This workout will de-mystify the mystical so that anyone can experience the fabulous benefits of yoga. Today, many people use yoga to help alleviate back pain, reduce stress, and increase flexibility.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Very Good Introduction To Yoga
Sara presents a series of poses on this DVD which help form a basis of starting a yoga practice with very through and precise instruction and alignment, which is important and then provides some additional more challenging material – challenging in the sense that it really is for beginners but a bit of a step up.

It is a good reference DVD to form a nice groundwork and one of a couple I refer to now for my practice.

5 Stars great place to start with yoga
This is a great yoga practice that anyone can do without expert help. You really feel great after doing yoga and this is easy breezy to do. You don’t have to be perfect at yoga to benefit from it, just the focus for a few minutes can make you feel so good. Absolutely worth trying.

4 Stars Basic yet slow-moving yoga workout for beginners
I am a neophyte when it comes to yoga, and in many respects this DVD was an excellent resource. Instructor Sara Ivanhoe, who is clearly an accomplished yoga instructor, walks the viewer through the most basic “daily dozen” yoga moves in about 45 minutes. Each move is explained carefully and is held for six breaths as Ms. Ivanhoe demonstrates the move. From this foundation, Ms. Ivanhoe explains slightly more advanced poses and techniques, but we’re definitely talking approachable, manageable stuff for beginners.

All this is supplemented by the usual “For Dummies” learning aids, like mythbusters and jargon translators. All in all, this is a helpful introduction to the world of yoga.

Why only four stars? Because the workout moves so slowly. After the second time through the DVD, I didn’t need the detailed explanation of each move and simply wanted Ms. Ivanhoe to guide me through the workout without exposition. Unfortunately, there is no “efficient workout” option on the menu, so once you’re familiar with the poses, you’re going to need to keep the remote handy so you can fastforward through her speeches.

This is nothing against Ms. Ivanhoe as an instructor – she’s both knowledgeable and, admittedly, very easy on the eyes. I’m not getting dirty here – it’s essential for a beginner to watch how to do these poses correctly, so it helps to have an attractive, proficient instructor when you’re watching the same thing over and over again.

So while a yoga DVD is preferable to a yoga book in that you get to watch an actual person do the entire pose – as opposed to a mere snapshot contained in a book – the inability to excise the lengthy exposition of each pose is a bit of a problem. Therefore, the DVD isn’t excellent and isn’t worth five stars. But it’s clearly worth four, and any beginner should give it a try before spending money on an expensive yoga class.

3 Stars Ummm… Dummies.. No, VERY beginner? YES
This is a great addtion to the beginners library of yoga… however, after you’ve watched it more than 2 or 3 times you’re going to be ready for something new. The teacher does an excellent job discribing the postures, however this may become TOO much once you’re ready to start flowing in your postures. Being able to choose from the chapters what postures you want to work on at any given time is a great also. ASIN:B001DDY6RG TAMARA’S YOGA FUSION]]

5 Stars Best for beginners
I borrowed this from the library because of the reviews stating it was so basic that you might only watch it a few times. I plan to buy it now though because it is so helpful to an absolute beginner like myself and the slower pace is more relaxing to me. I believe the Yoga for Dummies will better prepare me for the Yoga Journal DVDs which I also enjoy, but am not quite ready for yet.

I’d also mention that my eight year old loves to do this with me and asked me to purchase more of Sara Ivanhoe’s DVDs.

Buy/More Info

AM Relaxing the mind is essential to achieving total health. Unfortunately, busy and stressful lives causes tension that hinders our ability to unwind and fully relax. David Carradine will show you how to use the proven techniques of Tai Chi to totally relax your mind while also getting a satisfying full body workout. This is accomplished by Tai Chi movements that rest the mind yet strengthen and work the muscles. Additional exercises will clear the mind, relieve stress and pull the energy of the active mind into the lower abdomen, the body s natural energy source. This thirty- minute program will fully prepare you for meaningful relaxation the key to achieve Peace of Mind. PM Let David Carradine energize your body with the soothing, flowing movements of Tai Chi. This ancient physical art form uses stretching, deep breathing and invigorating circular motion to gently awaken and loosen your entire body. As your body slowly warms, carefully designed moves will tone and strengthen muscles. You will also clear and relax the mind while stimulating and increasing your natural energy flow. This thirty- minute program will enlighten the senses and refresh the spirit. Your entire body will enjoy a complete workout that energizes and refreshes.

User Ratings and Reviews

3 Stars Hard to follow along
This is OK, if you know enough about tai chi to begin with. But it’s hard to follow along–it’s not really explained well.

4 Stars Great for beginners
I have lost several inches off my waist and went down a whole pant size in just two weeks of doing both routines everyday. My eating has not changed, and I am pleased with the results. I find it challenging as I put my all into it. Great for those not wanting a change in exercise options.

5 Stars Tai Chi
The tape is easier to follow than I expected. Following David Carradine’s voice is very soothing. My doctors have recommended Tai Chi for my arthritis, to help movement but also for the breathing and relaxing capabilites. Don’t get me wrong Tai Chi is difficult to learn because itself is very complex, but the tape is easier to follow than others I have seen. I am anxious to accomplish this tape and get some of David’s other tapes.

