Many people who are interested in learning and practicing yoga may have certain time constraints or schedule conflicts that keep them from attending in-person practice. Luckily, yoga is widely available in the form of digital learning platforms and can be accessed through both online streaming services as well as through traditional DVDs.
Although the use of DVDs for yoga was popular throughout the early 2000s, online streaming services have become increasingly popular and enable people from all across the world to participate in yoga at any time, anywhere, and reap the benefits of yoga.
The following are some of the major reasons why people have started to use online services and streaming for intermediate yoga over the traditional use of DVDs:
- Online services are more cost-effective in the long term when compared to a single purchase
- Online services provide greater flexibility and more options with respect to the types of classes available as well as their duration and difficulty
- DVDs risk wear and tear unlike online services
- Some online services provide live streaming which provides a more authentic experience
- Many online services provide a community-based approach to yoga through the use of group challenges and communication boards
- Streaming and online services provide access anytime, anywhere unlike DVDs which rely upon system requirements
- Most online services provide a multi-faceted learning approach to yoga by providing access to articles, blogs, courses, and more
In this article, we’ll review the 5 best yoga DVDs which include both online services and traditional DVDs. We’ll also discuss what the popular types of yoga are as well as how any yoga practice can be modified for everyone, regardless of age, health background, or athleticism.
Comparison of the 5 Best Yoga DVDs
Best Yoga DVD: Yoga International
Yoga International is an incredibly diverse yoga website that offers both live-stream and pre-recorded yoga classes for yogis of all levels. It offers a community-based, multi-faceted digital learning platform where both experienced yogis and practitioners can further their practice and gain a deeper knowledge of yoga, meditation, holistic health, and mindful living.
Yoga International currently serves over 300,000 members per day and offers a free 30 day trial for new members. Membership options are available for $19.99/month or $119.88/year.
Members of Yoga International will enjoy access to:
- 500+ experts in yoga therapy, meditation, persona transformation, and more.
- Video classes, digital workshops, in-depth articles covering a wide variety of yoga topics
- 1000+ classes of various lengths, styles, and levels of difficulty
- Monthly themed challenges and multi-day training sessions are available
- Live stream classes and offline classes
- Yoga International app that’s accessible through the phone, tablet, TV
Yoga class options are available for all levels of yoga practice and there are also specialized classes available for Hatha, vinyasa, and other major forms of yoga. Some of its most popular classes include Yoga for Functional Movement, Simple Beginnings, and the 15-for-30 Challenge.
Yoga International has received ratings of 4.7 and 4.0 on the Apple app store and Trustpilot respectively from among thousands of ratings and is held in high regard by the yoga community.
Pros:
- 1900+ classes and 500+ expert teachers
- Live-stream classes and offline classes are available
- Accessible anywhere, anytime through the Yoga International app
Cons:
- Some customers have reported issues with customer service and billing
- Some customers have noticed issues with audio or lagging on the app
- Customers have mentioned that Yoga International has a small selection for its 60-min classes
Yoga for Beginners and Beyond
As the title implies, this DVD is great for yoga newbies. It is a comprehensive set of yoga exercises by Jessica Smith. If you haven’t owned any yoga DVD yet, I strongly recommend this one. I’m very glad to have purchased this as my first-time yoga DVD because it allowed me to delve into the wonderful world of yoga. The first part of the DVD focuses more on body toning and strengthening.
It has a relaxed, by the beach setting with classical guitar music in the background. What I love about this DVD is that it uses non-Sanskrit words making it easier for me to catch up. It is reasonably priced and worth the money it is not complicated as it should be since it is for beginners. It features two 30-minute sessions: one for the morning to activate energy and one for the evening for a relaxing and peaceful sleep.
Features:
- Two 30-minute videos which focus on morning energizing flow and evening relaxing flow
- Beach scenes, the setting is in Miami Florida
- Focuses on building total-body strength and core strength
Pros:
- Simple terminology, no Sanskrit words
- Amazingly easy to follow making it great for beginners
- Features basic yoga poses and stretches that are achievable even for those who had no experience with yoga
Cons:
- Not very friendly for people who don’t have much flexibility
- Some reviewers admit there is lack of fluidity in their instructions
Jillian Michaels: Yoga Meltdown
Jillian Michaels is a well-known fitness instructor who has produced several DVDs. Some of her videos are even on YouTube because of how effective they are. She also has shown up in The Greatest Loser. In this DVD, Jillian Michaels combines yoga and burning calories at the same time. If you want to be nimble and flexible at the same time, this is a good choice since it helps you burn fat while attaining meditation.
It has two parts: the first level focuses on gentle yoga that is more basic as it features free-flowing poses it also focuses on burning calories; once you master level 1, it’s time to go to the next level. The second level is more on an advanced level of yoga because it burns more calories than level 1 and it has more balance and twist sequences.
