Bryan Kest Power Yoga Complete Collection

Kest teaching style is motivational, yet compassionate.He urges the user to modify the exercises to the user's body type rather than a precise replication of the asana urged by "old school" yoga teachers. Kest understands that most students (especially westerners) cant readily adapt their tight, rigid bodies to an Iyengar level of perfection. For them to do so would put them out of harmony with their body and possibly cause injury and needless duress.I bring this up as one reviewer ( a yoga techer) complained that some of the students in the video were not in perfect form.

Anyway, his video vol 1, is best for those who have some exercise behind them, particularly some yoga.These tapes are based on Ashtanga yoga, the most physically difficult system of yoga. An out of shape beginner will find this tape very challenging.

For those stick with it they will experience a body transformation unlike any exercise program they have or will work with. Hang in there. Youll love the way you look and feel. Namaste A


Rewarding Video   March 16, 2000
61 out of 62 found this review helpful

Reading the varied opinions of this video reminds me that we all have different needs and tastes. That's good. It makes life more interesting. I think this is a beautiful video. I have the series and have thought the producers allocated more of their budget to Video 1 than the others with the idea that "beginners" need more motivation. I liked that the class includes participants who appear to be relatively new to yoga practice. The class members display some variety of strength and flexibility. This was not an easy video for me. The first time I tried it I got through 20 minutes and thought, "No way!" Fortunately, an injury forced me to incorporate some intense stretching into my training or give up my running addiction so I kept at it. Now after more than a year doing Videos 1 & 2 several times a week I am addicted to power yoga too! Just wish these videos were available on DVD. One more thought: I am fairly flexible and had little upper body strength before I began this doing this video. This workout challenges your flexibility, strength and balance. In sharing it with others I have found that it seems more difficult for those with less flexibility to stick with this video in the beginning.


Learn by listening and doing   June 9, 2004
Reine des Coeurs (New York, NY USA)
114 out of 121 found this review helpful

I'm a yoga novice and ever since I purchased this DVD, I have consistently used it three times per week. The first few times I was unable to maintain the poses for long, but I listened carefully to Bryan's instructions and when it got to be too intense, I sat down and watched. He's a wonderful instructor and getting this DVD and learning from it was better than some live yoga classes I'd paid for and been disappointed by.


Bryan's class has changed my life!!   November 19, 2000
Caryn Shalita (Venice, CA USA)
44 out of 45 found this review helpful

I go to Bryan's class about 2-3 times a week and have all 3 of his videos in this series for the days I don't feel like going to class (which truthfully, is not that often!) or for when I am travelling out of town. Bryan's philosophy merged with the asanas of yoga offer the perfect mind-body-spirit workout for those who commit fully to the process. It's not about wrapping your leg around your head, or how far you can extend any single body part--it's about breathing and staying calm throughout incredibly physically challenging moments. You WILL lose weight (and start to relinquish negative body image views and diet-obsessed thinking) You WILL change the shape of your body (and look longer and leaner) You WILL increase your ability to focus in everything you do. But these are all side effects--because when doing the video, the only things that matter are each moment you experience --one by one. ANYONE can benefit from these videos. I took my out-of-shape, but naturally flexible 60 plus year old mother and nearing 70 year old -of-shape, not-at-all flexible father to class and they both liked it and found it useful. The key is that you do what Bryan instructs TO YOUR OWN DEGREE. There is no doing it "right". There's only what's right for you. Bryan teaches you how to approach what that is, and as your body changes and grows, you will find more and more you can get out of each of these videos in the series. Listen to what he says--besides that his voice is soothing and will help you focus, the messages of being loving and aware of your body as you practice are important for people who have been inundated with a no pain no gain, gym mentality approach to exercise for far too long. My only complaint as a person who takes Bryan's classes and practices on an advanced level is that videos are a little short for me--but rather than stress over that (which would be very unyogalike) I just run each section twice! I will never belong to a gym again. I have found what I didn't even know I was looking for-- a non-competitive way to be physically active--since competitive sports never had any thrill for me as someone to whom winning and competing seem overrated. I have also found a sweet, supportive instructor, now friend, who has helped me learn how to change and focus my life and body in ways I couldn't even have imagined until I began my practice in earnest. I cannot encourage more strongly that you check this out and see what it can do for you.


Very Good for this beginner   August 3, 2001
A. Hogan (Brooklyn, NY USA)
28 out of 28 found this review helpful

I approached yoga with the same trepidition I did my first half marathon:why the hell am I doing this? After 5 kids and yeras of running and dance, I have the flexibility of granite. Becoming a human pretzel was not on my dance card. This tape,howvere,radically altered that perception. Kest,who sounds like my neighbor,but is from Detroit,calmly expains and cajoles you into each position. Some people have complained that he talks too much,though I find it reassuring{it IS a beginners tape,after all}. The poses though are not broken down quite as explicitly as I would have liked, though viewing the class{made up of hard bodies,which is daunting and not inspiring} I found following along quite simple. After 3 months of daily practice, I have found my body is quite a bit more flexible, and I can do the positions about 50%{I statred at about 10%,so there has been great improvement}. Kest doesnt seem interested in being anyone guru{which is nice,for a change}, and simply and calmly leads you through this tape. I have done this every day but one the last 3 months, and it is a good strenuous,vigorous workout that you can mine deeper each time. HIGHLY