Yoga is a powerful tool to maintain your health and wellbeing along with pushing your physical and mental health towards greater balance and flexibility.
Often, people find it difficult to visit the yoga studio, in such condition these yoga DVD’s may help you get a glimpse of what yoga is all about and how to begin with it.
Top 10 Best Yoga DVDs for Beginners
- Shiva Rea: Daily Energy – Vinyasa Flow Yoga
- Power Yoga – Total Body Workout
- Gentle Yoga: 7 Beginning Yoga Practices for Mid-life
- Element: Hatha & Flow Yoga for Beginners
- Namaste Yoga: The Complete First Season [DVD]
- Bob Harper Yoga for the Warrior DVD
- Yoga Sweat Yoga DVD with Julie Schoen
- Jillian Michaels: Yoga Meltdown [DVD]
- Biggest Loser: Weight Loss Yoga [DVD]
- Yoga for Beginners & Beyond
10. Shiva Rea: Daily Energy – Vinyasa Flow Yoga
Shiva Rea is one of the best yoga instructors for unlike most of her peers, she is not the least bit annoying and extremely informative.
Shiva is a famous yogini, author and homemaker, and you will adore her inspirational voice crooning in your ears, and urging you to ‘ignite your inner fire’ and balance ‘your sacred breathe’.
Her calm demeanor and spirituality will help you achieve your yoga goals with passionate motivation.
If your yoga skills are novice or even intermediate, you will find this to be one of the best yoga DVDs that will educate you on a wide range of Vinyasa flows and poses, along with expanding your knowledge on the subject.
It has a wide range of programs, and you can choose your yoga poses by customizing it to your needs. The customization options are incredibly easy to use, and you can also manipulate the time duration and length of each segment to suit your needs.
This is definitely a DVD that you will adore because it has the ability to provide powerful benefits, particularly helpful with muscle toning and weight reduction.
Shiva begins with easy and flexible poses and slowly, she progresses from easy to difficult so you can perform most of the yoga poses without feeling too overwhelmed with the complexity.
The Shanti matrix is undoubtedly going to be your favorite because it contains a wide range of highly beneficial and comforting stretches that work wonders at relaxing the mind and body.
9. Power Yoga – Total Body Workout
Rodney Yee is an extremely popular and gifted yoga instructor.
For decades, he has helped countless people over the globe learn the art of yoga, along with carving out a much more spiritual and balanced self.
Power Yoga-Total Body Workout is hands down one of the best yoga DVDs as it focuses on building both mental and physical capabilities, such as endurance, strength, stamina, and agility.
Rodney Yee’s motivational and inspiring presence will guide you through a series of easy and challenging yoga moves that will help your body generate heat to detoxify your organs and aid you in creating both, inner and outer strength.
The workout begins with some simple and easy moves and gradually progresses towards more challenging yoga moves. Throughout the one-hour yoga sequence, you will find your body opening up and responding in ways you never experienced before.
You will find this video present a challenging series of yoga moves that will enhance your flexibility and boost your stamina.
The only drawback is that this DVD has a continuous long session that goes on for one hour with no divided segments, and this may be a challenge for beginner yoga practitioners who want to customize the moves based on their ease.
8. Gentle Yoga: 7 Beginning Yoga Practices for Mid-life (40’s – 70’s)
Jane Adams is one of the most respected and famous yoga teachers in the world, and she is a renowned authority on the Iyengar, Viniyoga, Anusara, and Vinyasa flow traditions.
This DVD is hands down one of the best yoga DVDs for mid-lifers and those who fall between the ages of 40-70s, for it is easy, flexible and challenging.
Jane has done us all a favor by combining a one-fits-all solution to help us unwind our body, relax and improve our health.
This yoga DVD revolves around boosting physical strength, increasing flexibility, balance, and enhancing movement and posture to ultimately relax and soothe both, the mind and body.
This DVD has three yoga sequences of 18, 19 and 29 minutes respectively, and they are designed for specific times during the day: Morning Practice, Mid-day Relief from Desk & Computer Work, and an Evening Practice.
Together, all three of the sequences are designed to help you wake up in the morning with an alert mind and energized the body, stretch out your muscles at mid-day, and lastly, go to bed with a stress-free and drowsy disposition.
You can use this DVD to improve your leg and hip flexibility, relaxing your entire body, and enjoying 8 glorious minutes of guided relaxation.
This DVD will teach you 100 amazing yoga poses with 7 highly comprehensive routines that are easy-to-follow and well-paced so you can enjoy flexibility, instructions, and choices.
