Raw Yoga

[rawjojo]

Hey Everyone,

Has anyone ever used the "raw yoga" video by Kim Toledo and David Wolfe? I am wanting to buy it but just though I would see if anyone liked it first.

Thanks,
rawjojo

[rawjojo]

anyone, anyone???

[sweetgoddess]

I thought of buying it, but was told it was serious meaning HARD to me and im nowhere near that yet. Have a couple yoga tapes where people contort into a pretzel and then stand just on their hands...gulp. :rolleyes: So maybe some day. I have heard its praises sung though Rawjojo. If you do end up buying it--give us a review, pleassse!
Blessings~

[MaxMarie]

Smart move Sweet Goddess. We must be gentle with ourselves. I've been doing yoga for about 12 years now. I get very sad when people try to force themselves into positions they aren't meant to. Bad yoga instructors pushing and pulling people into injuries. Yoga should flow. Slow gentle movements like a river. Some may never have the flexibility to do a toe stand or even full lotus. That doesn't make them bad people.

[rawjojo]

Couldn't have said it better myself. I wish that all people knew that yoga is meant to be VERY NON- competitive.

[Autumn]

What is it about yoga that I just don't "get"? I've tried a couple tapes, took a class once (albeit short-lived) and was bored to tears.

How do people become so enthralled by this? Are there some people who are just too nervous or jumpy or spastic and can't enjoy it?

[rawjojo]

I believe that like everything else. Yoga may, in fact, not be for everyone. However, I find that statement to be very sad because of all of the positive effects that it can have on you body and mind.

I think some people are to "jumpy or busy" and for some reason prefer there lives to stay like that, I would suggest to this type of person to try some type of a power yoga class instead of any of the basic or restoritive classes. Typically, high strung or "jumpy" people tend to like these types of classes better because they are more aerobic as well as still getting the benefits from yoga. My sister is the type of person who cannot truly relax. She does not like yoga for that reason. It makes her mind to still which in turn makes her more anxious. Go figure! Thank goodness I am not that busy-minded. Good luck with your pursuits!

[Punky]

I have not tried the "Raw Yoga" with David and Kim;
but I just got Rainbeau Mars "Sacred Yoga Practice: Vinyasa Flow" Series
and love it so far! It is very well produced and she is an excellant instructor
and raw fooder too. She is on the latest cover of David Wolfe's
"Eating for Beauty" and use to be roomates with Juliano who
1st introduced her to living foods.

www.naturaljourneys.com
for more info on her yoga series (I am not affiliated in any way!)

I am interested in "Raw Yoga" too, so hopefully someone is more familier
with it ;)

[Punky]

Part 2:
I forgot to mention that I am a beginner in my practice and found
Rainbeau's Beginner tape instructional, but yet challenged me at the same time. She held asana's long enough to tire my out of shape muscles,
but at the same time a very do able session leaving me feeling very
refreshed and radiant afterwards. I have done yoga before, so I am not a total beginner (prenatel yoga, and a couple of viniyoga beginner
series at a yoga studio). I can't wait to try her other tapes in the series
and I will report back!

[hollin]

I purchased the Raw Yoga video a couple years ago, but I could never really get into it. I think it had more to do with my own free spirit and dislike for exercise videos, rather than a flaw in the program itself. For me, the only way to stick to exercise is when it's fun, and I just couldn't have fun when following someone else's program. Also, I don't like having to rely on TV/VCR in order to work out.

I am now using The Yoga Deck and The Stretch Deck. These are cards that I can arrange in any order I want. Each card has a position/stretch/exercise and on the back it explains how to do it and lists the benefits. The cards are easy to carry around, and the sizes match up so I can mix the cards together from multiple decks. The series also has The Pilates Deck, The Yoga Deck II, The Weight Training Deck, etc. I highly recommend them!

I hope this was helpful for you!

Peace.
Hollin

[theresaann]

I bought Raw Yoga a few years ago also. I used it a few times. The production and guidance on it was a little amatuerish, and for me I didn't like the forward bend sequence, just cause I felt like there was already enough of that in the series. I really liked the standing balance sequence. I still do that one. Overall, I thought it is a sound practice, and I modeled my own practice after it, which I just do to music now.

So far, I haven't found a video or DVD that comes close to ALi McGraw's video that came out several years ago. That one is so beautiful. Yoga Journals yoga for Energy is a close second with Rodney Yee and others. Maybe I should spend less time SHOPPING for yoga videos and more time DOING yoga, I think!

[FEELIN'GOOD]

Wow Punky- thanks for the link. I see that she even has a bellydance workout- I love the bellydance videos I have already- maybe I will try hers and add it to my collection!

Hollin- Welcome to you! I love the idea about the cards. I will have to check those out!

Melissa

[Punky]

Hey Melissa,
The bellydance video is by someone else (sorry for the confusion);
the link is just to the company
that sells her videos. You have to do a search or look under yoga for
her. But the bellydancing sounds so fun!!!! I want to try it ;)
Here's a link directly to Rainbeau's site to learn more about her.
You still get directed to the other site if you want to purchase.
http://www.rainbeaumars.com

Hollin--I love the deck ideas as well. How neat!!!!
Thanks Theresaann for the feedback!

[Sharon in Colorado]

I find yoga to be too spiritual in another realm for me. I prefer Pilates because it focuses on the abs and core zone, which helps enforce proper posture. I used to do Pilates every day but I've gone off of it. I really think it helped me with strength and balance.

