Bryan Kest Power Yoga Complete Collection
by Randee St. Nicholas
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DVD details
Actor: Bryan KestDirector: Randee St. Nicholas
Brand: Warner Brothers
Producer: Diane Isaacs
Producer: John Hopgood
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 162 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2004-05-11
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Model: 34466
Studio: Warner Home Video
Product features:
- Feel the power. Be the power! Unlock the strengthening, slimming, detoxifying and re-energizing of Power Yoga. Bryan Kest leads you in a vigorous workout based on the robust Ashtanga style of Yoga.Three programs on one DVD: Energize, Tone, Sweat Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: HEALTH/FITNESS Rating: NR Age: 085393446628 UPC: 085393446628 Manufacturer No: 34466
DVD Reviews of Bryan Kest Power Yoga Complete Collection
DVD Review: loving this series for over 10 years
Summary: 5 Stars
I used to practice this yoga series back when it was only on HVS and was thrilled to be able to update that and buy it now on DVD.
Bryan seems to inspire both sides of the spectrum in terms of reponses to his teaching, which is interesting. There's no right or wrong when it comes to a person's experience, but let me offer my own two cents on why I love these classes so much.
First, let me say that I tend to have a touch of reverse discrimination when it comes to overly-hunky or attractive teachers that seem like models rather than true practitioners. Granted, that's judgmental, but I'm saying this to illustrate that Bryan's long hair and attractive physicality and shirtless yoga stud thing was something he had to work against in me. Bu honestly, it's not even a thought in my head, nor has it been for many years, because I love the way Bryan teaches. He has a sense of humor but he also teaches things I think are universal and so healing, like reminding you throughout the class that you need to stay out of your ego, remembering that no two people are going to look the same in the poses, and that our bodies are not meant to conform to the poses, they are meant to conform to our bodies. His reassurance that if you are feeling something good and breathing deep you are doing the class perfectly is a constant reminder to stay present, listen to your body and allow the depth to come over time. How people miss that and label this as a dangerous class I don't know?
I have had a history of back problems since high school, so I'm particularly sensitive to that issue in all things. My personal favorites are the first two sets, which I personally have no problem completing in terms of back safety. Again, this goes back to listening to your body because while he is guiding you into something like camel pose, you are the one who determines how far you go.
I will agree that it's not a series I would recommend for absolute beginners; I'd say this is for advanced beginners, intermediates and beyond. I also think the varying levels represented in his class are inspiring and lovely; not everyone does the poses like contortionists, but some are very experienced practitioners and why should they be excluded from the video? Personally I like to see that. It doesn't make me feel "less than" because I'm not built that way, it just seems rather beautiful, although after the initial viewing I'm not sure why anyone is looking at the screen anyway? But I notice at least one practitioner in each class who is using modifications to make the poses approachable.
As for how Bryan physically corrects students, having been to his live classes, I've never felt there was inappropriate touching going on there. The fact that he uses the same technique for helping a male and a female student to release more deeply within a pose tells me it's not about sexuality at all. This reminds me of the objections to Ana Brett's choice of clothing in her DVD series, and I have to wonder why the puritanical residue when it comes to working with the human body?
Certainly, not every teacher will resonate for every person. I respect Rodney Yee tremendously but I'm not a big fan of his teaching style or videos. I see why others like them, but they just don't speak to me. And that's ok.
I have to wonder, with reading comments from people who really hate this series and speak of it being dangerous and back issues, if they are pushing too far or ignoring their own bodies? I don't see how a teacher could be more clear and supportive about honoring when you need to take a break and only going as far as you can comfortably, because it's your class and it can all be as easy as you want it to be...I'm almost quoting verbatim here.
There's a narrow perception out there of what a yoga teacher should look like or sound like. I feel you can teach a beautiful and transformative class without the need for such severity and austerity, as Bryan does. His personality shines through as it does for all teachers, so it comes down to whether you click with that personality. I love that he makes me smile during yoga. In his live classes, we laugh out loud all the time. It's a lovely way of releasing tension, but the yoga is pure, as is his background and training.
