Whilst I fully understand and respect the viewpoint, that you should always where possible work with a yoga teacher.However, I am sure there are many people who practice yoga or would like to practise yoga, where that is perhaps not an option.These people are often left with no option to either practice from a book or DVD.With that in mind, has anyone achieved their goals by following a DVD? Personally, I am about to embark on my own journey of recovery, by following a Viniyoga DVD by Gary Kraftsow.
Yep! I learned from and practice yoga regularly with DVDs. It’s been the best thing ever for me. I even have two Gary Kraftsow viniyoga dvds, the upper & lower body ones.
A teacher!!! a DVD cannot correct/adjust you, a DVD cannot give you specific individual attention…you could be doing the asanas or movements incorrectly…you could be working in an ineffective or possibly harmful way.
Try and go to a teacher…at least occasionally so that you can have that teacher guide you so that you can then practice alone in a safe and effective way.
I started my journey because of a DVD series that included a Power Yoga workout.After completing the total course I decided that I would take the plunge and join a yoga studio as I enjoyed what yoga did for me.
I was lucky in that the DVD instructor did a good job of explaining the basics and so when I joined the studio I was able to just slide into the course.
However, the depth of instruction at my studio far far exceeds what I was getting from the DVD. The adjusting and correcting and sometimes understanding the why of a pose has enhanced my practice way beyond where I could ever get on my own.
Saying that, I also travel internationally and this precludes me going to the studio sometimes. So I pull out my old DVD or go to an online site where they stream yoga workouts and I can do this in my hotel room. In this way I can keep myself toned up and in tune.
So I believe that DVD’s can play a role in someone’s overall practice, but if you want to grow and keep learning there is no substitute for a good teacher.
Cheers!
With that in mind, has anyone achieved their goals by following a DVD?
While I can’t say I’ve achieved my goal(s), I did start my journey with DVD’s. While it was not full of specific instruction, it did gently guide me through my practice. After about a year, I noticed how differently I felt - within. It was then I started reading everything I could get my hands on. But still, had only attended perhaps 1-2 yoga classes. Went to teacher training and was actually surprised at what I knew and very thankful that no matter how I began my journey, what mattered most is that I did.
Teachers are numerous. Good teachers are not. Obviously, beginning yoga with a good and experienced teacher is preferable. If you don’t have access to a good teacher, DVD’s from reputable teachers, good books, websites of master teachers (often times they have tutorial video’s) and this site can get you started until you find a good teacher. Depending on location, finding a good teacher may not be possible at all. And it should not stop you from beginning your journey.
[QUOTE=lotusgirl;82477]While I can’t say I’ve achieved my goal(s), I did start my journey with DVD’s. While it was not full of specific instruction, it did gently guide me through my practice. After about a year, I noticed how differently I felt - within. It was then I started reading everything I could get my hands on. But still, had only attended perhaps 1-2 yoga classes. Went to teacher training and was actually surprised at what I knew and very thankful that no matter how I began my journey, what mattered most is that I did.
Teachers are numerous. Good teachers are not. Obviously, beginning yoga with a good and experienced teacher is preferable. If you don’t have access to a good teacher, DVD’s from reputable teachers, good books, websites of master teachers (often times they have tutorial video’s) and this site can get you started until you find a good teacher. Depending on location, finding a good teacher may not be possible at all. And it should not stop you from beginning your journey.[/QUOTE]
I think the above advice is absolutely spot on! Thank you Lotusgirl.“Teachers are numerous, good ones are not” And herein lies the sharp end of the discussion. Is a poor teacher better than an excellent DVD? 
[QUOTE=cymru;82479]I think the above advice is absolutely spot on! Thank you Lotusgirl.“Teachers are numerous, good ones are not” And herein lies the sharp end of the discussion. Is a poor teacher better than an excellent DVD? ;-)[/QUOTE]
Good question. In the past 9 months I feel that I have learned yoga from using good DVDs. I’m glad that I had the DVDs before going to class. Although my teacher has been helpful she fails to give instruction on how to breath with the movement. I’m very thankful for good yoga dvds, but I adore the energy of a live class. In my opinion both can be good.
