Iyengar Yoga Resources: What's New

3 New Site Listings

Yoga Journal's Yoga Practice for Beginners (1990)
	Yoga Journal's excellent series of videos offers a thorough beginner's guide to yoga stretching and breathing practices. Patricia Walden's soothing voice and gentle approach to teaching eases the viewer through several stretching techniques, never rushing and often repeating exercises "so that the body can learn." Walden's slow approach is also "permission giving"; she talks the beginner through each stretch, suggesting ways to breathe and enhance even the most seemingly static pose, yet never pushing the viewer beyond his or her comfort level. Who would have thought the classic standing mountain pose could wear a person out? The tape is a good hour long, and may leave the viewer feeling refreshed and more aware of his or her body. One can't help but be a little inspired by Walden's fantastic, and realistic, body. She is easy on the eyes, yet not intimidatingly so. The production value on this video is excellent and consistent; the music is pleasant, even, and subtle. The exercises synthesize into one hour-long routine ending with a relaxation pose, so breaking it down into shorter segments is not as easy as with other Yoga Journal tapes. All in all an excellent and accessible beginner's guide to yoga. (Gilia Angell)
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Yoga Journal's Yoga Practice for Flexibility (1992)
	Yoga Journal's more advanced offering of yoga stretching exercises presents two routines for flexibility: back stretches and front stretches. Each routine begins with a short warm up, though if one is not already well practiced in yoga stretching techniques, not to mention already flexible, some of these stretches should not be attempted. Even the so-called "moderate" poses for those with less strength and flexibility are difficult to achieve. Patricia Walden encourages the viewer to practice often and work toward the stretching goals, and conscientiously demonstrates the stretches in a methodical manner. The principles of balance and strength in all parts of the body (achieved by practicing both front and back stretches) is a lofty goal for many, but one to work toward in small increments. The two distinct routines in this video are conveniently presented separately so that they can be combined or practiced alternately. (If you're not already on your way to yogic flexibility, in the beginning you may be sitting out a good part of this video.) The production value, like the other Yoga Journal offerings, is consistently good and even. Certain stretches require props such as yoga blocks, but chairs and phone books are a good substitute for the home user. (Gilia Angell)
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Yoga Journal's Yoga Practice Introduction with Patricia Walden (2000)
	For any yoga instructor, teaching beginners is a challenge not unlike yoga itself: it's a question of balancing matters both practical (the breath and the poses) and spiritual (such as cultivating the appropriate attitude toward one's practice). That's especially hard to do in the course of a one-hour video--and frankly, most of them don't. But Introduction to Yoga is an exception. Patricia Walden's instructions are clear and complete. While dealing with such abstractions as using yoga to achieve "the union of body, heart, and mind" and find "the path inwards," she also provides thorough, specific details about when and how to breathe as well as properly positioning and aligning the body and finding the logical connections between the asanas. There are plenty of them, too, including basic twists, stretches and bends, standing poses such as triangle, warrior, mountain, and others, and a few unusual movements like the "reclining bound angle" and the "supported bridge." In the long run, actually attending classes with a qualified instructor is the best way for any newcomer to become comfortable with yoga. But for those who can't, Introduction to Yoga is the next best thing. One caveat: along with the standard yoga mat, props such as a strap, a bolster, a blanket, and blocks are used in many of the poses demonstrated. These tools will enhance your experience, but you can use your own substitutes (scarves, for example, are great strap substitutes). (Kelly Welldon)
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