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The
prelude is one of the most inspiring of any yoga video, examining
the spirituality of yoga, which Patricia Walden describes as "the
path inwards". Explaining that the word "Yoga"
means union, she describes yoga as "our vehicle for going
inwards, to connect with oneself, for uniting and opening our body,
heart and mind. This programme offers you a map inward, giving instructions
and principals to guide you". She advises: "in
the beginning, focus on taking small steps".
The
instruction begins gently with "centering", eight minutes
of seated and lying postures, some performed against a wall. The
active phase of the programme begins with standing poses, including
triangle, side angle bend and warrior. In each case, Patricia Walden
moves slowly and deliberately, taking time with arms and legs extended
before moving into position. The next part of the video repeats
these or simialr postures, with many performed against the wall
of a varandah area, where this first half was filmed.
The
second half of the video starts with a demonstration of seated postures,
in a garden, with the ocean as a backdrop. Staff pose moves into
forward bend, repeated with each knee bent and then with straight
legs. This is done using a strap at first, bending further to hold
the feet as flexibility increases. Wide leg forward bend is followed
by a series of twists. The fifteen minutes of deep relaxation take
place on the varandah, starting with a reclining bound angle pose,
which uses a strap to maintain legs in a bent position while relaxing
back on to a bolster. Different positions of the strap and bolster
allow us to relax into different postures and the wall is used for
supported shoulder stand.
Although
this is entitled "Yoga for Beginners II", it is really
no more challenging that the previous, "Yoga for Beginners"
video. The outside location is more pleasant than the studio used
in the earlier work and this production covers many more postures,
including the long seated sequence that is poorly represented in
the older video. The relaxation section is particularly nice, as
the use of the bolster and strap produce a novel and pleasant way
to relax. There is considerably less explanation in this video,
which allows more to be covered in the time and is less irritating
during subsequent practise. Some may find the use of the wall limiting,
if they have no convenient wall at home. Many of the positions can
be performed without the wall but using a bolster (or a rolled blanket)
definately improves the practise. Overall, this is a lovely video
that can be used again and again.
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