Editorial Review:Description: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.
Amazon.com:A workout that balances both the body and the mind can be found in the
Basic Yoga Workout for Dummies. Fundamental postures are explained and demonstrated slowly with an emphasis on breathing and motion. Sara Ivanhoe teaches 12 basic poses that are termed the 'daily dozen' and offers challenges and modifications to each of these moves. Ivanhoe presents these concepts in an approachable and calming manner that adds to the overall relaxed feeling that this session exudes. Newcomers to the practice of yoga will learn jargon, essential postures, and focusing techniques. Experienced participants may find some information redundant, but Ivanhoe offers such thorough explanations about each posture that you can't help but expand your existing knowledge of yoga. As the mountain pose, standing forward bend, and downward facing dog are explained (not to mention the nine other poses within the 'daily dozen'), proper body alignment becomes the focus. Meticulous attention is given to the connection between breathing and body movement with several reminders to keep the spine in 'neutral alignment.' This session ranks great for safety and content and makes yoga accessible to anyone who 'always wanted to, but never did.' This is a substantial program that can introduce the basics and build your understanding of yoga.
--Olivia Voigts
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
-
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.
Rating: 
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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]]
Rating: 
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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.
Rating: -
Great tool for beginners
The best way to learn yoga would be in a class setting with an instructor there to guide you. This is second best! Sara does a great job of explaining what to do and what not to do. The tone remains light - you don't feel like you have to be perfect. One complaint would be that after you get comfortable with the poses in the first practice, you will likely find the detailed instructions slow the practice down too much.
Rating: -
Easy, Simple, Fun
This is a great selection for those who are beginners. The host is fun, easy to follow, and very nice in personality. You won't be left behind or in the dark. She explains everything and you will know what you're doing before you begin. Very relaxing.