A.M. and P.M. Yoga Reviews

• Excellent DVD!

  
  By AZYNQK1LEFEMD on 2004-02-27
  I purchased this DVD shortly after beginning a regular Yoga class, so that I would be able to practice at home in my spare time. At first, I found this DVD to be a little too easy, in contrast with the class, but over time have grown to love it. I usually skip the relaxation part (at the beginning) and go right into the A.M. Yoga with Rodney Yee. Not only is the music soothing to the ear, but Rodney's voice is very calming and his nearly-naked body is in perfect shape. The A.M. portion features several stretches that really "wake up" the body and prepare it for the day ahead. His focus on the lower body (especially the part where he uses the strap) really works wonders. The P.M. section, with Patricia Walden is a little more difficult, but just as effective.
  The beauty of this DVD is, that the workouts are short, and therefore much easier to fit in to a busy schedule than some of the other 70 minute Yoga DVDs out there. If you have never done Yoga before, I believe that this would be the perfect place to start. Warning: It can be addictive. I now almost suffer from withdrawl if I go too long without doing some kind of Yoga on a regular basis.
  This DVD is considered a beginner's workout, which means the poses are not too complicated and are held for very short periods of time. Once you have mastered a DVD like this, try Rodney Yee's intermediate DVDs. Then you will explore much more difficult poses, held for longer periods of time, which can be very challenging. With both intermediate & beginner's Yoga, it is very rewarding to find that poses that seem initially impossible become easy with continued practice (and patience).
  I have since purchased several other Yoga DVDs and Videos, and must admit that the A.M. Yoga workout is still the one I do the most. If your life is full of stress, pop in A.M. and P.M. Yoga for Beginners and melt the tension away. Namaste.
  
  

• not too demanding, but effective

  
  By on 2004-03-14
  I've got about half a dozen yoga DVDs and I find that this is the one I use the most often because it is not physically demanding, but is really effective.

  The Rodney Yee program (AM) is shorter and focuses mainly on stretching out the back; I find it really helps when I've got any kind of lower back problem or just at stretching me out and getting me ready for the day.

  The Patricia Walden program (PM) is slightly longer and focuses more on standing poses; it also has a very good deep relaxation at the end.

  The only disadvantage to these Gaim DVDs is that they are programmed so that you have to play a longish commercial for all of their other products (what exacly is "organic clothing" anyway?) before you can start your workout. If you use the DVD regularly, the commercial gets really annoying after you've seen it about 20 times.

  But all in all, this is a very useful DVD. It's accessible for beginners but also useful for people who've been doing yoga for a while but are looking for a short, focused, effective workout.
  
  

• Two excellent practices for virtually all levels of yogis

  
  By AK7CAW3N1XZV6 on 2004-09-14
  This DVD contains two excellent yoga practices which are perfect for virtually all levels of yoga practitioners, particularly advanced beginners to intermediates. Although both practices are labelled as being 20 minutes long, the actual time varies a bit: AM Yoga has a 4-minute breathing exercise followed by a 12-minute yoga program, and PM Yoga is approximately 24 minutes. Although both of these programs are probably doable to those new to yoga, they do assume some prior familiarity with the poses (total yoga newbies will find Yoga Journal's Yoga Practice for Beginners to be an excellent place to start). I have been practicing yoga for several years and am now at an intermediate level, but I continue to use both of these practices on a regular basis.
  
  AM Yoga provides a practice so gentle that I've frequently performed it upon first waking up and while still in my pajamas. The simple breathing exercise helps your mind to focus, and then the basic twists and other poses which follow help your body to awaken. The practice is led by Rodney Yee, an excellent instructor who provides flawless cuing and who has an extremely calm, soothing voice--ideal for anyone who is not a morning person! PM Yoga is a very nice practice for winding down, relaxing, and stretching. It also begins with a short focus on breathing, encouraging you to turn your attention inward "where it's quiet." The practice moves from a seated to a kneeling position and also includes traditional standing poses such as a warrior and lunges. This is a great end-of-day workout or a quick practice to fit in anytime you need to relax. Patricia Walden is also a very good instructor, but her cuing is not quite as accurate as Rodney's.
  