Features:
- A winning and well-known fitness instructor
- Yoga and weight-loss exercises in one
- Two 30-minute videos: level 1 for burning mega calories and level 2 for balance and twist exercises
Pros:
- The exercises are effective in losing weight and toning the body
- It’s affordable
Cons:
- Not for beginners, more inclined to the advanced level
Namaste Yoga
This is a great DVD from beginners to advanced yogis. It features Kate Potter, a yoga instructor who helps you through 13 twenty-two-minute videos. The setting is shot in the pacific north-west making it a relaxing sight for yoga. I have to admit that I just borrowed this from a friend since it is a bit pricey for my taste. But I think this is one of the best yoga DVDs I’ve used for my yoga sessions because it is comprehensive and it includes various exercises for the mind and body such as the warrior pose, triangle pose, revolved triangle pose, and crane arm balance pose.
Features:
- 13 videos with a 22-minute duration
- The videos are in a sequence that begins from basic routines to more complex exercises
- It has great reviews from those who have purchased it, it is based on real yogi instructors
- Very easy to follow instructions and it has a relaxing background music
Pros:
- All-level friendly yoga instructions
- Easy to follow
- Relaxing background music
- Based on experienced yoga instructors
Cons:
- Expensive
- Reviewers complain about the unclear instructions and poses not demonstrated clearly
Yoga for Beginners
Here is another amazing DVD yoga for those who have just started. It is also one of my favorite DVDs for beginners. It shows the instructor Barbara Benagh who will help you move forward in your yoga journey with exercise sessions with a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 50 minutes. She has been a yoga instructor for 30 years and more which is one of the reasons why this yoga DVD is one of my personal favorites. The exercises are more focused on enhancing vitality, flexibility, and strength. The setting is filmed at a peaceful beach thus adding to that relaxing factor.
There are also advanced levels if you are prepared to go to the next level and if you want to face more challenges. There are even exercises that focus on relieving hip pains, joint pains, neck pains, and back pains.
Features:
- 1 four-hour DVD with 8 main parts that begin with 10-minute videos and then the videos progress to a 60 minute one
- Each part has a specific session to work on like core strength building, flexibility improvement, and stress relief.
- The scene is filmed in Half moon bay, Antigua which is very relaxing
- The end part of the DVD has an inspirational talk by Barbara which motivated me to continue my passion for yoga for life.
Pros:
- The instructor, Barbara Benagh is good at explaining each pose comprehensively which is advantageous because it provides you a lot of time to practice your poses.
- There are a lot of yoga for beginners exercise that will never let you bored
- The instructions are very clear
Cons:
- Some poses are unachievable for beginners, a reviewer complained that there are unclearly demonstrated poses.
Yoga DVD Advantages
The following are some of the major advantages of using yoga DVDs or streaming over attending in-person practice at a yoga studio or gym:
- Provides a more private setting that enhances comfort and concentration
- Saves time and money in the long run due to cutting costs associated with studios and gyms
- Allows you to practice a form of yoga that is geared towards your interest and health needs
Best Yoga DVDs
There are certain criteria you should keep an eye out for when selecting yoga DVDs. These are the major factors that should be kept in mind when making a final decision for the best yoga DVD:
- Ensure that the program you follow has a well-respect reputation and has an extensive amount of positive, yet honest, reviews
- Make sure that the program provides the right style of yoga for your level of expertise and health goals and that there are numerous options available
- Select a program that provides options for length of time that way you do not have to interrupt the practice
Most Popular Types of Yoga
Yoga comes in a variety of forms and it’s important for people to learn more about which styles of yoga would be best suited for them in order to get the health benefits and achieve better all-around health and fitness.
Some of the most popular forms of yoga include:
- Hatha
- Vinyasa
- Ashtanga
- Bikram
- Iyengar
- Power
- Restorative
Yoga for Everyone
With the wide availability of digital learning platforms today, yoga can be accessed anytime and anywhere. Thankfully, websites and streaming services such as Yoga International provide yogis with an extensive list of options when it comes to accessing yoga classes, meditation, and more.
No matter someone’s age, health background, or fitness level there’s always a form of yoga available to help them reach their fitness goals and achieve better all-around health.
References
- Parasuraman, S., Wen, L. E., Zhen, K. M., Hean, C. K., & Sam, A. T. (2016). Exploring the pharmacological and pharmacotherapeutic effects of yoga. Pharmacology, Toxicology and Biomedical Reports, 2(1).
- Sherman, K. J., Cherkin, D. C., Erro, J., Miglioretti, D. L., & Deyo, R. A. (2005). Comparing yoga, exercise, and a self-care book for chronic low back pain: a randomized, controlled trial. Annals of internal medicine, 143(12), 849-856.