The Gift of Health

A great gift for Mother’s Day, and one that might very well continue to inspire grateful effusions years from now, is a yoga video or DVD. Along with the benefit of not having to rush to a studio to make a class, the video format offers all the advantages of a private, at-home setting: space, fresh air, no risk of being kicked in the face. As the saying goes, “Go to a class, and do yoga once. Buy a DVD, and do yoga for life.”The founders of the yoga-video genre, Patricia Walden and Rodney Yee, continue to dominate the category, and are still two of the best instructors out there. Ms. Walden has studied personally with one of the world’s greatest gurus, B.K.S. Iyengar, since 1976 and is the highest-level teacher of the Iyengar method in America. Her best video is a classic: “Yoga Journal: Yoga Practice for Flexibility” (DVD, 75 mins., $14.98), which combines sun salutations with a variety of backbends and forward bends. Her “P.M.” yoga for beginners, paired on a DVD or VHS (“A.M. and P.M. Yoga for Beginners,” 100 mins., $19.98) with an “A.M.” session with Rodney Yee, works miracles for those who have difficulty sleeping. It’s a simple, easy workout that is almost guaranteed to lead to a long, restful sleep.Rodney Yee, a former ballet dancer, moves a lot faster than Ms. Walden, and is more prolific. His tapes are great for a sweat, and for those who are already in pretty good shape. His best DVD, and a good first place to start for a beginner, is “Yoga for Strength and Energy” (150 mins., $19.98), which combines the contents of his first, two-session “Strength” video with his terrific five-session series for “Energy.” For someone with some experience, his “Power Yoga: Total Body” (DVD, 80 mins., $14.98) is rigorous and long, with a good variety of intermediate poses (especially arm balances). It’s more interesting – and a little more difficult – than its sequel, “Power Yoga: Strength and Flexibility” (DVD, 75 mins., $14.98). Finally, for those with injuries, “Yoga Journal’s Yoga for Back Care” (DVD, 30 mins., $14.98) is a truly gentle, therapeutic, short session.For someone completely new to yoga, Yoga Journal’s three-video set “Yoga Journal Step By Step: The Total Guide to Beginning Your Home Practice,” with Natasha Rizopoulos (DVD, 55 mins.,$49.95; VHS $39.95), is an excellent, clear, and unpretentious introduction. Ms. Rizopoulos goes through a nice assortment of poses one by one, and makes helpful adjustments on her two students. The format resembles an exercise class more than a yoga class, which some would consider a bonus. Her videos are also easy on the knees.Finally, for advanced beginners and intermediates, one DVD that is bound to become a favorite is “Hemalaya Behl’s Yoga for Urban Living” (150 mins., $19.95), in three sessions (two half-hour sessions for morning and evening, and a full-length session). Her sessions are straightforward and traditional. When Ms. Behl says, “Roll up slowly,” she means slowly. Poses are opened up, in delicious variety, held for a long time, and one always leads to the next. She also makes it really easy to follow the breath instructions. Her focus is always on flexibility.Finally, comfy, traditional yoga outfits – loose bottoms and a tunic top – are available online (try www.eshakti.com), and can be made to order. For an experienced yogi, archival tapes of the yoga masters are also available online. If mom is still using “The New Shorter Oxford” for a yoga block, now might just be the time to help her accessorize.

The Gift of Health

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