Yoga is becoming popular due in part to celebrities who practice it. It is easy to do at home, and special equipment is optional. A variety of styles of yoga are available on DVD, for a wide range of fitness levels. The following list is a review of the top selling yoga DVDs, including a description of their styles and levels.
A.M. and P.M. Yoga For Beginners
A.M. and P.M. Yoga for Beginners by Gaiam is the top selling yoga DVD for beginners. Featuring Rodney Yee, it includes two 20-minute hatha yoga sessions, one for morning and one for evening practice. The morning session is set on a beach in Maui during sunrise. It is a very gentle practice with easy-to-follow instructions, set at the perfect pace for beginners. The second session is filmed during sunset in Death Valley. The pace is also slow and gentle, allowing the practitioner to unwind from the day and relax. The DVD also includes a bonus segment on how to use yoga props, making this a popular DVD for those who are new to yoga. It can be purchased at most sporting good stores or online for around $20.
Power Yoga
Power Yoga by Bryan Kest is a popular, high-powered Ashtanga yoga video series. This DVD is not for beginners but more for intermediate to advanced practitioners, especially those who are familiar with Ashtanga or "power" yoga. Ashtanga yoga was developed by Pattabhi Jois, who incorporated all eight limbs of yoga into his practice. A traditional ashtanga practice can last as long as two hours; however, Bryan Kest's sessions have been condensed down to around an hour. The DVD can be purchased online through Amazon or Poweryoga.com for between $15 to $20.
Vinyasa Flow Yoga
Vinyasa Flow Yoga by Sean Corne is another popular yoga DVD. From the ancient sanskrit, vinyasa literally means "to arrange." Proper alignment of the body is a primary focus of vinyasa yoga practice. Sean Corne's videos provide excellent instruction, walking the practitioner through each pose, emphasizing proper alignment of the body and breath. She explains the purposes of the different poses and their effects on the body. The pace is slow, but some of the poses are challenging. Beginners should practice this series with props or modifications. Vinyasa Flow Yoga can be found at many sporting good stores and online for around $18.
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