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India Press Store - Shiva Rea - Flow Yoga for Beginners (Amazon Exclusive)
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List Price: $14.99
Our Price: $10.99
Your Save: $ 4.00 ( 27% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Acacia
Starring: Shiva Rea
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: DVD
EAN: 0054961808694
Format: Color
Label: Acacia
Manufacturer: Acacia
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Acacia
Release Date: 2008-04-15
Running Time: 70
Studio: Acacia
Theatrical Release Date: 2008
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Good Intro to Flow Yoga
Comment: I figured this would be a good DVD to start with before I immersed myself into Yoga Shakti. I'm glad I did! I think this is not only a nice introduction to Flow Yoga, but to the instructor herself. I had heard many great reviews about Shiva Rea so I couldn't wait to get my first DVD from her.
First of all, she does an excellent job in breaking down the various poses little by little so you are not overwhelmed. Also, I really appreciated the fact that she introduced gentle variations throughout so you could work up to the more complex poses. The voice over and cuing for the most part are very good and the scenery is gorgeous.
I'll agree with other reviewers in saying that the Savasana at the end is very brief, but other than that, this DVD is a great intro to her style and technique. For the anyone else who may consider purchasing this DVD, getting a book that references the English and Sanskrit names for the poses may be helpful as well.
I hope to buy more of her DVD's soon after I've done this routine for awhile.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Comforting, with some room to grow
Comment: I am a yoga and Pilates instructor- I would say offhand that I am probably not the target audience for this release. However, I am always for new choreography and sequencing ideas, particularly for people who are new to yoga. I've heard much about Rea's comforting, "fluid" instruction, so I thought this would worthwhile for me to explore.
The practice is a little under 70 minutes- longer than most of the classes I teach, and longer than I typically spend on my own practice. The Warmup is about thirteen minutes long, which I feel is too long even in the context of an hour+ practice. There is a primer on Ujayyi Breathing, then linking that breath with arm movements. Then we move to Cat with knee pulls to begin mobilizing the spine, then explore Plank and its variations. Next are introductions to Half Chaturanga, Cobra, Single Leg Locust and Down Dog. Throughout, Rea provided soothing instruction and insights to help people new to yoga and/or working on strength and flexibility.
Next section, Backbends, began standing with diagonal arm sweeps, then a flow between a modified standing Camel and Mountain, then another flow between a Roll Down and Back Bend. Then we moved into a Forward Fold with Chest Opener. Next we moved to our knees, moving to a Knee Lunge then Hamstring Stretch/Half-Split, then Half Chaturanga, Cobra, Half Bow, and Cat with Knee Pulls. Once we've completed the work to both sides, we Roll Up to standing again and move into Side Bends, Back Bends, Chair and Chair with a Twist. After Forward Bend, we move back to Lunge, but this time add a Twist. We use Hamstring Stretch again as a Counter Pose, then move to Quarter Dog to open the upper body. After Half Chaturanga, we continue with Bow, briefly rest, then move to Camel, Hero and move to our backs to relax the back after the Back Bends.
The next segment is called Flexibility Flow, but it is focused completely on the lower body, primarily the hips. We do Knee Pulls, the Number Four Stretch, Hamstring Stretch and Wind Relieving. We next do a Supine Butterfly which turns into a Swaying Hip Opener, still on our backs. Next we sit up and move into an Undulating Butterfly before setting into the full posture. We close that section with Easy Pose.
The next section, Standing Poses, includes some of the poses from the other sections, particularly Lunges and Chaturangas. We perform a Vinyasa including Half Chaturanga, Cobra and Down Dog then move into a Lunge Sequence. A la many vinyasa practices, we repeat the cycle, adding in more challenging back bends (Bow, Locust, High Cobra) and more challenging standing movements (Half Warrior, Half Side Angle, Warrior 2. The entire practice concludes with Savasana.
My verdict: The warm up and the back bend sequence were of the most use to me in that they provided the most variety. However, it started going downhill for me with the Hip Openers and the Standing Sequence- I just felt that there was not enough variety, and I would think that most beginners would need variety even more than seasoned practitioners. However, Rea does create a peaceful, relaxing and encouraging atmosphere, so for that reason I'll bump my review up to three stars.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Good Flow But Not For Beginner
Comment: Flow yoga is a bit different from the style I usally practice (Bikram), but I found it enjoyable and challenging.
