『This 11 x 14 inch borderless color picture is a high resolution photograph. This photograph is a high quality color photograph. It is professionally printed on Fuji Crystal Archive Photographic paper. You will see brilliant colors and incredible sharpness! Your photo will be sent to you protected by a clear plastic sleeve in a mailing tube.』 fetish『 Amma 11 x 14 Color Photograph (11-81) 』
Kakaku：1699 saved$16.99
Astrogems
『This 11 x 14 inch borderless color picture is a high resolution photograph. This photograph is a high quality color photograph. It is professionally printed on Fuji Crystal Archive Photographic paper. You will see brilliant colors and incredible sharpness! Your photo will be sent to you protected by a clear plastic sleeve in a mailing tube.』 fetish『 Amma 11 x 14 Color Photograph (11-82) 』
Kakaku：1699 saved$16.99
Astrogems
『This 11 x 14 inch borderless color picture is a high resolution photograph. This photograph is a high quality color photograph. It is professionally printed on Fuji Crystal Archive Photographic paper. You will see brilliant colors and incredible sharpness! Your photo will be sent to you protected by a clear plastic sleeve in a mailing tube.』 fetish『 Yoga 』
『 T'Ai Chi [Music for Wellness] 』
『 Forest Piano 』
『 Zen Escape 』
Dan Gibson
Kakaku：1599 saved$15.99
Solitudes
Usually ships in 3 to 5 weeks IPhone 3G used's review (A Crucial Element in Yoga) 『The purpose of yoga is to gain inner peace and relax. With loud music or constant high-pitch sounds, relaxing is not possible. As a yoga student, I am not hesitant to say that this is one of the best yoga cd's avaliable. If anyone is searching for music that can deliver quiet ambient music in addition to relaxing nature sounds, Yoga by Ron Allen and Dan Gibson is the one for you. By so far, this cd is more favored than any other cd's I've bought or burned. This is by far one of the most relaxing cd's and should be considered by anyone searching for the right kind of music.』
(The Best Medatative Music w/Ambient Sounds I've Ever Heard!) 『Ever growing in popularity are CDs with 'the sounds of nature' interwoven into the music, or as a constant undercurrent within the music. I've listened to several, and most of these offerings are in my opinion fairly cheesy as the 'natural sounds' are frequently electronically rendered and do not sound at all natural; usually the music itself seems trite and 'sugary-sweet.' THIS CD is different!! It features ACTUAL natural sounds throughout -- if you hear a bird, it's a digital recording of an actual bird recorded by Dan Gibson in the wild; if you hear a babbling brook, again, it's a digital recording of an actual babbling brook recorded by Dan Gibson in the wild. AND, a real plus, the music is GORGEOUS -- soothing without being syrupy; tranquil without being trite. If you've been disatisfied with CDs of this kind in the past as I have, BUY THIS ONE - you won't be disappointed. =)』 『The curative art of yoga improves strength, mental clarity and inner peace. Ron Allen has created calming yet expansive music that provides a relaxing and meditative listening experience. Instrumentation includes shakuhachi and bass bamboo flutes, sapranino sax, harp, clarinet, guitars, keyboards&voices.』
Kakaku：1599 saved$15.99
Second Fret Records
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Gentle Yoga with Jenny Garrison) 『Very good yoga class. Easy warm up, nice stretches, easy to follow instructions and a wonderful relaxation at the end. Full hour and 15 minute class. Great for seniors or those wanting easy gentle stretching.』
(Gentle But CHALLENGING) 『By Jeff, Age 60, Yoga practitioner for three years. JG's Gentle Yoga CD provides the best self-directed yoga sessions I have ever had. I bicycle twenty-five miles one day, then do Yoga the next day. Without this CD keeping me flexible I would have to reduce my cycling. I have been posturing with this CD for seven weeks but have not grown tired of my JG directed solo yoga sessions. I would describe this Yoga as a range from low intermediate to high intermediate in complexity and challenge, depending on how deep into the poses you follow and how long you hold them. I doubt anyone who has NOT attended several introductory yoga classes could figure out the postures on this CD, so it is not for beginners. If Amazon offered a second Yoga CD by JG I would purchase it TODAY.』
("Gentle Yoga "needs visuals) 『The reason I gave "Gentle Yoga" only two stars is because it is only audio. I neglected to see that when I ordered. If it had picture it would be much easier to follow. With only audio it was hard for me to understand and visualize the poses.』
(Gentle yoga done well) 『After ordering and trying a number of yoga Cds and videos, this is one of the few gentle yoga CDs that actually is very gentle. It is divided into tracks with the first and last being for relaxation. The second track consists of very slow stretching postures. If you want more of a workout, the next track has all the familiar postures(downward dog, warrior, etc) This gives you a great choice for that day's practice. I am using it almost daily and enjoy it very much. I had been looking for something to take on my travels, and this is it. I even bought an extra to give as a gift.』
