Yoga for Runners: Intermediate Program

This DVD will probably save me hundreds of dollars in the long run - it's cheaper than ONE SINGLE yoga class (at least, where I live) and I will use it over and over again. I am long distance runner and triathlete with perpetual injuries that I'm trying very hard to prevent. Searching local yoga studios for "yoga for runners" yielded nothing, so I reluctantly turned to the DVD variety (I've never used a DVD for yoga) and chose this one based on the good reviews. So let me add another. Oh my gosh! It is exactly what I needed! The combination of hip tightness and weakness is a disaster for runners (me) and it's tough to put together a stretching and strength program on your own that completely addresses that. This is it. Through a series of poses including a variety of lunges, you will feel basically everything strengthen: adductors, abductors, glute medius, quads, hamstrings, everything. The stretches are also fantastic, getting deep into the hip flexors, piriformis, tensor fascia latae, etc. You will also work your arms, shoulders, abs and back to an extent. I love that the instructor, Christine Felstead, talks about why each pose or stretch is great for each muscle and how that will help your running, and how to make sure you are doing the pose with the correct alignment. Many different modifications are shown among the 5 participants so you can see how to do the pose if you're tighter, need to sit on a block, etc. I also love that although her voice is a bit breathy, there is no chanting, ohmmmming, or general cheesiness. The entire workout, minus warm up and cool down, is still about 75 minutes, but quite frankly that's the right length for a yoga class (60 - 90 minutes) and I feel like the poses are held for the appropriate length of time in order to get a full strengthening/stretching benefit. Even though it's the same workout every time, and that will probably get a little dull, it's an appropriate trade off when I consider what the purpose of doing this is. The workout probably is "intermediate" in the sense that you'll likely want to have had some exposure to yoga before you do it, and some of the poses are challenging to stay in (this means they're helping - but if a posture is too challenging in any yoga class you can always drop into downward dog or child's pose for a moment). I haven't resolved all of my nagging injuries yet, but I am starting to feel a lightness to running that I haven't felt in a while, and improved posture and form. I am so happy to have this in my toolbox and look forward to continuing improvement!

I bought this DVD with the intention to add a yoga workout to my routine 1-2 times a week. It is a great workout for runners and hits on some of the most important areas to strengthen and stretch, including glute and hip strengthening and piriformis, hamstring, and ITB stretches. This is in line with the exercises given to me by my PT to combat my ITB tightness and support correct alignment of the ITB. However, I find that the video runs a bit too long for me to fit the entire thing into my week often. I'm not sure of the exact length, nut it runs well over an hour. Also, it advertised a short workout version, but the only short workout I found on the DVD was just a list of suggested exercises to do when short on time, but not an actual workout with the instructor. Overall, I would recommend this video to others looking to balance and improve their running.

I wasn't sure the first time I watched this video if I was going to like this practice or just say, "uh I can't do all this". I have been having hip/knee issues from running and have been back with my yoga practice for about 3 years now. I did watch this all the way through first before trying it and I would advise anyone to do the same. It was helpful to know what to expect before getting started. The way I do this practice now is I start and go a full 45 minutes and then shut it off and come back the next day and finish the final 45 or so minutes. I find this to be very helpful way to go for someone over 50 who has tight or sore areas they are dealing with. Or anyone just trying to do a more in depth yoga practice. I like the pace of this practice very much and I find the voice is fairly soothing and quiet. Yes, her speech pattern is maybe different or distracting to some people but she isn't really yelling or rah rah cheerleading so I don't mind the way she speaks. I like the long holding of the poses for good stretch and strengthening. I find I really like this more so than other videos or online practices I have used that move from one pose to another very quickly for more of a calorie burn or rush through a practice to get 30 minutes of activity in. Really not what yoga is all about in my mind. Anyhow, it is also really nice to see normal people in various stages of the poses so you can see how they are able to use their own strengths or weaknesses in their yoga practice. Its not all about the one right way to do a pose. Different people, different body types, different abilities. I think I like this part of this particular video the most. I can look to see if I can choose to do a pose the way one of the other people in the video is doing it. If I can't, then maybe I am just not able to go all the way into a certain pose. That's life. Really recommend this for anyone who has some yoga practice knowledge but as it says it is intermediate and not the best dvd for beginners.

