Search - Yoga Zone - Flexibility and Tone (Beginners) on DVD

Susanna S. (quilt938) from STAFFORD, TX
Reviewed on 12/22/2007...

nice longer yoga zone practice (about 45 min to an hour) and has a lot of the basic poses but a bit more challenging than the conditioning and stress release dvd or the beginners dvd.

A love letter to my all-time favorite yoga video

DogsDeserveCompassion | USA | 12/06/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'd been doing yoga for a year and a half when I decided to switch to Pilates. Previously I did a steady routine using the Yoga Zone home videos in combination with a local weekly yoga class and, though I saw results (legs were stronger, I was much more flexible and my arms looked great), I was impatient and wanted those long, lean muscles NOW. So, for two months I put away my yoga tapes and worked on those muscles and soon realized exactly what yoga had done for my emotional well-being. Without yoga I became irritable, headachy and slightly overwhelmed by my busy life. So, last week out came my trusty old friend "Yoga Zone: Flexibility & Tone". This review is a love letter to my all-time favorite yoga tape (and I've tried quite a few). Everything about the video, the spartan studio, the low-key music, the slightly pudgy, sweet faced, pleasant voiced instructor Alan Finger, his two beautiful silent assistants, is soothing to me. Not to imply that this tape is a snooze-fest! In fact, it's quite strenuous as my aching muscles can attest after returning to this tape after my two month hiatus. When I finish this routine my mind and body feel refreshed and de-stressed and I always feel like I've done something incredibly good for myself. The instructor and his assistants lead you through a (roughly) 50 minute routine that stretches and strengthens nearly every muscle in your body using seated stretches, downward dog, cat pose, sun salutations, proud warrior and many other challenging (but not overly difficult) poses. The tape ends with "corpse pose", where I must admit, I usually fall asleep because I'm so relaxed at that point. However, I don't think beginners should start out with this tape without first trying one of the Yoga Zone videos made specifically for the beginner. This tape sometimes flows rather quickly from one pose to the next and it may be confusing and possibly slightly discouraging for the new yoga student especially when you're in a sideways (or upside down) pose and can't get a gander at the tv. But once you've mastered the basics it is very easy to keep up with the instructor's voice cues. While you may not see overly drastic physical results with this video the emotional results and the flexibility you'll attain can't be beat! I highly recommend my beloved video!"

Great workout!

DogsDeserveCompassion | 07/31/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I own all of the Yoga Zone series videos, and this is one of my favorites. Alan Finger is a WONDERFUL instructor; his voice is very soothing, and he's not intimidating in the slightest. He is not overly buffed; he's just your run of the mill pudgy 50 year old, but if you watch the clips at the end, you'll see that he has amazing strength and can contort himself into some very twisted poses. If you're new to Yoga, I'd suggest working with the Introduction to Yoga video in this series. I used that tape 3-4 times a week for about 2 months before I advanced to this one, and by the time I finally did, I found that I was very ready. The Introduction to Yoga teaches you most of the basic postures, and this video expands on them, but it's also a lot tougher. Having done the ItoY video though, I could progress through most of the poses easily and fluidly. And yes- you WILL feel the stretch in your muscles. Alan also guides you through a great breathing introduction in the beginning and a relaxation at the end."

Excellent, well-rounded yoga program

writeawayworks | Salt Lake City, UT USA | 01/13/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have done yoga off and on for over 20 years and this is one of the best videos I have found--good for beginning-intermediate yoga practitioners or someone like me who is restarting yoga after some time off. Alan Finger does a wonderful job of patiently guiding you through the poses. But the best thing about this videotape is that by the time you are finished with the 55-minute program, most all the muscles in your body feel stretched and loose and you feel great both physically and mentally. It's a very well-rounded set of poses. I would recommend it highly."