| Customer Reviews (or write your own review) |
Element Yoga for Beginners |
  Definitely a keeper! |
| This is an excellent workout for getting all those kinks out of the muscles. Elena explained yogic breathing very well and I finally felt as though I was getting enough oxygen during my practice. As a previous reviewer mentioned, this has a lot of good hip and heart openers. My only complaint is that the moves are somewhat repetitive (down-dog to [insert pose here], then inhale to open the back, exhale to open the chest), oddly, it got less so the more times I did the routine. An important note: this is not power yoga. Anyone who prefers flow or Ten Minute Solutions yoga will not like these long, deep stretches (I personally enjoy both, although this is the sort of thing I would do before going to bed.) Elena's voice while not soft (like Sara Ivanhoe) is pleasant and does not interfere at all the the calming atmosphere. I like how accessible she makes yoga: first she'll tell you how to position yourself in a pose, then give the English, then the Sanskrit name. This video makes me wish I was pregnant so that I wouldn't feel guilty about getting Elena's Prenatal/Postnatal yoga video. - posted by Libby on 9/12/2009 |
 |
| Fabulous hip and heart openers |
| This is my favorite mid-length yoga practice. It’s got hip openers like no other, and is great to do last thing at night. I agree that this is not suitable for total beginners: you’ve really got to know what you’re doing with some of those poses, both to get the most out of them and to stay safe. Only four stars because I find her approach to breathing awkward (she often instructs to inhale on contraction, exhale on expansion). The Savasana and the short closing meditation are lovely: I’d have loved to see both last longer than they do. Elena is an outstanding instructor, and strikes just the right balance with cuing that is both precise and concise. Gorgeous scenery and good music round out the experience. I’ll definitely be watching out for more offerings from Elena in the future. - posted by Nia on 6/15/2009 |
|
| This is my favorite style of yoga! |
| About time someone teaching Anusara Yoga made a workout DVD. I hope Elena Brower makes more; she is a great instuctor with a soothing voice and perfect cueing. She reminds me of my studio instructor in Tucson, always stressing proper form and position. I always feel great when I am finished with this practice. - posted by Carol on 4/13/2008 |
|
| Probably Not The Best For Begginers |
| I was excited by the video clip but what it does not show is that she bends herself practically in half alot. Its probably not the best for begginers or those that are not or not yet that flexable. And also anyone who has a back probelm or injurys i think bending the way she does may cause some injury unless you modify the moves "and theres no modifier in this video just the instructer" or know what your doing already. But if your buying a video labeled for beginners you probably dont know what your doing just yet. I think this would be really good for someone more advanced in yoga or at least intermediate. It has a nice outside setting and calming music the production is great and it is a great yoga dvd in my oppinion just not for begginers. - posted by MK on 3/25/2008 |
|
| Disapointed a Bit |
| I was excited to get this one.But soon as i got it i popped it it an i quickly realised there is no way this is for a beginner or anyone who has trouble with flexability. I wanted a yoga DVD because i have a back injury an was told yoga would be good to try.But theres just no way i could do the bends like she does in the video.An as its only her theres nobody else showing ways to modify.Im sure i could just modify on my own but i really cant be bothered.But thats not saying its not a good video i wish i could do it it looks really good.I just would say a way above the beginners level for yoga and probably not for those who are not so flexable.And on a serious note if you have any sort of back trouble id show or explain the types of bending in this DVD before you start. - posted by MK on 3/22/2008 |
|
| Not bad but Not a Favorite |
| I agree with the previous review -- this is a beautifully shot video with some good poses -- but definitely the lunges are done for too long! I'm pretty flexible, but I had some discomfort while holding those poses. I prefer a slightly more athletic yoga style, but I still like doing this video b/c Elena's voice is very soothing after a long day. - posted by M.K. on 2/5/2008 |
|
| Beautiful and enjoyable, only 2 flaws |
| I have to agree with how beautifully filmed this DVD is. The cueing is spot on. You don't even have to see the instructor to know what she's asking you to do. The flow of the workout is very nice, although too many downward dogs if you ask me, but that's not really a flaw, just a dislike. The 2 flaws, which aren't major thus only taking 1 star off my review, are that this is really more suited to high beginners to intermediates, and she holds lunges for too long. Even those with good knees might have problems holding for as long as she does. I had to put my knee to the floor a few times, even my good knee on the other leg. I'm happy with this DVD and would recommend it to others. - posted by Melissa S. on 1/30/2008 |
|
| Love, Love, Love! |
| I just completed this workout for the first time and I am so impressed! Great instruction, great scenery, and the length of the dvd is just perfect. I was just about ready to quit, but bam!, it was over. I am a very beginner at yoga, but this is the first yoga dvd that I found to be enjoyable and doable. Love it! - posted by Jen on 1/13/2008 |
|
| Love It TooI |
| I have been doing yoga for many years but still enjoyed this practice. Elena's cueing is superb and you don't have to keep craning to look at the TV. It flows along very nicely and the setting is beautiful. I liked the background music and found it very soothing and relaxing. I have tried many yoga DVDs and have liked very few. This one is a definite keeper. - posted by PhyllisG on 12/14/2007 |
|
| Love It! |
| Now this is my kind of yoga workout! Elena is very calming, the moves are performed at a moderate pace (for beginners, like the title says), and the time just flew by. I took a water break after what I perceived to be 10 minutes, but I was actually already halfway through the 50 minute workout! There are a few 'new agey' references, and the subdued music does chant 'Ohm' throughout, but neither is annoying or over the top. There are a lot of the usual moves (yes, down dogs, too, but they are used as the transitional move in between all the other poses, you're not just hanging upside down forever - I'm a beginner, and I only had to take a break one time due to tight shoulders), but there were some interesting twist moves as well. I think this workout will be great for increasing flexibility. I felt energized after completing the workout. Recommend! - posted by GLB on 12/9/2007 |