Kundalini Yoga for Beginners & Beyond

I believe this is the #1 Kundalini DVD out there. I discovered this Kundalini Yoga Series by Ana Brett and Ravi Singh on Amazon about 2 years ago and it is incredible. I have been doing casual yoga of various sorts here and there via DVD and at the (Hatha, Kripalu, etc.) over the years but this series by Ana Brett and Ravi Singh fundamentally changed my approach to wellness, fitness, personal growth and outlook on life. I was totally new to Kundalini Yoga and, frankly, a but skeptical about it since it has some "unusual" moves and poses and chanting compared to other forms of exercise and Yoga I have done at the gym and via DVDs. Now I see the power of Kundalini via Ana and Ravi "technology" that integrates physicality, mindfulness, and spirit. It is not easy at first - but that is the point. You do what you can, dot judge yourself and you reap massive benefits. I progressed quite rapidly from things I felt were impossible but worth trying to not so hard to challenging to "not hard any more". I feel GREAT every single time I complete a DVD - -my mood, my body, my creativity, my stress, my mind clarity, my stamina, etc. Its truly amazing. The key to reaping these benefits is to not get caught up in saying "this is weird" but to say "just try it and see how you feel". Incredibly fit and wise people did this type of yoga and meditation hundreds and thousands of years ago as a regular regime but Western society has somehow made it non-traditional and inaccessible. Many other types of Yoga focus too much on the body and physicality and don't see the mind, body, spirit interconnection like Ravi and Ana. Ravi and Ana make it so accessible - combining direction on how to do the poses and breathwork and sounds (mantras) that vibrate your body to heal it, strengthen it and give new clarity. Ana demonstrates the poses (don't be intimidated by how easy she makes things look - just do your best is what I found) and Ravi and Ana explain the physiological basis of how each pose affects your glands, nervous system, muscular system. Brain and energy and spirit. Ravi has amazing poetry sprinkled in to make it just a beautiful relaxing experience (even though its quite physical!). The production is very professionally done -- different angles, alternatives if you have certain issues or challenges, music editing, pacing, etc. I totally recommend any of Ana Brett and Ravi Singh's DVD's to anyone whether you do Yoga already or not. It can truly take your fitness to another level along with your outlook on life. Good luck! Kundalini Yoga Meditation for Beginners & Beyond

... and not for beginners, in my opinion. I have very much enjoyed the yoga classes at my gym, but they are only once per week, so I was looking for something I could do at home. The instructor is a nurse and well versed on how the poses actually strengthen the body and increase health. This video was more what I would call "new age" or "spiritual" - I definitely should have researched the style before purchasing, as other reviewers have recommended. I also did not think this would be a very good video for beginners even if this is the style of yoga that you are looking for. The instructor does not explain proper form very clearly (if at all) and moves through many of the poses very rapidly. A beginner might hurt themselves trying to go at that pace and without proper form.

This is a very unique kind of work out. I did it this morning when I didn't feel like doing cardio, or stretch or toning. I woke up feeling cold and kind of tired so I chose this DVD to see what it could do for me. It's not cardio, it's not toning, nor is it stretch although it has a little bit of each in it. I would say it's more about energy more than anything else. Energy specifically in your spine and around your chakras. Although it doesn't give me the same kind of well-being that traditional yoga gives me...it does give something. More than any other workout it works on your energy centers and glands. After doing these calisthenic type exercises (with plenty of breath and meditation breaks) I do get a feeling of warmth and well being. I can only explain that the exercises worked my chakras and glands giving me the pleasant feeling. You do feel healthier even if you are not sure why or how. One thing this DVD offers that I have not found in other yogic workouts is the practice of bandas. Ana has you practice bandas after each exercise. It takes some time and patience but they are worth it. This is very good as bandas are very good for you and this workout reminds you of that fact and gives you an opportunity to incorporate them into your life. This is not my favorite or most joyful workout but it's a unique one that fits a niche in overall well being. This workout makes you take the time to do these Kundalini exercises, exercises that probably would not be done without a video and for this, it is valuable in my workout rotation.

I am not a yoga practitioner. I cannot bend into any pretzel positions and my sense of balance isn't that of a dancer's. However, I had heard about Kundalini yoga- how it is as much mental as physical, how it doesn't require you to bend into difficult shapes, how it focuses on meditation and mental calm, and how you can actually move and dance while doing it. All of that is true, although not all true about this DVD. This is an excellent beginning DVD- you can do a 30 minute or 60 workout. Much emphasis is placed on meditation in between each exercise. Yes, there are a few stretches and positions that newcomers will find challenging, but the instructors quickly provide alternative positions. Try this DVD after a stressful day when you really don't want to exercise, but know you should-- the mental focus and the breathing exercises will help you focus on the present and forget your worries. If your mind wanders, as they say, just let it come back to you. I didn't need to lose weight when I started this program so that was not a goal- I just wanted to exercise more than I had been and it definitely got me doing that. As a bonus within about two weeks of using it my jeans and other clothes fit much better and I noticed more muscle definition/less fat particularly around the mid-section. I suspect if you combine this workout with a diet, you'll experience even greater results. My only complaint is that at the beginning and the end of the routine the woman is dancing in a free-form joyful way-- I wish that were part of the workout. Perhaps it's on another DVD. In any case, this is a great DVD for stress reduction, stretching, mind-body awareness, and as a way to ease back into exercising if you haven't been working out a lot. I highly recommend it.