(A Beautiful and Totally Relaxing Yoga CD) 『This Yoga CD is a must for anyone and everyone--a beginner in yoga, a proficient in yoga, or someone just thinking about starting yoga. This yoga CD is one of the most gentle, soothing and relaxing yoga instructions I have ever practiced. It gets you in touch with your body, its sensations, and how wonderfully the body works. It also keeps you in tune with the mind, body, spirit connection. The instructor continually keeps you focused on your breath, which is a necessary element in yoga exercises. The topper of this yoga CD is at the end in the short meditation exercise in which the instructor guides you into a very relaxed state. At the end of this CD, my body feels wonderful and I am so relaxed I do not want to get up! If you lead a hectic life or just had a tough day, I urge you to get this yoga CD and practice it regularly. You will feel like a different person afterwards. This is a beautiful CD. One that I would not want to be without.』 『This CD leads you through a gentle yoga practice. With a voice that takes you right inside, Jenny leads you through a breath focused centering, a series of stretches that open and prepare the body for postures, 30 minutes of postures, and a 10 minute relaxation. Although this practice is gentle, it moves along nicely. This is a practice that will nourish mind, body and Spirit. You will find yourself returning to it time and time again.』
IPhone 3G used's review ("Sunlight Through A Vaulted Window" a gem) 『Other reviewers commented favorably on his "Sunlight Through A Vaulted Window". I agree, and consider it highly evocative, as an unusual thing happened while listening to this piece. It was morning - sunrise was starting to come through the glass brick window of my house. I lay on the couch with a cup of coffee listening to this CD. It was the first time I'd heard it and didn't know it's title. It was so evocative of the moment I was experiencing lying there watching the sunlight, like ancient heavy light streaming through the panes, that I got up to read the title. I was amazed the name was the same as the event which caused me to identify the music with the moment I experienced. An impressionistic delight, in the vein of Debussy.』
(Great classical collection and a super track by Davison) 『Peter Davison has a long career behind him (I, personally, have over 10 CDs of his). This CD may not be typical Davison but it definitely is a collection of very well-chosen and orchestrated classical pieces (and some of his music). I fully agree with the friend from Tupelo (that's Mississipi, USA, isn't it?) about"Sunlight Through a Vaulted Window". Very few songs nowadays are capable to touch the chords of our hearts.』
(Such beautiful music, I was moved to tears!) 『This is by far the best CD I have for relaxation. The classical selections are arranged beautifully and the originals are so moving."Sunlight Through a Vaulted Window"may be THE most beautiful song I have heard in a long time- actually moved me to tears!』
(Not a winner at all. The least of all the Adagio series.) 『Puts you to sleep, I don't mean relaxation, but sleep.』
IPhone 3G used's review (Favorite Yoga Tape) 『I LOVE THIS YOGA TAPE. I was the first yoga tape I ever used and is still my favorite, nothing I have found has measured up to this tape. While it does take a few times to get the movements down and some of the positions are harder it gives you something to work towards and after a few weeks I could just listen to the tape and no longer have to watch. I can't say it enough how much I love this tape, in fact I am trying to find it on DVD because my VCR no longer works and I can not find anything that has lived up to this yoga tape so far.』
(good but not great) 『I agree with some of the other reviews. I consider myself a yoga beginner but I've been doing yoga for a couple of months before I got this tape. I knew some of the poses and had seen pictures of others but never attempted them. I think some understanding of yoga is required for this tape because of the speed of the routine. Sometimes it goes too fast from one pose to the next without explaining the pose in detail. I'm glad I bought this tape used.』
(INVIGORATING...A GREAT FOR ADVANCED BEG. OR INTERMED) 『Before I got this video I read these reviews. I was spurred on by the undertone of vigorousness in some of the reviews. I am not a beginner in terms of physical activities so that yoga presented here is not a first timer kind of challenge. Though not unaware of what the less thrilled reviews had to say. I got the tape and the first time I worked along with it to see how I like it...I give this video a 4 stars rating!. I find it invigorating and a challenge because I know how to deal with it I think. It has a lot of good poses/combination of, to offer and in a niffy 20 minutes as well. I am very glad I lessened to what turned out to be my better judgement. Contrastly, here are the problems:
1) "Beginners": The word "Beginner" is a BIG mislead. Probably used for promotional/commercial sell to that "market". It is overall a good workout...for ADVANCED BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE. If you look at the back of the video cover you will see "Dancer" pose which may not be considered beginner as such but may not be enough of a hinter at the deception.