  Overall, I highly recommended this DVD as an essential component of your yoga home practice collection.
  
  

• Love this DVD - new yoga enthusiast

  
  By on 2004-02-09
  I never understood the appeal of yoga before. I bought this DVD, and now I see why people love yoga so much. I had tried another yoga tape and other exercise tapes before, but most were not nearly as good as this one. I am now hooked. There are two 20 minute yoga segments. The first is called "AM Yoga" with Rodney Yee, and the second segment, called "PM Yoga", is with Patricia Walden. Both segments were terrific, but I especially enjoyed the "AM" segment with Rodney Yee. I found that during his section I could listen to Yee peacefully talk me through the poses without being glued to the tv screen. It allowed me to really enjoy the DVD more. When I was finished with his 20 minute segment, I felt so relaxed - it was surprising...I am looking now for other Yee DVD's. On the second segment, it wasn't as easy to follow the instructor. I imagine it would be easier to follow after a week of sessions to get used to it. Still, this is an excellent DVD for anyone curious about the appeal of yoga and looking for an excellent intro. You won't be doing any moves that are too advanced or aerobic in this DVD, but it is extremely relaxing. Also, the 20 minute segments are great for busy people who don't have endless amounts of time to fit in exercise. This is a great investment overall.
  
  

• Beautiful setting, but postures are too short!

  
  By A3AHDR4F2J7YXX on 2004-09-14
  I practice yoga every morning and evening, so I'm always looking for new practices. This one has beautiful scenery and music, but I didn't care for the AM practice. In the AM practice Rodney Yee barely hold the poses and it ends up being a very short. It would be a much better if he held the poses, even for a couple of seconds. This would also extend the length of the practice. He also starts with lying down relaxation, which I think is not necessary in the morning (I just wanted to go back to sleep). On one of the other reviews the person suggests switching the AM and PM practice, so maybe that would work better.
  
  The PM practice is very good and you could do this one either in the morning or the evening. The poses are held for a bit longer than the AM routine.
  
  You also get a short instruction on the DVD on how to use props and again a very short practice with the props. Also, the DVD has very good menu interface, so that's a plus. You can pick and choose which workout and which segment you'd like to use.
  
  If you're looking for a really good AM practice, I would suggest Yoga for Surfers. It's my favorite! If you're looking for a good all around Yoga DVD, try Yoga of Urban Living. See my other reviews on yoga DVDs for more information. Namaste.
  
  
  
• Patricia is completely out of touch with beginners
  By A1KQAFM29BZC8Z on 2005-12-16
  I am a true beginner - I have never done yoga before. I am also quite inflexible. I've been using this DVD for a few weeks now. I quite enjoy the AM yoga, but the PM yoga stinks. Even after a few weeks, with some additional in-the-moment tips and pointers from people more experienced with yoga, I still can barely follow Patricia's routine. She races through each pose, and even her concessions for less flexible people are unattainable for me. Who is she kidding that I can sit on the floor, put my legs out in front of me and put my head on my shins?!?! If I could do that, I wouldn't be watching beginner's yoga. I enjoy the opportunity to try to increase my flexibility - don't get me wrong - and for this reason alone, I keep trying to follow her along. But her other poses - and the transitions between the poses - are just too hard for a true beginner to follow and execute. This session is, in my opinion, really for an intermediate audience. At the end of her routine, I am wound up and stressed because I have been confused and frustrated throughout.
  
  The AM session is much better. The poses are easier and yet accomplish the task of helping me to transition out of sleep and into a productive day. Rodney's instructions are clear, well-paced, and complete (for example, whenever Rodney tells you to inhale, he tells you to exhale a few seconds later. If you try to follow Patricia's breathing instructions, however, you would end up blue and in the hospital).
  
