Kathy Smith - New Yoga Challenge: Intermediate | Kathy Smith, Rod Stryker

Kathy Smith - New Yoga Challenge: Intermediate | Kathy Smith, Rod Stryker | Excellent yoga workout

DVDs:

Kathy Smith - New ...

	Kathy Smith - New Yoga Challenge: Intermediate Kathy Smith, Rod Stryker Sony Wonder (Video), 2001 average customer review:based on 34 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

"New" yoga? Not really. The asanas (poses) in this 55-minute routine are essentially variations on the ones that have been around for millennia. But Kathy Smith and cocreator Rod Stryker for the most part avoid the pitfalls of many yoga videos, which tend to undervalue proper instruction in favor of displaying beautiful bodies in the kind of impossible positions usually seen at the Cirque du Soleil. Split into two sections--the first one concentrates on sun salutes (a series of poses to generate heat and build strength and balance) and various standing poses; the second, shorter one is devoted to sitting and prone asanas--New Yoga offers clear, concise instruction, emphasizing the use of the breath and proper form and alignment (although Smith fails to mention why the latter is important; it's to facilitate the flow of the breath and blood throughout the body). Some of the routine is quite demanding, but experienced yoga people will have few problems and newcomers should catch on quickly. Plenty of alternative and modified poses are offered to accommodate both intermediate and beginning levels. --Sam Graham

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Yoga For Everyone!

I have about 100 yoga programs these days and have been practicing Yoga on a daily basis for almost 10 years. I also have the good fortune to study with a wonderful and gifted teacher so I have quite a bit of experience both with Yoga and Yoga Video/DVD programs.

While I was probably the most skeptical person in the world about "fitness queen" Kathy Smith doing yoga and thought it was probably a "Get on the Yoga Bandwagon" phase for her, I have to admit that I think this and her other Yoga videos are very well done.

First I think it's important to clarify something, Rod Stryker is the one who put together this and her other programs and Rod is as knowledgable and reputable a Yoga teacher out there. Kathy has also been doing Yoga for over 20 years and is extremely adept at demonstrating the poses, plus she's a very experienced teacher who is very easy to understand.

I also like the fact that this video isn't rushed (it's about 55 minutes long) and so you aren't rushing through the postures, something that you don't always find. Many videos that are shorter are fine (such as the Yoga Zone shorter routines) but I find I have to actually do about 15 minutes of warm ups before doing them, with this video you don't need to do that.

Regarding some complaints that it's repetitive, I would highly disagree. Of course you are going to do many repititions of Sun Salutations (that's standard in many forms of Yoga from Sivananda to Ashtanga and many other schools as well). These repetitions are a sound way of warming up your body. The heat that is created in the body prepare you to safely do the poses that are held for longer periods of time. So while there are many "repetitions", it's not "repetitive" because of a lack of creativity or for the sake of filling up time

In fact, I like to start the Sun Salutes with modifications and gradually work up to the more "full expression" of the various postures with each repetition of the sequence. This way of working really keeps things especially interesting and makes you really internalize your practice (since you need to really feel what your body is ready for during each repetition).

I also like that this program uses "Lunge Salutes" which are excellent hip openers and leg strengthers as well. What's also nice is that these are different Sun Salutes from Kathy's advanced program which use the Sun Salutes A and B. This makes for nice variety if you have the whole set of tapes/DVD's and allows you to work your body differently.

The poses are shown with modifications so you can adapt your practice to your ability and or energy level.

I would highly recommend this program (or the whole set) to those folks who want a well rounded and easy to follow yoga practice.

Also, while I am very much into the spiritual aspects of Yoga, I understand that many folks are not. These programs definitely focus on the physical aspects of the practice so those who only want that aspect of Yoga will be pleased. Those who want to go into the more internal aspects can do so on their own if they like.

Of course there are many wonderful Yoga programs for sale and depending on your personal preferences you may like some more than others, but as someone who has a large collection of programs I think this and Kathy's other Yoga programs are as good as any out there and believe me I was VERY skeptical.

In fact I highly recommend this and her other Yoga programs.

Another outstanding intermediate Yoga program is Sherri Baptise Freeman's "Baptiste Power Of Yoga" (available on amazon). This is one of the best Yoga programs available by one of the best teachers around!

Namaste

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Excellent yoga workout

Kathy Smith does a great job of combining easier poses with more challenging ones. I've had "New Yoga" for many years, but I never tire of it. I think it is a beneficial workout for novice, intermediate, and advanced students of yoga.

Surprisingly Good

This was my first yoga tape, and I still pull it out on occasion. It is challenging for beginners and provides a nice balanced sequence of postures for more mid-range practitioners when feeling less motivated. Although it's clear that Kathy Smith isn't exactly a yoga guru, she does a good job of ensuring there is a focus on breathing and body awareness. There are three other yoginis in the background doing the postures with various degrees of difficulty. Of interest, Charlotte from Sex & the City is one of them. But there is also a man and an older, grey-haired woman! Way to go for addressing age and gender, Kathy!

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Better than expected

I have used Kathy Smith Videos for years and have always liked them, however I have to admit I was skeptical about her Yoga videos - but seriously if you like Kathy Smith you will like this video. It is a quality, total yoga workout (60 min) and takes you through a lot of different poses. My only real complaint is that it does not seem to flow real well from one pose to the next. Instead of linking the poses, she stops to explain each pose - which is great for someone new to Yoga, but tends to get old for someone who is more intermediate or advanced.

disappointed

I like all of Kathy's videos but I'm dissappointed about this one because it's very similar to her Mind Wellness and Body but just a little longer. Other than that, this is a good tape for beginners, it's pretty basic.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

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