Shiva Rea: Flow Yoga for Beginners
by James Wvinner
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Shiva ReaDirector: James Wvinner
Brand: Acorn
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 70 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2008-04-15
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Acacia
Product features:
- Condition: New
- Format: DVD
- Color; DVD; NTSC
Movie Reviews of Shiva Rea: Flow Yoga for Beginners
Movie Review: I wish I had paid less attention to reviews that said it wasn't for beginners!
Summary: 5 Stars
I am not a big yoga fan. In fact, most yoga DVDs bore me. But something about Shiva in the video clips always intrigued me. She is really an awesome instructor. I wish I had paid less attention to the reviewers that said this DVD was not for beginners, as I wasted time and money on some really boring beginner DVDs.
I look at yoga as a way to enhance the other fitness activities I already do. I completed the first three flows today after doing the elliptical trainer and strength exercises, in replacement of my regular stretching & flexibility routine. I would not normally complete 45 minutes of yoga in one sitting, so I do appreciate that each of these flows can be performed individually.
I have hip dysplasia on my right side, a bad knee (left side), and a posterior innominate rotation on my left (this means when my back rotates my right leg becomes shorter than my left). Thanks to physical therapy and a focus on core strength & flexibility the rotation is now mostly stable. I continue to work through the other issues. While I may comment on these limitations in my review, I would not deduct points in my rating because this DVD does not claim to be therapeutic for any of these. I simply include the notes in case they are of help to someone else who may have some similar limitations.
These are the flows I completed today:
1) Foundation flow: This was a very relaxing and simple flow, starting with breathing and going through some basic flexibility poses. The breathing would be something that if presented wrong would really bore me, but Shiva did a great job.
2) Beginner's Backbend Flow: I had completed part of this flow as a bonus on another DVD and it convinced me to order this DVD. This is such a relaxing flow. I can see completing this flow many times in the future. With hip dysplasia on one side and a bad knee on the other, I find balance when doing lunges on one side is not as good as it should be. At times I did place one hand on a table for balance. I look forward to my balance improving as I repeat this flow. Also, I did not squat down as low as Shiva did when doing the chair pose with twist, but found my own variation. The only pose I did not perform was the bow pose (for fear of pulling on my knee), so I did cobra instead. With some slight modifications, I feel this flow can be adjusted for beginners, and Shiva also mentions some modifications during the flow.
3) Relaxing Flexibility Flow: Coming from a non-yoga background, I recognize variations on standard priformis and hamstring stretches. (I do use a stretch strap for the hamstring stretches.) This is followed by a great hip/inner thigh stretch that was new for me, and then a sitting forward bend. This flow is very relaxing and I think most people would be able to complete it.
I agree with other reviewers that it would have been nice to have a matrix as the fourth flow appears to be quite different than the other ones, and the shivasana is at the end.
I have not yet tried the Beginner's Standing Pose Flow, and will likely update my review once I have. I think this is the most challenging flow on the DVD, and gives me something to work into. I have also ordered Shiva's newest DVD (Daily Energy - Vinyasa Flow Yoga) and can't wait to receive it.
UPDATE: I've used the first three flows many times times now and love them. I've already worked past the minor limitations I mentioned from the backbending flow. I can see using these flows, in particular the backbending flow over and over again.
I finally did get to the standing flow today. I did flows in this order: Standing, Backbend, Flexibility. I felt so relaxed when I was done. These are nice, gentle, soothing flows for me. This DVD continues to be a favorite that I expect I will use over and over again.
It's interesting as I look back at the review because yoga has now become a regular part of my routine - this DVD was the starting point for that.
Summary of Shiva Rea: Flow Yoga for Beginners
A superb introduction to one of the most beneficial and rewarding forms of yogaFlow 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.
The title, Flow Yoga for Beginners, is slightly oxymoronic, as "flow" yoga, at least as practiced by many yogis and yoginis, is by its very nature more aerobic, vigorous, and difficult than the yoga undertaken by most beginning students. But leave it to Shiva Rea, whose growing series of home videos is arguably the best on the market, to reconcile those two disparate factors--for the most part, anyway. Rea defines the flow concept as "the ability to move freely in an unbroken string of awareness"; in more pedestrian terms, it?s a continuous sequence of poses, one moving freely and naturally to the next, which tends to generate heat and deepen control of the breath. The breath, specifically ujjayi pranayama, is the centerpiece of Rea?s introduction to this 70-minute program; her instructions in the use of this basic but hard-to-explain technique are excellent. Thereafter, she spends about 20 minutes on backbends (from simple standing and lunging backbends to poses like cobra, bow, locust, and camel, which can be very challenging for inexperienced students); this segment also includes a few twists. Next, the "Relaxing Flexibility Flow" sequence consists mostly of counterposes such as the "happy baby" and badakonasana (cobbler?s pose), while the "Standing Pose Flow," the longest and best of the lot, focuses on poses including and derived from virabadrasana II (aka warrior II), one of the common standing positions. It?s all good, but while Rea provides detailed instruction and simpler variations for many poses, genuine beginners would do well to study the program closely before attempting it; and even then, poses like chaturanga dandasana (a lowered pushup) are rarely taught in beginners classes, even in their easier versions. As for the lush Hawaiian scenery, well, great, but the practice of hatha yoga ultimately depends on going inside, even to the point of doing it with eyes closed. Still and all, while it?s not quite up to the standards of Shiva Rea?s other videos, Flow Yoga for Beginners is a winner. --Sam Graham
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