Needless to say, I love these classes. I find the warm up to be ample and effective, I love the sequencing, the music and the comments. I've found the concept of honoring where you are, because you're already there, so helpful in my life off the mat. So many things he says are now intertwined with my practice no matter who is teaching, and they support my experience in the world. Isn't that what yoga is all about? To yoke, to join...union? That's what I get from Bryan's classes.
My favorite aspect of this series is the way I feel inside throughout and afterwards; peaceful, self accepting, patient, focused. The physical benefits of increased strength, releasing tension and allowing energy to flow are all secondary for me.
But in a collection of over 30 yoga DVDs of all styles, this is still my all time favorite and I suspect it always will be.
Description of Bryan Kest Power Yoga Complete Collection
1. Energize - Beginner LevelFeel the power. Be the power. Unlock the strengthening, slimming, detoxifying and reenergizing of Power Yoga. Bryant Kest leads you in vigorous workout based on the robust Ashtanga style of yoga.
"If you're doing the best you can, you're doing this class perfectly," Kest explains. After instructions on proper breathing, the session begins, taking you and an on-screen class through a variety of flowing, dynamic exercises (salutation, lungs, balancing, spinal stretches and more) augmented by Kest's demonstrations of the poses.
2. Tone - Intermediate Level
Challenge your muscular strength aerobic endurance, flexibility, balance and mental stamina with Tone.
An innovative series of lunge moves provides the primary activity in this workout that emphasizes finding your personal edge - the maximal yoga pose that still permits proper yogic breathing. Kest guides you and an in-studio class in a total-body regime that helps maintain flexibility and suppleness while building strength and well-being. Features comprising various poses are described so that you can add elements as you become more adept.
3. Sweat - Advanced Level
Looking for an advanced yoga routine? Then get ready to sweat.
"This program is definitely challenging," Kest admits about this maximal power-up session that builds upon the strength, stamina and flexibility cultivated in the first two Power Yoga programs, combining a vigorous lung series with extended standing balance and floor stretch moves, the routine flows from one pose to the next while working toward total body/mind harmony. The brisk pace provides instruction, encouragement and commentary to assist you and the on-screen class.
Anyone wanting to get in shape like the stars need go no further than Bryan Kest's home-video workouts. Kest teaches wildly popular yoga classes in Santa Monica, California--so popular that stars like Rhea Perlman, David Duchovny, and Elisabeth Shue willingly sweat alongside the hoi polloi in Kest's packed, ancient loft studio. If you don't happen to be in the neighborhood, not to worry: Kest's yoga videos are nearly as good as being there. Volume 1, Energize, is a beginner-level class that nonetheless is smartly designed to provide challenges for all levels of users. Kest's Jersey-boy voice at first seems in contrast to the serene environment and inner-peace objectives, but it gradually becomes soothing and hypnotic in its own right. Stretches and strengthening moves are alternated with just enough repose to keep even first timers on track. After mastering Vol. 1, practitioners can go on to Volume 2, Tone, in which Kest turns up the intensity, holding a variety of twisting poses for long stretches of time. It's OK to take it easy, rest, or modify the routines to your ability, which is part of the reason the tape is so useful. You won't be turned off as a beginner-to-intermediate practitioner, but there's plenty of room to challenge yourself as an advanced athlete, too.
Volume 3, Sweat, is a slightly shorter version of the challenging class Kest teaches in person. There are still all the gentle, firm admonitions to listen to your body, not to feel competitive with anyone else in how you do the pose (and as long as you heed them, you'll do fine). But Kest combines the classic warm-ups and longer-hold poses with a rapid succession of sun salutes, which will be gratifying to the advanced yoga student, but may make a first timer feel as though he dropped in to a Rockettes rehearsal by mistake. But if you keep at it, the workout is very easy to follow, and Kest's gentle, gruff voice is so soothing you find yourself relaxing even as you're pushing your body to its limits. As long as you keep in mind his personal mantra--"If you're doing the best you can, you're doing this class perfectly"--you and Kest should have many satisfying years of workouts together. --Anne Hurley
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