Power Yoga is a form of Yoga that focuses on exercise and cardiovascular activity. It helps participants develop stamina and power and does not bother much with the spiritual parts of traditional Yoga. It is largely based on Ashtanga Yoga, with a few differences.

Fit for Beginners

How fit is the Yoga class for complete beginners?

In Power Yoga, there are no separate classes for beginners. Instead, they join the regular classes and work at their own pace. The guiding idea is that beginners are given the tools ans support to develop their style, stamina and power by taking part in a class the best they can. Being a non-rigid Yoga style, it is alright for participants in Power Yoga to deter a little from the rest of the class.

Ok for Low Fitness

Every physical activity requires the participants to be fit to a degree, but sometimes you are just not fit, and you're looking to get into shape. How accomodating will these types of Yoga be for trying to start Yoga as a fitness program?

While Power Yoga is not rigid, and the classes are composed by the teachers themselves, it is normally more geared towards people who are already fit. That makes it less suitable for beginners. That said, you may find a class that only requires a low initial fitness level.

Safety

Every physical activity has it's related risks and injuries. How does the Yoga class fair in that?

Power yoga stresses long stretching and preparation time, with resting periods intertwined with the exercise. Added to the shorter duration of the class, this protects better against injuries and strains. duration.

Short Duration

How much time do you need to put aside for a class? Most people don't have enough hours in a day, so the longer the duration, the harder will it be to participate in the Yoga class.

Power Yoga classes usually only take about an hour.

Spirituality

Yoga is a lot about spirituality - meditation, chanting, and body-mind unity. How much into that is the Yoga class?

Power Yoga uses the asanas of Ashtanga Yoga, but it does not focus on spirituality and is better described as a workout that looks like Yoga. Having said that, it is not completely devoid of all Yoga spirituality, meditation and inner focus. It is just that it is up to the teacher how much time the spiritual aspects of Yoga receive, and you can usually find Power Yoga classes that have just the right amount of spirituality you desire.

Strict Discipline

Every type of Yoga is different in the level of discipline required from the participant. This aspect deals with how structured and rigid are the classes and how strict are the routines they propose.

Power yoga is based on Ashtanga Yoga, but it isn't as rigid. Every teacher may develop their own workouts, and they may change from venue to venue, teacher to teacher and even from day to day. The principles are always the same, and always take motions from Ashtanga yoga. Power Yoga classes always contain a lot of stretching exercises and emphasise cardiovascular workout. Being more dynamic and fluid than Ashtanga Yoga doesn't mean that Power Yoga does not require discipline. The motions you need to work through are complex and therefore require attention, disciplne and precision. That said, it is not as rigidly disciplined as the Ashtanga.

Western Popularity

Not every type of Yoga caught on in the western world. Some seem too demanding or different to the western lifestyle. The level of popularity could hint at how likely you are to find a class near you and not drop out once you start it. This aspect deals with how popular are these types of Yoga in the western world.

Power yoga was created specifically for western people. It is more fluid, it focuses more on the self and how the individual can manifest their abilities, rather than follow strict rules. It allows for variations and customization of classes to fit the teacher and the students liking, and it has a short duration that can even be squeezed to fit inside a normal lunch hour with time for shower and lunch.

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Ashtanga Yoga

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Average rating: 4 / 5 , based on 453 customer reviews
Feel factor: 2

Over and over

(score 5/5)

I have piriformis syndrome so I a constantly trying to find DVDs that specialize in opening up the hips/piriformis. I find that I buy DVD after DVD but I keep returning to Bryan Kest's version. The practice makes me sweat AND loosens me up.

Posted on: 2010-09-23
By Lisa Duke

not worth it

(score 1/5)

i usually put a lot of weight on the product review so i have to tell you its not worth ur money...its about 1:30 of routine and thats it...the guy wears jean?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!!??! and it just seems outdated i regret the purchase

Posted on: 2010-09-22
By sophia salazar-cs trainee

Strength after 40

(score 5/5)

I am getting so much from these workouts! It did take me a few months to figure out how to get to the other two workouts on the DVD. I would like a downloadable audio version for MP3, or iPod so I can easily practice on the road, or on my deck outside! Your body will begin to reshape as early as 5 days into the program. I recommend you drink lots of water - 64oz or more, during the day to get the most benefit from the workouts.

Posted on: 2010-09-21
By Darina Pagac
Helpful index: 100%

Good workout, frustrating instruction

(score 2/5)

Not for beginners. If you are the kind of person who needs a pleasant environment to do yoga, this video may be a bad choice. If you aren't easily distracted, it might be a good one.

The actual routines are challenging, diverse, and well-planned. There is a nice combination of flexibility training, balance poses, and strengthening. The instructor repeatedly cautions the viewer not to overextend and recommends modifications. All great.

There are a few weaknesses in the routine. There are poses where he needs to describe the position better and either demonstrate or describe the common errors. It's possible to hurt yourself doing this kind of vigorous yoga, and also to miss the benefit by doing it wrong. I'm a regular class-taker, not a practitioner, and I'm sure I made mistakes that another instructor could have helped me avoid. And you shouldn't have to watch the screen to see what to do next - no pose involves a craned neck.

The self-importance of the instructor, his obtrusive commentary, and spotty cuing act as a distraction and for some, may be a turn-off.

When I did the video for the first time, I began laughing at the introduction, which features an MTV-type montage of dramatic music and shots of Kest looking intense and sweeping through a door. I did the first segment, with my neck craned upward at times, and was really unsettled by the way he wrapped his hands around the student's bodies, especially the women. He talked, and talked, and talked, exhorting the viewer to engage, but made it hard to do so with all the noise. I completed the segment, sweating and feeling stretched, and thought that I would try to just ignore that stuff, because it was a good routine.

However, I never turn it on. It's sitting in in player, untouched, and I stream netflix workouts and use other DVDs. Intellectually, I think it's a good program, but aesthetically, it's so jarring that I never decide to use it.

Rodney Yee's power yoga routines are more accessible, with better cuing and demonstration.

Posted on: 2010-09-19
By JennInCT

Excellent Yoga instruction

(score 5/5)

I jave wanted to get into yoga for a while for differnet resons--not just to get into shape but to help with my concentration & focus as well as assist with meditation. This has everything I was looking for! I know it was an older DVD and you folks not only had it--but for a great price. Thank you!

Posted on: 2010-09-18
By Jeff Oyler
Helpful index: 100%

Use the sliders to set your priorities, and find what's best for you in Yoga Types

Fit for Beginners

Ok for Low Fitness

Safety

Short Duration

Spirituality

Strict Discipline

Western Popularity