Ali MacGraw - Yoga Mind & Body [DVD]

This DVD singlehandedly saved my life after my Grandmother died. It was the only thing that kept me focused on something other than my grief. I fell in love with yoga because of this dvd. I'd lost the disc somehow in the last 15 years and was elated to find it here. I found it on YT also. Glad to own the disc again.

When I first got this tape I was at first put off by the slickness of the production and the music (which I felt was too intrusive). While I still think the music is a bit too loud and sometimes compete's with Erich Shiffman's instruction I do really like this tape overall. Even the music has become more enjoyable to me as I've gotten more used to the routine and have to concentrate less on the verbal instruction for cues. I have been doing yoga daily for almost 9 years and found this routine to be quite different from other tapes I have (and I have over 70 and counting). It's a nice change of pace to help bring variety into one's daily practice. It's excellent for days when you don't want something as intense as an Ashtanga routine but still want to be challenged. It covers all the basic movements/countermovements that will leave you feeling quite thoroughly stretched and strengthened. Ali Macgraw is definitely a serious practitioner of yoga and has wonderful grace and form. Her sincere comittment to yoga comes across clearly on this tape and I found her inspiring. Eric Schiffman did a great job designing this routine and leads you through it smoothly. I would agree with the other reviewers who recommended that one start with a beginning yoga tape before trying this one. Also, in spite of the fact that there are several "students" in the video there are no modifications shown which is a major drawback for someone new to yoga. For example, I often modify several parts of the sequence depending on how I feel on any given day. I like to work the Sun Salutes incrementally, starting with the first lunge with my hands on the floor, the next salute with my hands on my knees during the lunge, and then I move into the lunge (3rd salute)with my arms overhead. Most people may not need to move into the salutes like this but first thing in the morning I generally need to open up slowly in spite of the warm ups that are done before that part of the program. I also do the same with the plank poses, first on my knees as I lower down and then working eventually into a full chaturanga (lower pushup position)in the last repetitions of th Sun Salutes.I would recommend that beginners start with "Yoga for beginners" by Patricia Walden which is an excellent and thorough introduction, or Yoga Zone's Basics tapes (the five tape set is fabulous) to get started. Also there is a new series of Vinyasa Flow style tapes by Rainbeau Mars. The collection is called "Sacred Yoga" and the first two tapes are "For Beginners" and "Pure Tranquility" which are excellent gentle practices, the last two tapes "Pure Power" and "Pure Sweat" are much more challenging and all are beautifully done and highly recommended. The "Total Yoga Flow Series" by Tracey Rich and Ganja White are also excellent. If you're newer to yoga try "Earth" and then moe on to "Water" (which is about the same level of difficulty as the Macgraw tape reviewed here). The last tape "Fire" is very challenging and advanced. Also I would recommend buying Eric Schiffman's book "Yoga, the practice of moving into stillness" which is the best book I've seen on the subject. He gets into the deep levels of yoga that make the practice much more meditative. You will also learn how to make the practice more of your own in terms of working with your own specific physique. Another amazing book is Donna Farhi's "Yoga Mind Body and Spirit". That and the Schiffman book are the best I've seen!

I bought this dvd because I remembered this workout from when I first discovered yoga, which I think is pretty common based on the reviews I've read. It's still a lovely workout. However, more recent yoga teaching incorporates more possible modifications for different flexibility levels, injuries, etc. I miss that in this dvd, but luckily in the intervening years I've learned enough to do the modifications anyway. I'm glad I got it again and I'm putting it into the rotation.

I discovered this video back in the early 90's. I can't even remember anymore how long it has been that this video has been in my life, over 10 years. I have used up 3 copies of this video and am on my 3rd DVD. It is the most amazing yoga video on the market right now. I have bought copies for all of my dearest friends. Ali MacGraw used her connections in film production to pull together a beautiful work of art. It was shot in White Sands, New Mexico with a soundtrack by Dead Can Dance. It is timeless in every aspect. She is not so arrogant to assume that she could lead you through this video, but brought on Erich Schiffmann, a master of Iyengar yoga, to calmly lead you through the poses. Though I started with this video, I would not suggest it for everyone. It assumes that you know the poses. It is a wonderful tool to use inconjunction with class instruction. Without some class instruction you might continually do the poses wrong and never know. It is a solid practice that I never seem to become bored with. My video library holds atleast 15 to 20 videos that are rarely used. The only other one that holds a candle to it is Rainbow Mars 4 video series. The beautiful thing about Ali's video is that it is very rounded with a solid 45 minute workout. If you do it regularly for atleast one month you will see a change in not only your body (what we are all really trying to work on) but your mental state. After just a few practices with this video I do believe you are able to attain a serene state more often. Not only that, but this video really unlocks your body if you are feeling tight and stressed. Most of the poses are covered in any basic Iyengar or Hatha class so you should be able to master them quickly. If you need a book to assist with the video I suggest "Yoga, The Spirit and Practice of Moving Into Stillness" by Erich Schiffman. You can not go wrong by having this DVD in your library. I turned my husband onto it 7 years ago and he does it religiously. It will greatly enhance your life. And, if nothing else, it's really nice to just watch. Something I suggest you do a couple of times before practicing to it.