  Considering that the only real value I get out of this DVD is the 20-minute morning session, I cannot rate this DVD higher than 2 stars.
  
  
• Disappointing
  By A2XPCTR9JQXILJ on 2007-02-17
  I usually do pretty copious research before making a purchase and buying a yoga dvd is no exception. This seemed a popular choice and had many positive reviews. I expected the PM portion to be too advanced since that is what most poor reviews complained of. I hoped the AM portion would be eonough of a practice for a near beginner like me to keep busy.
  Unfortunately, I found the AM practice too short to actually feel that I had accomplished anything. I felt neither stretched, challenged, or especially relaed. My other complaint is the commercial (which you are not allowed to fast forward) seems to go on forever.
  I think Rodney Yee and Patricia Walden are pretty accomplished yogi's (hence the 4 stars) so may try one of his/her other tapes in the future. This one I will return.
  
  
• PM Better
  By A3DEY1URWKVCA on 2007-05-07
  I read many of the reviews here before purchasing it so I expected the
  Am section to be good and the PM very unusable as everyone said. I was
  surprised then to find the PM so much better then the reviews said. The
  Am section left me feeling sleepy like I want to go back to bed. The PM
  is energizing. The poses are held longer so you actually feel something
  - though I wish for still longer! I suggest switching the Am & PM
  section. I think this may work better.
  
  One pet peeve: wish they did not move so fast between exercises. This
  is my second Rodney Yee DVD and the other one left me frustrated as well
  in this respect. I find myself always playing catch up and the twisting
  to look at the screen upsets my alignment and equilibrium and does not
  relax me.
  
  I do like how they explain how to use props and you get to do just that!
  
  
  
  
• Wonderful Beginning Yoga DVD!
  By ADLN37B0153N on 2004-02-03
  AM Yoga - with instructor Rodney Yee, filmed on a Maui beach as sunrise, AM Yoga gently awakens your mind and body to start your day off right. The workout begins with a 4 minute conscious relaxation series the focuses on your breathing and almost always puts me back to sleep, but you can skip this section if you want. The 14 minute yoga series if very good, a series of gentle stretches and exercises to get your blood flowing and to start feeling like you are a live person instead of a zombie. The 2 minute seated guided meditation set at the end is a great time to focus and relax before getting into your daily routine. A very soothing and gentle way to slide into your hectic workday.

  PM Yoga - with instructor Patricia Walden, filmed on the sands of Death Valley. PM Yoga is a wonderful way to wind down at the end of a stressful or hectic day. You begin with a series of centering poses, which help you become aware of your body and your breathing. These stretches help you find out where the tension is in your body and work on your balance. Then you move into a series of standing poses, where you can target that tension and release it and focus on your breath and what your body is telling you. At the end, you lie down for some final restorative poses that always make me drift off to sleep. Patricia has a very soothing voice and does an excellent job at telling you what stretches should feel like and how to breathe and where to release the tension. A wonderful way to end your day and ensure a good night's rest.

  I am a total beginner when it comes to Yoga and I have very tight hamstrings so I struggle with a lot of the poses, but I really like this set because the instructors are very clear and precise in their instructions and they are easy to follow. They don't give you modifications for the stretches, though, and both of them are very flexible so I have to use a yoga block (a must!) or a sturdy book or something to hold onto so I don't lose my balance because I cannot touch the ground. Still, both sections are very soothing and really do help me to keep my stress level down during the day. I have found my quality of sleep is much higher and I am not as stressed at work when I take 20 minutes in the morning and evening to take a little time for myself. All of the DVDs/videos are excellent and have beautiful cinematography - a great beginner's set!
  
