[.ca] Upper Body for Beginners - Vhs

Yoga to build a strong, flexible upper body and back.:
Though not for absolute beginners, I found this tape to be a real gem: A well designed yoga practice with just-right verbal cues and just-right pacing, with a length (about 25 minutes) that actually fits into a real life schedule. That said, my ability to follow this video is, I am sure, dramatically helped by my 4 years of off-and-on yoga practice with real-life (not video) instructors.

Perfect for Unwinding After Work!:
This video has been a godsend to me for unwinding after work. The exercises target the places where we all feel tight after sitting at a desk all day: the neck, shoulders, and upper and lower back. Yee's videos always feel as much like meditation as yoga. His soothing voice and slow pace is so relaxing, along with the peaceful locations (this one is filmed on a grassy hill in Maui, overlooking the ocean). This video contains lots of "down dog" and "upward dog" moves, along with a few backbends and even some leg stretches to balance out all the upper body work. And don't be afraid of the backbends! He starts slow with moves that will prepare your back for this!

Beginners beware!:
Don't let the title mislead you. This is a VERY difficult workout. This video is for people in great shape and lots of expertise in yoga.

Beginner?:
I have mixed feelings about this and other tapes in the Living Arts/Gaiam series. I feel that they offer good workouts, but are NOT for beginners. I'm familiar with yoga postures, having had a daily practice over 10 years ago. But Rodney Yee never offers modifications for the postures or ways to build up to being able to do them. A backbend? I haven't managed a full backbend that easily since I was 12. He doesn't offer ANY tips on how to build the strength to get there. He has the student go into a "push-up" position, which requires a great deal of tricep strength and no way to build to that point. (The way to build to it would be to start in plank pose and slowly lower down.) If you are a true beginner with little strength or flexibility, stick with Yoga Zone or Linda Arkin until you are stronger.

A short, challenging workout but doable for beginners.:
First of all, several reviewers have mentioned that this tape is not for beginners, but it is important to remember that ALL of the videos in the Living Arts series recommend that you start with "Yoga Practice for Beginners" if you are not familiar with yoga poses. That being said, this is a relatively fast-paced tape that can be a little hard to follow at first, so I'd highly recommend watching the tape before attempting to follow along. I consider myself to be a yoga beginner with limited flexibility, but I was able to perform the majority of the poses on this tape. The first time I tried it, I thought that there was no way I would EVER be able to lift myself into a backbend, but on my second time through, I was able to briefly raise myself off the ground. This video is definitely challenging, especially given the fast pace, and I would recommend being well-rested before giving it a try. However, with some practice, it is certainly doable for beginners, and I highly recommend Rodney Yee for motivating, expert instruction.