2) The hold of the poses: While she is trying to do "POWER YOGA" and thats fine, there must have a decent moment where you finish the pose completely. Its like a dancer who does a beautiful jump and just comes out of it not holding it to establish the move, so that its unfinished, not fulfilled visually nor physically. This is what makes it seems so "fast" and "quick". She does not hold some of he poses to a basic finality and benefit, thus the cutting it off for the next pose. This is disconsorting even for advanced beginners/intermediates at first.
3) The poses themselves: Issues of abilitiy, flexibility, mobility, alingment are things not taken into account at this level of a tape it is assumed or presumed which is why I say its better as a advanced beginner/intermediate. When she does the pose where you raise your leg behind up in the air face downward hands on the floor. She needs to hold this pose a bit. You might as well kick the leg up and back down that as much time as you get with her. In general, though I love that pose and am able to get a good stretch by adding my own alterations; head to knee with leg up. For a beginners to maneuver this kind of thing is hard especially if they follow her just timing. In some instances even she a little too jump the gun for herself. I try to complete a pose even if I am a smig behind her pace its fine. Also for me she trys to get in a too much instruction in places where she could say less and allow the pose to be experienced and not to be held static in the meantime. The music is the same as the Rodney Yee yoga..which is a great plus for me, its produced by the same people/Living Arts. But I found my tape music too low and her voice overriding it. As always with these kind of videos you have to take into account any back, knee, etc issues you have.
On the upside I can see why some people really did like it. For one they are probably NOT beginners! and know how to speed up while getting the most out of the pose or know how to alternate what they want without skipping too much of a beat. There is that "yoga gentle feel"; the background, colors, her voice, and the music which does its part in creating a relaxed peace. Although I think downward dog is overdone, I like the poses combinations. I am familiar with the Rodney Yee yoga sessions so that her pose combinations add more variety for the while. What Susan Deason in this tape DOES OFFER for the NON-BEGINNER is the chance/challenge (by your own patience, observation, trial and error..she helps only in that she has presented the challenge) to learn to move yoga gracefully, vigourously, yet throughly.. not only necessary and downright triumphant in this case, but in general.』
(more like "Intermediate" !) 『These yoga exercises are so fast moving that one would have to just watch the video 2 or 3 times to get a handle on what is going on before being able to do all the poses with any expertise. I also found the moves done so quickly that I wasn't able to get my mind at the level of serenity I enjoy when doing yoga. Some of the poses are very difficult, and even Suzanne Deason looks a little wobbly in one of the "Triangle" variations, so you know it must be hard, because Deason is like a cross between stretchy elastic and strong iron.
There is a cautionary notice at the beginning that says "not all exercises are suitable for everyone", and that might include anyone with creaky knees, for doing the lunges for instance, and those little "jump" movements Deason does with ease. If you are in marvelous condition, and like your yoga done in sequences that move like a rapidly flowing stream, you will like this tape, and I'm sure it will develop the strength and flexibility it claims to produce. Beginners should not purchase this tape...it will be very discouraging, and there will be few poses that they will be able to do with confidence and competence.
I'm giving this a lower rating for being what I consider mislabeled; with my knees, I would never attempt yoga beyond the beginner level, and would not have bought this had it been labeled Intermediate, which it is, at the very least. The scenery is marvelous, of a volcanic landscape of Maui, and the end of the tape includes "modifications" to make the poses easier, by using a block or strap to make the stretches less of a stretch, but I can't imagine how one would deal with the accessories considering the poses are done so quickly. 』
(Good video but not for beginners) 『This a good tape, but I do not think it should be labeled as for beginners. Her poses require flexibility that a beginner just will not have yet developed.
Also, unlike other beginners videos, the instructor does not offer visual modifications to the poses for those not flexible enough to perform the poses as shown. Perhaps most importantly, she does not verbally address the fact that it's ok to not be this flexible as a beginner and that one should go at one's own pace.
