tf-galYear: 2008
Distributor: Gaiam
Instructor(s): Rodney Yee and Colleen Saidman
In July, I started asking people if they wanted to lend over their fitness DVDs, and that led me to own more used discs for the collection. I was exposed to many Gaiam DVDs when shopping at Half Price Books locations and various thrift stores, and the brand is still around today. As of now, Valerie Bertinelli: Losing It and Keeping Fit! Is kept in the miscellaneous category in my collection until I can find a DVD case for it.
Any original titles that are distributed by Gaiam will be in their own category (not counting titles such as Prevention: Personal Training because it shows the Gaiam logo at the beginning of the DVD and it’s part of the Prevention Fitness Systems category).
The DVD features a pose training guide (with chapter selections to jump to a specific pose), a 20 minute AM workout (led by Rodney Yee), and a 15 minute PM workout (led by Colleen Saidman). If you are new to yoga, you can start by watching the pose guide (which did not work because it was scratched, stopped in the middle of a section and surprisingly skipped to another one). Rodney Yee and his wife, Colleen, demonstrate the proper form and technique for some basic yoga poses, which I do find beneficial to those who are relatively new to yoga. The sudden pause in the middle came out of nowhere, and it disrupts the flow of the poses – and the practice.
As for the 20 minute AM workout and the 15 minute PM workout, they both utilized poses from the guide and integrates the poses into a dynamic flow. The AM workout helps awaken and energize the body, while the PM workout helps melt away stress from the day and prepare the body for sleep. They both did a great job with creating the sequences, and their voices are pleasant to listen to, along with the beautiful Hawaiian scenery. I do, however, like to use the PM workout for a longer cooldown after the workout is over because of how it relaxes the body.
Other than a minor malfunction during the Pose Training section of the DVD, this is a wonderful way to begin your yoga journey or to enhance a cooldown at the end of your workout. And with that out of the way, I do look forward to buying more Gaiam DVDs from thrift stores in the future.
Rating
Instructor(s): 10/10
Set: 10/10
Outfits: 9/10
Music: 8/10
Production Value: 7/10
Overall Benefits: 10/10
Exertion: 9/10
Ease of Movement: 10/10
Audio/Visual Modifications: 6/10
Special Features: 7/10
Use of Equipment: N/A
Total Score: 86
Intensity Level: Light Intensity
Impact: Low Impact