I have been attending yoga classes for a couple years now. In my opinion, this program is only "intermediate" in the sense that an understanding of proper alignment in the postures is helpful before starting this practice because she doesn't explain much in the video. However, this is a very basic practice in terms of difficulty. The poses are CERTAINLY beneficial for runners, but Christine had an opportunity to provide some great modifications for all levels of practice and deepen the stretches that could have made this truly "intermediate" or create an opportunity for someone to challenge themselves. I found myself using modifications I had learned in a Yoga for Athletes class to make this more worth my time. All in all, I probably won't use this DVD much because I was looking for a truly intermediate practice in terms of difficulty, and this just isn't it!

Why buy? I an definitely not a runner but tend to do a lot of walking - nothing strenuous but regularly, work in an office and wear heels most of the time. I practice belly dance for fun and have noticed that one hip/leg was tighter than the other, a shoulder had less mobility and clicky knees at times. Yep, middle-age and laziness catching up with me I assume. I use home yoga DVDs on and off, mainly a fan of Rodney Yee (Power Yoga) and some of Shiva Rea's (Yoga Shakti. Daily Energy, Fluid Power). Was browsing to see what new offerings were around and spotted reviews for this on the US site so ordered on a whim as I wanted poses focused on the hips, glutes legs and core. Content This is around 1hr20 mins so not a quick practice, however, it has a broad breakdown of sections: warmup, sun salutations, standing poses, seated, cool-down so it is possible to decide that you just want to do a warmup and salutations and be done in 28 mins. It claims to be intermediate and it could be classed as such as you hold the poses for a far longer time than I am used to in vinyasa flow, so it really helps you to focus on the pose/alignment. However, there are no inverted poses nor any that require you to be super-flexible; just poses to strengthen and stretch with focus on typical runners issues (hamstrings, hips, knees, feet, core, spine). There is a group of a few people and she narrates the poses while they move into them, walks around adjusting positions and gives tips on benefits and how to improve alignment. Pro's: Her explanations are really clear. I generally like to practice poses with my eyes closed and she gives clear directions that I can follow without looking now I'm more familiar with the programme. However, while I think you need to have an understanding of the basis poses, she demonstrates typical errors and how to get into poses, using blocks/strap if needed. Also reminds you of certain things that were accurate to how I was struggling with the pose. It does have a few planks in it, not my favourite, but really good to see it covers the whole body, not just the lower. She seems to really understand what she is talking about and is clear on how certain poses provide benefits to parts of the body. I'm not yet bored of hearing that as I find that more motivating. There is a general relaxed feel to the whole thing - very calm and soothing, much like a yoga class. Con's: Her voice is slightly annoying with drawn out "inhale and exhale" but I kind of hear past that - not a problem enough to knock off a star. Finding time to do the full DVD mid-week is very hard, but I get round that by doing 20 mins when unable to do the full session. Does it work? As above, I use various Yoga DVDs at times but after two weeks of practicing bits of it around 3 times a week, for the first time I can feel a noticeable difference in my previous tightness and how I walk - I seems to walk a lot straighter than before and my hip flexors are definitely less tight; knees not clicking and I've become more automatically aware of my posture. She gives EXCELLENT tips on posture of feet and legs in poses and I realise I lock my knees which has been contributing to pain so now make efforts to consciously realise when I do this. I wondered if she had a book that I could use when away from home and she does - equally good. If you are a runner, this would be a great DVD for you. If not, and just generally realising joints and muscles are stiffening up a bit then this is great. It is not that easy due to length of time you hold poses, but it has made a real difference to my upper body strength and most importantly, lower half. If you like doing an yoga practice at home then I don't think you can go far wrong and one of the benefits of this one is that it provides noticeable physical benefits as it intends.

I love yoga, but just can't get out to the studio that much, and it's hard to justify the time and expense when I really want to be running....what a gift this programme has been for me! Strengthening, toning and stretching all the areas that I work the most while running-and all the peace and inner calm that I love from yoga as well.

good visual and directions

I really like this yoga video. It is a bit of a challenge but that just means there is opportunity to improve on your yoga practice. The narrators/instructors voice isn't my favourite but the commentary regarding the benefits of each pose was very informative and helpful. Overall very happy with this product and I would recommend to others.

Perfect for keeping me supple and injury free.