Rodney Yee: Yoga Burn

I have several of Rodney's DVDs and I like all of them! Sometimes, when I finish one of his workouts, I feel like I want to do another one, because it just wasn't long enough. (Most of his workouts are about 20 minutes long). This one is close to an hour! If you want an effective, longer workout, I would recommend this one! I could definitely feel the effects later that day and the next day! All you really need is a padded chair and a strap and you are good to go!

This is a beautiful, mindful, and potentially powerful yoga practice. It is true that there are no big surprise poses in this sequence--all are well-known, fairly basic level poses. The main audio option contains some instruction, but mostly about moving into and out of the poses; there is not much about alignment within the pose. Complete beginners may need more instruction and modifications than available here. The other audio option omits instruction at all, containing only prompts for moving from one pose to another. The basic poses, simple instruction, and deemphasis on speed makes this dvd a good place for advanced beginners who have some knowledge of the poses to deepen their understanding of them, and for anyone, irrespective of level, to work on the mindful awareness aspect of their yoga practice.The intensity in this dvd comes, not from speed or difficulty of poses, but from deep, slow, conscious repetition of fundamental asanas, with the time to build awareness of movement into, within, and out of them. Yoga is not meant to be a purely physical activity. The awareness aspect of yoga is rightfully considered advanced practice, and the familiar poses presented here allow the mind to take precedence. The point is not merely physical endurance (though, if done right, this sequence will also challenge the body in that way). The purpose is at least twofold: physically, to develop long and lean muscle through slow repetition of simple postures, and mentally, to use the simplicity of the poses as a platform for developing presence and awareness with each pose. Yoga is, after all, about the mind-body connection, and this practice aims at allowing the time and space for working on this crucial element. For those ready to move their yoga practice beyond the physical dimension while still developing the body, this is a lovely practice dvd.The asanas are presented in small cycles of three poses or so with about three repetitions each, so it is hard to present an exact sequence, but here is a list of poses, roughly as they appear in the practice: Staff, Flying Crossed Legged Pose, Cobbler, Half Boat, Boat, Simple Crossed Leg Twist, Cat, Down Dog, Plank, Cobra, Single-legged Down Dog, Triangle, Warrior 2, Standing Forward Bend, Chair, Standing Side Stretch, Warrior 1 and 2, Low Lunge with backbend, Low lunge with hands in reverse prayer, Bow, Cobbler with forward bend, Head to Knee forward bend, Wide Angle forward bend series, Seated Forward Bend, Back Stretch, Reclined Bent Knee Twist, Bridge, Reclined Leg Stretch, Reclined Crossed Leg to Chest, Corpse.

I am fairly new to yoga and purchased this DVD after watching a trailer for it. I was very excited by the thought of slow and coordinated movements to strengthen my body. I feel this DVD does achieve that. In the first segments, you get through these really tough downward facing-dog exercises that really made me sweat and feel the burn. The emphasis on the breathing is very helpful and I was able to focus on that rather than my body struggling through. :o) The flow and gradual movement throughout this DVD is phenomenal and made this DVD a worthy purchase.The only complaint I have about this DVD is that in the first part, say about 20-30 minutes, you can really feel the burn and I was sweating through it. Then the rest of the DVD kind of just fizzles out with the exercises. Rodney Yee goes through some seated floor bends that just really didn't do it for me. On a side note though, I did see a video that recommended using wrist weights when you progress for this DVD. I haven't tried that avenue yet, but I think that will help ease my qualms about the last part of this DVD. Overall great DVD and would recommend to anyone just starting yoga. I don't think that someone in the advanced stage of their level in yoga would receive much benefit with this DVD. The poses are in the beginner to intermediate level of yoga in my opinion and I not sure if it would keep a higher level interested.The "slow" element to this DVD is what makes this DVD amazing and it still has kept me coming back for more! Thank you Rodney Yee for being so innovated!

This is a very slow movement yoga routine. It is not meant to be a "Power Yoga" style burn and sweat routine. Rodney Yee leads a beautifully orchastrated series of yoga moves that are meant to bring you inward and in touch with your body.I disagree with the other reviewer that this is a beginner, easy practice. Moving slow and listening to your body can be a challenge in it's self ;o) You should have some basic knowledge of yoga postures since there is no instruction on the form of the postures.Rodney starts off on the floor with some very slow, repeated movements using your core. He does a very creative version of spinal twist. He moves on to a series of very slow moving sun saluations with warrior and this is a wonderful way to get in touch and improve your practice of faster moving sun salutes. And again, a very creative version of thunderbolt. Then on to the floor for a series of forward bending, backward bending, and leg stretching. Again, very creative moves that I have not seen on any other yoga DVD. He usually repeats each movement 2-3 times. The practice is a little under an hour.This is a wonderful practice by Rodney Yee. He is a beautiful human being (and has a beautful body) and leads a very creative yoga routine. I will use this DVD over and over again. (Plus, Amazon has it for a very good price!)See my other reviews on Amazon for Yoga and Meditation DVD's and CD's.