World Famous Comics: Claudio Droguett Ali MacGraw - Yoga Mind & Body
Claudio Droguett Ali MacGraw - Yoga Mind & Body
Starring: Ali MacGraw, Erich Schiffmann Directed By: Claudio Droguett Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated) Binding: DVD Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC Label: Warner Home Video Number of Items: 1 Region Code: 1 Release Date: December 30, 2003 Running Time: 53 minutes Theatrical Release Date: 1994
Product Description: Amid breathtaking White Sands desert landscapes accompanied by a hypnotic musical score Ali and others demonstrate a dynamic low-impact workout by master Erich Schiffman. Experience the mind/body well-being that comes from Ujjayi breathing the Cat Pose Sun Salutations and 10 more routines. Join the growing number of fitness enthusiasts enjoying the muscle-toning stress-reducing benefits of yoga. Year: 1994 Director: Claudio Droguett Starring: Ali MacGrawRunning Time: 55 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: HEALTH/FITNESS UPC: 085393434427
Amazon.com: Clean white sand and a cool predawn sky are the backdrops for this stunningly produced video, complete with an upbeat New Age soundtrack. Don't be put off by the MTV-like camera work, as this video constitutes an excellent, well-balanced workout. Ali MacGraw and a supporting cast of something-for-everyone models work through this 50-minute routine, overseen by yoga master Erich Schiffman. The first minutes focus on ujjayi breathing, then MacGraw leads us through a complete practice of shoulder stretches, sun salutations, back bends and twists, and standing poses. No equipment is required, but a sticky mat is recommended. Unlike other videos targeted for beginners, Yoga Mind & Body does not offer modifications for difficult poses and so is best suited for practitioners with some previous experience. --Jhana Bach
Inspiring Video for Yoga enthusiasts I first bought Erich's book, and have found that the best all round book on Yoga. What I wanted was to see the pace they go in a standard workout. The video offers that and more. Routines at the back of the book differ slightly to the one presented in the video. However, one gets the exact feel that Erich is trying to achieve. I agree that he has a great voice which fits perfectly over the lovely music. The sand dune backdrop is magnificient. The elegance of the Yoga performers is inspiring. It's almost like Tai Chi. Learning from a video requires patience. It's best to master 10 minutes of the video and build from there if you are a true beginner. There is no quick fix in Yoga. A video is a useful tool, along with daily practice and plenty of reading. Once you learn the routine you can lengthen the workout to suit your own needs. I recommend you buy the book as well. The book is super. Self-learning requires patience with oneself. These videos and books show people that have been doing Yoga for years. The flexiblility is a tribute to their patience and perseverence. Vanda Scarvelli is a prime example of it's never to late to get really flexible.
You Might also like to try out some standing Qi Gong Routines. If you check my reviews I've suggested a few.
Erich Schiffmann's Yoga Mind & Body (Yes Ali MacGraw is there too.) I've had this video since it came out over 10 years ago. It remains a classic. Way back then I was a semi-experienced beginner and it was challenging but very accessible. I still enjoy it today, now that I've had yoga teacher training and all those years of class and practice under my belt.
This is a shortish routine (40+ min. I think) and begins with some back limbering and then precisely executed sun salutations and a lovely vinyasa sequence of standing poses. Then you work into backbends and leg stretches savasana. I know: same ole stuff -- but Schiffmann still makes it look mint fresh.
Some of the camera work is a little dated-arty but I love it. The music is partly by Dead Can Dance -- really wonderful. The setting (White Sands) is exquisite. When we made a trip to White Sands a few years ago I had to do a tree and swaaaay just like Erich said I would.
Still THE best yoga DVD out there, 14 years later This yoga video came out in 1994, so it's among the pioneers in the field of home yoga practice. What's amazing about this video is that it is STILL among the finest ever released in terms of quality, beauty and pure magick.
Ali has been a student of yoga for many years but thankfully, she recognizes that she's not a teacher. The instructor on this video is Eric Schiffman, a renowned teacher who works at the Exhale Center for Sacred Movement in Venice. He has trained thousands and thousands of students over decades, including the very popular yogini Seane Corn (another favorite of mine).
Eric's style is unique in the way he sequences and in his extraordinarily gentle, soothing manner. In some ways, he is the polar opposite of someone like Bryan Kest (whom I adore), because he doesn't talk throughout but when he does, his words and the resonance of his voice seem to add to the feeling of release in every posture, like warm chocolate poured over ice cream...you melt.
This was filmed in the White Sands Desert, so the scenery is breathtaking and it was done on such a professional level, edited beautifully and with such amazing music, I've yet to see a video since that has this level of perfection.
The set begins with slow stretches for the spine on the hands and knees; flowing between cat and dog tilt. After a few moments of very gentle spinal stretches, you come to a standing position for Sun Salutations, done at a comfortable pace that is approachable while still warming the body. This is followed by tree pose (one of my favorites) and then one of Eri'c unique standing pose flows. This seems pretty easy if you're in shape (in terms of vigorousness) but like all of yoga, there is no limit to how deeply you can work inside of this framework, so I always find it challenging enough.
Then the floorwork begins, with a series of back bending poses (locust, full locust, bow) and then flows into what I like to think of as the fine tuning stretches for the legs and hips.
This does not include shoulderstand, camel or any other poses that some people love and some people find intimidating. But what Eric has created in this one hour class is a beautifully balanced series of strength building standing poses and energizing floor poses that leave you entirely supple in the end.
I always light candles when I do this one, whether it's morning or evening, and find that this is a portal to bliss. I can't find a single flaw in this video, and I doubt anyone else would either.
This is not a 2 hour sweaty, asthanga, get your Madonna-arms yoga class. This is true Hatha flow; meditative, moderate, mindful.
You really can't ask for more than this for home practice.
I never get tired of this dvd! I've been using this yoga video since 1994. It is fabulous! No part of it is annoying, unlike other exercise videos that start to grate on your nerves after a while. As a complete beginner, I didn't find it too complicated and it continues to inspire me as my skills have improved. It took me many, many times to stop feeling like an ugly duckling and start to feel like a graceful swan while I was doing the poses. The standing pose flow and the bow pose continue to be my biggest challenges.
This is my third copy I've been doing yoga with this dvd for over 10 years. I've finally worn it out and I'm purchasing a new copy (I gave my spare copy to a friend years ago, and she still uses hers regularly). The reason this is the best yoga video ever is because: 1. the beautiful scenery and visuals (I can relax and zone out while I work out); 2. the perfect yoga music which never gets old (and the music is not just peaceful, it also becomes powerful and motivating during the challenging poses and flows) 3. the sequence and poses always remain challenging; and if you're not up to a full routine you can just do the first 20 minutes (warm up, sun salutations and one balance pose) and be finished with a great work in no time. This dvd is NOT great for someone new to yoga, as it does not focus on teaching yoga. The focus here is on DOING yoga once you've already had professional instruction on all the basic poses.
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