  

• Great way to get started with Yoga!
  By A3HTFYWE8N7R41 on 2004-10-31
  I'm new to yoga. I always wanted to do it, but was very intimidated by the whole process. Rodney Yee's morning workout (the A.M.) is great to get you going in the morning by easing you into activity instead of jumping into it. However, the reason for the tapes 4 star review, instead of a perfect 5 is that Rodney does seem to have a tendancy to speed through. From the little reading I have done, it seems that you are to hold a yoga pose for much longer then Mr. Yee istructs us to do so.
  
  Then there's the Patricia Walden portion (the P.M.) is perfection. She is consistently instructive in helping us maintain and achieve better posture and correct positioning. Not to mention that, in my opinion, her routine is better paced for us beginners. Lovely experience. In fact, I enjoyed her workout so much that I went on to order more DVDs of just Ms. Walden's.
  
  
• A.M. is comfortable; P.M. is challenging.
  By A2JULAMRGIQTLY on 2005-12-27
  Years ago someone suggested that I try yoga as a stress reliever, and I've not been able to shake the idea since then. Recently I`ve taken two one hour Yoga classes at a local gym (of which I`m no longer a member.) Then I bought this DVD. Currently, I`m a beginner of questionable fitness. Yet I can see myself one day agreeing wholeheartedly with the following statement by A.M. instructor Rodney Lee: "Yoga is the foundation of my day. A few minutes in the morning will help give meaning to your day."
  
  This DVD contains two 20 minute yoga programs, a segment on the proper use of props, and interviews with both instructors.
  
  The A.M. segment with Rodney Lee is truly for beginners, and I find it a very relaxing way to start the day. The poses are easy enough for the beginner to focus on breathing. There is ample time for transition between poses.
  
  The P.M. segment with Patricia Walden, on the other hand, may not be for people of all levels of fitness--contrary to what it reads on the back of the DVD case. The P.M. segment requires much more flexibility than many beginners may possess. In fairness, there are attempts to make accommodations for those with less flexibility, namely using a folded blanket or brick. Yet it is difficult to focus on the breathing and relaxation that are at the core of Yoga when most of your attention is focused on the act of stretching itself. Furthermore, Ms. Walden moves through poses quickly, making it difficult for beginners to follow the PM workout without constantly watching the television and scrambling to catch up. Yet her commentary regarding what to do while in a position is very clear , helpful, and precise. Although my leg muscles quiver after a P.M. workout, I do feel more calm and centered with less tension in my other muscles.
  
  In conclusion, I recommend this DVD for the beginner with the caution that the P.M. section may be a welcome challenge and opportunity to improve one's flexibility.
  
  
• Excellent bite-sized practice for beginners
  By AESPPXJJOPPYH on 2006-03-29
  Whenever I have reached a lull in my yoga practice, I come back to this DVD. It is a wonderful way to connect with your body through yoga in a gentle practice that is mildly challenging for beginners, and very simple and "back-to-basics" for other more advanced practitioners. Rodney Yee is especially wonderful in the a.m. yoga portion, and I love waking up to his calming voice and excellent instruction.
  
  You may find that the poses are not held very long, and that the transitions can be a bit quick at times, but these two series are meant to be short, and easily fit into daily life. Anyone can make room for 15 or 20 minutes of yoga practice, and these are a great way to get started until you find yourself wanting to make room for even longer sessions.
  
  
• Too Fast Too Vague
  By A1M6X25AVJVOCE on 2007-04-08
  I have taken Tai Chi (Taiji) as a class and I have self learned Belly Dancing and the number key compoent for these two practices to be useful and succesful is: Posture!! And while I know both of these practices are not yoga related, the point is in every physical discipline posture is key. This DVD tells you nothing about posture at all and since its a beginners DVD I would think it should. In yoga stances he never tells you what position your hips, shoulders, and back should be in. All and all I find it too confusing. Plus he speeds through yoga much too fast. I've never taken yoga and even I feel way too rushed. As soon as you get into a stance your changing before you can even "feel" the stance. I think it would be great as a routine to set up for someone who already knows a little yoga, but its definatly not for beginners. Big ol' disappointment if you ask me!
  
