power yoga
- Thread starter kariev
- Start date
I really, really like Shiva Rea's Yoga Shakti. She has a feature called the Yoga Matrix that allows you to design your own yoga practice, which I love, and also three "premixed" routines to choose from. In all it ends up being hours and hours of yoga, which is why it's a little more expensive than some DVDs, but it's totally worth it.
Caveats: 1) This is just my opinion. 2) It CAN be pretty challenging, but it also offers some basic segments to start you off, although if you're already doing some power yoga, you'll probably be up to speed in no time. 3) Some people find Shiva Rea a little annoying, but not me-I liked her cuing and music. You can read loads of reviews at Amazon - they sell the DVD. Here's a link:
http://www.amazon.com/Shiva-Rea-Shakti-Jean-Michel-Jarre/dp/B0001611DS
Caveats: 1) This is just my opinion. 2) It CAN be pretty challenging, but it also offers some basic segments to start you off, although if you're already doing some power yoga, you'll probably be up to speed in no time. 3) Some people find Shiva Rea a little annoying, but not me-I liked her cuing and music. You can read loads of reviews at Amazon - they sell the DVD. Here's a link:
http://www.amazon.com/Shiva-Rea-Shakti-Jean-Michel-Jarre/dp/B0001611DS
RunninTeach
Cathlete
I like Kristin McGee's Power Yoga.
[font face="heather" font color=brick red size=+2]~Cathy [/font face] http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/wavesmile.gif
"Out on the roads there is fitness and self-discovery and the persons we were destined to be." -George Sheehan
[font face="heather" font color=brick red size=+2]~Cathy [/font face] http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/wavesmile.gif
"Out on the roads there is fitness and self-discovery and the persons we were destined to be." -George Sheehan
Another vote for Yoga Shakti. I love Shiva, the background and music are great and Shiva is so beautiful to watch and has great form. I like the way she builds up to the poses. I was able to handstands and headstands that I hadn't done in years. She also has nice progressions for backbends and hip openers. The matrix is great so you can make up your own workout. There are also four pre-programmed practices from 30-90 minutes. The manual also explains how to create your own practices based on your area of focus.
Shiva's Fluid Power is also excellent, similar to Yoga Shakti and also has a matrix. You might like this one if you have a bit of a dance background.
Bryan Kest's series, Energize, Tone & Sweat is also a good one. Each of these gets progressively harder with Sweat being the most difficult. They are all about 50 minutes.
One of the most difficult and challenging practices I've done lately is Mark Blanchard's Foundation from his Sedona series. This was almost 90 minutes long and very intense. It has a very long standing section (1 hour) with two long, tough balance sequences and lots of chaturanga vinyasas and standing split sequqnces. I couldn't wait to get down to the floor. The floorwork was only about 25 minutes. I actually wished there was more floorwork. This was more intense than Vol. 3 from his Trilogy Series.
Baron Baptiste's Next Challenge is one of my favorites. It's 70 minutes long and is a great all-around practice. I feel really good and stretched out after this one. His Ultimate Challenge is about 47 minutes and has lots of standing and seated forward bends which really stretch out the hamstrings.
Marcy
Marcy
Shiva's Fluid Power is also excellent, similar to Yoga Shakti and also has a matrix. You might like this one if you have a bit of a dance background.
Bryan Kest's series, Energize, Tone & Sweat is also a good one. Each of these gets progressively harder with Sweat being the most difficult. They are all about 50 minutes.
One of the most difficult and challenging practices I've done lately is Mark Blanchard's Foundation from his Sedona series. This was almost 90 minutes long and very intense. It has a very long standing section (1 hour) with two long, tough balance sequences and lots of chaturanga vinyasas and standing split sequqnces. I couldn't wait to get down to the floor. The floorwork was only about 25 minutes. I actually wished there was more floorwork. This was more intense than Vol. 3 from his Trilogy Series.
Baron Baptiste's Next Challenge is one of my favorites. It's 70 minutes long and is a great all-around practice. I feel really good and stretched out after this one. His Ultimate Challenge is about 47 minutes and has lots of standing and seated forward bends which really stretch out the hamstrings.
Marcy
Marcy
andtckrtoo
Cathlete
I love Eoin Finn's Yoga for Happiness - it's one 80 minute workout that has several premixes (and you cannot tell they are premixes at all). He does a magically hips section that opens my hips and has increased my flexibility better than anything. It's very doable - fun and light hearted, but challenging. He gives many options for poses, as well. He does say some weird things, but I just shrug them off.
I also like Barone Baptiste - he's a little chatty, but very sweet and knowledgable. I have his Long and Lean which while not a Power Yoga DVD is still a good, tough, workout.
A lot of people like Bryan Kest but he drives me batty.
I use Rodney Yee's Power Yoga for Flexibility a lot as well - it's short and a great after run or hard workout stretch.
I think a lot of it depends on what you want to accomplish. I lean towards instructors who really stretch me out, and work on my flexibility. I am not a fan of very intense moves like the headstands, etc. I'm also not a fan of yoga that turns me into a pretzel. But, I want a good workout and I want to enjoy it. Others like different things.
