Ali MacGraw: Yoga, Mind & Body (Repackage/DVD)

When I first got this tape I was at first put off by the slickness of the production and the music (which I felt was too intrusive). While I still think the music is a bit too loud and sometimes compete's with Erich Shiffman's instruction I do really like this tape overall. Even the music has become more enjoyable to me as I've gotten more used to the routine and have to concentrate less on the verbal instruction for cues. I have been doing yoga daily for almost 9 years and found this routine to be quite different from other tapes I have (and I have over 70 and counting). It's a nice change of pace to help bring variety into one's daily practice. It's excellent for days when you don't want something as intense as an Ashtanga routine but still want to be challenged. It covers all the basic movements/countermovements that will leave you feeling quite thoroughly stretched and strengthened. Ali Macgraw is definitely a serious practitioner of yoga and has wonderful grace and form. Her sincere comittment to yoga comes across clearly on this tape and I found her inspiring. Eric Schiffman did a great job designing this routine and leads you through it smoothly. I would agree with the other reviewers who recommended that one start with a beginning yoga tape before trying this one. Also, in spite of the fact that there are several "students" in the video there are no modifications shown which is a major drawback for someone new to yoga. For example, I often modify several parts of the sequence depending on how I feel on any given day. I like to work the Sun Salutes incrementally, starting with the first lunge with my hands on the floor, the next salute with my hands on my knees during the lunge, and then I move into the lunge (3rd salute)with my arms overhead. Most people may not need to move into the salutes like this but first thing in the morning I generally need to open up slowly in spite of the warm ups that are done before that part of the program. I also do the same with the plank poses, first on my knees as I lower down and then working eventually into a full chaturanga (lower pushup position)in the last repetitions of th Sun Salutes.I would recommend that beginners start with "Yoga for beginners" by Patricia Walden which is an excellent and thorough introduction, or Yoga Zone's Basics tapes (the five tape set is fabulous) to get started. Also there is a new series of Vinyasa Flow style tapes by Rainbeau Mars. The collection is called "Sacred Yoga" and the first two tapes are "For Beginners" and "Pure Tranquility" which are excellent gentle practices, the last two tapes "Pure Power" and "Pure Sweat" are much more challenging and all are beautifully done and highly recommended. The "Total Yoga Flow Series" by Tracey Rich and Ganja White are also excellent. If you're newer to yoga try "Earth" and then moe on to "Water" (which is about the same level of difficulty as the Macgraw tape reviewed here). The last tape "Fire" is very challenging and advanced. Also I would recommend buying Eric Schiffman's book "Yoga, the practice of moving into stillness" which is the best book I've seen on the subject. He gets into the deep levels of yoga that make the practice much more meditative. You will also learn how to make the practice more of your own in terms of working with your own specific physique. Another amazing book is Donna Farhi's "Yoga Mind Body and Spirit". That and the Schiffman book are the best I've seen!

I originally bought this video on VHS and purchased it again on DVD. After lending the DVD to a friend and not getting it back, I purchased it again. I LOVE THIS VIDEO!!! It offers a continuous workout that doesn't break the flow with too much information.This video features the actress Ali McGraw who participates with other yoga students while they follow instructor Eric Schiffman through a continuous series of poses. This visual treat also features students of various shapes and sizes, color and age, who are all extremely flexible. For instance, there is a woman with white hair, a black man who looks amazing against the white sandy background. I recognized Jennifer Grant, the daughter of Gary Grant and Dyan Cannon. She looks younger than she was in her appearances on Beverly Hills 90210, so that shows that this video has been around for awhile.To tell you the truth, I've never been able to do every single pose, and my quads are very tight, but I could listen to Eric Schiffman speak all day. Hehas a soothing voice, and his choice of words adds to the tranquil nature of yoga. I haven't done yoga for awhile, and there are easier, more basic yoga DVDs available, but I recommend this DVD if you have a knowledge of yoga, and you can judge for yourself if a pose is too difficult. Yoga is generally a very safe exercise if you listen to your body and only stretch as far as your body can go (and maybe just a bit further). You can hurt yourself if you consider yoga a competitive activity.I've purchased other yoga videos that are filmed next to a waterfall or beach, but I always return to this one that was filmed in stunning white sand. The atmosphere is different from any other DVD that I've seen. I always return to this one. I am so happy that this DVD was re-released.

