Watch Element: Yoga for Beginners

Element: Yoga for Beginners is an instructional exercise video directed by Andrea Ambandos in 2008. The film stars Elena Brower, a globally recognized yoga expert who guides the audience through various yoga postures and breath control techniques. The feature film is a part of Anchor Bay’s Element series, which aims to provide viewers with access to professional and result-driven fitness videos. In this edition, Brower leads a series of straightforward yoga poses, suitable for anyone who is new to yoga or looking to improve their practice.

The film opens with a brief introduction in which Brower explains that yoga helps to awaken the body, calm the mind, and connect individuals to their innermost self. She emphasizes the importance of starting small and building up gradually to avoid potential injury or unnecessary strain.

The video then proceeds to a 20-minute routine that is divided into three parts. The first part, titled ‘Connecting with the Breath,’ focuses on breathing exercises and meditation. Brower guides viewers through the concept of pranayama, a slowing down of the breathing rate which helps to reduce anxiety and eliminate toxins.

In the second part of the routine, ‘Heart and Hips,’ viewers are introduced to several fundamental yoga postures, including downward dog, warrior one and two, and tree pose. Brower offers concise and clear guidance on each posture, including modifications for those who need them. This sequence of postures is designed to create strength, flexibility, and balance in the mind and body.

‘Working the Core,’ the final section of the routine, provides a brief five-minute sequence of poses that target the abdomen and improve overall body alignment. The key postures here include boat pose, upward facing dog, and plank pose.

What makes Element: Yoga for Beginners unique is its production value. The video is set in a beautiful outdoor location, featuring a serene backdrop of waterfalls and forested landscapes. The camerawork is expertly crafted, with smooth transitions between postures and expertly framed shots that provide viewers with a clear view of the instructor’s movements.

The audio is also of outstanding quality, with a soothing instrumental soundtrack adding a calming and supportive atmosphere. Brower’s narration is clear and concise, with a friendly and authentic delivery style that is impossible not to warm to.

One of the most significant benefits of this instructional yoga video is its accessibility. It is suitable for anyone who is new to yoga, whether they are in their 20s or their 80s. The routines are straightforward to follow, there is no ‘yoga jargon’ to contend with, and the poses are achievable for most fitness levels.

Moreover, the benefits of regular yoga practice are vast and well-documented. Physical benefits include increased flexibility, improved balance, and posture, lower blood pressure, and better circulation. Meanwhile, mental wellbeing benefits include increased focus, stress management, and a greater sense of calm and inner peace.

Overall, Element: Yoga for Beginners is an excellent choice for those who are looking to start their yoga journey, or for those who want to add regular yoga practices to their weekly routine. Elena Brower is an exceptional instructor who delivers clear and concise guidance, which is perfectly complemented by the video’s high-quality production values. This instructional DVD is an investment in better overall wellbeing that will appeal to anyone looking to increase their health and fitness levels.

Element: Yoga for Beginners is a 2007 sports & fitness movie with a runtime of 51 minutes.