  
• Help for Anxiety Sufferers!
  By on 2004-05-03
  I had been experiencing nauseating anxiety for months. My doctor had me try anti-depressants and I had very little success with those. I wanted to find a more holistic approach and many people recommended yoga as an anxiety-relieving alternative to prescription drugs. It has been two months and I'm now completely off medication thanks to this yoga series. My doctor is perplexed that a person could find such relief without medication, but it has worked! I'll admit, I like the AM Yoga better than the PM. The PM is a bit more difficult, but after three weeks of doing this yoga DVD almost daily, I was able to perform the PM yoga with ease. The PM yoga also nearly puts me to sleep. I find that I fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly when I perform it before bedtime. The AM yoga is super easy to do in the mornings. Rodney Yee gradually wakes you up and you feel ready to take on the world after completing his AM program. I highly recommend this yoga DVD to anyone suffering from stress and anxiety. It has worked wonders for me and might do the same for you.
  
  
• Great stress relief
  By on 2004-02-24
  This DVD helped me a lot dealing with stress. I was having health problems related to stress, difficulty breathing, anxiety, trouble sleeping... This DVD helps you relax at night so you can have a restfull sleep.
  
  
• Good for the morning but the evening is a dud.
  By A2ONC0NWV6Q1YH on 2006-01-21
  The guy is really wonderful and easy to follow but the girl is like a circus freak with her fabulous ability to bend and stretch and fold up in half. Hey, this is supposed to be Yoga for Beginners not contortionists. I cant follow along with her. My tendons scream out with pain so forget about PM go to the circus instead and watch the acrobats. AM is very nice and pleasant and easy to do. Oh, where will I find the perfect yoga dvd? Also everytime you use the dvd you have to go through the ads and advice and junk before you get to the AM or PM. There has to be something better than this one. Rodney Yee is pretty good.
  
  
• Lost 75 Pounds Using This Tape!
  By A2Q1KFP5YOP1Q3 on 2006-06-06
  Origianlly I borrowed the VHS version of this DVD from my local public library. I was 355 # and huffed and puffed when I went up ONE flight of stairs at the time I began this practice. The only other thing I did was refrain from eating after 6pm. That's it. Nothing else. Over a period of several weeks, my body began to have more stamina, my breathing increased, my circulation felt wonderful, sex was terrific and I was losing weight. I'm down to 280 # and have 60 # more to go to reach my target weight.
  
  Yoga isn't for everyone but this DVD is more about stretching and holding the post. I'm now able to hold a pose for a count of 30 even though I could hold it longer, I don't because I do not want my morning Yoga to feel like a chore. Thus I stick with the basic hold to 20 or 30.
  
  The only other thing I did was slowly implement 20 push ups, 20 leg lifts (per side) and a 10 seconds of isometric with my arms. Nothing else.
  
  It feels great. Thanks Rodney! I bought a copy of this while at the store and was pleased as pie with the newer DVD edition.
  
  If you're sick and tired of being fat, outdated and not limber, THIS is the program for you! Then just roll out of bed, go pee an do your 14 minute workout and you'll never complain again about aches, pains & minor indignities again! This program works!
  
  
• I prefer Alan Finger's dvd's instead
  By A3SYM8ZVCUY133 on 2006-06-13
  First of all, as somebody else has already mentioned, there's a VERY long ad that you'll have to go thru' before getting to the yoga practice itself. Since it's a commercial product that I bought, I think it's invasive that I'd have to have advertising imposed on me even if it sells supposedly organic stuff. For me the time waiting for it is annoying, but it's simply wrong in principle.
  