The outdoor locations chosen by Jane are absolutely fantastic and you are bound to rejoice the rejuvenation these landscapes and her meditative yoga style will provide.
7. Element: Hatha & Flow Yoga for Beginners
Tamal Dodge is a powerful Hatha yoga teacher, born and raised in his family’s yoga ashram in the lovely landscape of Hawaii, Tamal has dedicated his life to practicing and teaching yoga.
He is the founder of Yoga Salt, and one of the most renowned teachers in the world with an extremely comprehensive and undoubtedly, one of the best yoga DVDs in the market.
This DVD will allow you to learn Hatha yoga, which aids in eliminating stress, boosting circulation, and flexibility with amazing static poses.
You will find the session to be a remarkably relaxing and rejuvenating experience that will help you relax and stretch your muscles in ways unknown to you.
This is a great video for both, beginners and advanced yoga practitioners, and you will particularly grow fond of the power-packed and energetic flow session, which is highly beneficial for those who are overweight, and want to build up their strength, focus, and balance.
It also contains an amazing 30-minute full-body workout along with comprehensively narrative yoga poses that help users to perform the full-body workout.
Just be sure to enjoy the session without being too hard on yourself, and take breaks should you feel the need. You will find Tamal to be a very encouraging and motivating instructor, and the Hatha sessions a highly rewarding experience.
6. Namaste Yoga: The Complete First Season [DVD]
Kate Potter is a very influential yogi who has been committed and dedicated to learning yoga since the tender age of 10.
Today, she is one of the most innovative and renowned instructors of Hatha Yoga, and she has studied from the University of Mysore and from an influential Vedantic scholar Swami Chinmayananda in India.
Namaste Yoga is definitely one of the best yoga DVDs as it not only soothes and calms the mind, but it also helps build up core strength, flexibility and soul enrichment.
Kate is a powerful and motivating instructor who is bound to inspire your soul with her power-packed 13 classes, and the breath-taking landscape of the Pacific Northwest will provide you visual treat and inspiration.
The video includes thirteen different sequences that last 22 minutes each, and this DVD can be enjoyed by both, beginners and advanced yoga learners.
You will be able to learn several innovative and immersive yoga poses of both, Hatha and Vinyasa style yoga, for instance, the crane arm balance, warrior III and the revolved triangle pose.
The structure of the video allows it to be highly immersive and easy-to-follow, and the cinematography is truly divine. However, most people do feel that some of the workouts are a bit rushed and the camera doesn’t focus accurately on the pose and provides unnecessary close-ups of the women in the video.
The poses are interesting and powerful but at times, too fast for a beginner to follow through without pausing to understand the complexity a few times.
5. Bob Harper Yoga for the Warrior DVD
Bob Harper is a renowned celebrity trainer, and he has inspired countless with his speedy post-heart attack recovery and prevention regime powered by beneficial yoga sessions.
He is an inspiring yoga instructor and fitness expert, and his DVD is undoubtedly one of the best yoga DVDs that promises an intense, power-packed yoga session that aids in increasing core strength, metabolism, fat burning and flexibility.
Bob begins the workout session with a promising start that powers an individual from the very first few minutes of the DVD, and this is excellent for those who seek to challenge themselves and build their strength.
You will find this DVD to be both, the hardest and the most comprehensive yoga session with energetic cardio and strength-building workouts. For those who find yoga boring, this is hands down the best yoga DVD that is not the least bit repetitive and boring.
The workout sessions are highly effective and yoga for the warrior is bound to leave you feeling good. The DVD consists of a 58-minute yoga session followed by 17 minutes of ab-centered workouts.
You’ll enjoy Bob’s motivating voice as he guides you through an intense and crazy workout session that will challenge you along with helping you unwind.
4. Yoga Sweat Yoga DVD for Weight Loss with Julie Schoen – Powerful and Fun Yoga
Yoga Sweat Yoga is hands down one of the best yoga DVDs for those who seek a fun and power-packed workout session that helps them relax and build their core strength.
Julie Schoen is a highly inspirational and experienced yoga instructor, author, and the founder of various yoga sanctuaries, including ‘Yoginology’ and ‘Mommy Does Yoga’.
Her yoga DVD is packed with 80 minutes of highly rejuvenating, fun, and playful yoga sessions and workouts that are designed to promote rapid weight loss and body toning.
