16 Customer Reviews
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Element: Yoga for Beginners |
 Works for me |
| Have had back problems for years (herniated L5). Doctor recommended yoga video. Have been using it for about 2 weeks now. Although limited in flexibility, have seen improvement and could not be happier with purchase. - posted by John on 1/19/2012 |
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| My favorite yoga DVD |
| I am a beginner and have several yoga DVDs, and Elena Brower's instruction is by far the best. She carefully explains each pose and does such a thorough job that after you've done the video a few times, you don't need to even look at the screen. The setting is beautiful, the cueing is accurate. I look forward to this video each time I do it. When the 50 minutes are up, I can't believe how fast it's gone. If you stick with the video, soon the poses you feel are "too difficult" become manageable. I love seeing how I've progressed in each pose. - posted by Linda on 3/30/2011 |
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 Not for beginners |
| Obviously the word "beginner" must have a different meaning for Elena Brower and for me. For someone totally unfamiliar with the breathing, terminology, poses, etc. she goes too fast. She doesn't always make it clear what to do if your flexibility doesn't allow you to do the pose. Even the first cross legged pose is difficult for me, and I am left unsure if my awkward attempt could be hurting me or not. The DVD should be entitled, "Beginning Yoga for those who are young, flexible, and are familiar with yoga. If you don't fit this description, don't buy this DVD." - posted by Lisa on 10/21/2010 |
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| Really is great for beginners |
| About 10 years ago I took basic yoga lessons. For some reason I stopped doing it, but always remembered that I loved yoga. I picked this up on a whim and found Elena a wonderful teacher. The moves are basic, she sounds very soothing and the scenery and music are very calming. She explains a bit how the poses are held and how to do them. If you can't afford classes, this is a great tool. - posted by Sarah on 7/26/2010 |
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| Wonderful workout |
| This is my favourite workout. Elena Brower is wonderful teacher. This DVD is more than just a basic workout. Highly recommend it for advance beginners. I truly hope Elena will make more workouts. - posted by Zorana on 3/28/2010 |
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| Easy but still very Beneficial |
| This is a nice flowing workout. She linked breath with the movement wonderfully. I felt open and refreshed with this one. I also really liked her pick of stretching and restorative poses. The flow and breath allowed the poses to be "warm" which is safer and more effective... not to mention a more refreshing and invigorating way to practice. I would classify this as beginner just as the title suggests. I'm an early intermediate and found this video to be very easy, although still beneficial and therapeutic. I'll reach for this one when I'm feeling "under the weather". - posted by Cher on 1/29/2010 |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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