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muck_a_luckYou know, I really hate when they need to put "weight loss" into the title.
I picked Yoga Complete For Weight Loss up at the library based on the enthusiastic reviews on Amazon by Iyengar practitioners who were so extremely excited to have a DVD of their own!
This is a massive DVD. I haven't counted, but it claims to have "over 20" pre-set practices. They vary in length and are arranged as Beginning, Intermediate and Challenging.
Coming to this from a vinyasa flow practice, what stood out for me was the care and instruction dedicated to each posture. Postures are held for longer and the yogini puts much more thought and care into every aspect of the posture.
This morning, I did the "Greet the Day" practice. It begins with a lengthy study of Surya Namaskar A, with the addition of Utkatasana (Chair).
The second sequence is a simple, but killer abs strengthener based on Supta Padangusthasana (Reclining Big Toe Pose). The legs are lifted and lowered, hinging at the hips, pausing for isometric holds at 30 and 60 degrees. This is a tough segment for the low back, though I was fascinated at how she used the arms stretching overhead and away along the floor as a counterbalance, generating the abdominal support to the weight of the legs. Still, I would definitely suggest taking this section with care.
The third section was a supine twist. I can never find the names of these twists. Anyway. Laying on the back, legs are extended upwards to 90 degrees again, and then mindfully lowered to each side in turn while keeping the back as flat as possible.
The final section was a long, careful Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend). Very nice, very relaxing.
Finishes with a carefully inwardly-directed Savasana.
Coming from a vinyasa flow practice, the second thing I noted was how few postures were practiced in 45 minutes, though I think this was in part due to my choice of a practice that focused so much on Suyra Namaskar A. There was a lot of repetition of Upward Dog, Downward Dog and Uttanasana and Mountain Pose.
The pace here is slow, deliberate and soothing, and the instruction and concentration is intense. On the one hand, I hardly broke a sweat, though the long holds on Upward Dog and the leg lifts definitely got my heart rate up. On the other hand, I finished feeling relaxed, refreshed, and lengthened - you know the feeling I mean. Taller.
I think I will try External Strength, Inner Balance (60 minutes) next, to see if I can get similar benefits, but maybe a few more postures and a little more sweat. This would not be my choice for a daily practice, but I think this DVD will go on my list for a regular reminder to slow down and pay attention to the details.
I picked Yoga Complete For Weight Loss up at the library based on the enthusiastic reviews on Amazon by Iyengar practitioners who were so extremely excited to have a DVD of their own!
This is a massive DVD. I haven't counted, but it claims to have "over 20" pre-set practices. They vary in length and are arranged as Beginning, Intermediate and Challenging.
Coming to this from a vinyasa flow practice, what stood out for me was the care and instruction dedicated to each posture. Postures are held for longer and the yogini puts much more thought and care into every aspect of the posture.
This morning, I did the "Greet the Day" practice. It begins with a lengthy study of Surya Namaskar A, with the addition of Utkatasana (Chair).
The second sequence is a simple, but killer abs strengthener based on Supta Padangusthasana (Reclining Big Toe Pose). The legs are lifted and lowered, hinging at the hips, pausing for isometric holds at 30 and 60 degrees. This is a tough segment for the low back, though I was fascinated at how she used the arms stretching overhead and away along the floor as a counterbalance, generating the abdominal support to the weight of the legs. Still, I would definitely suggest taking this section with care.
The third section was a supine twist. I can never find the names of these twists. Anyway. Laying on the back, legs are extended upwards to 90 degrees again, and then mindfully lowered to each side in turn while keeping the back as flat as possible.
The final section was a long, careful Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend). Very nice, very relaxing.
Finishes with a carefully inwardly-directed Savasana.
Coming from a vinyasa flow practice, the second thing I noted was how few postures were practiced in 45 minutes, though I think this was in part due to my choice of a practice that focused so much on Suyra Namaskar A. There was a lot of repetition of Upward Dog, Downward Dog and Uttanasana and Mountain Pose.
The pace here is slow, deliberate and soothing, and the instruction and concentration is intense. On the one hand, I hardly broke a sweat, though the long holds on Upward Dog and the leg lifts definitely got my heart rate up. On the other hand, I finished feeling relaxed, refreshed, and lengthened - you know the feeling I mean. Taller.
I think I will try External Strength, Inner Balance (60 minutes) next, to see if I can get similar benefits, but maybe a few more postures and a little more sweat. This would not be my choice for a daily practice, but I think this DVD will go on my list for a regular reminder to slow down and pay attention to the details.