Vor über 10 Jahren habe ich mir die Videokassette zu diesem Video gekauft und mit Yoga begonnen, inzwischen habe ich seit 4 Jahre die DVD. Auch als Einsteiger war dieses Video für mich nie ein Problem, weil ich einfach immer nur so weit gegangen bin, wie es mein Körper zugelassen hat. Mit der Zeit wird man beweglicher und beherrscht die Übungen einwandfrei. Öfter habe ich schon andere Yoga-Videos ausprobiert, aber immer wieder festgestellt, dass mir die Übungen zu einfach waren oder aber die Übungen viel zu schnell durchgeführt wurden. Hier ist das nicht so, das Tempo ist sehr angenehm und ich mag die eindringliche Stimme, sie hat fast etwas Hypnotisches.Seit einiger Zeit habe ich anhaltende Rückenprobleme (ISG) und somit habe ich mit dem Yoga wieder begonnen, im Moment täglich und ich spüre wie es von Tag zu Tag besser wird. Für mich ist das Video von Ali MacGraw pure Magie und das immer wieder, selbst nach dieser langen Zeit.

Ich habe diese Yoga-Serie mit Ali McGraw schon viele, viele Jahre als Video gehabt und praktiziert, und nun habe ich mir mal die DVD gekauft. Die Asanas werden wunderbar, von total verschiedenen Menschen (auch Altersgruppen) vorgeführt, alles wirkt auf mich authentisch und harmonisch, für mich ist das Yoga, wie es sein soll. Die Kulisse und Musik sind einfach nur wunderschön als angenehme Begleiterscheinung. Für mich zählt diese DVD zu den besten auf dem Markt, qualitativ vergleichbar mit denen von Rodney Yee. Da diese schon sehr "alt" sind, wie gesagt, gibt es schon bestimmt 10 Jahre auf Video, ist da nichts auf modern oder Fitness getrimmt, die meisten Übungen sind aus dem klassischen Hatha-Yoga, sie werden recht dynamisch ausgeführt. Ich kann mich den negativeren Rezensionen hier überhaupt nicht anschliessen; ich praktiziere Yoga jetzt intensiv seit 13 Jahren und muss allerdings auch sagen, dass diese DVD nicht für Anfänger geeignet ist, wirklich eher für Fortgeschrittene und sehr Geübte. Aber es macht Freude, danach Yoga zu praktizieren, mir zumindest. Klare Kaufempfehlung für dieses tolle Programm, was mir auch nach 10 Jahren noch nicht langweilig geworden ist:-)

Tut mir leid, auch wenn die DVD eine normale und nicht unbedingt schlechte Yogasession beinhaltet, es ist zum gähnen langweilig und die Zeit ist einfach drüber hinweg gelaufen. Ich hatte das befürchtet aber die guten Beurteilungen haben mich verleitet sie doch zu bestellen. Den drüber gesprochenen deutschen Text finde ich auch total blöd.

Selten habe ich ein so ästhetisches Video bzw. eine so ästhetisch gestaltete DVD zum Thema Yoga/Fitness gesehen. Ein wahrer Hochgenuss. Daneben sind die Übungen prima dargestellt, sowohl Anfänger als auch Fortgeschrittene können mitmachen. Auch ich bin erst durch diese tolle DVD auf den "Yoga-Geschmack" gekommen. Nur zu empfehlen!!!

Das beste Yogavideo, was ich kenne. Habe ich schon 2x als Videokassette gekauft, jetzt noch mal auf DVD. Begleitet mich seit vielen Jahren (fast) jeden Morgen. Wunderbare Aufnahmen, guter Sprecher, gute Musik, phantastisch aufeinander abgestimmte Übungen. Ich habe schon viele Yoga/ Pilates DVD gekauft, das ist nach wie vor mit Abstand das Beste!