Yoga Boost: Beginner's Yoga System For Men And Women Who Don't Normally Do Yoga, With Modifications For The Inflexible. Build Muscle, Lose Weight, Soothe Sore Muscles, and Relieve Stress.

I absolutely love this DVD, seriously I can't even rave enough about it. I've had it for a little over a week and by day 3 I noticed a big difference with my body, I wasn't as stressed or achey, my tension headaches were nearly gone and I slept better than I have in YEARS, considering I suffer from insomnia, this was an unexpected treat. He's very easy to follow, has a soothing, patient tone and really explains each step and how it helps your body while also showing different modifications for any injuries or discomfort you may have. I have a fairly small at-home gym DVD collection ranging from P90x to Zumba to Julienne Micheals and this is probably my absolute favorite. I've tried yoga before and always felt disappointed having spent more time pausing the videos than actually participating because they were too fast paced and didn't explain wth was happening which makes this DVD so awesome, there isnt any of that, in fact, I look forward to it and have started using it 2x a day! There isn't any background music which I think is great, some might not but it isnt hard to pop some on at home if that's your thing. I find it feels more intimate, or personal, like you would with an actual face to face trainer, I can hear what he's saying and learn and grow without all that distraction that's in EVERY excersise DVD I've come across. There's 4 different segments, the very first is an in depth session on all the moves but is still a workout, just the launching pad for the rest of the DVD so you don't have to struggle to figure it out even though he stays very in depth through all segments, the 2nd and 3rd are more workout, I've sweat and felt my muscles shake from the challenge but not in that I'm-going-to-throw-up-a-lung type way which I'm so over, mentally and physically, I just don't want to feel that super intense strain on my body anymore. The 4th is a de-stress segment, for after another workout or whenever you need to just relax and stretch your muscles after a crappy day,I wouldnt say it's a "work out" but I totally recommend, I use it daily. All the aches and pains I grew used to and ignored are essentially gone, I don't feel like I'm a 100 yrs old anymore, I feel happier and healthier, less broken and weighed down. It's been fanstastic! Oh, also a little quick background on me if that'll help you decide if this is for you - I'm a 29yo work-at-home mom/step mom, my husband and I have 8 kids ranging from 19 to 7, I've always loved working out but the past couple years I've really let myself go by being too busy or too tired and I gained 80 lbs during that time, ish! I've since lost some of that weight but still felt bored and restless by my other workout DVDs and this is exactly what I needed to keep me going and really I guess, aside from saying hey, try it, it's awesome, I also wanted to say thanks.

My Situation--A 51 yr old woman working towards getting back to the advanced fitness level I was prior to cancer treatment two years ago. A "home gym" fitness junkie, my menu included Cathe Friedrich, P90x, Insanity, etc. I also have a very physically challenging job that was beginning to feel even More SO than usual. Plus, sporting more weight than I'd like due to slowing down. Having returned to weight training and various cardios, I decided to stop ignoring the one thing I never liked--stretching and slowing down for balance and functionality. I have always admired yoga as the valid art form that it is for wellness; those who practice certainly exhibit the evidence! I had no patience, and also was turned off by some of the dreamier and "hypnotic" presentations available. I like this guy--his instruction is detailed, focused and constant--something I needed in terms of getting the most out of Why and what is supposed to be happening during the poses. It makes me focus on all the details of the movements and poses and makes it a more active, productive event for me. The modifications are plentiful and he actively demonstrates them instead of merely describing them. His language is straightforward and non-scary. And how I feel after having done all of the flows in rotation now for weeks, in conjunction with my weight training and cardio cross-training is exceptionally better than my die-hard approach before. The overall result is a more well rounded, flexible state because the yoga unifies and enhances the benefits of the two pieces. As he states, it enhances the benefits of the traditional training and also helps fill in the blanks that are missing; i.e. imbalances that one tends to ignore such as one rotater is tighter than another. And then it helps address them:) Now I view the rest days as productive and important, and look forward to purposeful movement that makes me feel better and stronger. I'm embracing the added dimension of yoga as the essential piece to my fitness plan on my way to getting back in shape. I wish I had done that years ago; could have skipped a lot of inexplicable soreness. I appreciate his presentation in every way, and have purchased the other two programs as well.