Shiva Rea is a good instructor and it was very enjoyable to watch her fit physique perform these yoga flows in the lush Hawaiian scenery accompanied by pleasant if a bit repetititve music. Actually performing the flows myself was a bit more difficult. I would label this DVD as intermediate rather than beginner. Poses are not explained and things move along at a decent clip. If you don't know the poses by name already, then you will be a bit lost, at least until the 4th or 5th viewing. Also, some of the moves require poses that take your eyes off the screen and it is easy to fall behind at these times. I would have liked the DVD to close with a more relaxing flow, but that is a minor quibble as you can watch it in a different order if you wish.
Flow yoga is a bit different from the style I usually practice (Bikram), but I found it enjoyable and challenging.
Shiva Rea is a good instructor and it was very enjoyable to watch her fit physique perform these yoga flows in the lush Hawaiian scenery accompanied by pleasant if a bit repetitive music. Actually performing the flows myself was a bit more difficult. I would label this DVD as intermediate rather than beginner. Poses are not explained and things move along at a decent clip. If you don't know the poses by name already, then you will be a bit lost, at least until the 4th or 5th viewing. Also, some of the moves require poses that take your eyes off the screen and it is easy to fall behind at these times. I would have liked the DVD to close with a more relaxing flow, but that is a minor quibble as you can watch it in a different order if you wish.
After going through the routines, I was left sweating and a little tired, but feeling warm, relaxed and fully stretched. Very nice. Some of the poses are not that easy for the inflexible, but you get better as time goes on and just do what you can.
Not a bad yoga DVD, but perhaps not by first choice. If I had to suggest yoga DVDs for beginners, in order they would be: Essential Yoga For Inflexible People, Yoga For Every Body (With Over 35 Routines), and AM/PM Yoga For Beginners (with The Dalai Lama & 10 Routines) (I like the different routines for morning and evening).
3.75 Stars.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Slow? Yes. Beginner? Only if have strong muscles/endurance
Comment: Menu Options: Intro (one on here), Workout, Chapter, Shiva's Bio (text), Music Options (music only, music & instruction), Trailers (3 other Shiva Rea's & Yoga to the Rescue)
The production values are top notch like a movie. Camera, editing, lighting, sound, set design is all gorgeous... you can see that in the videos. All instruction from her is given in voice over. She gives great information both in a spiritual manner & which specific anatomy muscles you are using as well as which are being stretched & how it benefits the body as a whole physically.
Foundation Flow: 14 min
By a waterfall, Deep breathing/Prana & moving hands w/the breath. Table/cat with 1 need to nose & repeated several times. Practicing plank & chaturanga (low staff/plank pose), child's pose, mild push ups while on knees to build upper body strength & practice getting into chaturanga, cobra, 1 leg up locust with arms down, going between table & downward dog several times, full downward dog & ends w/child's.
Beginner's Back bend Flow: 21 min
See Video Below to see backdrop of her by a lily pond. Light side stretches w/outstretched hand like dvd cover. Standing fwd bends mild & then held a long time, mountain pose w/mild back bend/stretch a couple of times. Low lunge w/back knee on the floor. She calls half splits but also similar to pyramid but lower. Mild chaturanga, cobra, locust w/just the arms up, child's, table w/knee to nose, other side lunge again w/o pyramid, standing fwd bend, mountain, simple standing side bend stretch, mountain w/mild back bend, chair pose, chair w/prayer twist (she explains how to get more twist using the lower hand to push the top one up) (this is held for a very long time so it will be challenging to leg muscles) standing fwd bend, chair twist to the other side, standing fwd bend, lunge w/prayer twist (also held a long time), pyramid, downward dog on the knees which is much easier to do & opens up the shoulders as well), lung w/prayer twist on other side, pyramid, bow, lay on stomach/rest, mild camel, hero's pose (she doesn't say it's name, it is very hard to do unless flexible & VERY bad on the knees if you have any issues, she only does it & says just sits back & stays sit cross legged if you have issues), sit & breathe deeply w/hands. Laying on back, both knees to chest, then both knees to one side then the other, then one knee to chest only, then other, then lay back to rest. This is very challenging for beginners as she holds the poses for much longer then most instructors & longer in one pose can really tax muscles.
