Looking for Advanced Yoga DVDs

[handels]

I have a few from David Swenson, which I really like, but they are all very similar. Are there other yoga instructors who are around that same level? I would love to have a few to rotate through. I enjoy his because I always feel challenged and there are some poses I can't do at all (sounds weird, but no goal = no interest for me).

Any suggestions would be much appreciated! Thanks!

 

[PhyllisG]

I am not familiar with David Swensen but I like Tony Sanchez Yoga Challenge I. For more advanced there is II and III. This is a Hatha Yoga system.

 

[Vee]

Hannah,

In yoga, tough can mean two things -
a. tough because the poses are inaccessible to "average" levels of flexibility/balance
b. tough because of the demands they make on endurance/strength using largely accessible poses

Ashtanga yoga is a format that manages to combine both. There are not too many good DVDs I am aware of (since I am not advanced in aspect a.) that can give Swenson's Primary series or beyond a run for their money. But you will find options for Short Forms. This is is essentially a disclaimer that I may not quite know what I am talking about !

Shiva Rea's Yoga Shakti has two long practices that you may find interesting because her sequencing and pose selection is different from classic Ashtanga. They fall mostly in category b, although she does some amazing arm balances that may need working up to based on where you are now. This DVD is one of my enduring loves for yoga.

You may alao want to check out Maha Sadhana 2 by Dharma Mittra. There is a clip at the paranamaya site: http://www.pranamaya.com/mittra-ms2.html You may want to take a peek at Tripshicore Yoga while you are at the paranamaya site (I consider it purely a fascinating spectator sport).

You could check out Mark Blanchard. I dont do his DVDs yet but I hear he fits the bill. Some people complain about his personality though - from what I gather not exactly the humility/personna you come to expect from someone who teaches yoga. People who like a challenge swear by the toughness.

I like Rodney Yee very much, so here is another DVD that I dont have, but think you may enjoy:
http://www.totalfitnessdvds.com/Fitness-DVDs/Gaiam/Advanced/RODNEY-YEE-ADVANCED-YOGA-p6442913.html

I second the suggestion to look at Yoga Challenge 2 and 3 from Tony. For one thing it is a non-vinyasa style so will feel very different from moving from pose-to-pose with Swenson. For another it is based in the Bishnu Ghosh tradition so a very different lineage from Pattabhi Jois who inspired Ashtanga/Power styles. There is a long clip on youtube that combines all three DVDs.

 

[morningstar]

Bryan Kest Power Yoga.

 

[Saturn]

Eoin Finn.

 

[mj476]

I agree with Vee about Mark Blanchard. Tough challenging yoga but don't care for the personality. Tough core work and arm balances.

Another one is Peter Sterios' Gravity & Grace. I've only done it once but not the whole thing (which is about 2 hours). Very tough. Has three advanced sequences including arm balances, hip openers and backbends.

For vinyasa, I also agree with Shiva's Yoga Shakti. Another one that I recentl fell in love with is Jennifer Lynn's Flow Yoga. A very comprehensive practice that includes a bit of everything. Deb Dobbins' Spirit of Vinyasa Flow is also very good and has two 70-minute practices.

Marcy

 

[Vee]

Marcy,

I love the Deb Dobbins DVD. I dont have the Jennifer Lynn one though.

I dont need any new yoga at all, but I have my eye on this new site:
http://www.myyogavideo.com/

But first, I have a resolution to work though my entire existing collection once. I started out on this resolution because I was aghast at how far I had let my acquisitiveness take me. I find myself thoroughly enjoying this process and I find myself doing at least some yoga everyday.
http://myyogavideo.com/yoga_dvd_video_types.htm

 

[akumalbay]

Namaste Yoga

Love the Namaste Yoga Show and the ability to play from computer or iPod at mobovivo.com. You can purchase by the episode or by the season. I got season 1 at http://www.mobovivo.com/store/programs/namaste-yoga-season-1-pass

 

[Vee]

I recorded Namaste off TV. Exquisitely beautiful show, though I cant help feeling it has been choreographed for aesthetics rather than for a "balanced" yoga sequence. Not that it makes me enjoy it less. The sequences are so graceful.

 

[lcobb2]

Definitely Bryan Kest and Mark Blanchard if you're into the Western style of yoga. They are both pretty tough, but easily modifyable.

 

[handels]

Hey! I thought when I started a thread I would be automatically subscribed to it? I guess not!

Thank you all so much for the recommendations. They all sound great. I am basically looking for some variety (the ashtanga ones are all seriously the same series of poses) and as long as there are a few positions that I have to work on (usually because of flexibility), it's enough to keep my interest. So this is exactly what I need to expand my yoga horizons.

I can't wait to try these out. Thank you so much!!!

 

[namastekilgore]

Hi, aside from David Swenson and Hot Vinyasa (studio class, when I can afford it!) I love Dave Farmar; he's a free podcast on iTunes. AWESOME. All levels, anywhere from 60-120 minutes. TOUGH - lots of uttkatasana! Always smokes my quads. Have you tried Budokon? Cameron Shayne is phenomenal; I have the privilege of studying with him and his wife, Liz, here in Charlotte. Yoga, martial arts and meditation. He also has videos for the more advanced: http://www.budokon.com/store.php?selected=dvds

 

[Vee]

Hi, aside from David Swenson and Hot Vinyasa (studio class, when I can afford it!) I love Dave Farmar; he's a free podcast on iTunes. AWESOME. All levels, anywhere from 60-120 minutes. TOUGH - lots of uttkatasana! Always smokes my quads. Have you tried Budokon? Cameron Shayne is phenomenal; I have the privilege of studying with him and his wife, Liz, here in Charlotte. Yoga, martial arts and meditation. He also has videos for the more advanced: http://www.budokon.com/store.php?selected=dvds

The clips of Budokon on the Internet scare me. They require agility and fluidity that I am nowhere close to. But the creativity and style is great. I am hoping for more accessible stuff before I buy. You are indeed lucky to have studied with him.

 

[NY25]

I also say Shiva Rea - I have two Yoga Shakti, and Flow Yoga. I can't really do them because they are more advanced than my ability, so I stick with Brian Kest (love him), Rodney Yea and Ali McGraw. Try the Shiva Rea - you'll like them. They're challenging and different.