I do yoga at the studio every now and then, so I thought this beginner DVD was the right spot for me. It definitely is for pure beginners. Anyone who hasn't done yoga at all before would benefit from this. He shows your proper form and get you into poses anyone can work on. I should have purchased something a little more advanced. Even a few classes a year was enough to surpass this dvd. I think what would have made this 5 stars is if at least one of the 4 classes was a little more advanced.

Not just for men. Yoga is definitely a way to get much stronger and look better in a tight T-shirt, for men and women. If you've wanted to try yoga, but don't want to go to a studio for reasons of availability, money or embarrassment, this is a great way to start. A clear demonstration of postures for yoga beginners, and the more advanced, too. Dean clearly explains and demonstrates what to do. Variations for people of differing strength and flexibility are given. He shows how to use a block for people who can't reach the floor standing (you will be able to, soon.) The postures are basic to yoga, but chosen to exercise and strengthen all body parts. These sequences are challenging enough to be useful to anybody, but not get boring with repetition; every workout there is always another millimeter to stretch or another 10 seconds to hold a posture. In a yoga class with lots of students, the instructor doesn't have time to repeat things, and a beginner can lose track of what they are supposed to be doing quickly. It took me months in a big class to realize I wasn't doing some important things, not easily visible to the instructor, correctly. With Guyoga, anybody can rewind and listen again to the instructor, to learn the poses faster. This would be good not only for people wanting to do yoga, but as a great entry-level workout for almost anybody.

Yoga is introduced in a manner that is easy to imitate and after a few weeks I have indeed noticed improved balance and strength in my arms, abs, and legs. Unfortunately I have also managed to aggravate an old lower back injury with this DVD--I think I have been getting too deep into the poses and my back pain has worsened, not improved! My spine pops a lot now, and it's making me nervous! I noticed that even he has a lot of LOUD popping of joints as he steps and bends, so I'm a little worried that there is something a bit off with the routine. I think this was worth getting to start off, allowing me to learn the poses and movements, but I think it has way too much spine work, and could easily result in another bad injury if I'm not careful. I think I will try adapting the workouts--and keep the back stretches very, very limited.