Relaxing Flexibility Flow: 10 min
Same lily pond. Laying on back, one knee to chest only, then other, then one ankle crossed on one knee & pulled to the chest (held for over a minute), one knee bent & the other leg straight pulled toward the head. Repeat on other side, ankle crossed on knee (only held 45 seconds), leg to head. Both knees to chest, happy baby pose (on back with bent knees each knee to respective shoulder) & then slightly turn hips back/forth (very mild) & ends in butterfly. This is very mild & very relaxing, this is not a workout as more as light stretching. I found it too slow a pace & not enough poses for this length of time. This style is more yin yoga where poses are held a long time.
Beginner's Standing Pose Flow: 22 min
Beach scene you see on trailer. Table, child's, table, downward dog, 3 legged down dog w/one straight leg in sky, high lunge (back leg up), slow chaturanga on knees, mild cobra, child's, table, downward dog. Other side 3 legged down dog, high lunge (back leg up), faster chaturanga on knees, cobra, child's, downward dog. 3 legged down dog, mild warrior 2 (w/back leg resting on knee, not foot like full), mild side angle (same leg placement as previous pose & arm resting on knee only which is easier), chaturanga, mild locust w/arms & 1 leg, child's, down dog. Same thing on the other side. 3 legged down dog, full warrior 2 (she does pelvic tilt here to teach you to pull hips toward the belly butt to lengthen the spine), reverse/revolved warrior, side angle (arm on knee still), warrior 2, pyramid (back knee on ground),chaturanga, half bow, child's, down dog. At faster speed, warrior 2, revolved warrior, side angle (hand on knee), warrior 2, pyramid, chaturanga, full bow, child's & down dog. Repeat again w/cobra instead of bow 4 more times. Rest in child's for a full minute. I did not like how this harder standing poses comes after relaxing laying back poses, it makes no sense after heating up with the back bend flow & cooling off with the flexibility flow.
Shavasana: 2 min
Laying down & her guiding you to relax 1/2 of it & silence the rest.
Shiva Rea is very advanced yogini & I believe this is her first beginner DVD. She seems to be new at teaching beginners & is very tough almsot like the drill sargent of yoga. She has a lovely voice but there is a stiffness to it. I did not like how it flowed, nor something about her teaching. I found all her other yoga DVDs too advanced for me though I'd been practicing semi-regularly for over 6 years. I've had no problem & LOVE Rodney Yee, Rainbeau Mars, Sean Corn, Ateeka, Yoga for Sex (excuse the title, but it's normal yoga in fun format), The Firm's Power Yoga, I also LIKE Susan Deason, Max Strom, Kristen Mcgee, Kabbalah Yoga, Yoga Radiance & a couple of others.
3 MIN VIDEO: of the Beginner's Back bend Flow portion ON youtube under "Cobra Pose with Shiva Rea" from AcaciaFitness
Customer Rating:
Summary: Shiva is wonderful!
Comment: Shiva Rea is wonderful as usual; she is simply the most enjoyable person to watch doing vinyasa yoga. This DVD isn't really for beginners, you have to have had some yoga experience to keep up with her, but it's excellent to do flow yoga with and I would suggest her DVD's to anyone wanting to further your experience in flow (vinyasa) yoga.
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Editorial Reviews:
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A superb introduction to one of the most beneficial and rewarding forms of yoga Flow yoga, also called vinyasa yoga, combines flowing movement with rhythmic breathing for a dynamic mind-body workout. Like a moving meditation, flow yoga unites mind, body, and breath. Your mind clears, your body calms, even as your pulse quickens. Renowned and innovative flow yoga teacher Shiva Rea leads this introductory practice, filmed amid breathtaking scenery on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. She begins with a seated mediation that teaches you how to link breath with movement. Three more segments introduce her flowing approach to classic poses. Transitions from pose to pose are graceful and easy. You may not have Shiva's flexibility (yet), but you can follow her lead in ways that work for you. Feel yourself becoming stronger and more supple. Sense your new energy and find the fluidity that has always been yours.
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