That’s a really good question. Personally, I’ve found working in a classroom setting to be much more beneficial than any DVD I’ve used for two reasons:
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The feedback is essential especially for me. It’s true that is necessary to find a good teacher and money is definitely a factor for many people but even a “bad” yoga teacher will most likely have the ability to notice if you are doing a pose in a way that could possibly injure you. Especially for beginners I think a teacher is the better choice (though that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t practice yoga if you don’t have access to a teacher or a yoga class)
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I find that I have more motivation in a classroom setting. When I do my poses alone I am less likely to hold them for long periods of time. When I am around many people, carrying the same energy, I push myself farther (respecting my body of course). The energy of the others in the room is part of why I love yoga so much. It makes me not only feel connected to myself but to others in the room.
One thing I do like to use rather than DVDs for my home practice is a book. I find that yoga books give way more detailed instructions than a DVD. I memorize the instructions and do the pose on my own.
[QUOTE=supmjay;82496]That’s a really good question. Personally, I’ve found working in a classroom setting to be much more beneficial than any DVD I’ve used for two reasons:
-
The feedback is essential especially for me. It’s true that is necessary to find a good teacher and money is definitely a factor for many people but even a “bad” yoga teacher will most likely have the ability to notice if you are doing a pose in a way that could possibly injure you. Especially for beginners I think a teacher is the better choice (though that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t practice yoga if you don’t have access to a teacher or a yoga class)
-
I find that I have more motivation in a classroom setting. When I do my poses alone I am less likely to hold them for long periods of time. When I am around many people, carrying the same energy, I push myself farther (respecting my body of course). The energy of the others in the room is part of why I love yoga so much. It makes me not only feel connected to myself but to others in the room.
One thing I do like to use rather than DVDs for my home practice is a book. I find that yoga books give way more detailed instructions than a DVD. I memorize the instructions and do the pose on my own.[/QUOTE]
I really like the comment about the common energy in the room. There is something about a class that carries a sense of community, if even only an hour long session.
[QUOTE=yogacambodia;82473]A teacher!!! a DVD cannot correct/adjust you, a DVD cannot give you specific individual attention…you could be doing the asanas or movements incorrectly…you could be working in an ineffective or possibly harmful way.
Try and go to a teacher…at least occasionally so that you can have that teacher guide you so that you can then practice alone in a safe and effective way.[/QUOTE]
+1. For prana to flow there must be propper alignment …imho
Private lessons are another option …I have a home pratice a studio pratice and private lesson pratice ,
Cheers
I recently bought Garys’s videos and they are awesome. I often recommend them to people who are suffering from upper/lower back pain and anxiety who would otherwise never be talked into going to a real yoga class.
I started my journey with books. The practice was so profound from day one that my life was oriented to the yoga north star almost immediately… but teachers in my area were scarce and it was hard to locate anyone consistently available or that could answer well any questions. I used books, dvds and the internet (anything and everything) to crawl my way through information and eventually found teachers and organizations that spoke to me enough to travel to for study. I recognize the value of a teacher who can adequately reflect back to me, but I still practice alone and only visit my teacher once a year or less. It is a testament to the value of a good teacher, however, that makes it possible to be alone and yet still feel supported. The tradition I have studied in is adaptive and therapeutic. I can build my own practices or use DVDs and adjust the practices to what my body and mind are feeling. I was lucky that my books instilled function over form and intuition over adherence from day one, or I’d probably be lost. So… in response to the original post - I’m glad that you have chosen these videos to embark on your journey. These therapeutic practices are powerful when practiced correctly, so make sure you watch all the starter videos and I also suggest picking up one of his books, or the Heart of Yoga by TKV desikachar as both of these will give you more insight into the philosophies of breathing and movement that go behind that DVD. If you find that is is helping you, I highly suggest finding a teacher within his lineage to study with, even if you can only make it for a weekend. They’re masters at creating and developing individualized home practices that work with your body/mind specific needs. The therapeutic videos are outstanding, but they’re definitely not the best that he can offer.