I found this video very frustrating and not at all nurturing.』
『Lower Body Yogais a great supplement to any at-home fitness program. It's brief, it's fun, and it feels good. Suzanne Deason's program invigorates and stretches the lower body in a series of flowing postures, working to stretch, tone, and challenge one's muscles and balance. Deason bravely works through her routine from a cliff top at the Haleakala volcano in Hawaii, but this merely provides a scenic backdrop for a fast-moving yoga routine that otherwise requires attentive concentration on the part of the viewer. Exercises cover the abdominal, buttock, and hip areas, in quick-paced, challenging movements. One might be inclined to pause the tape to extend a stretch for a few seconds more because it feels so good, but overall, the routine presented delivers on its promise of thorough invigoration with brevity.--Gilia Angell』
IPhone 3G used's review (Good introduction to Ashtanga Sun Salutations) 『This DVD is a good introduction to the most basic fundamentals of ashtanga yoga practice. As the other reviewers said, it contains only Sun Salutations, guiding you through the poses. There is a fabulous feature that allows you to access more detailed information about how to do a pose correctly if you need it, or you can play the video without that feature. If you know how to do Sun Salutations you may want to choose a more advanced DVD. One other reviewer mentioned that she was annoyed by Nicki Doane's voice. I don't love her voice either- she tends to speak in a gentle monotone- but her voice doesn't annoy me. Overall it is a great intro DVD.』
(I do not recomment this DVD) 『I bought this DVD dispite the fact that I read reviews that were bad. . .why did I do that? Because I had purchased other Gaiam DVD's that I like. I should have listened to those buyer beware remarks.
Unless you like hearing the instructor chant and you in return are suppose to chant back then don't buy this.
I am not buying Yoga DVD's for a spiritual awaking. . .I am buying them for exercise.』
(Baby steps into ashtanga) 『This really takes the mystery out of ashtanga and provides a good introduction to the practice. A lot of people find Doane's voice annoying but after watching the interview portion of the CD, I found her to be engaging and downright adorable. I think her voice is actually good for teaching because it's not a distraction. Some instructors are so soothing they make you want to snooze! I'm anxious to get her follow-up CD.』
(I'm Impressed!) 『Believe me, I'm no yoga expert. In fact, I'm pretty much your typical muscle-bound anti-yoga dude. My wife laughed pretty hard when I told her I was thinking of trying yoga, but my motivation was to try and regain some flexibility after years of lifting weights and never stretching. Think of the Geico caveman...that's me. I played the DVD about 5 minutes ago, and although I could accomplish all the poses, it was not easy. I tried the first set of poses, and was pretty much covered in sweat at the end. There was a little bit of praying to the sun, which made me raise my eyebrows a little, but overall, the DVD is extremely well filmed (in Maui on a beautiful sunny day), I find Nicki Doane to be a pleasant and crystal-clear instructor, and I have no doubts that Ashtanga Yoga will benefit me physically and probably mentally (without getting too "cheesy" about it).
Don't misunderstand me: this DVD isn't difficult to comprehend or requires circus-like flexibility. What makes it difficult for me is that I'm extremely non-flexible and unaccustomed to deep breathing. In other words, it's appropriately difficult for a beginner. I think if you're a total noob like me, you'll instinctively modify your movements while attempting to replicate her movements.
I'm actually excited about learning a new skill, and feel this DVD is a great place to start.
