Beginner’s Guide To Hatha And Flow Yoga DVD – Review

The Practice of Yoga helps to boost energy, reduce stress, improve circulation and enhance overall health.

However, many people find it challenging to learn the correct and beneficial poses without proper guidance. That’s where this DVD comes in! 

It is the creation of Tamal Dodge, a leading yoga instructor passionate about making Yoga accessible to everyone. 

In this complete beginner-friendly instructional series, you’ll learn the foundational yoga postures (or “asanas”) in an easy-to-follow, step-by-step format. 

Then, you'll be able to discover how to combine these poses into flowing sequences that are perfect for your next workout or simply for daily practice at home. 

Tamal breaks down each asana, so it’s easy to understand how proper alignment and deliberate movement helps to promote optimal health. This program will have you practising and mastering the basics in no time!

About the DVD

These two 30-minute programs – shot in a lush, serene environment overlooking the Pacific Ocean, provide tremendous diversity for your practice. 

The Hatha session will relieve tension, promote flexibility, and replenish circulation by guiding you step-by-step through a breakdown of static positions while stretching with the strap, belt, or towel. 

The Flow session will increase strength and stamina by sequencing Ashtanga yoga postures into a simple, natural flow that helps with weight loss, muscle toning, balance, and mental focus.  

You can use these two particular applications solely, but they can work well together on the same day.

Teaching Quality

Tamal speaks directly to the camera in both programs, which helps make this DVD relatively easy to follow.

He provides detailed explanations about body alignment, and he makes sure you know which muscles are being targeted. 

While Tamal’s voice is soothing, he also displays his enthusiasm for Yoga, making this program very enjoyable. 

Even if you aren't an experienced yoga practitioner, you can benefit immensely from following Tamal's detailed guidance.

The price of the DVD is $8.39. 

Pros

• This DVD makes it easy for anyone to learn the basics of Yoga! Tamal is very thorough and patient, which is excellent for beginners.
• The DVD gets the point across very clearly. Each posture is explained step-by-step, which helps you understand which muscles are being stretched and overall what the pose is meant for.
• You can practice on your own or with a partner. It’s essential to follow the steps and be aware of how the poses should look.

Cons

• The only negative aspect of this DVD is that it’s not interactive. So if you want to follow along with Tamal, you have to do so independently without any guidance or feedback. 

However, the DVD does include a detailed instruction booklet that should help you stay on track!

Customer reviews

The same company produced this DVD set as one of my other DVD reviews, “Yoga for Beginners: Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga (DVD).” I’m impressed with their quality and customer service. 

The problem with this particular yoga DVD is that it's for beginners and there aren't enough poses to follow along with Tamal. 

It may be hard to differentiate between your muscles and the other exercisers on the screen when you first start. 

This DVD is focused on strengthening and toning exercises and focuses on the sport of Yoga. An excellent way to practice the poses is to use a yoga stick or stick hand weights.

This video set is for those new to Yoga or who want a complete beginner’s yoga DVD! 

The DVD includes instructions on adequately aligning your body and instructions on what muscles should be working during specific exercises.

Alternatives

“Yoga for Beginners: Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga” by Tamal Dodge

This 60 minute DVD is excellent for those looking to learn the basics of asana and asana sequences. I recommend it as a commentary is not available. 

The good news is that this DVD will work well with the Hatha yoga DVD as both sets focus on some of the same postures. This DVD also includes a chapter on pranayama, which are breathing exercises.

 “Yoga for Beginners” by Tara Stiles

This DVD set is two DVDs that include two 30 minute beginner yoga DVDs. There are no chapters or menus on this DVD. 

Tara Stiles is the instructor, but other instructors lead the class. This DVD includes a chapter on pranayama as well as a warm-up and cool-down.

Conclusion

Yoga for Beginners will make your workout more effective. These DVDs will help you improve your posture, strengthen your muscles and endurance. At the same time, you will be able to feel better and have a cleaner body. 

Yoga is a great way to get in shape, and I'm happy that there are so many great DVDs out there to choose from today!