Title: Element: Cardio & Conditioning Yoga (Anchor Bay Entertainment)
Grade: A-
What's the point? Many styles of yoga benefit strength and flexibility but without raising heart rate much -- but heart-rate-raising exercise is the kind validated by the largest body of research into what helps people live longer.
These smoothly flowing, vigorous workouts attempt to do it all.
Skill level: intermediate
Format: wide-screen stereo DVD containing three chapters: a 34-minute "Cardio Program," a 33-minute "Conditioning
Program" and a 10-minute "Guided Meditation."
How frantic is the cardio workout? Not. The moves demand control, and the pace of the vinyasa flow allows that, but also it should get anyone's blood flowing faster. How hard your heart has to work will depend on your conditioning. Expect big posture changes with single-leg balancing and head-down poses, pushups ....
Does she let us warm up and cool down? Yes. She gradually raises the activity level over about 4 minutes. The cool-down lasts a good 5 minutes, including a peacefully relaxing corpse pose, but she guides us gradually back to sitting upright before it's done.
Any backbends? The Conditioning Program includes camel pose, which she presents in optional stages, and, as a final challenge, wheel pose. Wheel is an awkward contortion of spine, shoulders and wrists. Her cues specifically direct the user to move into it only if it is already part of his practice.
In other words, this DVD is not the way to learn or attempt wheel pose.
In general, these programs include copious, clear and careful verbal instructions, and sufficient demonstration and suggestions for modifications to validate her opening statement: "Try your best to eliminate any self-criticism that you're not strong enough or flexible enough or 'anything' enough. There's great beauty in appreciating where you are at right now and watching your progress as you commit to a consistent yoga practice and a healthy lifestyle."
Do I need to know Sanskrit? No
Any weird instructions? "Feel a hint of a smile on your face and inside your eyes."
Distractions: The set is familiar from other Element DVDs, a serene garden above the Pacific Ocean with an in-ground pool and a wisteria-draped portico. It's so perfect you doubt it's real. So when shorebirds zip past in the background, it's tempting to stop the tape and try to freeze-frame over them.
Gear: a sticky mat, and some might want to use a pillow, strap or block
Price: $14.98
ActiveStyle on 12/28/2015