Yoga Foundations

Let me give you some background info about my experience with yoga before I talk about the DVD. This will help you understand why I went into such detail and am giving this such a positive review. I have a very extensive exercise video library. I own a wide variety of exercise styles. When I became interested in practicing yoga I started taking a beginner class at a local yoga studio in my neighborhood. The experience was invigorating and breathtaking because it always left me feeling very stretched, relaxed, and like I had challenge my body to do things it had never done but in a good, non-dreadful way. It truly was a beginner class and the focus was mainly on the physical with very minimal spiritual undertones; just want I wanted!!Unfortunately, I had to stop taking the classes because it was very expensive and the hours the studio operated wasn't really conducive for me so it was like a waste of money (I was paying $100 a month and was really only able to make it on Saturdays consistently because they closed at 7:00pm and I'd just be getting home from work around that time). Anyway, I opted to invest in some beginner yoga dvd's knowing that I wouldn't get the same effect of being in a yoga studio as far as the atmoshere, having an instructor walk over to me to correct my poses, or the networking with other beginner yogi's, BUT I thought I would invest in a dvd hoping to at least get the same physical benefits from it. Going to the gym to do those classes was not an option as I found the few times I had a gym membership and took those classes that they were not able to be consistent with the level because every week there were different people in the class so we never really flowed or built upon what we had learned the previous week like when I was going to the yoga studio.Anyway, I would read reviews about the different yoga dvd's, view them on collage video or youtube thinking that by viewing the dvd's in advance, I would be able to make an informed purchase. Well let me say this, up until I purchased Travis Eliot's "Yoga Foundations" I have experienced three things with most of the beginner yoga dvd's I have invested in thus far: 1.) Most of the beginner yoga dvd's are either to slow with extreme emphasis on the breath and someone who has the attention span of a 2 year old such as myself gets so bored and distracted from nothingness that I lose interest within the first 5 minutes of the dvd. Don't get me wrong, it is very important to focus on the breath as it is a very intrical part of doing yoga; however, dragging the breathing sections out for more than 1 minute becomes a distraction and affects my interest level 2.) Some put too much emphasis on the spiritual aspect of yoga; I'm not looking for that, I'm already foundated in my beliefs, 3.)Calling a yoga dvd beginner yet doing a pose where you want someone who is inflexible like me to be able to connect my fingers on both hands behind my back, or asking me to do a pose in some weird position that only someone who has practiced yoga regularly, at an intermediate level could do, is not realistic!!!See the thing about me is that I have always exercised intermittently for years so I am not a beginner to exercise. I am just a beginner to yoga, but not a beginner beginner so I needed a pace that was perfect for me, and the poses had to be challenging but realistic for where I am. By golly I finally found it with Travis Elliot's "Yoga Foundations." This is a wonderful dvd. It has three levels each about 40 minutes or more and they all build upon the previous workout. You do poses that a beginner can realistically do or work themselves into. He talks you through the poses and everything he was saying made me think about the connection between my body and my everyday life in general. His voice was not annoying and you see each person practicing the poses at their own level so you get to see different variations and modifications that may be more closely suitable to what you can do. I wish I had found this yoga dvd about 15 yoga dvd's ago. I would've saved some money and been much further along in my stretches and poses but it's all good. Sometimes you have to experience the bad in order to know what the good is and appreciate the good when it finally comes your way.I know that any form of exercising can be challenging when you are new to it or trying to go to the next level. I strongly believe we should aim to challenge ourselves to do better each time but it has to flow and make me want to come back to it and this dvd accomplished that. The pace was not too slow, not too fast, and it was not spiritually driven. I cleaned up my living room, put my yoga mat in the middle of the floor, cut the lights out and practiced the moves with just the light from the t.v. shining in. At one point, when I closed my eyes, I almost felt as though I was in a yoga studio. When I finished I felt rejuvinated, invigorated, stretched, and happy. I slept like a baby that night for the first time in a long time. To me, this is what an at home experience to a yoga dvd should feel like. Namaste!!!

I have been anti yoga for a long time as I've never found a class or video that I've enjoyed. I always felt like I had to be able to move into the positions immediately, and that if I wasn't flexible or able to hold myself up only with my pinky (I exaggerate), I was a failure. After reading the reviews and watching a clip of the DVD, I decided to try this video. OMG, changed my perspective and started to impact my life in so many positive ways. One of my goals this year was not to attract or cause negativity, and this DVD has definitely helped in my success (yes, we're not even done with January, but considering the type of job I have and my family, that's saying A LOT). Since trying it on day one, I have felt healthier, both mentally and physically. Travis' instruction is PERFECTION. I could close my eyes through this ENTIRE workout and not have to look up to see how to get into the moves. The DVD has three workouts, the first focuses more on strength and foundational poses. The second still has a lot of stretch moves, but starts to bring in strength, and I just did the third workout yesterday (going on my third week) and it is more cardio and strength. I have NEVER been able to go from plank pose, into a pushup pose to the floor...EVER...the third workout has a few moves where you go from plank, to pushup, to cobra, to downward dog, and I was able to do the pushup component EVERY time. Even though the third routine WORKS you out, I did not get tired or exhausted during the workout, and felt great after. I also am amazed at how the time flies...most of the workouts are close to an hour long, if not longer, and I can't even tell. Other workouts I'm counting down the minutes and can't wait until it's over, with this, I just shut down my brain, do the moves to the best of MY ability, and come out totally relaxed and ready for the world. I find myself looking forward to the next workout, and have done at least 6 days a week. I find myself making time. Travis is PHENOMENAL...LOVE him. Soothing, awesome instructor, keeps it to the routine, and guides you through the moves so you tailor it to the best of YOUR ability. Highly recommend. For the price, you're getting an AMAZING deal. I bought the Ultimate Yogi 108 day program, and look forward to starting that once I've mastered this foundational DVD. I am calmer, can control my stress and just take everything with a grain of salt. If you're truly wanting to learn yoga, relieve stress, build strength and stamina, you will not be disappointed.