Rodney Yee's Yoga for Beginners

Rodney Yee’s “Yoga for Beginners” is an excellent video for relaxation or for the beginning yoga student. There are different programs to choose from. There is a pose training section, which I appreciate, to make certain I am doing each pose correctly. There are 2 full length yoga workouts. I additionally appreciate that for each workout there is a choice of full instruction, pose instruction and inspirational instruction. The inspirational instruction allows for a relaxing experience. I recommend this video to anyone who wishes to begin a yoga journey.

Although the least important fact about this DVD, what I found very uplifting was that the sessions were recorded outdoors on a beach with a scenic ocean view in the background. I used other yoga DVDs in the past recorded in a drab dark studio with a monotone voice over, and this alone made a huge difference: you practice in your own home, but with a great view to look at. The DVD has three sections: one step by step tutorial how to perform each of the poses (studio recorded), and two yoga sessions (outdoors) by two different teachers, each about 20 minute long. It also has three narration styles to choose from: step by step explanation to moves in each pose, pose name only, and inspirational (energy flow, feeling etc.) so you can choose what work works best for you. The pace is right, not too fast, and it's really good for beginners, although at times you wind up with your back to the TV, so it can be a challenge to follow visually while doing certain poses. The explanations are straight forward and help with getting in right. Finally, a 20 minute session length seems just right and encourages practicing more often. The only annoying thing I found with the DVD (and probably any DVD) is that you can't fast forward through a lot of promo materials in the beginning of it.

A long time ago I was a medium distance jogger. I learned through experience that I needed to stretch and after a period of time I made stretching part of my pre and post jogging routine. Now, 20 years later, and having not exercised in forever I started biking about 2 months ago. Recently I decided that it was time to integrate some stretching. However, instead of just plain old stretching I figured I'd try Yoga for its other benefits. I bought this "Yoga for Beginners" DVD hoping that it would give me a reasonable introduction and some easy "beginner" poses that I could use. This video goes into detailed explanations on how you should do the poses and what the common mistakes are. It let's you review specific poses in case you didn't get it right the first time. I haven't gone through the whole video yet but I "audited" the course by watching the poses section and then watching one session with Collen Saidman and one with Rodney Yee. Positives: Easy to understand and easy to follow. Reasonably priced. Negatives: It would not run on my computer. It would only run on a DVD player which I had to go dig out of a box and hook up to my TV. Not so much a negative but it would have been nice... For a beginner course there are some poses that Colleen Saidman achieves that I just shook my head in disbelief. I'm so far away from those poses that I had to laugh. I understand that some of these are goals but it would have been useful (at least for me) to have had some commentary about "If you can't reach this position then try for this one.. " with something like an actual beginners pose. I'm still working on seeing all my toes let alone putting my hands flat on the floor in between my legs... But, all in all, it looks like a good introduction to the art and I like the slow pace and the detailed instructions.

This is a solid starting dvd if you want to learn the basics of yoga. Rodney Yee and his wife Collene give great instruction through 2 revitalizing practices and 1 lengthy Pose guide. I've had severe back pains (Herniated Disc) for about 2 years now. I was unable to sit properly, walk for minimal amounts of time, stand without losing balance, or even tie my shoes! I was told by my chiropractor that light yoga exercises would possibly help ease my lower and mid Spinal pains. Since starting this basic dvd 2 months ago I'm able to get back on my feet and be more active. My pains aren't fully gone, but if i stay on the right path and do as little as 15mins of yoga 3 times a week I'll be back to 100% health in no time. This dvd is great if your looking to make you body and mind healthier, but at a very basic and easy to follow instruction. Gaiam and Rodney Yee are awesome! Totally worth every penny spent! #Namaste

This DVD is a keeper. I purchased it a few years ago near the beginning of my yoga practice to learn the different poses and their proper forms. Recently deciding to thin my DVD collection, I reviewed this DVD to determine if I had moved beyond it. I am so happy I re-viewed it after all this time. As it turns out, I'd been doing a few of the poses with less than proper form. I followed the instructions, fine-tuned my posture, and found those poses less strenuous and more "opening." I learned much from this DVD in the beginning of my practice and again years later. In the 40-minute instructional portion, the two instructors offer clear and concise descriptions and visuals (including proper form and common mistakes) for each of the presented poses. This is the most valuable portion of the DVD and, I believe, should be viewed often in the beginning of one's practice and then periodically thereafter. The two additional routines (one for AM and one for PM) are good for a quick session if time is limited. Another benefit of these two routines, especially if done just after completing the instructional portion, is the ability to practice the illustrated poses flowing one into the next while being mindful of one's body and how it feels when in proper form.

Excellent instruction and beautiful scenery. Highly recommend as a starting point for someone that is sedentary. These are very very beginner - good for someone after injury or who is not athletic at all. If you're someone that exercises regularly you won't be challenged by these,

This disc has two advanced routines as well as a comprehensive run through of many yoga poses with lots of explanations. However, there is no beginner's routine!

I am enjoying learning to do the yoga exercises in my own home! I can do the exercises when it's convenient for me!

very good

I have been practicing "beginner" gentle yoga for 20 years (for health reasons I do not go beyond that level). The pose guide section of this DVD was the best I've come across - better than most in-person teaching I've had. And better than a any other of my 50+ yoga DVD/VHS programs. Most other "beginner" programs seem to be for athletes! I wonder if the reviewer who rated this DVD as 2 star because it was too fast was watching only the two workouts and not the pose training section itself? Granted,I am familar with the poses, but I found the instruction quite slow enough to try to improve the minutae of mine, and we always have the option hitting "back" on the DVD to review a pose a second time. I think both beginner and experienced practitioners can benefit from the pose guide. Yee isn't as slick a commentator as some other star instructors, but this is still DVD instruction at is best for the content.