AM/PM Yoga for Beginners

It is advised that you watch the tapes at least once before attempting the exercises. While watching I thought to myself, "Wow, this has got to be the world's easiest form of exercise ever invented. I can't believe the hype over something so obviously simple!" I was not so quick to judge once I popped in PM yoga that evening. Patricia Walden makes the moves look simple and fluid, but they are challenging for the beginner! She starts off with a 4 minute centering series, followed by a 13 minute workout, and finally, a 3 minute guided relaxation. The tape isn't long, so it's easy to stay motivated when you get in and feel you may be too tired to do anything productive. The scenery is just beautiful, and the voiceover is clear, comprehensive and provides well-timed cues to the viewer. Simply fantastic before going to bed, you can really feel the stress melt away as you do the poses.

AM yoga is done by Rodney Yee. His workout, in my opinion, is not as challenging as Patricia Walden's PM yoga program, but it still provides an unexpected challenge to the beginner. Most mornings I am too groggy and irritable to think of anything besides a good cup of tea, but I somehow managed to pop the tape into the VCR. The exercises are gentle yet effective, and although, as mentionned earlier, they may look easy the first time you view the tape, they most certainly provide a great challenge! His tape consists of 4 minutes of conscious breathing, 14 minutes workout and 2 minutes seated guided meditation. By the end of the workout you feel alive and ready to face the day. Granted, it took a few mornings for me to get the hang of doing this workout, but now I actually look forward to it (although this statement may not seem like much to most, to say I am NOT a morning person is a gross understatement. Anything that makes me look forward to the morning is truely a something remarkable!). The scenery is also beautiful and inspiring in the AM series, and the voiceover is equally clear, conscise and well-cued. Also, for those of us who enjoy a beautiful man in very little clothing, Rodney Yee has a remarkable body! Something well worth waking up to!

Over all, this yoga series is something I would likely buy as a gift to just about everyone I know. It's gentle, effective, and you really see results. As with any exercise, one cannot expect instant results, but as you grow in tune with your body, the subtle effects of this age old exercise become more and more apparent.

I would also like to point out that I first bought these tapes with the idea of training in flexibility. I thought it'd make a great party trick to stick my feet behind my ears, or some such thing. The meditative and spiritual elements are not over emphasized, yet they most certainly are there. I have found I make more progress when my focus is less on the physical elements of yoga, and more on the mental and spiritual.


A Great Way to Start your Day and Relax at Night.   March 20, 2001
Lisa M. Forte (Alhambra, CA United States)
157 out of 158 found this review helpful

I purchased the am/pm yoga for beginners duo because my gym only offers yoga three days a week. I desperately needed something for the off days, and treadmills and steppers were no the answer i was looking for. I have always been an "atheletic marshmallow", however at the same time always a super flexible person. Yoga proved to be the happy medium in my life. It provides me with some type of exercise and at the same time allows me to relax. Rodney Yee has the most soothing voice. While I do find it troublesome that he often confuses "left" and "right" when giving directions, I try to remain conscious of those mistakes. I love that the am portion of the tape consists of gentle poses that ease one into waking up. I look forward to rising 30 minutes earlier each day to do the tape! Patricia Walden's pm session allows me to stretch out and release all of my day's tension and stress. I would like to see a bit more time spent on down facing dog in the pm video, but it is something I have added to my routine once the video is over. I would recommend this video set to a beginner, but I would definitely advise that you watch it more than once if you are new to this form of exercise.


Great Addition to a Weekly Yoga Class   January 19, 2000
Jennifer Watts (Chattanooga, Tennessee)
108 out of 112 found this review helpful

The am and pm yoga tapes are great for my busy schedule as a graduate student. I've just begun a level 1 yoga class one day a week and I've been using these tapes in between. The am tape is relaxing and easy-going. Overall, the am tape is great for beginners. However, the pm tape is a bit harder and demands more. I like it better because I like to be challenged. I also feel great after stretching my body. Because you have to focus more on your moves in the pm tape, you forget the stresses of the day and increase your flexibility and relaxation. Just be careful, don't overexert yourself, and work at your own pace. With time, both tapes will come more easily and you can move on to more challenging tapes. I would reccomend a yoga class, along with tapes, for those just beginning a yoga practice. For those who haven't begun a yoga practice: start now.


Excellent Beginner Yoga   April 17, 2001
Shelley Beaubien (Chapel Hill, NC United States)
94 out of 95 found this review helpful

I am 33 years old and I have had Rheumatoid Arthritis for 5 years. I was hesitant to try yoga but I thought the videos would be a good way to start. Then if I had any trouble I could skip certain parts without being in a class and feeling embarrassed. I saw Rodney Yee (host of A.M. Yoga) on Oprah and the sample poses he taught were simple and effective. The tapes arrived yesterday. I tried P.M. Yoga last night and to my surprise I could do it. It was difficult but I can tell that I will improve. When I was finished with the tape I felt warm and relaxed. I slept great! This morning I tried A.M. Yoga with my 5 year old son along side. Again, it was difficult but all of it was manageable. There are alternatives shown for less flexible participants and props are suggested for beginners. I would recommend these videos to everyone looking to increase their flexibility and relaxation. The programs are challenging which tells me that there is room for improvement.


Good for beginners, don't expect to be a YOGA MASTER.   December 14, 2000
76 out of 80 found this review helpful

Living Yoga is meant to be an introduction of what yoga can do for you: help you relax, focus on your body, and improve stance and breathing. I really enjoy the P.M. tape, and when I spend 30 minutes (10 for basic stretching on my own before so I won't pull a muscle like a dodo-head, 20 for the exercises) before bed doing this, I feel better going to sleep. In addition, I can feel the effects the next day. I find my posture is better and I breathe much deeper. Some reviewers don't like the ads that precede the exercises. I wonder if they get angry about previews and ads on regular movie videos? Simply fast forward through the ad and cue up the tape ahead of time to skip the ad.

Bottom line: if you've never done yoga, stretch out and give this a try. Keep trying. You'll get better the more you do it. Then start going to classes!