This is one of the best yoga DVDs for weight loss and it will help you engage in powerfully invigorating full-body workouts with special focus on the arms, back, core, glutes, and legs. You will find yourself losing weight at a rapid pace, along with feeling toned up and sexy.
Julie teaches with a very effective, comprehensive and creative teaching flow that allows you to learn several traditional yoga poses along with losing weight from head-to-toe. The workout is not the least bit boring, but rather, extremely playful and fun.
You will enjoy two half-hour-long workout sessions with 10 minutes for warming up and later, cooling down between the sessions. You can always enjoy the entire session or alternate between working on your glutes and legs, and later, your core, arms, and back.
Without any exaggeration, this is a great yoga DVD for a fun-packed workout session that allows you to burn fat and engage in yoga moves that tone up and strengthen your legs and glutes. You will be able to improve your balance, agility, and tone up your tummy considerably.
3. Jillian Michaels: Yoga Meltdown [DVD]
Jillian Michaels is a certified personal trainer and global yoga expert that specializes in kickboxing, Pilates, plyometrics, weight training, and yoga.
She has introduced an exclusive and power-packed new yoga-centered workout session, and this is hands down the best yoga DVD for those who seek a difficult, engaging and challenging experience.
It includes two half-hour-long workout sessions that focus on flowing yoga poses that burn chunky amounts of calories and fat.
If you don’t want to waste any time and engage in an energetic and rewarding workout session, you will find this DVD provides value for your money and helpful in attaining your fitness goals.
However, since Jillian doesn’t perform all the poses, some complex poses tend to become more complicated. This is an ideal video for advanced practitioners, but those who are beginners or suffering from joint ailments should avoid it.
2. Biggest Loser: Weight Loss Yoga [DVD]
Best yoga DVD for overweight beginners & weight loss
Another extremely powerful and energetic yoga session by Bob Harper, and with this video, celebrity trainer Harper promises to deliver amazing “pound shedding results”.
This is one of the best yoga DVDs for those who want to shed excess weight in six to eight weeks, and instructor Bob’s motivating presence helps you increase your flexibility, build up your core strength and challenge yourself physically.
It consists of a 55-minute workout session that allows you to learn Vinyasa yoga, a variety of lunges, stretches and standing poses, along with various abs-centered workouts, backbends, and gym-like exercises.
The routine is rigorous and Bob will guide you with friendly motivation and encouragement throughout the session.
If you are seeking a DVD that is challenging, difficult and focused less on gorgeous bodies and more on serious workouts, this is the best pick for you.
1. Yoga for Beginners & Beyond (Yoga for Stress Relief / AM-PM Yoga for Beginners
Michael Wohl is one of the most talented and renowned yoga experts across the globe, and he has directed this as one of the best yoga DVDs to provide comprehensive learning, education, and training for beginners who want to seek tools of relaxation and stress relief.
This DVD contains 40 highly comprehensive routines that allow you to experience countless benefits along with focusing on your physical and mental wellbeing.
It aids in boosting flexibility and building core strength along with eliminating stress and tension. It also contains powerful information on yoga, healing, guided relaxation, and bonus footage of the Dalai Lama talking about various practices of meditation.
This DVD is guaranteed to help train and educate you in the art of yoga and meditative relaxation, along with boosting flexibility and building a balanced routine with yoga sessions designed for both the day and the night.
What is Yoga in simple words?
The meaning of the word ‘Yoga’ is a UNION and is a Sanskrit word. It is a discipline that originated in ancient India, known as Indus Valley Civilization in 3000 B.C. Yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual practice that helps to establish harmony, improve health and keep the mind at peace.
Yoga is not merely a bunch of physical exercises but it is a lifestyle that leads to the path of self-exploration, happiness, and mental peace. [1]
What are the benefits of Yoga?
Practicing yoga on a daily basis can bring an abundance of benefits. Primarily it helps to improve the core physical strength as well as establish harmony between mind and body.
Here are the top 10 benefits of Yoga: [02]
- Stretch muscles and improves overall flexibility.
- Improve the tone and strength of muscles.
- Improve breathing, vitality and increase core strength.
- Help to reduce the level of mental and physical stress.
- Balances metabolism, trigger weight reduction and helps to prevent several diseases.
- It helps to get better sleep at night.
- Improve your cardio and circulatory systems’ health.
- Reduce chronic pain, correct your posture and protects your spine.
- Regulate your hormones and make you happier and healthy.
- Relax you physically, mentally and emotionally which leads to better health.
