AM/PM Yoga for Beginners [VHS]

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.


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.


A Life Changing Video   June 20, 2001
Joseph C. Landon Jr. (Lewisville, TX United States)
62 out of 63 found this review helpful

Both videos included are for beginners but you should be somewhat flexible. You should be able to at least touch your toes standing up. If not, you can use blankets, straps or blocks if you can't initally stretch as far as the poses dictate. But no matter what, you DO need a strap for a stretching pose in the AM session. A soft carpet or mat is also essential.

The AM yoga session is less intense of the two videos and mostly involves relaxing and stretching. The PM session is longer and more demanding, with tougher stretches and poses. I get a little sweaty afterwards. Both Rodney Yee (AM yoga) and Patricia Walden (PM yoga) put you at ease and do an excellent job of instructing you along the way. The background music is also very calming to get you in the mood.

OK, this video won't solve all your problems, but it will most definitely leave you in the most relaxed state you've ever been. The effects of performing the AM and PM yoga even once or twice a week last for several days. I've found myself to be more at ease, and less stressed. And most importantly, I get along with my wife much better than before. We all need that, don't we? I can't recommend this video set enough. Buy it now!!


Great video, unobtrustive instruction   January 29, 2000
J. Rice (Rockville, MD USA)
60 out of 61 found this review helpful

Both videos are quite good, and are just the right length for me. The pacing is just about right, although I prefer to hold some of the poses a bit longer than the video does. The instruction is quiet and doesn't distract, and after watching it once I was able to do both videos without watching the screen. (just following the audio) It's true that the PM video calls on a little more flexibility, but I'd say that gives more benefits for beginners -- you need something to aim for.