Bryan Kest – Power Yoga for Weight Loss
This video is from the latest (2002) series from Bryan Kest, after his exceptionally popular Power Yoga series: Energize, Tone and Sweat. In the “Bryan Kest-Power Yoga for Weight Loss” video, Bryan creates a unique cardiovascula. . . More >>
Bryan Kest – Power Yoga for Weight Loss
I’m a Denise Austin junky, and have lately been trying to venture out into new territory. After reading the reviews of this tape and learning a bit about Bryan Kest, I thought I’d give this tape a try. I’m so sorry I did. I feel like it was such a waste of money. First of all, unlike what someone else said, the flow DOES stop — all the time. He leaves you for what seems like an eternity in, for example, the downward facing dog pose while he rambles on and on about his yoga philosophy. Meanwhile, I just wanted to get MOVING! Which is why I bought this tape! Secondly, the poses are definitely more about building strength than movement and burning calories. I’m all about strength building, but, again, that is not why I bought this particular tape. And even as a strength building routine, I think it fails. He spends far too much time on poses that seem only to work your quadricep muscles. The rest of my body felt quite ignored and unhappy! Only my thighs were burning — that’s it. I also must say — I don’t like this guy’s style at all. I’ve never seen an exercise tape where the instructor didn’t demonstrate any of the poses himself. Apparently, this guy just loves the sound of his own voice. Also, while he talks a lot about not comparing yourself to others and taking things at your own pace, he placed an obviously ultra-experienced yoga practictioner right in the front of the group, and the camera really focuses on her A LOT. She is one of the most incredibly limber and advanced students I’ve ever seen. Watching her does make you feel bad, and it encouraged me to push myself beyond my limit, which is exactly what he’s telling you NOT to do. So okay, maybe it’s me, but overall I thought this was a very UNbalanced routine, stopping the movement too often to focus on his little speeches about yoga (which I found borderline insulting), and focusing far too much on only one muscle group of the body. Can I get my money back?
Rating: 1 / 5
The tape was challenging, but possible. I liked Bryan’s philosophy and queing.
Rating: 5 / 5
I was beginning to wear out my Energize/Tone/Sweat videos, so I’m glad now to have another routine I can start incorporating into my yoga regimen. I have never felt better doing Bryan Kest yoga routines, nor have I felt healthier. He really gets to the heart of mental as well as physical health. This tape gets me to work out as vigorously as the first three, and has a nicely challenging flow between movements. I can tell I’m burning calories. Oh yea, and I like the haircut! Thank you, Bryan, for contributing to my health!
Rating: 5 / 5
I started with the Energize, Sweat & Tone tapes and was a bit intimidated that I couldn’t master all the moves and gracefully jump back into the positions as fast as everyone else. I really loved this tape. . . and the sculpting tape too. I felt that the modifications were good and in many cases I was able to complete the poses without modifications. I feel this tape is challenging enough to keep me motivated, yet, not too challenging that I can’t complete the moves. . . . I have something to work toward. I also enjoy the fact that he talks you through everything, the breathing, feeling comfortable in your own space and working through your practice at your own pace. If you are an expert in your yoga practice this is probably not for you, but if you are beginner/intermediate, I think you will find this tape a good addition to your yoga practice. Pay attention to your breathing and you will come away with a great workout that works your body and also calms you.
Rating: 4 / 5
Like the Intensive Body Sculpting tape, this tape tries to introduce Yoga to people used to mainstream fitness tapes. I can’t say if it succeeds, or if it would be comfortable for someone who is tremendously overweight to do the tape. What I can say is that it is a great workout for many shapes of people and a great change of pace for those who are used to more traditional yoga practice. What makes this tape unique in my experience is that Bryan repeats the movements into and out of poses several times before holding the pose. This builds up a lot of heat and challenges your muscles and balance in a whole new way. Even experienced students will likely be sweating hard and feeling challenged by this unfamiliar mode of practice. He also throws some of the newer poses from this series of tapes into this one as well, and they really work in new ways to strengthen and stretch your body. One thing is for sure, if you breathe deeply, release your self-criticism and move along with the tape, you will really heat up, sweat and feel great. Maybe that’s the beginning of something beyond just losing weight.
Rating: 5 / 5