If you want to practice Hatha yoga in the comfort of your home, then you need to get a DVD. The best Hatha yoga DVD should have a reliable instructor so that you can do the moves correctly. The video quality and setting are also other elements to consider.
For your easy selection, let me recommend five of the best titles that I’ve found so far. Let’s get going!
Quick Answer:
1. Element: Hatha & Flow Yoga For Beginners
This DVD provides two diverse programs to help reduce stress and improve flexibility. I like the serene location with the Pacific ocean view because it’s very relaxing. When using this DVD, it’s recommended to use a strap for better results.
2. Yoga For Absolute Beginners- Fit For Life Series
If you’re a newbie to yoga, I recommend this particular Fit For Life Series because the instructor properly guides you in each pose. The postures are quite basic, so everyone can follow them with ease. The program promises that you’ll feel revitalized after doing all the postures.
3. The Power Of Hatha Yoga: Ultimate Series
For advanced level yogis, the Ultimate Series might be perfect for you. This DVD is full of challenging poses to improve your mental and physical balance. You’ll also experience a new level of calmness and better posture.
Editor's Pick: The Best Hatha Yoga DVD
![Yoga For Absolute Beginners - Hatha Yoga - Fit For Life Series [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/511MYQDmcZL.jpg)
Hatha Yoga Vs. Other Styles
Hatha yoga is a practice that aims to balance the sun and moon energies. The entire routine usually focuses on holding poses for a long time. It involves a lot of yoga poses, meditation, and breathing techniques.
Hatha Vs Vinyasa Yoga
Both styles incorporate a lot of similar poses. The main distinction is the pace. Vinyasa is faster than Hatha.
Hatha Vs Ashtanga Yoga
The sequence sets the two apart. Hatha yoga begins with yoga poses and then moves to meditation. Meanwhile, Ashtanga starts with self-meditation then yoga poses.
Hatha Vs Bikram Yoga
Bikram is performed in a heated room, while Hatha yoga isn’t.
Hatha Vs Power Yoga
Hatha yoga moves at a slower pace and requires lesser breathing control than power yoga.
What To Look For On A Good Hatha Yoga DVD
Reliable Instructor
Since you’ll be doing Hatha yoga at home, make sure that the instructor is very good. The instructor should give clear instructions in a calming voice.
Difficulty Level
You should get a Hatha yoga DVD that’s easy to follow. To do this, look for the right difficulty level that suits you. If you’re a beginner, make sure that the video is made for beginners.
Setting
The setting may depend on your preference. If you like nature, look for outside backdrops near the sea and mountains. If you get easily distracted with these setups, look for simple settings in the studio.
5 Best Hatha Yoga DVD Reviews
1. Element: Hatha & Flow Yoga For Beginners
This Element DVD is a great way to increase strength, tone the muscle, and enhance overall health.
I like the beautiful location because it shows a lush garden overlooking the Pacific ocean, plus the music matches the lovely setting. The instructor, Tamal Dodge, is easy to follow with his calm voice and detailed instructions.
There are two programs in this video, Hatha and Flow, each lasting for about 30 minutes. My favorite is the Hatha session because it uses tools, like a strap and towel, to make stretching easy. I really love this Hatha DVD because the instructor provides the viewers adequate time to breathe and feel the pose.
However, the Flow program is quite challenging to follow because it’s pretty fast-paced and intense for a beginner. Also, there’s no way to skip Tamal Dodge’s introductory remarks. The introduction was helpful at first, but it gets annoying when seen repeatedly,
PROS:
- It has a lovely setting overlooking the ocean
- The music complements well to the lovely setting
- Provides sufficient time to breathe and feel every pose
- The instructor explains each pose with a calming voice
- It uses blocks and other tools to make stretching easy
CONS:
- The Flow session is quite intense and fast-paced
- It doesn’t allow to skip the introductory remarks
Best For:
The Element: Hatha & Flow Yoga For Beginners is the best for those who want to reach their full potential. The Hatha helps with flexibility, while Flow allows you to improve your endurance.
2. Yoga For Absolute Beginners- Fit For Life Series
This DVD definitely fits absolute beginners based on the title because the Hatha yoga poses are fundamental and easy to follow. The instructor, Susan Foulton, has a very soft voice and takes enough time to explain every pose. The session only lasts for about 50 minutes, so it isn’t too long for busy people.
I like the background scenery because it’s filmed near a beach, which is very relaxing to look at. The pace is slow, which is good if you want to keep up with the poses. I have to praise the instructor because she gives you time to perform all the moves, so you won’t be left behind.
However, the color quality is a bit poor because it was released a long time ago. The basic moves might please the beginners, but not the intermediate and advanced level students.
PROS:
- Slow-paced fitting for absolute beginners
- Easy to follow and keep up with the very basic moves
- It has a nice backdrop for additional motivation
- The instructor has a lovely voice
- It only lasts for 50 minutes, which fits in every schedule
CONS:
- Poor color quality
- Not ideal for intermediate and advanced levels
Best For:
The Yoga For Absolute Beginners DVD is perfect for beginners because it’s slow-paced and elementary.