  I think the am yoga part is good if you want to have a routine to follow. However, RY does not give very explicit instructions. But since I also own Alan Finger's yogazone dvd series, I use what I've learned from him and apply on RY's program. ANd it helps. To me a good teacher is someone, who even in talking about a simple pose for instance, can help me understand much more than that one pose. WHo thru' something as simple as that,gets to a much deeper place which makes me understand the NECESSITY of practicing that art. (I think that applies to not just yoga teachers...) I think Alan Finger is a true master in that way. Unfortunately, I don't get that feeling with RY.
  
  With the pm yoga part (taught by Patricia Walden), I simply can't follow very well since I am not completely familiar with some of the poses. So I don't know how much of my not liking it as much as Alan Finger's videos was because of my own frustration. However, I could use a little more clarity in her verbal explanation for sure. In any case, I still think Alan Finger is the best amongst the 3 teachers. I HIGHLY recommend his yoga zone videos. Whether you are a beginner of not, I think Alan Finger is a true master and he certainly touches on the essence of yoga.
  
  
• Wonderful for those who suffer from anxiety
  By A3H6MNSBAZDRJF on 2005-03-25
  I suffer from anxiety disorder, and my therapist recommended yoga as part of treatment. The 20 minute workout of "A.M. Yoga" with Rodney Yee has literally changed my life. It's staved off panic attacks, and also ameliorated some of the side effects of the medication I've been taking (grogginess, unsteadiness, muscle tension). Of the two workouts I find A.M. Yoga more helpful. Rodney Yee is the man. He has an extremely soothing voice and manner. He designs his workouts to be both relaxing and challenging. His stretches are designed for beginners, and always give me a feeling of relaxation and even comfort. P.M. Yoga has some more challenging exercises and is more for the experienced yoga-ites, but overall this dvd has really helped me get up in the morning, or relax when I felt like I couldnt breath. So if you suffer from anxiety, I highly recommend this video as a regular exercise that can help manage this very difficult disease.
  
  
• 5 Stars from a COMPLETE Beginner...
  By A2C5LA07JCDWTN on 2005-05-07
  I'm not what you would consider a typical yogi. In fact, I always viewed Yoga as sort of a joke. But after tiring of weight training and cardio(UGH!), I took a chance on yoga. I was a little scared because I'm not exactly the most flexible person but this DVD quickly soothed all of my fears. AM/PM Yoga for beginners is a great introduction to yoga. The DVD is broken into 2 segments: AM Yoga featuring Rodney Yee and PM Yoga with Patricia Walden. The AM Yoga segment runs around 20 minutes including centering, meditation and the actual AM Yoga workout. It is a very gentle and soothing introduction that even a complete beginner can quickly master. Rodney Yee is a great instructor as he easily transitions you from pose to pose with his hypnotic voice guiding you along the way. You will need a yoga strap for a couple of the stretches in AM Yoga. PM Yoga is a bit more challenging as Patricia Walden takes you through a similar but more intense workout. It is also roughly 20 minutes in length. Walton uses yoga blocks to achieve some of the PM Yoga poses but they are not essential. Both workout definitely have their rewards. AM Yoga centers, relaxes, awakens and invigorates the body for the day and PM Yoga centers and relaxes the muscles for rest. Overall, if your looking to get into yoga this DVD is a great place to start and at a very reasonable price. Highly Recommended.
  
  
• not for seniors
  By A2TPVJLVVKKSBE on 2006-09-09
  I have tapes by Lelias and Peggy Cappy which are mild and for beginners. The a.m. part of this is mild and Rod Yee is adequate. The p.m. portion by Pat Walden moves too quickly and without timely explanations. I am in my 70's and some of these postures are impossible for me as they would be for any beginner of senior age. Another big minus is that the production seems as interested in shooting beautiful scenery as they are in the yoga positions. Even though the scenery in Death Valley and the Hawii beaches are dramatic -- there is no excuse for having long distance shots of yoga positions. This is not for beginners or seniors.
  