One technical fault of yoga DVD's: many of the movements require you to look down at your navel or feet, which makes it tough to follow movements on your TV! I dont' see a solution to this funny problem, but oh well.』
(New to Power Yoga?) 『I really enjoy this DVD. Each pose is gone through very slowly and repetitively. Very easy to follow!』 『Yoga Journal's Ashtanga Yoga: An Active Practice, Introductory Posesoffers another take on the gamut (or glut) of yoga videos out there. Instead of picking the "time crunched yoga workout" or "weight-loss/relaxation/back/stomach" workout theme,Yoga Journal's Ashtanga Yogapresents a straightforward, old-fashioned set of beginner asanas (poses) in the rigorous Ashtanga method. Ashtanga yoga places emphasis on focusing inward, using "breath-synchonized movement" to flow from pose to pose in a precise order. This is not a "yoga's greatest hits" composite stretching video, but rather an introduction to a very specific method of practice. The video begins with some chanting in the hero pose, and instructor Nicki Doane invites viewers to repeat along after her. While standing on a scenic ledge in Hawaii, Doane slowly demonstrates the two beginning series, Sun Salutation A and B, which include familiar poses such as warrior, plank, and downward dog. Her instruction style and voice is markedly different from the dreamy and almost soporific likes of Patricia Waldon or Susanne Deason. Doane keeps the viewer "active" by punctuating the silences with her strong, almost stern voice and demonstrating each pose with her incredibly strong body. This viewer lost count as to how many "pushups" she does from plank to upward dog positions. The 60-minute tape covers ujjayi breathing and a few cursory poses outside of the familiar Sun Salutation, and could serve as either a basic wake-up sort of video, or merely an introduction to very basic poses. Viewers with this solid base introduction to the flow of Ashtanga yoga practice will be well-prepared for the next step.--Gilia Angell』
IPhone 3G used's review (Great Workout and Fun) 『I love this DVD. I did both circuits in one day and I'm feeling it. However, what I like best about the DVD is Jeanette. Not only does she provide useful information throughout the workout, but she gets goofy too. I love that. It makes me feel like I'm part of the class. There are instructors out there that are great at teaching, but there are very few that are engaging and make you forget how hard you are working out. It encourages me to keep going.』
(Good workout) 『This is a good exercise dvd and offers two different workouts. The only thing is they should be more different - not the same exercises for obliques or quads, change it up a bit. In any case Jeannette is a keeper.』
(Great Circuit A; Circuit B Only So-so) 『Circuit A is excellent. Great workout to grow into if you're a beginner, but will still challenge the more fit. Someone is doing the low-impact version the whole time, or you can follow the instructor for maximum impact. Circuit B was kind of annoying to me; the instructor is goofing off and keeps losing count of the reps.』
(A good basic workout from an annoying instructor.) 『Overall I enjoyed the workout. It's a very basic, very straight forward mix of resistance exercises with quick cardio intermissions. The cardio is even more basic and it won't raise your heartbeat too much. But it's nicely mixed to add variety. You will need dumbbells and optionally leg weights and you will do all the basic upper body exercises plus a mix of lunges, squats and ab work. It sounds a little trite but it's a satisfactory and well rounded resistance workout and it won't overwhelm you if you are a beginner. You can do the whole thing which is a little more than 60' or a single workout which lasts for about 35'.
Having said this, I must say I got extremely annoyed with the instructor's style. I wasn't familiar with her and it just struck me how she used every possible chance to crack jokes (bad ones), sing and dance (because 'the rhythm just resonates through her body') and generally do everything she could to make me cringe. I guess some people like this sort of bubbliness but me, I prefer a more neutral style and definitely someone who can count. If I want jokes I'll get a stand up comedy dvd, thank you very much.』
(Mixed review) 『These are two good workouts for days when you don't have too much time. Trouble is the instructor.. She is projects way too much and doesn't seem to realize that her style is not appropriate for the DVD format. The joke that is funny the first time is not funny after that. I bet if she had to pop this DVD in and try and workout to it every day for a week she would be ready to gag before the end of the week. Instructors need to keep it simple and not get funny or cute during the workout. Also save the special instructions for the introduction when it will be viewed once for informational purposes but won't need to be heard every time the video is played ad nauseam.』 『Jeanette Jenkins The Hollywood Trainer 21-day TOTAL BODY CIRCUIT -- Will take your body from flab to fab in just 30 minutes a day. Alternate back and forth between Circuit A and Circuit B to sculpt and tone your entire body!System Requirements:Running Time: 50 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: HEALTH/FITNESS UPC: 881573300090 Manufacturer No: 00090-7』
Kakaku：149 saved$1.49
Good Times Video
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (I am addicted to this DVD!) 『I consider myself to be in pretty good shape, but I had never tried yoga before. On the reccomendation of a friend I ordered this DVD. I really love it.
Being new to yoga I knew nothing about any poses, how to get into them or out of them. The instructor in this dvd walks you through every single pose as you are doing it. I could close my eyes and get into every position just by following the instructor's voice. Having done a few other yoga dvd's now, I really appreciated how this one all flows together. Each pose flows into the next pose with a shift of weight and/turn of the body. You also get the beginners pose BEFORE the instructor moves into the more difficult position. This is different from every other dvd I have done where the instructor moves into the more difficult pose and then after a few seconds says something like "if this position is too challenging then try this" .. I learned modifications on this dvd that i have been able to apply to other dvds.
