Due to my financial situation and my schedule I have been limited in my ability to attend a yoga studio.  Don’t get me wrong, I want to attend a studio, and will someday soon, but for now I’m a homebody yogini.  As I navigate through the world of yoga I’m trying my best to find my niche and groove.  Thanks to books, the internet, DVDs, and the help of friends I’m making my way.

If you’ve ever done any sort of workouts to video you know they can be hit or miss.  I’ve been asked several times, “What DVDs are you using?” I’ve done some research on my own but also had the opportunity to check out some different DVDs to review.  I figured I’d do a little post on all the videos I’ve tried in hopes of sharing some insight from my experiences.

Weight Watchers Yoga Starter Kit – The kit includes the DVD, strap, block, along with a 10 Week Exercise Tracker.  I was pretty stoked about the block since I hadn’t picked one up yet.  The DVD has 3 sections – Basics, Get Moving, And Get Strong.  As you can expect, it starts with the basics of breathing and then moves into asanas with the assistance of using a strap and blog.  I think it’s great how they have two women performing asanas…one regular and one showing modified versions.  This DVD really is about the basics but makes practicing yoga attainable for just about everyone and it’s a great starting point for someone just looking to get their toes wet.  I also like that the 2 workouts are approximately 30 minutes each.

Zen-Ga Power & Strength – The best way I can describe this is a mixture of yoga and pilates.  The DVD is fast moving, almost to a tempo, like most typical at-home workouts.  This workout includes the use of a block as well and is 60 minutes in length.  I know most yoga sessions are 60 minutes or more at a studio, but personally I find a 60 minute at-home workout a bit too much for me.  Especially when it’s something at this tempo.  Sure I can do it, but I don’t find it enjoyable.  I think this DVD has great substance but the length along with speed of the work really entice me.

Element – Intro To Yoga With Tamal Dodge – Once again, a DVD that shares the basics in one session and then another session at the intermediate level.  Tamal does a great job breaking down each asana, explaining breathing, along with the use of a block.  This DVD is calmer than the above, focusing on balance and breathing, as he leads you through a series of full sun salutations.  I find it excellent that he says all asanas in sanskrit and the modern vocabulary.  This helps me to learn both versions.  Each session is just over 30 minutes in length.

Element – Yoga For Energy & Relaxation With Tamal Dodge – Another DVD with the same presenter as above.  Just as the other DVD Tamal breaks everything down so it’s easily understood.  This DVD contains 2 sessions – 1 for energy (AM) and 1 for relaxation (PM).  Each at approximately 30 minutes in length.  I found these sessions to be more about breathing, holding asanas, along with stretching.  I’m not sure if it’s just where I’m at in my journey but this doesn’t feel enough for me right now.   Once again, I understand yoga isn’t all about the workout.

Gaiam – Rodney Yee’s A.M. & P.M. Yoga For Beginners – I found this DVD to be quite comparable to the video above.  2 different sessions, one for AM (energy), while the other was for PM (relaxation), both at 25 minutes.  The morning session is presented by Rodney Yee and the evening presented by Colleen Saidman.  As with the other, it just wasn’t enough for me.  However, for those that are just starting out with limited flexibility, this is a great place to begin.

Gaiam – Rodney Yee’s Power Yoga For Flexibility and Power Yoga For Strength – Hands down the winners for me.  With Rodney Yee’s calming voice that provides just the right amount of guidance I have quickly fallen in love with the flow of power yoga.  It’s the perfect pace that’s not to slow and not to fast.  Just perfect.  I find it calming but also feel that I’m getting my movement/workout in.  It helps to know some basics, but almost anyone can be easily guided with these videos.  The length of 30 minutes is perfect to fit in whenever I have a few moments and I often find myself wanting more.

Anton Mackey’s Functional Flow DVD – While at the Sedona Yoga Fest I took advantage of purchasing one of Anton’s DVDs after his class.  It’s a very basic DVD with no frills but it has helped reinforce all his teachings he presented in the classes.  Although it sticks with the basics he still guides you through full sun salutations so in the end you feel as though it’s actually been a session and not just going through some random motions. And at only 30 minutes in length it can also be revisited when you have a few quick moments.

So those are the DVDs I’ve checked out thus far.  Have you tried any of them?  Do you have any faves that you’d recommend?  I would love to hear about them!

Keep Smiling and Be Grateful =)