You decide to kick off spring by taking a yoga class. You show up with a friend who swears she’s a beginner too. Soon she’s next to you blissfully wrapping her legs around her head as you struggle to touch your toes. No more public yoga for you, you vow.
That’s why Yoga Journal’s “Yoga Step-by-Step” videos for beginners ($14.95 each) are such a find. You might ease your way into yoga with these–and then by, oh, fall, you’ll be ready to bend and pose in public again.
We tried the first video, “Session 1: Foundation Poses for Strength & Stamina,” and liked it so much we promptly ordered the two others: “Session 2: Bending & Twisting Poses for Flexibility” and “Session 3: Balancing Poses for Focus & Energy.” Not a bad foundation for the at-home beginner.
The first video includes a 35-minute instructional session that moves slowly and thoroughly explains the moves, such as Sun Salutation and Downward Dog. Instructor Natasha Rizopoulos is a wonder to watch with her lean muscles and gliding walk.
She makes good use of assistants Autumn and Jason, manually readjusting their bodies as they go through their moves. (They’re good sports.) And Jason modifies his poses for viewers who are painfully inflexible.
After instructions, the three do a 20-minute workout that flows easily from move to move. We couldn’t keep up, but that’s what the pause button is for.
For more info or to order, go to www.YogaJournal.com/shop or call 800-I-do-yoga.