I am not sure what "power" yoga is supposed to be. I can tell you that this dvd is a full body work out. If you aren't feeling it then you aren't stretching yourself into the poses. I do agree with other posters though, this really a stretching yoga dvd. The poses are not difficult, they are effective. I really feel wonderful after doing this dvd and I use it at least once a week in combination with other yoga dvd's that I have. This one leaves me feeling limber, warm and refreshed.
That being said, if you are looking for a dvd with advanced poses and a high difficulty level, this is not the dvd for you. If you are a beginner, this is the perfect dvd for you.』
(This video got me hooked on yoga.) 『It's been almost 15 years since I exercised regularly, and when I first tried yoga, finally trying to get into shape, I was bored by the slow pace but couldn't keep up with other cardio videos. With yoga, I felt like was breathing awkwardly and that I wasn't getting a workout at all.
But after experiencing years of chronic back pain with no relief despite physical therapy, heavy prescription drugs, and thousands of dollars in chiropractic visits, I was driven to try yoga again.
It was this video that got me hooked. When I concentrated on my stretches and following the techniques Kirsten (yoga master in this video) suggests, I was amazed by the almost immediate effect I felt. After just two workouts, my lower back pain lessened, and I began to feel more limber. My muscles began to tone up, and my body seemed to come alive. I could feel bones, tendons, and muscles that had been dormant for years!
Although I still have pain from time to time in my sacrum, this video has helped me feel better than I have in years! It is awesome!』
(Relaxing, but not "power") 『I really enjoy this workout, but I am a beginner in yoga, and even I know there isn't anything "powerful" about it. It is very relaxing and a great stretching workout, but I didn't break a sweat at all. It goes by fast, which I like. I was surprised by how short it seemed, but I did like it.』
(The Firm Power Yoga) 『This DVD is a good basic Yoga workout. I like to do it once a week to stretch and work on core strength and balance. At 40 minutes, it is just right for me.』
(The Firm: Power Yoga) 『This DVD is fairly decent. I took a chance and bought it even though I had never done yoga before. It was actually pretty good for a beginner....but I do have to say, I probably wouldnt categorize it as power yoga. I did get a great workout with it. It gives you options for beginners, and then harder moves so you set your standards. I do have to say, there is a little too much talking in it but its only 34 minutes and it flys by. They constantly keep you moving into different positions. I would definitely give it a try if you are into yoga as an option, especially if you're new to yoga in general.』 『The FIRM Power Yoga DESCRIPTION A yoga workout done FIRM style offers body sculpting weight loss solutions in an easy to follow workout.』
Kakaku：150 saved$1.50
Acacia
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (I Like It!) 『I was pleasantly surprised by Radiant Heart. I knew it was only 30 min. and figured it would be something I could fit into my busy schedule at least once a week, I really liked that it feels a bit more accessible than many of Shiva's longer DVDs and I like its relaxing but energetic vibe. The practice consists of a calming movement meditation, 20 min. yoga flow practice, and then a very short and dynamic movement meditation. I recommend doing the final meditation only in the morning so you are not to energized to sleep. The segment which had yoga poses had a feel something like her other flowy work but even more accessible. The program seems to have a backbend focus which I usually dread but I was pleasantly surprised with this one because she builds you up gradually. If you have never tried Shiva but been curious this is a great one to start with.』
(A wonderful grounding and peaceful workout) 『This video offers a wonderful opportunity to open one's heart to the universe. The excercises bring about a sense of peace and openness of heart that is often difficult to access. The end result is a strong sense of grounding in a world that is frequently chaotic. I strongly recommend this workout. 』
(Delightful - hope Shiva gives us more brief, chakra oriented practices like this!) 『My only mistake was holding off buying this DVD until 2008 and missing out on an exquisite little gem. It's a perfect early morning practice, with gentle music and a Prayer Wheel warmup as the sun rises behind clouds ... a brief period of arm circles and Ohm chants, a heart chakra "massage," then the Prayer Wheel which consists of gently rocking forward and back in a staggered stance, while circling the arms to stimulate the chi. This section alone is better than the strongest morning coffee!
The next segment, Hridaya Namaskar (heart salutation) is complete in 20 minutes, perfect to set the tone for your day. It features gentle kneeling stretches to warm and open the spine and graduates to gentle/moderate backbends as the sun continues to rise, the most vigorous being Ustrasana (camel). Backbends are appropriately countered with forward bends and side stretches. You are bathed in nurturing! Rather than lying Savasana, the practice ends with a seated meditation followed by prana mudra arm/breathing movements, which you might enjoy better than lying still again after sleeping.
