| The various postures of yoga have long been used as | | | | tape is far too strenuous for those who aren't |
| a basis for the stretching moves that are prescribed | | | | extremely fit. You can tell that Blanchard isn't very |
| for athletes or used in other forms of exercise. It's no | | | | interested in newcomers to yoga because he ignores |
| surprise, then, that a flood of yoga tapes is hitting the | | | | the poor, fumbling fellow in the back row who has little |
| market. | | | | flexibility. |
| There are tapes for Olympic-level athletes and tapes | | | | Despite these deficiencies, this tape is wonderfully |
| for rank beginners. There are tapes that will challenge | | | | challenging and effective workout, judging by the |
| your strength and endurance, and tapes that will lull you | | | | sweat that pours off the members of the class. But |
| into blissful relaxation. The various postures of yoga | | | | unless you're already in good shape -- and by the |
| have long been used as a basis for the stretching | | | | standards of this tape, that means you can do |
| moves that are prescribed for athletes or used in | | | | push-ups, balance easily on one leg and have abs of |
| other forms of exercise. It's no surprise, then, that a | | | | steel -- you'll be better off with an easier tape. |
| flood of yoga tapes is hitting the market. | | | | Yoga Zone: Power Yoga for Strength and Endurance |
| There are tapes for Olympic-level athletes and tapes | | | | This routine provides a great introduction to the |
| for rank beginners. There are tapes that will challenge | | | | strength-building postures of power yoga. It's taught by |
| your strength and endurance, and tapes that will lull you | | | | Lisa Bennett, who leads two exercisers through the |
| into blissful relaxation. | | | | 55-minute class. |
| Here's a look at four yoga tapes, from the most | | | | One exerciser is a beginner; the other is more |
| difficult to the most basic. The only thing you need to | | | | advanced. Beginners will be heartened to see that |
| get started is comfortable clothes and a non-skid | | | | Bennett devotes plenty of time to helping Gina, the |
| surface like a sticky mat. | | | | beginner, find modified versions of the postures that |
| Embracing Power Yoga | | | | allow her to complete every segment of the routine. |
| This tape, led by Los Angeles instructor-to-the-stars | | | | And veterans can learn much from her work with |
| Mark Blanchard, is the yoga version of boot camp. It's | | | | Charles as she guides him into more challenging |
| 85 challenging minutes of constant movement | | | | moves. |
| designed to build strength and endurance, with | | | | One of Bennett's major strengths is her ability to |
| Blanchard leading a class of 13 men and women. | | | | provide clear, detailed descriptions of proper form, |
| The tape is billed as appropriate for all levels, and | | | | from the angle of a bent knee to the direction of an |
| there's a 5-minute segment at the beginning that offers | | | | extended arm. |
| a quick summary of how to do many of the basic | | | | Though there's hard work to be done in this routine, |
| yoga poses in the tape. | | | | Bennett's comforting tone and understanding |
| But that's not enough for novices, and the rest of the | | | | demeanor make it pleasurable. |