfying as you get better and better at them, working totally at your own pace (and I'm no rubber-bodied gymnast either).
I really hope Amazon offer more of the Yoga Zone range in the future but I reckon this set will be keeping me busy for many months to come.
If you want a yoga practice that has a genuine and a calm unrushed feel to it with all the correct elements (like a good yoga class situation) then this is really worth the money.

Well worth purchasing!.......2004-01-20

After trying out countless yoga videos/dvds over the past couple of years, this is by far one of the best I've used. If you are a beginner, you can't choose better than to start yoga with this series, whereas if you are more advanced, this is still worth purchasing. The teacher has a voice which you could listen to over and over without being irratated (something I find a problem with so many others), and he carefully instructs you how to do each asana (position) whilst continually reminding you to breathe properly - something I feel is too often forgotten with other teachers. I can't recommend enough the 'stress and conditioning' disc of this series, for relaxing your whole body after a long day. And his techniques for mediation (at the end of each session, as well as on the disc dedicated to meditation) are inspiring and effective.

Denise Austin: Power Zone - Mind, Body, Soul [2003] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

Average customer rating:

Denise Austin: Power Zone - Mind, Body, Soul [2003] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
Starring: Denise Austin
Director: Cal Pozo
Manufacturer: Live/Artisan
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Region 1 | Special Features | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B00009YXEV
Release Date: 2003-08-19

Yoga Zone: Strengthen and Tone [2003] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

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Yoga Zone: Strengthen and Tone [2003] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
Yoga Zone
Manufacturer: Koch Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Yoga | Fitness | Categories | DVD | Video

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DVD | Format (binding_browse-bin) | Refinements | DVD | Video
ASIN: 630808123X
Release Date: 2003-11-11

Yoga Zone: Gentle Yoga for Beginners [2003] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

Average customer rating:

Yoga Zone: Gentle Yoga for Beginners [2003] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
Yoga Zone
Manufacturer: Koch Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Yoga | Fitness | Categories | DVD | Video

All Fitness | Fitness | Categories | DVD | Video

DVD | Format (binding_browse-bin) | Refinements | DVD | Video
ASIN: 6308081175
Release Date: 2003-11-11

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