Erich Schiffmann

Disc Info:77 min. one guided yoga routine in English with yoga master Erich Schiffmann.

Review: What does "Beginning" mean in relation a home practice dvd on yoga?

For about six months, I looked for a truly beginning yoga video, meaning for someone completely new to yoga, who may need instructions on props, adjusting poses, a pose by pose guide would be helpful . . . In this sense, in my opinion, this DVD is intermediate in it's level.

If you are truly new to yoga looking for a beginning show more practice dvd and would be helped by a pose by pose guide, instructions on how to use props, and suggestions for making adjustments to poses, I'd recommend
The All-Day Yoga Workout - A.M., Stress Relief, and P.M. Yoga for Beginners with Rodney Yee, Patricia Walden, and Suzanne Deason,

Or a dvd with three beginning and three intermediate sessions and a pose/prop guide, and great adjustment suggestions Yoga: Gentle Vinyasa Flow with Zyrka Landwijt.

If your interest is increased by maximum visual beauty in a recorded yoga session try: Ali MacGraw - Yoga Mind and Body filmed at the incredibly lovely White Sands, New Mexico on custom designed hidden yoga mats.

After a year of practice, what I think Erich means by beginning, is that once one is over the very first elementary phase (you can used props or make adjustments (if needed) on your own) most people can do or work toward all the postures in this dvd. There are no inversions or truly pretzel poses in this routine.

This is a simple one-stationary camera production, filmed by Erich in his backyard with his Cosmo flower bed as a backdrop, and a visit from his cat. Even with all that simplicity and homey feel, the poses are approachable as well as powerful and the single 77 min session is designed to move your practice forward increasing strength, focus and flexibility and preparing you for more challenging poses.

For me, it's a real winner! -- Jennifer show less

I have found this book to be the best way for me to come to terms with a pose I'm having trouble with. Until I read and practiced with this book, I hated Downward Dog, and it turned into my favorite pose. There's plenty of information to move into the pose much more deeply; if you want to use your yoga as meditation, this book can help you do that. Whenever I get stuck, this is the book I go to.

One of my teachers must have used Schiffman as a guide, at least in part. As I read about asanas I was familiar with, I could hear her voice in my head, guiding the class through each step.

This is, in my opinion, the best book to start a yoga collection with. Even if you have read a ton of books on yoga you will learn from Erich Schiffmann's descriptions of the elemental poses of yoga.