Upon viewing this DVD for the first time, my jaw dropped. Awful, just awful. I was looking for a nice fluid, smooth, clean session. This was not it at all. The repetition wasn't inspiring but was a bit of overload. Ana, while very lovely, really, just get dressed girl! Her performance is more hoochy-mama, than inspiration. She is so busy flipping her ponytail and smugly smiling that I considered she may be laughing at we fools buying her DVDs. I haven't a clue why Ravi's name or picture is included on the DVD, he only tosses out minimal whispers about a pose. When I watched it the 2nd time, however, my stance softened a bit and although this DVD is not a good fit for my morning session, it could be a session (or two) that I might consider doing once or twice a month after work or on the weekend. Something must be appealing about this as I also went to the website and spent a lot of time reviewing their health articles, which increased my respect for Ana & Ravi. So, while I would tell you to take a pass if you're new to yoga or want a more traditional session, this training may give you a bit of a pop for the more adventurous. The title is deceiving - it is not for yoga beginners.

I was searching for a Yoga practice suitable for an out-of-shape person (me)and the Kundalini Yoga for Beginners and Beyond with Ana Brett and Ravi Singh works very well for me, unlike many yoga DVDs I have tried. Much of the practice is done with Ana sitting crosslegged, but can be done seated on the edge of chair or couch for those who can't sit crosslegged. Since I can't sit crosslegged it is nice to be able to participate in every section of the practice with this simple modification. Kundalini Yoga is very different from other types of Yoga I have ever seen and I enjoy doing all the different sections. It starts off with a Breath Primer (4:28) which is very helpful to get the breathing started correctly. There is a short chant and meditation section (2:39) which I find very beneficial and relaxing. There are Warm Ups (6:11) and Set One (20:20)and Set Two (17:32)of exercises, followed by Deep Relaxation (8:36), meditation (5:18), and a short Closing Prayer (2:59). You can use the Matrix option to switch this around or delete a section although I like them all. Kundalini Yoga includes much flexing of the spine and CAUTION should be exercised. Ravi states one time that you should not feel you have to keep up with Ana and I think it would help if he said it more often or with more emphasis. I would highly recommend taking the spine flexing sections very slow and carefully. Ana is fast and she also "snaps" her spine, but she has probably been doing this practice for many years. Benefit is found in doing the same exercise slowly and smoothly without the "snap". Keep in mind at all times that you do not want to ever hurt your back or spine. If you have any spinal or back issues, this is probably not a good practice for you at all. I enjoy being able to do this practise, and I feel relaxed and positive when it is over. A few reviewers mentioned the distracting boy shorts so I learned my experience was not unique! Since you will want to move your body like Ana is moving hers, it is helpful to actually be able to see what she is doing. Personally I found her lack of muscle definition just as distracting as the shorts. She must be physically fit and strong to do this practice but you can't tell by looking at her. So these are just some of the thoughts that can distract you from your practice and at least they keep you focused on the DVD. After a few times doing the practice the shorts will be less distracting and in the meantime you might be glad that you can clearly see her body movements. I also enjoyed the setting (daisy flower) and music. Overall I like this DVD very much and use it frequently, unlike some others I have which remain in the closet waiting until I am in better shape.