The closing Energizing Heart Movement Meditation will launch you into your day with a vibrant attitude, in three closing minutes. The music picks up apace as Shiva leads through a standing "ha" kriya with arm movements to open the ribcage and release any last stagnant air, and prepare your spine to uphold the stresses of the day. If you wish to stimulate your morning further, the Twisting Kriya from Yoga Trance Dance and Jala Namaskar from Fluid Power are both included in the bonus chapters.
Though my review is geared toward a morning practice, this would also make an uplifting refresher after your day, before moving into nightly chores. I only ask - Shiva, can we have more chakra centered practices? How delightful would a similar brief compilation be for the head centers, root chakra, throat ...』
(Enjoyable, but with camera flaws) 『I would give this a full five star rating if the camera work, while pretty, was not a source of deep confusion and vexation the first few times I did the work out. Occasionally Shiva will instruct you to do something--say, "bring your left knee up to your side" but because she's shot in shadows, you can't actually SEE what it was she just did and only figure it out a few moments later when she progresses into the full movement. Where exactly is her knee? Where should I put my knee? Oh shoot. She's doing something else now! Wait. How did we get on our backs?...we were on our stomachs a second ago, right?...This isn't a problem when you've got the asana flow basically figured out, but initially it can throw a wrench of confusion into what was otherwise a very smooth practice.
Such flaws aside, I otherwise very much enjoyed this practice. It is very calming and invigorating (so funny how it can be both, but it is). I think this practice is suitable for beginners as long as they aren't totally new to practice. I'm a fairly recent beginner and only moderately flexible for the most part (and I have the tightest hamstrings ON THE PLANET) and am just establishing a regular yoga practice, and I could do this work out with relatively little difficulty once I'd run through it a few times and gotten over my camera woes.』
(Not quite for true beginners) 『Overall, glad to have this in my collection. I have done yoga off and on being mostly off right now I was looking for something to ease back in to practice. Let me say if you are very low on flexibility or yoga experience then these poses will be challanging and there is a chance you may do them wrong (even a slight chance for injury) because instructions are as if you have done these before. Perhaps this is true if you own other Shiva Rea discs, I do not.
The pace seems to go fast, could be a more mindful, gentler pace and be just as much benefit. In the additional bonus features you can see 7 minute previews of 2 other of Rea's Dvd's. I must say that I'm glad to see them because I can tell her style isn't what I'm looking for. It is very fast and alot of quick twists of the spine (adding elements of kundalini I suppose, some tai chi in the 3rd segment) I am just not at that level of flexibility and want a more breath focused yoga. Again, not bad to have in a collection of dvd's but not a main source of yoga for me. The scenery was beautiful and her poses flawless and lovely to watch.』 『The flow (pun intended) of excellent yoga DVDs from Shiva Rea continues withRadiant Heart. With a total running time of about 30 minutes, this is the shortest of the California-based yogini's offerings; and with just a single section devoted toasana, there's no need for the "yoga matrix," a programmable feature that highlights Rea's other videos (includingYoga Shakti, inarguably one of the finest yoga DVDs on the market). Still, that one section, a 20-minute sequence called "Hridaya Namaskar" or "Heart Salutation," is, as Shiva Rea fans have come to expect, innovative and skillfully put together. Focusing less on the strengthening aspects of yoga than on relaxing, stretching, and invigorating, it combines a variety of lunges, backbends (ranging from the relatively elementary sphinx pose to more challenging positions like cobra, camel, and bow), twists, and more, all presented with the kind of flowing, undulating movements typical of Rea's style. The Heart Salutation is bookended by two meditation sections (the eight-minute "Prayer Wheel" and the three-minute "Energizing Heart Movement Meditation"), both of which, as their names imply, involve considerably more activity than is found in more traditional meditation sequences. Whether the combination of these elements will in fact promote the development of "an intelligent heart center which communicates, alerts, balances, and harmonizes" the body will end up being a personal matter for each user, but there's no doubting the quality of both the content and presentation of this inspiring teacher's work. Bonus features include sample bits from two other Rea DVDs,Yoga Trance DanceandFluid Power Yoga.--Sam Graham』 『Studio: Acorn Media Release Date: 11/13/2007 Run time: 50 minutes』