I got a belly dancing video for xmas and I am looking forward to trying it already!

To each her own, I guess!

[carolg]

I'll have to pass on the compliment to Rainbeau's mom, my friend.
carol

[VeganVixen]

I have a TON of exercise and yoga tapes -a bunch from gaiam (kundalini,abs yoga,which IS GREAT for digestion!!!,power yoga,meditation yoga,yoga for weight loss,also very good!!!and upper and lower body yoga)

I also have 4 different bellydancing tapes(box set ,cardio,abs,sculpting and lower body)

I THE LOVE NEW YORK CITY BALLET COMPANY DANCE WORKOUT vol. 2-a little basic since I was a ballet dancer -but still great btw dont waste youre money on the first addition its confusing (and often doesnt repeat exercises on the other side of body when needed)

vol 2 is the same price has everything+ more than the first and is very straight forward w/o mistakes in editing

also the book (vol.1 only avl.) is good to

lol I also have a BUNCH more videos that arent used -but the ones above are my beloved and often used favorites!

[Sunshine]

Hi! I just read this thread and I am really interested in the New York City Ballet 2 workout you mentioned. I was going to buy it the other day but chickened out at the last minute because I had the other one a few years ago (which I've since given away) and I wasn't sure if the second one would be better. I love doing ballet/dance type workouts. Have you tried Ballet Bootcamp? I have read different reviews on it...some say it's really good, others say production quality isn't great, exercises performed on one side for more reps than the other, etc., etc.

Also, I have the Raw Yoga tape....have watched it once....but so far have not been inspired to try it. :confused: I don't know why not exactly....it was interesting to watch but for whatever reason it didn't make me want to get down and actually do it. :cool: I have to say that I agree with the comments about Rainbeau Mars....she is absolutely my most favorite instructor so far. :D I just purchased her Yoga For Beauty Dawn and Dusk dvd's and I am very anxious to add them into my yoga practice.

[VeganVixen]

I have not tried ballet bootcamp,sounds interesting though -but I would DEFINATLEY recomend n.y.b.w. 2 OVER THE FIRST ! It was more coordinated and you can personalize the sequince !

[Sunshine]

Thanks so much...I'll have to try it!!

[*~Butterfly~*]

Thank you Punky for your info on Rainbeau's yoga DVDs and hollin for your info on the yoga cards....

I just ordered Rainbeau's beginner DVD and the yoga deck I & II, can't wait to use them. Paid .47 cent on them, luckily hubby had 2 gift certificates for Amazon!!! :D

[Brooklyn]

Hi everyone, I love this raw site and thought I might add that I bought the Yoga Now set with Rodney Yee and Mariel Hemingway. I'm a beginner and I love these DVDs. There is a 10 minute am a 10 minute pm, 30 minute core and an hour long DVD. There is also cardio incorporated into them. I was looking for an exercise for myself and my 10 yr. old daughter and she showed an interest in yoga so I thought this was great for both of us to start together.

[ren]

Hi everyone, I love this raw site and thought I might add that I bought the Yoga Now set with Rodney Yee and Mariel Hemingway. I'm a beginner and I love these DVDs. There is a 10 minute am a 10 minute pm, 30 minute core and an hour long DVD. There is also cardio incorporated into them. I was looking for an exercise for myself and my 10 yr. old daughter and she showed an interest in yoga so I thought this was great for both of us to start together.

I saw the informercial once for them. Reminds me of windsor pilates. Seems like a pretty good investment (the yoga now cds).

[AubreyG]

Hey, all!

I am a practicing Yogini, and like Vinyasa and Ashtanga styles the best! I think the world of Rainbeau Mars, and would love to go to one of her retreats someday...I used to live in Hawaii and found the beach so inspiring for yoga...anyways! She has 2 new DVDs out now called Yoga for Beauty: Dawn (a morning practice) and Dusk (evening practice) and like her others, they are GREAT! If you like Rainbeau Mars, you will probably also enjoy Nicki Doane's Introduction to Ashtanga, which focuses on Suryanamaskar A and B. Its about an hour long to do both, and is a great guide as to how to get into doing sun saluations. There is an interview with Nicki (who was taught by Sri K. Pahtabi Jois) and also an advanced sequence meant for inspiration purposes that is really great.

For those of you into Ballet exercises, try The Lotte Berke Method. There are four workouts: beginner, hip hugger abs, high round assets, and muscle eats fat. They are challenging, but can be adjusted to suit your level. They are a combination of ballet isometric toning exercises, orthopedic stretching, and yoga. They are really great for gaining strength, especially mixed with yoga for those who aspire arm and core strength for those tough arm stand poses!

I have also gotten Shiva Rae's newest DVD, and it is WONDERFUL as well, and allows for a lot of diversity in your practice! Hope this helps!

Namaste! ;)
Aubrey

[MandersK]

The Raw Yoga video is an excellent tool that really let's you challenge yourself. It has basic poses through dyanamic vinyasas. It's a video that helps you to develop your yoga potential. If you're just beginning yoga, it's gonna be a bit difficult at first, but you will see progression in your practice if you just stay with it. It has a way of pushing you to your limits, pulling you back in to restorative motion that gives you stamina to go forth again with full breath and ready muscles. I love it! Good luck!!