HD Yoga

Founded in 1996, Seattle's 8 Limbs Yoga is the producer for this Blu-ray instructional set offering four hour-long classes—basic, core, strength, and Vinyasa—that encompass all experience levels. Anne Phyfe Palmer introduces each routine and provides instruction along with colleagues Jay Holby, Chiara Guerrieri, Jen Yaros, Dawn Jansen, and Angela Gayle. Viewers are advised to eschew footwear and watch each section at least once before trying out the moves. In the opening session, three practitioners move through cow, cat, downward dog, and cobra as Palmer provides deliberately-paced instructions (three other instructors narrate the lessons to follow). Later poses include dolphin, prayer, tabletop, warrior, and reverse warrior. Little in the way of special props are necessary, although a cotton strap and block are occasionally used while the teachers—clad in sleeveless tops and Capri stretch pants—perform on conventional exercise mats. Subsequent sections follow a similar pattern, with instructors distinguishing between moves for beginning, intermediate, and advanced students (non-distracting Eastern-tinged music plays in the background throughout). Although the liner notes define "Vinyasa," more information about the other terms, like Chaturanga, would have been helpful, though not essential. Blu-ray extras include text bios of the instructors. Recommended. Aud: P. (K. Fennessy)