3 Stars Could have been better
I picked this video from a shelf of several Tai Chi exercise videos because of the familiar face and the mystique surrounding David Carradine. He seems stiff, and not confident in (or very familiar with) the motions.

I keep trying to watch Arnold Tayam behind David because his movement is so beautiful, but I get frustrated whenever the camera isn’t pointed at him. Arnold also does a beautiful sequence of movement at the end of the video filled with exercises that are not covered in the instruction.

I was hoping to be introduced to the philosophy and symbolism involved with Tai Chi, but it wasn’t covered here.

I agree with another reviewers comment about difficult camera angles some times making it hard to follow, but you can eventually get it.

Still its nice to exercise to, and I feel pretty good when I do. I am going to read reviews of as many Tai Chi, taijiquan, qigong videos as I can to find some that will work better for me.

5 Stars Good workout DVD
From someone who has never done Tai Chi before this DVD is quite easy to do. Some of the directions are a little hard to follow sometimes, but again that may just be me. (I am not the most coordinated person). All in all I am very happy with this purchase

Buy/More Info

Body & Soul Magazine “Best Buy…will revolutionize your home yoga practice… Finally, an at-home yoga series customized to suit your needs!”

realage.com “Editor’s Pick…Yoga for Every Body is an easy-to-follow DVD with lots of routines. It will teach you how to stretch, relax, really breathe… ”

Product Description

Body & Soul Magazine “Best Buy…will revolutionize your home yoga practice… Finally, an at-home yoga series customized to suit your needs!” Get into shape, relieve stress, become stronger and more flexible & increase energy!

Yoga Complete for Every Body allows everyone, from the beginner to advanced students, to experience the joy, power and serenity of yoga. With over 35 routines, no other DVD offers so much to help you learn and progress in the healing art of yoga. Simply select the routine you need on any given day and this amazing DVD will adapt to meet your exact needs. Explore the amazing world of yoga with the most comprehensive and extensive DVD available. Practices range from 15 to 75 minutes.

Routines include:
– AM and PM practices
– Increased flexibility for targeted areas, such as the legs, back, neck, etc
– Strength building practices
– Back and neck pain, including headaches
– Relaxation
– Stress Relief
– Rejuvenation
– and many more!

JJ Gormley is a certified yoga instructor and has taught thousands of students throughout the world over the past 25 years. She guides students with a warm, non-judgmental style that encourages the expansion of physical, mental and emotional limits within the healthy and stimulating context of yoga.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Over 30 routines!
This is an incredible yoga DVD, mostly because of the bang for your buck. There are over 30 routines on this DVD with various focuses, and with progressive difficulty, beginner, intermediate, and advanced. I’m sure I’ll be able to use this DVD for years without ever getting bored.

2 Stars choppy video, not really class form
I am a beginner to yoga and was looking for something to take me to the next level. Although, there are many options on this video, it is all pieced together and not in a class format. Did not like this at all! Instructors voice was also annoying.

5 Stars Perfect for every level
I havent used this yet but my wife loves it and she is very particular about her yoga. You can choose the poses you want to do and there are lessons for every level. She says its pretty much the perfect yoga video.

5 Stars Wonderful Variety
I got this DVD to expand on my yoga practice, I am still a beginner for the most part, but I liked that this had a selection of routines from beginner to intermediate and advanced.

There is a good selection of routines in each level that are broken down by time – such as over/under 30 minutes in the beginner section. The under 30 minutes routines has a good one for waking up, another for mediatation, one targeting your upper body, another for you hips and legs and a couple of other routines. The above thirty minutes is the same way and there is a huge amount of variety of poses – the other sections are done the same way.

Very good instructor who is very personable (when she smiles during the interviews it makes you smile) and is really guiding me along to improve.

5 Stars LOVE IT!
I bought thi just the other day and I will say that I love it! Excellent for people just starting out and who want to grow in it. I am only a beginner but it is great for intermediate and advanced people. Has a routine under and over 30 minutes for each and is very relaxing for the mind. If you are interested in starting out with something for your health and peace of mind this is the DVD for you!

Buy/More Info

3. Start a garden. Even apartment-dwellers can do this. Inside in pots, pots on the patio, pots, a small spot in your yard. There is a little work to setting it up. Tending plants, fruits, vegetables, flowers and watching them grow, bloom, or yield food is rewarding. Avid gardeners say working a garden is the best way to control stress and worry. An added benefit is the creation of a more beautiful, restful environment

4. Do something soothing. Start or try a activity like knitting, sewing, basket weaving. Don’t worry about being good at it. It’s the process that’s beneficial. Sitting still while performing repetitive movements is calming and stabilizing for many people. It can be time to collect your thoughts.

5. Adopt an Animal. Experts have stated  that pet owners live longer lives and have fewer stress related symptoms than non-pet owners. Playing with your pet always put me in a good mood.  Basically,  It’s a form of social interaction where you can be always be yourself.