3. The Power Of Hatha Yoga: Ultimate Series
The Ultimate Series DVD is specially crafted for advanced students of Hatha yoga. The teacher, Naader Shagagi, is very well learned because he has a long experience in yoga and other healing modalities. His voice is calm and inspiring so that you can do every move with such passion.
For only a few weeks, you can expect some trimming and firming, as well as achieving the zen state of mind. I think results are more prominent because the instructor emphasizes doing the proper form in every pose. The video is quite long at 90, but you’ll hardly notice the time passed because of all the challenging moves.
However, the video quality is old- it’s like set in the 70s-80s. I wish the instructor has explained the poses better. Since the poses are very challenging, this DVD isn’t ideal for beginners.
PROS:
- Has a well-learned yoga instructor
- Provides quick and prominent results
- The instructor has a motivating voice
- Focuses on the proper form of every pose
- So immersive that you forget the time
CONS:
- Has an old video quality
- Not recommended for beginners
Best For:
The Power Of Hatha Yoga: Ultimate Series DVD is perfect for advanced level yogis. The moves are very challenging, so you need more endurance and experience to do them.
4. Integral Yoga Hatha: Yoga With A Master Sri Swami Satchidananda
If you want to learn Hatha yoga from a real master, the Integral Yoga Hatha DVD is perfect for you. Sri Swami Satchidananda is a famous Indian religious teacher who wrote many philosophical books. His instructions are very precise and straightforward, so everyone can follow the moves safely.
The instructor doesn’t do the postures, but he provides instructions and adjusts the poses of all the students in the class. I appreciate that the students in the class composed of people of different abilities and ages, so everyone can relate. The entire session lasted for about 80 minutes, which focused mainly on yoga postures to increase flexibility and body toning.
However, the setting is ancient. I believed it’s set in the 70s, which might be a little disconcerting for the young who’s used to HD. Also, the instructor doesn’t demonstrate the moves, so make sure to follow his words very well.
PROS:
- Instructed by a real guru
- It provides straightforward instructions
- It shows the proper form through the students
- The students in the class are very relatable
- Suitable to all levels, age, and flexibility
CONS:
- It has a very old setting
- The instructor doesn’t demonstrate the moves
Best For:
The Integral Yoga Hath DVD is ideal for everybody, whether you’re young, old, flexible, stiff, advanced, or beginner. This is a nice experience if you want to attend a yoga class with a real guru.
5. The Power Of Hatha Yoga: Beginner Series
This DVD is another set of postures that are designed for beginners. The Beginner Series runs for about 46 minutes, which is just suitable for busy people like me. Naader Shagagi is a patient instructor because he doesn’t rush through the poses and gives ample time to breathe. He’s also greatly experienced with yoga and focuses more on proper form.
I like the instructor because he gives some encouraging words in a calming voice, plus he demonstrates every pose without any distractions behind him. I love the healing music because it’s very calming and adds a pleasant experience to the session. The program was able to help me relieve stress and firm my muscles.
However, the setting tends to look dull because it’s just shot in the studio. I wish the instructor show modifications on some challenging poses because they’re hard to do for beginners.
PROS:
- It can fit on a busy schedule with its short run time
- Slow-paced and doesn’t rush through the poses
- It gives enough time to breathe and do the proper form
- The instructor has a calm voice that motivates
- It has a healing music background
CONS:
- The setting looks a bit dull
- No modifications on certain poses
Best For:
The Power Of Hatha Yoga: Beginner Series DVD is perfect for beginners who want a simple setting. This DVD is very straightforward and doesn’t include any fancy backdrops.
FAQs:
Q: What are the benefits of Hatha yoga?
The main benefits of Hatha yoga includes flexibility and strength. This type of yoga also helps improve sleep and relieve stress. It helps you achieve the right balance of mind and body.
Q: Is Hatha yoga good for beginners?
Yes, Hatha yoga is ideal for beginners because it’s usually slow-paced and lean more to gentle yoga poses.
Q: Can I lose weight with Hatha yoga?
Yes, you can burn calories with this type of practice. The amount of calories you can lose depends on your current weight and how long you perform Hatha yoga. The more minutes you practice and the heavier you are, the more calories you can burn.
Conclusion
Getting a Hatha yoga DVD surely helps if you have no time and resources to attend an actual class. The best Hatha yoga DVD should be easy to follow and supervised by a credible instructor. My top choice is Element: Hatha & Flow Yoga For Beginners because it has a lovely setting, plus the instructor gives adequate time for proper breathing and form.
If you’re starting with Hatha yoga, Yoga For Absolute Beginners- Fit For Life Series is a good alternative. This particular DVD is slow-paced to fit the capabilities of newbies. For advanced level students, The Power Of Hatha Yoga: Ultimate Series might be a good option.
Allen Wei is someone who believes in living his best life, focusing on balance, happiness, and relaxation. He fosters a positive lifestyle in terms of his body, mind, and environment, and he is a huge proponent of learning to be balanced via relaxation techniques integrated into our busy lives.