Yoga Mind and Body is a classic yoga video which stands the test of time. It is designed for those already familiar with yoga (ie, there is little instruction on how to perform each pose), and it will gently challenge you while also providing deep relaxation. The practice begins with instruction on ujjayi breathing, a basic form of yogic breathing to accompany asana (posture) practice. The warm up then continues with a cat/dog tilt series to open the spine. This beginning section lasts about 7 minutes total, but once you understand the breathing, you can skip over that segment.Sun salutations comprise the next 10 minutes of the practice. You will begin with simple breathing and forward bends before adding lunges to the sequence. After practicing tree pose for balance, you will continue with another 10 minutes of standing poses performed in steady flow; postures in this segment include warrior, triangle, and side angle. The next 14 minutes of the workout involves floor work. You will begin on your stomach for cobra and bow, then switch to your back for leg extensions, lying twists, and bridge. The only seated posture is a single seated forward bend, and then you will return to your back for a relaxing 1/2 bridge pose. The practice ends with approximatley 4 minutes in shavasana for a total of 45 minutes.Although others have complained about the background music, it didn't bother me--when I even noticed it, it seemed to fit nicely with the postures, as it varied from being upbeat to more soothing. One minor criticism I have of this video is that although the scenery is beautiful, the cameras sometimes focused too much on scenic views when I wanted to see close-ups of the poses being performed; similarly, there was a bit too much shifting between cameras for my liking. However, this issue did not detract from the fact that this is an excellent yoga practice which I will enjoy for a long time to come.

This gorgeous yoga dvd is beautiful enough just to watch even without doing the yoga. I would recommend this excellent flow yoga teaching for slightly more advanced practitioners, as it may be harder to follow for a total beginner. An excellent buy all the way around.

I first bought this video when it came out in the 1990s. I remember being stunned by how good it was - yet how hard it seemed. Somewhere along the line I got better and now I can’t imagine finding it hard. It’s soothing and it’s balancing and I always feel great after.Ali McGraw is a student of Eric Schifman who we briefly see leading the class, but we hear throughout. We see 5 students - one of whom is Cary Grant’s daughter. They are all great and look stunning: it’s beautifully shot and is still - 30 years later the best video.A word on this. None of us own video recorders and finding a dvd of this in English is very hard. I did find one on another buying sight. I think you’ll find it on YouTube. But it’s long long overdue to be followed up with another.It’s by far the best yoga ‘video’ (dvd) and it’s a shame it’s so hard to locate.

I have this video on VHS, and I have used it before I ever took a yoga class. The tape is worn out! Was so delighted that the DVD was back in production. It is the best yoga DVD ever! Great instruction for intermediate or some experience with yoga. A good pace, and a good flow. The music and cinematography is hauntingly beautiful! Just love it and thrilled to be able to use the program again!

This DVD may originally have been made on video in 1994, but please do not let this put you off buying it. Way back in 1994 I remember seeing Ali MacGraw being interviewed on TV, she was speaking about her experiences of yoga, how it had literally saved her life after her house had burnt down and she lost everything, she also talked about making the tape with Eric Schiffmann. I have waited 15 years to get my hands on a copy of this yoga tape, it has certainly been worth the wait. The content is as fresh as if it were made in 2009.Eric Schiffmann leads the class in a stunning setting, sand dunes and blue skies with cotton wool clouds. The small group of participants, including Ali, have perfectly honed bodies and move through the asanas in a calm, relaxed & flowing manner, perhaps making the moves look deceptively easy. This DVD really works your muscles. Eric's voice is not obtrusive in any way, but rather, clear and helpful and very calming.I would highly recommend buying his book, Yoga, too, then you can learn the moves correctly and follow on with the DVD. What a great pity a follow on DVD has not been made and Eric has not written another book.I started yoga in my late teens, and now, in my early fifties, find this is the best yoga DVD I have ever found, it ticks all the boxes of allowing me to leave the day behind and lose myself in yoga, emerging refreshed and truly worked out. Buy the DVD and the book. Incidentally, at the time of writing this review, the only way I could get a British regional 2 compatible DVD was to buy the Dutch version, the cover of the box is in Dutch, otherwise it is all in English. I also suggest you read the very many reviews given for the VHS tape, since it is the same content as the DVD, you will see from the other reviewers comments what very special yoga DVD this is.

I couldn't believe I found this on here a few summers ago. I used to do the VHS version with my university roommates way back in 1999! Some of the poses are really difficult, but after doing the video a few times, I was able to see a big improvement. I always feel so good after completing this video