What are the different types of Yoga?
The practice of yoga includes performing several types of exercises that enhance the mental, emotional and physical strength. These exercises are divided into few types as per there benefits to the practitioner. The person who practices yoga is called a yogi.
As per the benefits to the practitioner, yoga is broadly divided into the 7 types as follows:
1. Rajyoga – RAJA means the king and Rajyoga is termed as the highest level of yoga. Rajyoga is practiced in eight steps that introduce yogi to inner-peace, self-control, and state of enlightenment which is known as a SAMADHI. It is even found that practicing Rajyoga can reduce the cortisol level and reduce stress-related anxiety. [03]
2. Hathayoga – This type of yoga predominantly focuses on physical exercises and breathing techniques to achieve flexibility, core strength and equilibrium. A 12-week study conducted in Hong Kong shows that practicing Hatha yoga can significantly improve flexibility, muscular strength, and VO2max. [04]
3. Gyanyoga – Also know as ‘Gyan Marg’ which means a path to the knowledge. Gyanyoga focuses on attaining the knowledge and explained in Hindu philosophy along with other two yoga that is named as ‘Karma Yoga’ and ‘Bhakti Yoga’
4. Karmayoga – Karma means ‘deed’ and Karma yoga means serving others selflessly. It is also known as ‘Karma marga’. Marga means a ‘way’. It is a way of spirituality. [05]
5. Bhakti Yoga
6. Swara Yoga
7. Kriya Yoga
When it comes to recommending the best yoga DVDs, one is asked to perform a rather difficult task because everyone has their own preferences, tastes, and needs when it comes to yoga. What may be the best yoga DVD for one person might end up being an annoyingly irrelevant and meaningless choice for another.
However, when we examine and rank the best yoga DVDs based on their instruction, video quality, and yoga moves, regardless of your personal style and yoga needs, you are bound to find them beneficial. We have picked out 10 amazing yoga DVDs that everyone will find helpful and useful in their yoga journey.
Just keep in mind that given the incredible advancements of modern technology, yoga DVDs are not your only option to perform yoga at home. You can download incredibly immersive yoga apps and access several other online learning tools. Having said that, most people still prefer the flow and inclusiveness they get from watching a yoga DVD.
Tips to Practice Yoga at Home
Prepare yourself – This is a must before you do anything you should prepare yourself to begin a yoga practice. You can read the blogs dedicated to yoga, watch youtube videos and do your research. Start learning various yoga asanas and see which of them are easy, to begin with.
Once you are done the basic study, get yourself a yoga mat and comfortable clothes for performing yoga. We found that ‘Gaiam Sol Dry-Grip Yoga Mat’ is one of the best yoga mats that you can purchase.
You should be practicing yoga on an empty stomach, you should not eat the food 4 hr before performing the yoga. So, morning hrs is the ideal time to practice yoga.
Find a proper place – Yoga should be practiced in we ventilated place which has enough light. The space that you will choose to do yoga should have enough room for you to move around and should be free from sharp objects and other material things that may block your movements.
Get proper clothing – You should wear comfortable clothes while practicing yoga. Stretchable tees and track pants that can absorb sweat can be a good choice. There is numerous choice available for men and women. icyzone yoga racerback tank top can be a great purchase for women.
Begin with basics – If you never practiced yoga then begin with basic yoga asanas that are easy to perform. Practice them for a few days to weeks and then move on to the next level. This way you train your body and muscles to open up and to become flexible.
Make it a routine activity – Practice yoga daily in the morning. Incorporate it into your morning routine. If you find yourself overly occupied in the morning hours then you can practice it in the evening after sunset. Just keep it on a daily basis.
Warm Up – Before you start yoga routine, make sure that you practice a 5 to 10 minutes warm-up session. Yoga involves stretching of muscles and the warm-up sessions will prepare your muscles for further activity and will help to avoid injuries or muscle strain.
Learn breathing techniques – Before you start doing yoga at home, learn the right breathing techniques from experts. Right breathing plays an important role in yoga. This is one of the most important things that you should focus on learning while doing yoga at home.
Do it on empty stomach – Yoga is a form exercise that involves physical, breathing, mental and spiritual training. Do not practice yoga on a full stomach. Instead, opt for morning routine when your stomach is empty.
At the end of all discussions, it is essential to read out all the reviews before you finalize your purchase, and be sure to consider your own personal preferences of yoga styles, speed and workout intensity.Also, your fitness goals will also be a factor that requires consideration while making this purchase.