AM/PM Yoga for Beginners

Rodney's AM practise was excellent for me as a beginner. It's a great introduction to learning a conscious connection between the mind and body. It is relaxed and much easier than Particia's tape. Rodney's easy on the eyes, too, ladies...

I'd suggest one of the slower paced, informative tapes such as "Yoga for Dummies" or one that details the poses you practise as an introduction to yoga. Yoga practise needs to be done safely and that particular tape provides alternative poses as well for the less flexible beginners. I know it gets old to work with the beginner tapes and you do find yourself fast-forwarding once you are comfortable with the poses, but isn't that a good time to try a set like this AM/PM practise? You don't learn Yoga fast and it is a great goal to desire to learn how to flow gracefully and purposefully from one pose to the next without hesitation.


I'm Only Half Disappointed   May 6, 2001
63 out of 65 found this review helpful

I, too, bought this tape after seeing Rodney Yee on Oprah. When I bought it, I was disappointed that Rodney only taught the "a.m." tape, but I thought I'd be open-minded and give Patricia Walden a good try for the "p.m." tape. Well, I started with Rodney, and it is truly a fantastic program. He's very calming and he doesn't present poses that you feel you couldn't do on the first try. He's very natural and doesn't make you feel like he's showing off with how flexible he is! However, when I then viewed the "p.m." tape, I was very disappointed that at least half the program is done on your knees, and I have bad knees and can't kneel! There are NO alternatives for these poses. Also, her poses seem very stressful (to a beginner) and there's no way I could even attempt some of the poses (my arms are too short -- even with blocks) and my hamstrings will never be that loose! I'm sure experienced yoga practitioners will disagree with me, but I don't feel that the "p.m." tape is one for beginners -- it seems to me to be for very experienced practitioners. Can more tapes be available of just Rodney Yee???????


Hope you're flexible!   April 3, 2001
JAL (Ohio)
62 out of 64 found this review helpful

Though it says beginners, be sure you have some flexibility and some balance for this set. If you're not used to intense stretching, this will seem difficult. For example: on the P.M. Yoga, at one point she says, "Now gently rest your forehead on your shin..." If you're still working on touching your toes, this is quite difficult!! But, if you keep in mind to only go as far as YOU can, only stretch as much as your body allows, these are very useful tapes.


A Life Changing Video   June 21, 2001
Joseph C. Landon Jr. (Lewisville, TX United States)
62 out of 64 found this review helpful

Both videos included are for beginners but you should be somewhat flexible. You should be able to at least touch your toes standing up. If not, you can use blankets, straps or blocks if you can't initally stretch as far as the poses dictate. But no matter what, you DO need a strap for a stretching pose in the AM session. A soft carpet or mat is also essential.

The AM yoga session is less intense of the two videos and mostly involves relaxing and stretching. The PM session is longer and more demanding, with tougher stretches and poses. I get a little sweaty afterwards. Both Rodney Yee (AM yoga) and Patricia Walden (PM yoga) put you at ease and do an excellent job of instructing you along the way. The background music is also very calming to get you in the mood.

OK, this video won't solve all your problems, but it will most definitely leave you in the most relaxed state you've ever been. The effects of performing the AM and PM yoga even once or twice a week last for several days. I've found myself to be more at ease, and less stressed. And most importantly, I get along with my wife much better than before. We all need that, don't we? I can't recommend this video set enough. Buy it now!!


A complete waste of time and money   May 23, 2000
Dr. John T. Fleming (Boston, MA USA)
61 out of 69 found this review helpful

The content of this tape set is very misleading since you are getting TWO video tapes although each tape is only 20 minutes long with 5 minutes of silence ( for deep relaxation )on each tape which makes up 25% of the total running time. They provide no background about yoga practice and offer no insight into what you might expect to experience if you are making progress (but then with 15 min of content there isn't much time for any content I guess). I was a complete beginner to yoga before getting this tape set and I remain a complete beginner after using them for a few months. Really, given the price that is being charged they didn't have to be so stingy with the lessons. I found it a complete waste of time and money.