  
• I got really bored... and a crink in my neck
  By A2PEIERQZR3COP on 2005-10-22
  This DVD was supposed to be "relaxing" .. It didn't relax me. I am new to yoga-- and I kept turning my head in attempt to see what the people were doing.. when they would change positions. Half the time, the video would start showing nature scenes without the person (Keep in mind.. sometimes I was still attempting to master the position, figure it out, or a change just went unnoticed)-- ie. flying through the sky or over the sea. I guess you're not supposed to be looking at the TV screen?
  
  After awhile, I got used to the exercises and didn't need to watch the screen. So I guess I could have enjoyed the scenery... but I just thought of it as a waste of my time...
  
  I prefer the Yoga offered though Yourself!Fitness' Meditation Garden option... (Sarah Ivanhoe's 20 minute yoga [5 dvds 20 mins each] and Yoga Beauty [2 dvds 55 minutes each]also really nice)
  
  
• It's great for what it is
  By A2VY4LJV6AABV on 2005-10-27
  I have been practicing yoga for several years and I use this DVD about once a week. My boyfriend (not genearlly a yoga person) joins me with this DVD. When they say "beginner" I think they mean otherwise in reasonable shape and able to do basic stretching already. This DVD is not "how-to" do yoga -- it's more of a "let's try the basics" type of thing. My boyfriend finds the video challenging but not impossible and over time he has gained some flexibility... which is part of the point of yoga. I find the DVD very relaxing and a good way to suppliment my other practices. I think this DVD is really good for what it is and I'm very pleased with it.
  
  
• Great AM yoga, but.....
  By A2K0JL9L38MK8L on 2005-11-25
  I have been practicing yoga for several years and am probably somewhere between intermediate and advanced in my practice considering where I will probably end my journey. I have a limited amount of time in the morning before going to work, but I wanted to do some yoga before starting the day and find the AM practice to be just the ticket. I tend to wake every day with a bit of stiffness in my lower back (despite my Tempurpedic mattress). Rodney gets me warmed up and physically and spiritually balanced every morning. Without this practice I would probably be experiencing some lower back problems from time to time, as I did before starting AM yoga.
  
  I do find one deficiency with the practice, however. Since this DVD is targeted towards the beginner, I feel that a lot more emphasis should be placed on proper breathing, that being the foundation of any practice. Rodney does mention breathing several times during the practice, but does not give it the importance it should have, IMHO. I get a lot more out of my AM yoga, when I focus on my breath along with the asanas.
  
  I have done the PM practice a few times, like it, but agree with some other reviewers that it is probably more of an advanced beginner practice rather than a real beginner practice, if that makes sense.
  
  I'd give this DVD 4.5 stars if that was possible, and recommend this DVD particularly for those who wake up with lower back stiffness.
  
  
• DVD for daily use
  By A36IM8ZK1ZGE5Q on 2006-07-27
  It is a good short DVD for AM and PM for people who have busy schedules. It should never be considered an alternative to practicing in a yoga studio with a yoga teacher. It is helpful for when you can't be in yoga studio everyday. Or you come back from office work and need a good refreshing stretch. Those who call the routines simple, easy and boring perhaps need to know the nuances of yoga and I can promise you that many of the poses by Rodney Yee and Patricia Walden are extremely challenging when DONE PERFECTLY, which means breath regulation, having a keen understanding of where your sit bones are, how active are your quads, how you are maintaining stretch in your hamstrings, what is happening to your abdominal muscles, where your shoulder blades are viz a viz your spine, what is the alignment of your hips in a pose, how you increase spine length with inhalation and you settle down further in the pose with exhalation. If you are aware of that (which you can only learn with a good yoga teacher), then you will really appreciate these seemingly simple workouts. I also like the fact that they both don't speak too much as in some of the yoga dvds, you hear them talking so much that you can't focus on your pose.
  These workouts need to be done over and over again and with each time, you learn something new about your body. You observe your limitations, and you work with your body and not force upon it any pose.
  I do agree that those GAIAM ads are quite irritating as you can't fast forward them and reach your workout sessions.
  