I will leave it to others to give a minute-by-minute review of everything on the DVD--it is worthwhile, but my comments are more about what the information on the DVD does. It is plenty, and it is positive in ways that exercise, including yoga, has never been for me. I approached this as I might any yoga DVD, anticipating exercises of varying difficulty that would leave me exhausted, a bit sore, but feeling OK. Imagine my surprise...Kundalini Yoga, based on this more or less introductory DVD, is astonishing! The exercises are demanding, they are much more active than 99% of yoga workouts, but they, in combination with the meditations between exercises, actually give you more stamina and vitality to be able to do more than you thought you could do, which I find astonishing! Ravi and Ana's light touch and obvious expertise guide you through the workouts in a wonderful, easygoing, fun but knowledgeable way. This DVD includes two separate sets, Rise & Spine and The Five Tibetans, which can be done separately or together. A word here about the Five Tibetans: These are five exercises which are said to have come from Tibetan Yogic practice and are for youth, vitality, and longevity. I had encountered them before and had tried doing them, and usually wound up with a wrenched, painful back and a discouraged attitude. Not so with Ana and Ravi, quite the opposite, in fact--Ana's and Ravi's way of presenting the exercises is so very different that I have been doing them for several weeks without the slightest injury or negative feeling about them--on the contrary, I feel confident they will be an ongoing part of my yoga repertoire! I intend to purchase more of their DVDs and report my experiences with them. The most positive thing, for me, is the change in my energy levels and general health, both of which were going from not-so-good to worse, and which are now greatly improved and continuing in that direction. There is also a psychological/spiritual component (as above, so below, after all) involving a purification and release of old toxic patterns and emotions, never overwhelming or even nearly so, but quite noticeable and welcome. Check this or Ravi's and Ana's other DVDs for a wonderful, knowledgeable, and fun introduction to Kundalini Yoga and its many benefits. I think you will be very glad you did! I know I am! Sat Nam!

I bought this partly because of all of the positive reviews. I was less impressed and thought to add a different take. I bought the good DVD, Kundalini Yoga to Detox and Destress with Maya Fiennes, and liked how well it made me feel and wanted more or different instruction. I'm fit, a little older, and have practiced other forms of yoga for some time, but am hardly an expert. The routines in the video left me with a good energized feeling. Some of the more intermediate routines were challenging and definately something to practice for better strength and flexibility. The easier routines were within my comfort range and probably good for a beginner. I'll continue to use the DVD for those reasons. Visually the DVD was less than good. The young lady was on a flower design with bright yellow pedals and a pink center pad. I would perfer a more neutral environment and thought this distracting. The man's voice was almost sing-songy, like he was instructing grade school age. I almost expecting him to offer a high five. As a beginner instruction I thought this should have more about proper form and also some safety discussion. You can truely injure yourself trying to exceed your comfort zone in some of these routines. Finally, as an inexpert opinion, the routines tended slightly toward gym aerobics with less instruction on good traditional yoga form and routine. I might add, I can feel a little poorly after one of these routines if I don't drink several glasses of water afterward. Drinking water seems to really help eliminate some of the toxins that are released.

I love Ana and Ravi and they are truly uplifting in their way of going through this training course in such a spirutal way. My only concern is that you should be a bit carefull with the breath of fire excercises if you have a active kundalini. The energy can put you out of balance (for me it sets in the crown chakra for a day or more but the energy feelings get better the more I get used to it). I own a few of Ana and Ravi DVD's and I often swap DVD each day to practice on different yoga postures and chakra energy centers. If you like to move around like Ana does more quickly you should buy the "Stretch" DVD and do it 2-3 days a week and you'll see a faster progress: "Ultimate Stretch Workout With Ravi Singh & Ana". Please remember that by practicing kundalini yoga you can open up spirutal ways in your life that you might not be prepared for. It can be a struggle to change and move over more and more to the spirutal. Your values and ways of looking at life and this planet will change but it's only for the benefit of your spirit. If you are new with kundalini yoga I would recommend to start reading about "kundalini" so you understand how it can affect you. One of the best beginners books that is easy to read is: Kundalini: Divine Energy, Divine Life (Cyndi Dale) ISBN 0738725889. Sat Nam :-)

I've said this in another review, but I was a bit taken aback by the "new-agey" feel of the raviana dvds. Don't be, you will soon see what an effective workout they provide and how calming their voices are. I came out of this workout feeling both energized and calmed. I'm too much of a beginner to tackle the second practice but the first one is brilliant and challenging. I look forward to improving until I can do the whole dvd.

This not a yoga dvd as most people would understand it. The first section is focused on chanting and exercises that involve thrusting backwards and forwards from the hips and lower back at quite a vigorous speed. The instructor does say to go at your own speed but I found the exercises odd. Not regular yoga as I understand it. I did not enjoy doing the exercises. The second half of the program is definitely not for beginners. It is for the beyond.The poses are too advanced and no modifications are demonstrated although the voiceover does offer suggestions such as the use of a cushion. I realize it says Kundalini yoga on the cover but I bought the DVD based on the positive reviews and assumed Kundlani yoga is a variation of regular yoga. It isn't.

I had asked for and received this dvd for my birthday. I tried it today and it simply didn’t work. I tried all DVD players (5) in my home. I could hear it spinning but no video or sound. My husband ordered it over a month ago to be sure I would have it for my birthday. Unfortunately it’s too late to return. I may order another and try again after reading some of the reviews. But this first one was like throwing our money away. We expect so much better from Amazon endorsed products.

Love the gentle content and the kindness this was produced with,personally I just need to use it more. This will be good for beginners