Energize With Yoga features PBS guru Lilias Folan who combines aerobics and yoga into a hybrid exercise/relaxation program. During the first half of the program, she concentrates on warmup stretches, primarily designed to stretch the spine, while the second half of the tape features several variations on yoga poses (cobra, dog, frog, warrior, half-moon, and more). The tape concludes with a cooldown session. As pop yoga tapes go, the Lilias tapes (Lilias! Alive With Yoga: for Beginners and Lilias! Alive With Yoga: Stretch and Strengthen, as well as this one) are a cut above similar fare. And although there's a reasonable amount of narrative silliness ("bring your awareness to watch yourself breathe through both nostrils"), we've heard worse. Yoga Journal's Yoga for Beginners, on the other hand, is a class act, all the way. Following a brief introduction, instructress Patricia Walden takes viewers through a series of poses, which increase in difficulty, yet build upon earlier examples. Walden teaches Iyengar-style Hatha Yoga, beginning with a simple sitting pose, followed by child's and dog poses, before moving into the standing poses (mountain, triangle, proud warrior, and several others). Throughout, the camerawork is excellent, the background music and lighting appropriate and soothing, and the narration reasonable and sound. Although some attention is paid to the spiritual benefits of yoga, the primary focus here is on the physical benefits, outlined in both the video and the 52-page accompanying guide. Both titles are recommended, but if you're looking for one great yoga title, Yoga for Beginners is the tape to buy. (Energize With Yoga is available from most distributors.) (Yoga Journal's Yoga for Beginners is available from: Healing Arts Home Video, 1229 Third St., Santa Monica, CA 90401, as well as most distributors.)
Energize With Yoga; Yoga Journal's Yoga For Beginners
(1990) 60 m. $29.95. Rudra Press. Public performance rights included. Vol. 5, Issue 9
Energize With Yoga; Yoga Journal's Yoga For Beginners
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