Hi JCM
Ah good yoga dvds, that is an oft discussed topic. Do a search here for username: “Vee” and keyword: “yoga”. Vee is the undisputed yoga expert and her dvd reviews are spot on.
I highly recommend finding a respected and trained yoga teacher in your area and take a few classes. Hands on yoga instruction is invaluable.
Last summer Forbes published a great two-part article on the science of yoga that you may find interesting and/or inspiring:
Penetrating Postures: The Science of Yoga - Forbes
In my search for good yoga dvds I have discovered that I prefer voice over yoga instruction, and I also prefer the yoga instructor to have studied yoga and be able to demonstrate proper form.
Here are my favorites and in order. While they are longer than 20 mins, they can be broken up into doable chunks until you are eager for a longer program.
Rodney Yee – Power Yoga Total Body. I have gotten more than my money's worth with this dvd. One aspect I value most, other than Rodney’s instruction, voice, tone, style, is that he superbly balances forward movement with backward movement. Anything Rodney does is excellent. I have grown quite fond of, Yoga Burn, too.
Tony Horton – Both p90x and p90x2s yoga dvds are worth the price of the set. I’ve heard fabulous reviews of his One on One’s, especially Patience Hummingbird, which I have not tried, as of yet. Tony is my one exception to voice over instruction. His in-the-moment instruction is excellent, and it doesn’t detract from the practice. As an additional bonus he usually has a modifier.
Jill Miller – Will fix whatever physical limitation you have. I highly recommend these three: Shoulder Shape Up, Core, and Hip Helpers. Her web site and newsletter are useful too.
Deb Dobbins – Great instruction and perfect for any level practitioner.
Tilak Pyle – Altar of the Heart. This is different, it has a contemplative Ashram feeling, Tilak's voice over instructions accompanies multiple yoginis practicing yoga in different outside locations. I love this dvd.
Shiva Rhea – Never disappoints, but I must confess that after 22 years of yoga practice I still do not know all the Hindu names for the poses, so sometimes with her dvds I need to look at the t.v. to see what she is doing, which is awkward. Her dvds do set a nice mood, have lovely music, and she is an inspiration.
David Swenson – First Form, offers a long Vinyasa flow sequence, just don’t look at him, you might be traumatized for life. He loses points for icky attire and a oddly appointed set.
East Coasters are fond of
Bryan Krest. I like his dvds well enough, but I’m a laid back west-coaster who doesn’t like to feel as though yoga is an urgent matter.
Finally, I concur with Ninja Mom, look at foam rolling as an option. Tony Horton, on p90x2, has an entire workout devoted to it, Mobility and Recovery. While it is not comprehensive it is enough to get you started, and of course, he is hilarious. Foam rolling improved my workout recovery time and also my running. My hip/iliopsoas, which would wake me up at night, is no longer an issue. On his Plyocide dvd he demonstrates and talks about Neuro-Integrated Stretching, which is fantastic too, A++ for that.
p.s. what kind of dog do you have, is that a poodle in your avatar?
