AM/PM Yoga for Beginners

I have always had an immense interest in trying Yoga. Yet I've always been intimidated because often instructors make it seem near impossible to achieve the level of flexibility and strength endurance that they have (seeing as they've been doing it for many years). I remember wondering in class (when they did impossible poses) if they were just naturally flexible because there was no way in hell my body could ever possibly bend like they were showing. I became rather discouraged with it all and I stopped attending that particular class.I was browsing on Amazon for different exercise DVDs and came across this one and saw the starred reviews. I have to say I was I bit hesitant to try just for the simple fact that what some people consider easy, I consider hard and even though I run a lot, I am not that flexible. When my DVD arrived, I popped it in and selected the morning (AM) option. There was a list of options to choose from and since I had the time, I chose a 45 minute one. All I can say is yes, it's a bit challenging. HOWEVER!!! If you are a beginner, then it IS the right level for you! And the instructor on the DVD is great because she allows variations to be done and encourages you to not hurt yourself or strain yourself. She is constantly reminding viewers that yoga is not a race nor a competition and that really helps during the exercise (for me at least since I have always been in a rush).Another thing I like about the DVD is that it's not one of those annoying exercise DVDs where the instructor is exercising and talking and is constantly running out of breath simultaneously. This DVD has her do a voice over of her poses so her tone is always calm and she's doing everything in the demonstrations the way you're supposed to. There is also relaxing ocean waves in the background and meditation music playing. After only a few days use, I can already see my body improving with flexibility and also I am gaining a better since of control over my mental state (ie if I'm stressed, bummed out, etc).Best part is, for the longest time, I've had lower back pains. I even bought a new bed to try to alleviate some of the pain (which did not work). Great news: Yoga helped TREMENDOUSLY with my lower back pain. Even when taking Ibuprofen wouldn't help, yoga has damn near eliminated all of my lower back pain! It's amazing. I say if you're intimidated by the thought of yoga, or you've had a bad experience with it, try this DVD. The lady in it is sincerely nice and she seems really knowledgeable on Yoga and what she demonstrates.

I purchased this dvd so I could get back to doing yoga after three years away. I didn't practice regularly even then, but I was certainly more flexible. Well, this dvd has increased my flexibility. The PM section really helps me to get a good nights rest and relax my strained muscles after AM kick boxing. I did not give it five stars because there is a PM portion that has you sitting then standing, then sitting and standing yet again. There seems to be no flow there. There is a lot of breathe work which is great for relaxation, however, I am now ready to do more positions. Overall this is a good dvd and will purchase the next one which I hope will be more challenging.

Pro:- cheap way to try yoga (much cheaper that classes). You just need the DVD, a mat (I bought it at a sport store for 25$), 2-3 pillows or blanckets.- 10 routines; 15 minutes the shortests, 45 minutes the longest, you don't need to spent 2 hours as you have to when you take a class outside.- No pre-scheduled classes. You can do it any time of the day. At your own pace (I do it when I wake up in the morning)- Benefits:If you do it after you wake up in the morning, you just start the day in a more "positive" state of mind.You can feel your back posture improves. You will naturally put more attention on your posture day time.You feel a more flexible body, less sense of "heavy legs" or "thight muscles" or similar.My lower back pain I had before starting yoga, is gone. (I work in front of a computer 8 hours or more a day...)Cons:- yeah, sometimes the "voice" talks too much but... remember, is a beginner DVD: better too many words (explaining what you are doing, how to do it, words of caution...) then too few words- A real good teacher corrects your mistakes better during the exercisesHow I use it:In the morning I run the "wake up the spine" routine (35 mins) or "get up and go" (15 minutes), depending how much time I have. Almost every day.In the evening:Mainly the "Good night sleep", rarely the "unwind muscles tension". (both around 20 mins). Every other evening(more or less).Yes, it will be the first thing I'll suggest to someone that tells me... "I have some back pain bothering me"