Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Excellent intro or supplement
This is an excellent DVD that I used as an introduction to yoga, and that I continue to use two or three times a week to supplement my yoga studio classes.The movements are largely stretches, with none of the "huffing and puffing" that more intense yoga can require. The teachers are very responsible about showing alternate poses when needed. The standing poses helped me with my initial balance so that I was able to sustain more challenging poses in my studio classes. The production values are very good, and the audio quality is great. Many yoga teachers encourage the use of home yoga videos and DVDs, but recommend listening to them more than watching them (after you're familiar with the sequence, of course); with audio instructions only, you're more likely to focus on your own body rather than trying to mimic the "perfect" teachers. This DVD has great sound quality and instruction, and I'm able to turn away from the TV and listen only. I recommend this DVD for yoga beginners, and for yoga intermediates looking for a light 20-minute program on days they can't attend longer classes.
Rating: - a great start to yoga practice - props helpful
I discovered this about eight months ago, and it's the only exercise program I've been able to stick with since high school. I'm not terribly fond of the Stress Relief section-- Suzanne Deason's voice annoys me, and I frequently get lost following her instructions-- but I truly enjoy the AM and PM segments. Even when I've fallen off the yoga path for several weeks, I can get right back into it with the PM workout, without much pain or grief. I don't even sit facing the screen anymore-- it's easy to internalize the sequence of postures. It's great as an occasional stress release or as a nightly routine, and props are not essential, in my opinion. The AM workout is fast-paced, and you will want to watch it at least once before attempting to do the workout, (most workout tapes say this on the label, but this time they really mean it!) but once you catch on, it gets you energized to start the day. I enjoy the faster-paced moves, but it's definitely up to you to choose the style that fits you best. The triple set on one DVD is also a good value for the price, but the biggest drawback of this product is that two out of three workouts on this disc do require props to complete, at least for most beginners. I was fairly flexible going in, but large sections of the AM and stress relief workout are nearly impossible without a strap in particular.
Rating: - I LOVE this DVD
Before I had a DVD player, I purchased the VHS set of AM/PM Yoga, which I really enjoyed. Once I upgraded to DVD, this was my first yoga purchase. I was already familiar with Rodney Yee and Patricia Walden's sections, so I knew I would enjoy those workouts. Each is perfect for the time of day it addresses; Rodney's AM Yoga is a wonderful way to wake up and revitalize in the morning, while Patricia's PM Yoga really helps me relax and wind down in the evening. However, my enjoyment of both was greatly augmented when I started practicing Suzanne Deason's Stress Relief segment. I was not too familiar with using props, except for the strap part in AM Yoga, before I got this DVD. Since using the Stress Relief workout, as well as the How to Use Props feature, I am able to implement the strap and blocks into the other workouts to make the poses more effective for me. I use this DVD daily, choosing whichever workout I have time to fit into my busy day. I would highly recommend it to any yoga practitioner who enjoys the Iyengar methodology used by all three instructors.
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