Shout-out to Vrinda re yoga DVDs

Aquajock

Cathlete
Hello, Genius! I was wondering if you have any suggestions for a DVD or DVDs that offer a very comprehensive "library" (if you will) of yoga "poses" (asanas?) for developing deep flexibility, core training and overall muscle endurance. I do have Shiva Rea's Fluid Power (I think; it's a long one with many premixes that she calls The Matrix), her Creative Core Upper Body and Creative Core Lower Body. However, I want something that promises a comprehensive laundry list of poses. Is there such an animal out there?

Thanks so much!

A-Jock
 
Annette,

Ohmigosh -I cannot think of a single DVD that would fit the bill as a kind of comprehensive pose compendium.

For you I would hesitate to pick any but the most advanced yoga DVDs. I feel that a DVD would need to be quite demanding physically to hold your interest. :)

The challenge with picking advanced yoga DVDs is that some of the poses may be inaccesible even to very fit people because of the demands they make on range of motion and balance. A lot would depend on where you are right now on range of motion when it comes to selecting a DVD that develops flexibility. One of the ways yoga develops core strength is by working on balance. Some balance poses take time to work up to. Given the intensity of your work out preferences, you would do fine with yoga that is advanced on strength and endurance.

I think Ashtanga would be a style that would suit you. Ashtanga was developed by Pattabi Jois to push people to their limits on athleticism. Power yoga is derived from the Ashtanga style. Purist Ashtanga is a series of challenging poses that work synergistically on flexibility, core strength and endurance. There is a Primary Series for "beginners" that is actually pretty advanced. http://ashtangayoga.info/asana-vinyasa/primary-series/index.html Then there is an Intermediate and Advanced Series once you master the primary series. However it may be best to learn such a form of yoga from a live class rather than a DVD because technique is important to doing the poses in Ashtanga. (Actually any yoga is best learned from a good treacher live)

Here are some DVDs that are in no way comprehensive, but may help you with your goals, in order of preference:

a. Bryan Kest - Power Yoga Series This DVD has three one hourish practices that are successively more challenging. The basic format of the class is similar but there is variation in each practise to still make them different enough. I like them because Bryan has you hold each pose for a while so you really have enough time to focus on your alignment. What I dont like is Bryan's talking style - quite woo-woo and not my idea of the wisdom of yoga at all. I can tune out the talk track because the yoga is really excellent and the class displays outstading prowess and form.

b. To really learn yoga, it is better in my opinion to own at least one DVD that is not "flow" style like power and vinyasa yoga. Non-flow yoga or alignment focused yoga may not work up as much of a sweat but it helps you develop your proficiency in the poses so you do better when you practise flow styles.
i) Erich Schiffman - Backbends. This was shot in Erich's backyard so no fancy production values, but is a really wonderful library of backbend poses. Erich is one of the most excellent cuers. I learn a new nuance every time I pull this out. Backbends apart from flexibility, develop energy and stamina (forward bends are more restful and relaxing). Erich also has a Lotus DVD that is highly rated but I dont have it.
ii) Yoga Challenge 1 - Tony Sanchez If you have heard of Bikarm's Hot Yoga, Tony and Bikram shared the same teacher Bishnu Ghosh. You can find clips of this DVD at youtube. It has three people demonstrating at various levels of range of motion for each pose. I dont have the subsequent DVD in this series but I hear they are excellent too.

c. Ana Forest - Pleasure of Strength You can find this at fitness organica too along with a clip and perhaps on amazon too.

d. Owning at least one video taught by Alan Finger is a must for a yoga collection in my opinion because he cues so well. I like this one for Flexibility.

A lot of these suggestions are a bit dated looking in costumes but they are stellar on yoga instruction.

A few more good ones to consider that are more recent and beautifully shot:

e. AM Yoga for Your Week - Rodney Yee. This has 5 practices each with a specific focus - standing poses, hip openers, twists, backbends, forward bends. Each is only 20 minutes or so so this can be tagged on after a workout. It is well cued and has a variety of poses since each session has a focus. I like that Rodney works in counter poses to balance out each session all within 20 minutes. Not a "taxing" workout by any means.Great for flexibility and for learning/practising pose alignment.

f. Deb Dobbin - Spirt of Vinyasa Flow - Lots of material and premixes. Some off the beaten track poses. Includes a nice pose guide booklet to guide form for 20 poses. Youtube has a clip A nice mix of endurance, strength, balance and flexibility.

Hope this helps.