I also like Barone Baptiste - he's a little chatty, but very sweet and knowledgable. I have his Long and Lean which while not a Power Yoga DVD is still a good, tough, workout.
A lot of people like Bryan Kest but he drives me batty.
I use Rodney Yee's Power Yoga for Flexibility a lot as well - it's short and a great after run or hard workout stretch.
I think a lot of it depends on what you want to accomplish. I lean towards instructors who really stretch me out, and work on my flexibility. I am not a fan of very intense moves like the headstands, etc. I'm also not a fan of yoga that turns me into a pretzel. But, I want a good workout and I want to enjoy it. Others like different things.
Shirluvs2bfit
Cathlete
>I love Eoin Finn's Yoga for Happiness - it's one 80 minute
>workout that has several premixes (and you cannot tell they
>are premixes at all). He does a magically hips section that
>opens my hips and has increased my flexibility better than
>anything. It's very doable - fun and light hearted, but
>challenging. He gives many options for poses, as well. He
>does say some weird things, but I just shrug them off.
I agree with this. I just did the "Quickie" premix from this dvd this morning. Some of his descriptions of how a pose should feel are "weird"; but he provides a great power yoga dvd with several premixes.
A friend in fitness,
Shirl
>workout that has several premixes (and you cannot tell they
>are premixes at all). He does a magically hips section that
>opens my hips and has increased my flexibility better than
>anything. It's very doable - fun and light hearted, but
>challenging. He gives many options for poses, as well. He
>does say some weird things, but I just shrug them off.
I agree with this. I just did the "Quickie" premix from this dvd this morning. Some of his descriptions of how a pose should feel are "weird"; but he provides a great power yoga dvd with several premixes.
A friend in fitness,
Shirl
Hi Marcy -
I just received Mark Blanchard's Trilogy and Sedona Series. I previewed them and was not too impressed. I noticed that he is not very clear on what foot or hand to move, instead he says "put that hand down", or "square that knee". Was that a problem for you at when you were doing his dvds?
And do you find him endearing or creepy with the way he touches the female yoginis when he is trying to help them with their alignment?
I was trying to decide whether to get Eoin Finn's dvds or Mark Blanchard's dvds, and I ended up getting both - but - at least I can return Mark's dvds since I purchased them from his website if I'm not happy with them.
I also purchased Kristin McGee's dvd. I am also debating on Baron Baptiste - but don't know which of his I should try first and I am not sure if I like his teaching style.
I've been doing Yogadownload 20 minute free podcast power yoga sessions each morning after my Qi Gong sessions to prep myself for a full day of needling patients (I'm an acupuncturist) - and was looking for slightly longer workouts to start my day.
I should actually use Shiva Rea's Yoga Shaki and Fluid Power (?) - guess I was looking for something different - I have almost all of her dvd's and yoga CDs.
Thanks in advance for your comments. Edie
I just received Mark Blanchard's Trilogy and Sedona Series. I previewed them and was not too impressed. I noticed that he is not very clear on what foot or hand to move, instead he says "put that hand down", or "square that knee". Was that a problem for you at when you were doing his dvds?
And do you find him endearing or creepy with the way he touches the female yoginis when he is trying to help them with their alignment?
I was trying to decide whether to get Eoin Finn's dvds or Mark Blanchard's dvds, and I ended up getting both - but - at least I can return Mark's dvds since I purchased them from his website if I'm not happy with them.
I also purchased Kristin McGee's dvd. I am also debating on Baron Baptiste - but don't know which of his I should try first and I am not sure if I like his teaching style.
I've been doing Yogadownload 20 minute free podcast power yoga sessions each morning after my Qi Gong sessions to prep myself for a full day of needling patients (I'm an acupuncturist) - and was looking for slightly longer workouts to start my day.
I should actually use Shiva Rea's Yoga Shaki and Fluid Power (?) - guess I was looking for something different - I have almost all of her dvd's and yoga CDs.
Thanks in advance for your comments. Edie
Hi Edie!
I don't really find Mark endearing or creepy. Once I know what pose we're supposed to do, I really don't look at the screen that much and concentrate more on what I'm doing.
I also agree with Tracey about Yoga Zone's Power Yoga for Strength & Endurance. This one has lots of awkward chair pose. She holds poses for a long time and has some good balance poses. She does everything to one side first and then the other so you are quite tired by the time you have to do the other side. Lisa Bennett was a good instructor but does talk a lot. There are two background exercisers, one doing modifications and one doing the more advanced version of the pose. This is a 54 minute practice and is done outside. Lisa basically instructs but sometimes joins in and does some poses.
Marcy
I don't really find Mark endearing or creepy. Once I know what pose we're supposed to do, I really don't look at the screen that much and concentrate more on what I'm doing.
I also agree with Tracey about Yoga Zone's Power Yoga for Strength & Endurance. This one has lots of awkward chair pose. She holds poses for a long time and has some good balance poses. She does everything to one side first and then the other so you are quite tired by the time you have to do the other side. Lisa Bennett was a good instructor but does talk a lot. There are two background exercisers, one doing modifications and one doing the more advanced version of the pose. This is a 54 minute practice and is done outside. Lisa basically instructs but sometimes joins in and does some poses.
Marcy
