IGX

I picked this up after Rant mentioned this teacher as someone who presents an alternative to the Bikram mindset.

Nicely programmed DVD - uses clever exercise selection and clever editing etc to put routines together from the "full" sequence (which seems to take about 90+ minutes). In other words, you can get a 50 minute "Vitality" sequence, or an 60 minutes "Energy and Clarity" sequence etc. which skip certain poses in favor of others.

The "three different levels" (Beginner, Intermediate,Advanced) aspect doesn't work so well - the beginner variations aren't all that different from the intermediate ones, just shorter...I could be wrong about this, since I've only played with the DVD four or five times so far.

Benagh does a narrative voice over with alignment and imagery details while one of her senior students actually performs the poses. He's obviously an expert and makes it look easy. She's got that soothing, new-Agey thing down pat, but it's not as annoying as it might be. A lot of Yoga/Meditation DVDs try to induce an ecstatic state of mind with shimmery synthesizers, video tricks and dramatic cuts and edits, but this one stays right on track - one guy, one mat, two camera views, nice tinkly relaxing music in the background.

Not nearly as tough as the Bikam routine, even without the heat - no series of one legged balance poses to kick my ass and humble me. It's very much an "energy" practice. But that's cool with me. And I definitely get the sense of deep relaxation and well being I seek (the reason I do hatha yoga, fuck conditioning, Cross-Fit, "body molding" or "core" or "toning) by doing the sequences on the DVD.


Got it at Borders for $20. I've paid a lot more (Hello, "Fast and Loose") and gotten a lot less for the buck.

She is an excellent teacher. She has a joint here in Boston and her voice is really tranquilizing in savasana.

I got this a few months back and have been doing it semi-regularly since. While I didn't review it I have mentioned several times in my training log that I think it is a great dvd. Possibly my favorite...at least a 1/1a deal depending on what I am wanting out of my yoga at that particular time.

Props to Sofa King for sending me his extra copy.

Yoga Journal once paid me to take a week long course from Barbara. As a complete novice, I was delighted with her ability to gently move me from one asana to another until I found myself up some advanced position I never imagined that I could do.

She's a good teacher. Even some of the New Agey stuff made sense to me.

Barbara is also good people. Her new agey twist is sincere unlike these trust types.

seeahill wrote:I was delighted with her ability to gently move me from one asana to another until I found myself up some advanced position I never imagined that I could do.

This. While I can do most poses it was cool how one second you're here and the next you're there.

Mickey O'neil wrote:

seeahill wrote:I was delighted with her ability to gently move me from one asana to another until I found myself up some advanced position I never imagined that I could do.

This. While I can do most poses it was cool how one second you're here and the next you're there.

Did you whine to Mario about me asking you questions on your TL?

Rant (Null) wrote:

Mickey O'neil wrote:

seeahill wrote:I was delighted with her ability to gently move me from one asana to another until I found myself up some advanced position I never imagined that I could do.

This. While I can do most poses it was cool how one second you're here and the next you're there.

Did you whine to Mario about me asking you questions on your TL?

I don't whine to anyone. I can handle my own business.

Mickey O'neil wrote:I got this a few months back and have been doing it semi-regularly since. While I didn't review it I have mentioned several times in my training log that I think it is a great dvd. Possibly my favorite...at least a 1/1a deal depending on what I am wanting out of my yoga at that particular time.

Props to Sofa King for sending me his extra copy.

You're welcome Mick.

Glad you like it. I need to use it more