Asking Sharon NYC at videofitness may be a good idea. She has been my virtual guide and I have learned a lot from her in selecting the right videos each time I wanted to explore a certain aspect or focus.
 
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Aquajock - In addition to what Vee said, seeing as how I love advanced yoga DVDs, here are my suggestions (I have yet to find what you're looking for but I keep trying):

Mark Blanchard's Sedona Series - Flow, Culmination, Core, Stretch and Foundation. You might be able to skip the Stretch since it has elements of the others. This is true, intense power yoga and you will be a sweaty mess when you're done. Mark does lots of advanced poses, including arm balances such as headstand, handstand, shoulderstand, etc. Mark also does some great core work (personally, I find yoga core work more challenging than any other core work I've done).

I loved Deb Dobbin's Spirit of Vinyasa Flow and this one is great for flexibility. Another one which was great and I felt had the most comprehensive list of poses was Flow Yoga with Jennifer Lynn - a little bit of everything: leg balances, arm balances, flexibility. There are four quarters to this workout so you can break them up if you so wish.

As for Ashtanga yoga, David Swenson is one of the best. I have his Short Forms, Primary Series, and the Advanced A and B series. Ashtanga is best done in the order in which it's presented. It's hard to go on if you haven't mastered the basics and gained the flexibility for the poses. Short Forms has 3 practices. The first two aren't that challenging but the 45 minute practice is intermediate and does have a headstand. David does lots of levitation holds. His flexibility is astounding. He is the human pretzel.

Budokon - A little different spin on yoga which includes martial arts. Some interesting moves I hadn't done before but which are explained in a tutorial. There is Power & Agility, Flow & Flexibility and Strength & Balance. Each are about 50 minutes.

Eoin Finn is a good one for flexibility. I would recommend either his Power Yoga for Happiness or Power Yoga for Happiness 2. Each is different and I think you would be happy with either one. Eoin doesn't really do inversions except for shoulderstand but he is great for flexibility. He does many bound poses. His first DVD has Yoga Bliss Hips (about 55 minutes) and will make you feel great when you're finished. The first DVD has 5 practices of varying lengths. PY4H2 has the main practice (85 minutes) and 7 different premixes of varying lengths (which are seamlessly edited).

Altar of the Heart is an intermediate based vinyasa practice. It's not intense but the fluid motion and the breath will help you to ease into the poses and develop your flexibility. I just did this one this morning and it is one of my all-time favorites. The scenery and music are beautiful and relaxing.

HTH.

Marcy
 
Wow! Thanks to both of you, Vee and Marcy, for all of your information!

Vee, actually I used to own the Bryan Kest Power Yoga 3-practice DVD but I gave it away because it felt more like foreplay than a yoga practice! Too much stroking of the nubile studio performers!

I'm going to research what the both of you have told me, and probably make some purchases later this summer. I do want to increase flexibility, especially for the lower body areas. I'm taking a "Fitness Yoga" class at my gym on Fridays when I can peel myself from work, but I want to be able to design my own practice.

Thanks again!

A-Jock
 
Marcy, I love Tilak Pyle's Altar of the Heart. I havent bought any from Mark Blanchard yet, but that is only because I feel I have enough power yoga.

Annette, If you dont like the "adjusting" (some schools of yoga believe in adjusting the student to show proper alignment), Mark is supposed to do it too! But I have heard that his (Mark's) yoga sets the bar for intensity in yoga that isnt contortionist. I give Bryan Kest the benefit of the doubt. But then, when I am doing the yoga I dot get to watch the screen and I rely more on verbal cues. I only get to take brief peeks to check my alignment.
 
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Wow! Thanks to both of you, Vee and Marcy, for all of your information!

actually I used to own the Bryan Kest Power Yoga 3-practice DVD but I gave it away because it felt more like foreplay than a yoga practice! Too much stroking of the nubile studio performers!



A-Jock
LOL:):) This is exactly why I do not use Bryan Kest, I can still hear him saying "PAWWWWWWWWWWWPPY" (poppy). That and his voice, I felt like I was getting yelled at.

since I am chiming in, I really enjoy Rodney Yee's style. And I have learned a lot from David Swenson.
 
Ha. You guys should try his class bootleg CDs. He swears freely and talks about making love to your own body.

I love him, but for obvious reasons, I can see why some people are weirded out. A friend of mine went on a yoga retreat with him in MI, and in addition to being super friendly, she said he's kinda "out there." It's a harmless-weird though. :D
 

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