Power to the Peaceful Yoga
by James Wvinner
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DVD details
Actor: David Life, Michael Franti, Sharon GannonDirector: James Wvinner
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.66:1
Running Time: 85 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2008-01-29
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Acacia
DVD Reviews of Power to the Peaceful Yoga
DVD Review: I like it but I don't...
Summary: 4 Stars
This is for advanced beginners to intermediates because it does move fast and there are NO alignment cues.
What I found to be uncalming: the instructors count during all poses. They had the perfect opportunity to cue instead of saying one...two...three...four...The counting made me a little aggravated during the practice. They could just say, "take 5 breaths."
If you know how to do the poses correctly already, then it's ok not to have alignment cues, although they are always useful.
The practice is just under an hour and there are some nice sequences. They talk a bit rushed because they try to say a lot about being a vegetarian and Earth and other stuff...but no cues.
Overall, I would choose the music only option next time to avoid the counting because I did feel peaceful when the practice was finished. Also, the music was cool and that Michael Franti isn't too tough on the eyes either :)
Buy it if you already know how to perform the basic poses well.
DVD Review: Faster Paced yoga w/David & Sharon then Jivamukti Yoga
Summary: 4 Stars
Rebecca Johnson wrote a great review.
This 52 min. yoga session is a bit more fast paced then their "Transform Yourself with Jivamukti Yoga." The sun salutations are super fast, but they do slow down to hold the standing, twisting, etc. poses. David & Sharon take turns in voice over with telling you the sanscrit & English pose names & 1-2 sentence reminder on where to focus in the pose. This is not for anyone who doesn't know how to do the poses by name. They always tell you when to inhale/exhale, though they don't hold the poses anywhere as long as the Jivamukti Yoga. The pace of their speaking also seems very rushed in the beginning, like they only had the studio for a very short time, but it relaxes as it goes on. They don't count like they did in Jivamukti when holding a pose which is great.
With three people, they will demonstrate three different levels of some of the poses.
The faster paced feel may also be due to the music choices by Michael Franti, a lot of it has a more rock, jazz, etc. music tempo that isn't as soothing, but some might like this more. I do love Engima with it's heavy beat, but this is more regular rock, jazz, etc.
If you're looking for more relaxed pace, Jivamukti Yoga is the better choice, if you're for something that is bit faster paced, this is the better choice.
The ending credits are cool w/most of the production crew getting up to dance & seeing the entire set.
Bonus:
2 music videos
text bios
6 min. Soothing discussion about yoga & society, etc. w/David Life, Sharon Gannon & Michael Franti.
Freeform yoga with Sharon, David & Michael doing more advanced poses.
Video clip of part of the sun salutation that's at the beginning of the workout: "Feel Liberated with Jivamukti Yoga" on youtube
Edit: Yogabear points out there IS counting, which is very true. They just don't do it anywhere as badly as they did in Jivamukti, so it did not bother me much unlike it being the only thing that was highly distracting in Jivamukti. Since the poses are also held for a shorter time, it also doesn't build so it becomes annoying and they won't count every number in succession.
I do agree counting has no place in yoga, the only things you need is to know is in the next breath that you will be coming out of it, and possibly to know you will be holding that pose for a certain amount of time/breaths as you go into it, never more. Any other speaking should be how to do the pose, to be aware of your body, other spiritual reminders, etc., never a feeling that reminds you of a toning or an aerobics class.
DVD Review: balanced and enjoyable yoga routine
Summary: 4 Stars
I appreciate this DVD for its well-balanced approach. It has sun saluttaions, twists, inversions, balance, back bends, forward bends, lunges and standing poses. It feels like a complete session to work on flexibility, balance and strength. On several poses each of the three - Sharon, David and Franti offer a different variation.
It should work well for those looking for just plain asana or those who want some jivamukti philosophy as they do their physical yoga. There is some talking during the yoga session by David and Sharon of their yoga inspired brand of activism, but it isnt excessive. The bulk of the "power to the peaceful" theme is in the special features which I appreciate as I wouldnt want to listen to it every time I do the routine.
The one thing I found odd on the first few occasions was the counting. I associate counting with strength traning reps. David/Sharon count breaths. Most poses are held for five breaths. This is typical of some schools of yoga to hold a pose for a specified number of slow in-out breaths and I suppose counting is a good way to pace yourself, but I still found it strange to hear conting during yoga in almost every pose. I am used to it now. It does not detract from the enjoyment I find from this yoga routine.
I typically like eastern-fusion / middle eastern music with my yoga, but Franti's music works well too. It definitely adds to the mood which is one of happiness. I like the light-heartedness and celebration of life that David and Sharon emanate when they do yoga.
DVD Review: Advanced Yoga Practice
Summary: 3 Stars
"Power to the Peaceful Yoga" is an advanced yoga practice with quite a few challenges. It starts with "fast" sun salutations and then slows down during standing poses. The focus on breathing is cleansing. The workout is done on a stage filled with musical instruments. The music is by Michael Franti who joins Sharon Gannon and David Life for the yoga practice. At the start there is some chanting and singing.
Here are some of the exercises I recognized: Warrior 1 and 2, silver surfer, triangle, seated forward bend, downward dog, upward dog, extended angle, fish, cobra, reclining twist, plough position, bridge, sphinx and locust. Some of the more challenging positions included: crow, warrior 3, blossoming lotus, extended straddle, shooting bow, full wheel headstand and shoulder stand.
For the most part this is a relaxing workout and the music is soothing. The practice ends with a guided relaxations and quick meditation. The meditation would have been better if it was longer and guided like the relaxation segment. I can only recommend this to you if you are intermediate or advanced. This would not be a good place to start learning yoga as there are too many difficult postures for beginners.
~The Rebecca Review
DVD Review: Power to the Peacefull yoga
Summary: 4 Stars
I really love Michael Franti's music and when I found out that he was a yogi too, I had to pursue that as well. I am a yoga teacher in training and found this to be a perfect blend of mind and body asanas. It does go rather fast like in a vinyasa flow and because of that I wouldn't recommend it to a beginner. It is something I look forward to working with every day.
Description of Power to the Peaceful Yoga
Musician, activist, and founder of the 911 Power to the Peaceful Festival, Michael Franti joins his favorite yoga teachers, Jivamukti s David Life and Sharon Gannon, as they lead a vigorous instructional practice set to his original music.Fitness DVDs
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