  
  
• Disappointing
  By A1SXJ03F8MW00R on 2006-08-27
  This should be titled pre-beginner. The morning exercise hardly even gives you a stretch. It really is just a waste of time. The afternoon exercise is a little more of a stretch, but neither is close to being a good solid yoga stretch/workout. I am just a beginner, but this is totally a waste of time and very limited energy.
  
  
• Rodney has encountered a new fan
  By A3C6CZC2JP67VK on 2006-01-12
  The last time I had done yoga was about ten years ago so I decided to pick it back up with Rodney Lee due to a number of recommendations. This DVD contains two excellent yoga practices which are perfect for virtually all levels of yoga practitioners, particularly advanced beginners to intermediates and it was perfect for me. Although both practices are labeled as being 20 minutes long, the actual time varies a bit: AM Yoga has a 4-minute breathing exercise followed by a 12-minute yoga program, and PM Yoga is approximately 24 minutes. Both of these programs are probably doable to those new to yoga, they do assume some prior familiarity with the poses (total yoga newbies will find Yoga Journal's Yoga Practice for Beginners to be an excellent place to start).This disc has beautiful scenery and music which is a plus.
  
  The AM Yoga provides a practice so gentle that I've frequently performed it upon first waking up and while still in my pajamas. He also starts with lying down relaxation, which I think is not necessary in the morning (I catch myself falling back to sleep). The simple breathing exercise helps your mind to focus, and then the basic twists and other poses which follow help your body to awaken. Rodney Yee is an excellent instructor who provides flawless cuing and who has an extremely calm, soothing voice--ideal for anyone who is not a morning person! PM Yoga is a very nice practice for winding down, relaxing, and stretching. It also begins with a short focus on breathing, encouraging you to turn your attention inward "where it's quiet." The practice moves from a seated to a kneeling position and also includes traditional standing poses such as a warrior and lunges. This is a great end-of-day workout or a quick practice to fit in anytime you need to relax. Patricia Walden is also a very good instructor, but her cuing is not quite as accurate as Rodney's.
  
  Overall, I highly recommended this DVD as an essential component of your yoga home practice collection.
  
  
  
• Light workouts
  By A1A535W556ROBQ on 2007-05-14
  These are pretty light workouts, about 20 minutes each, so if you are looking to build up a sweat you better check out Rodney Yee's Power Yoga DVD's. However, these are excellent exercises for starting up in the morning or winding down at the end of the day when you don't feel like doing a total workout. I particularly like the PM workout, which offers more stretches and relieves more knots from the course of the day.
  
  
• My Favorite!
  By A1WPRQLSWHKCLD on 2007-06-05
  I began Yoga with this DVD and absolutely love it! I am now working my way into the intermediate level, but still use this DVD everyday and just push myself harder each time I work out. The best thing about this DVD is the timeframe of each workout. The morning workout is 15 minutes, and the PM is 20 minutes. I have other DVDs that I enjoy doing Yoga to, but because they run 60-90 minutes I find it hard to work them into my busy schedule. I always have and make time to at least do this DVD. I just purchased the Weight Conditioning AM/PM, not because I need to lose weight but because I would like to mix it up a bit with some new short routines. I highly recommend this for any beginners just getting into Yoga or other people like me who need something worthwhile but not time consuming.
  
  
• Good but far too short
  By on 2004-05-03
  It is a good DVD for beginners. I enjoyed the music and the nature. However, I feel that two 20-min sessions are far too short for a DVD. Most of the other DVDs I have give me different workouts for a total of 1.5-3 hours at the same price.
  
  

• Power Yoga - Total Body Workout
• Rodney Yee: ABS Yoga for Beginners
• Yoga For Inflexible People
• Relaxation & Breathing for Meditation
• Power Yoga - Flexibility