I stumbled across BBY on Amazon, and so very thankful that I did. I’m not a man, but Dean’s “man yoga” is exactly what I’ve been looking for all along – yoga for fitness without the all of the “yoga” hoopla. I am really enjoying his style. He is very likable and easy to listen to (and look at for that matter … a bonus for the ladies ;). For me, there is nothing annoying to get in my way, which is why I’d abandoned yoga so many times before. Dean provides the perfect amount of clear instruction, explanation on technique, why you’re doing it, what you should (and shouldn’t) feel, injury prevention, modifications (for both easier AND more of a challenge), etc. These are great work outs for building strength, balance and flexibility. He’s even cool enough that my teens (daughter and son) want to do it with me. I’m only three+ weeks in, and can already tell a huge difference in my strength, see daily progress / growth in my ability and balance. My son is very athletic, and I love that this appeals to him too. About me: I’m 51, 5’3”, right at 120 lbs, and although I’m not much overweight, I am out of shape right now (strength and muscle tone). I’ve spent the last 18 years having babies and raising kids, without consistent exercise. I positively don’t have time to go somewhere every day, and although I do like group exercise, a group of women is not my thing. I quit running, and exercise in general, about 4 years ago after a fall down the back stairs caused torn ligaments in my knee and ankle, along with multiple broken bones in my foot. I have mild arthritis (hands, knees, and left hip), and know that osteoporosis is a concern for me. I have always been, and still am very limber, but have never been able to do a push-up and balancing poses are a challenge! For a number of reasons, I’m done with running and high impact, but need and enjoy fast walking, strength conditioning, weights, flexibility, balance training etc. My first goal is to be able to do push-ups. Anyway, I’ve found the right “guy”, I can fit this in everyday before my shower, and I’m really enjoying the workouts. I started with Boost, and very quickly purchased Yoga Strong (more challenging for me than Yoga Boost) and Yoga Edge. I will likely add the variety of workouts available through the Man Flow Yoga online membership once I progress further. I have always struggled with upper body strength and have never been able to do real push ups, but can see that I am really making significant progress with my upper body strength and with the balance poses in only a short time. I was looking around on the BBY / MFY website when I found a recent post with information and videos on how to diagnose your balance issues, and specific exercises to do to help. Dean has a lot of great resources out there and puts a lot of thought into addressing issues you might be having (both in the video workouts and online). He makes you feel very comfortable and normal if it’s hard or you can’t quite get it, and offers up encouragement and suggestions. I really like that he provides constant reminders and instruction what muscles to engage and how to increase the intensity of the pose. I’m so impressed and pleased with his method and the workouts. The production of the video may not be exactly perfect, but it’s good, and Dean is awesome, so I’m thrilled and would recommend him (and this video) without hesitation. Just try it, and stick with it. You will see results! ps: I have three senior women in my life in their 70's-early 80's. None of them could do this. The workouts on this DVD are not that kind of beginner workout. A certain amount of overall fitness, balance (stability), and mobility are required. The purchase of this video does give you access to YogaStart (online video free of additional charge), which is yoga using a chair (for absolute beginners). This same video workout is available for purchase on Amazon digitally (for streaming or download), but does not seem to be available for purchase in DVD format. Even so, with using a chair, some of it still is not doable for the seniors in my life. I'm too concerned with their balance and fear of them falling. I wish that Dean would do a DVD just for less fit older seniors with very limited mobility using a chair ... whatever that may look like (not much I'm sure, but better than nothing for some of them). My senior women wouldn't stream anything from a computer or TV, even with me setting it up and showing them how. Guess it is what it is.

I am a woman who just received this dvd 2 days ago and have already used it twice. Don't let the picture on the front fool you, this is GREAT for women! I LOVE IT! I am a complete beginner to yoga, have never done it before so I didn't know what to expect and was a little nervous. The instructor is very clear and thorough in explaining the positions and the benefit of each position. I've done all 4 workouts on the dvd and each one of them is excellent and unique in their own way. I suffer from disc degeneration in my lower back and after only 2 workouts I can feel my back becoming stronger without putting any stress or pain on it. I never thought I could be so sore from yoga, I feel like I just spent all day at the gym, but instead got to enjoy (yes ENJOY) this workout from the comforts of my home where there is no judgement. I look forward to continuing the use of this dvd in hopes of strengthening my body and my confidence. Thank you, Body By Yoga for such a great, uplifting workout regimen. I highly recommend anyone looking to try yoga to give this dvd a try. You won't regret it!

I bought this DVD for my husband who is overweight and inflexible; it did not work for him. He couldn't do at least half of the poses. His belly does get in the way of a lot of yoga poses, and so I have since looked for a "plus-size" yoga video for him (granted, all the ones I've found so far are for women). However, I have enjoyed this yoga video. It's a good 30-minute workout for me. I am not experienced in yoga, but I consider myself to be semi-active and pretty flexible. The workouts challenge some of my flexibility and also improve some of my muscle strength - especially since they are slightly geared for men with more upper-body strength. I like the calm voice that gently explains the moves and reminds you of ways to do the moves correctly. I also like the calm music in the background. He does a lot of the Warrior poses and often uses the term "goalpost arms," which seems "manly" if that's what you're looking for. He does use a block and a strap at times, though in my opinion you can do the vast majority of the moves without those props.