Namaste: The Five Elements in Yoga

The Namaste Yoga tapes are the only ones I seem to come back to over and over again as the years roll by. Initially I lost 70 lbs just doing them (which resulted in my taking better care of other lifestyle changes along the way). At first all I could do was kind of stretch in place standing for a minute. My goal was to put the tape in every day, first thing in the morning before I had a chance to talk myself out of it...and do what I felt like doing. After 3 months I got 15 minutes in and was surprised at myself. I'm an older woman who'd pretty much lost hope . With that, I eventually did an entire session daily and my spirit changed as my mind changed as my body changed. This is a beautiful video and great way to explore Namaste in your home. At least it's proven time and again to work well for me.

4.5 stars. That’s excellent on my scale.I fell HARD for the Namaste Yoga series, designed and narrated by Kate Potter, when I found it back in 2005 on FitTV. Of course my service provider dropped the channel, but I found it again on DVD. Bliss! But it disappeared again after two fantastic seasons.Now I’ve found Kate Potter’s THE FIVE ELEMENTS on DVD. Love! It’s a bit different than the first two seasons of the TV series episodes. But it still has all of the things that I loved about the original TV series. Kate Potter’s voice is rich and vibrant. Her instructions are easy to grasp and follow. The visual style is still gorgeous. The FIVE ELEMENTS DVD includes:- Some basics of Yoga, and Ayurveda principles and the elements descriptions of personality types.- Flow sequences (from 10 to 13 minutes in length) and breathing practices, specifically to bring balance to those personality types,- An extended flow sequence called Fire Fan.- Tips on finding the poses in the extended Fire Fan sequence. I admit that I started more interested in “yoga-lite”; the physical practices and they have been of definite benefit in improving flexibility, balance, tone, and relaxation. And frankly, it's just darned fun and feels good! It’s also an activity that I’ll be able to continue, unlike some of the sports that I’ve had to give up as I’ve gotten older. I wasn’t into what I saw as the “chanty, painful contortionist” aspects of yoga. But I’ve learned better and am developing a growing interest in aspects beyond the poses and flow. It intrigued me to look at these sequences, breathing practices, different personality types, and how the choice of sequences could be tailored for specific effect. I’m definitely a Fire (Pitta) personality! LOL! Could probably use some balance. While the fire sequences appeal to me, just based on the beautiful movements, like the second helping at dinner, they may not be what I would benefit the most from – a concept I hadn’t considered before.Anyway, I highly recommend this DVD. I just wish there were extended sequences for the other elements. And perhaps, more of Tim McCauley’s music. Perhaps there will be in the future. In the meantime, I will be enjoying these for a long time to come and watching for more.

I was pleased to have the chance to add to my collection of this series. I taped the entire series on the good old VHS and I was so disappointed to see it cancelled. Great to have this new additional and challenging material. I have tried other yoga series, this is my favorite by far. The scenery, music, instruction, pace and length of episodes work great for me. I have been doing this faithfully about 6 days a week for a year. I feel great. I hope they go back to the studio and produce another series for the faithful! I also like YOGAmazing podcasts with Chaz Rough. 25 minutes a day in your own home,with yoga.there are no excuses!

So I have to say that the Namaste series is what got me into yoga. I left yoga for four year almost, suffered some depression here and there, gained weight, etc and it is time for me to come back to yoga. I did not not to pay the full $50 for one of the seasons of Namaster, so I decided to try this. I guess I imagined it having five sequences for the five elements, but the only full practice of element it has is fire. It also has three shorter sequences as well as five breathing techniques relating to the other five elements. It is a nice way to get back into yoga for me, so I'm pretty excited to do them! When I have a little bit more money (poor college student here) I plan on buying both of the Namaste seasons because I love them! Fittv just doesn't have as many good work out programs anymore like this or like Shimmy.

Kate Potter is and always will be my yoga guru and idol. I absolutely love her and every yogic way. She's just oozing love and gratitude and understanding of our needs from body to mind to soul. Her voice carries through and enables relaxation through fluidity and movement.Kate and the Namaste Yoga Girls are the reason I am a dedicated yogini today, they are the reason for a immense change in my life... a healthy, wonderful change. Thank you Kate, I am forever grateful. As always I bow to you, respectfully, my very first and amazing yoga teacher.Sending you all my smilesKatty Ianus

I have both seasons of Namaste Yoga series DVD's and was excited to get this one! It didn't let me down. Kate Potter gives great information about Yoga and how she has interlaced the Ayurveda practice into the routines. I love the 3 different shorter practices related to the Ayurveda concept. The Kapha is very energetic, whereas the Pita and Vata are more relaxing, depending on what you need. There is also a longer more challenging practice. I just can't get enough of the Namaste Yoga series.