Rainbeau Mars
Pure Tranquility is one of the “Sacred Yoga” series by Rainbeau Mars which also contains Pure Power, Pure Sweat, and Beginners Yoga. I think the entire set is excellent and each video contains a program that is unique enough to provide nice variety. Each video is filmed with a beautiful Hawaiian beach/ocean backdrop. Rainbeau performs the moves alone on the beach with a voice-over of the instructions. The approach in each of the Sacred Yoga videos embraces the mind/body emphasis and is similar in approach to Shiva Rea, Kripalu, and Erich Schiffman.
Pure Tranquility is a gentle, centering yoga series that mainly focuses on sitting postures, hip and shoulder openers, and twists. It is excellent just before bed, in preparation for meditation, or on a day when a gentle, compassionate approach is called for. I particularly like Rainbeau’s kind, affirming voice and directions. This video is appropriate for any level.
The Collage Catalog indicates that of the four tapes Pure Tranquility is the “least yoga-like”, which I think is misleading. If you think of Yoga in the purely physical sense, it is true that this video has less of the typical postures, (e.g. no sun salutations or downward dog). However, it is the most focused on mind/body balance, centering, and preparation for meditation, so in my mind, it is the most yoga-like.
Two minor knit-picks about all the videos in this series: (1) the phrase “enjoy your breath” is overused throughout all four videos, (2) each tape ends in shavasana, but there is very little time at the end of the video to relax before a jarring transition to advertisements for other exercise videos, complete with loud rock music. I dubbed a tape for my own use so I could get rid of this annoyance.
Michelle Clark
July 2003
This is a yoga practice that is supposed to prepare you for meditation. It is a slow methodical yoga stretch that I find very relaxing. The DVD has a bonus meditation section which I sometimes do but more often than not, I'm so relaxed after the yoga that I don't get to the bonus section. There's quite a bit of 'new age' talk. I don't mind it. The workout is about 30 mins and I highly recommend it.
Instructor comments:
As you could guess by her name, Rainbeau emanates a hippy vibe. I like her and the vibe.
Nat
1/13/04
Pure Tranquility is a wonderful seated practise that will prepare you for meditation. Ifyou don't want to meditate its a great tool for winding down the day or to add onto the end of a power or ashtanga practise.
You remain seated throught the asana's, First you prepare with breathing and focusing. This is quite relaxing and grounding. Next you perform seated twists, moving on to arms and shoulders and then some very lovely leg stretching. The practise is slow and very focused. Its quite lovely. Finally you sit in seated meditation and do a short one.
On the DVD there is a Bonus meditation that focuses on the Chakras. Doing this is a nice way to end the practise.
On DVD you also have the option of doing the session without the narration; with music only. Personally, I would prefer to hear Rainbeau, her use of imagery and her very soothing voice.
Instructor comments:
Rainbeau Mars is a joy! She speaks clearly and with intent. You can feel and visualize her words.
Lori M
Feb 2004
I did this 30 minute video for the first time last night. What a really relaxing yoga practice! It is very gentle and peaceful. No dread factor at all. Rainbeau Mars leads you through upper and lower body stretches at a very calm pace. She was talking a lot, but I didn’t hear much of it as I was focused on my breathing. (And my cat kept trying to sit in my lap!)
Many yoga videos are recommended for use before sleeping, but this is the first one I would recommend. The poses are all done seated. And, best of all, you can do this in your nightgown and then go right to bed. (Of course, I didn’t sleep any better. I think my insomnia is beyond yoga!)
I’m a bit late to the yoga party, but I am glad to have discovered this one!
Instructor comments:
She talks a lot, but has a nice voice. I don't know if I would like her other workouts. She looks mighty flexible and advanced!
Alta
2/29/04
Pure Tranquility is a yoga practice designed to prepare you for meditation by relaxing your body and clearing your mind. Even more so than Rainbeau Mars' Beginners video, this is a truly gentle routine--the entire 27-minute practice is performed on the floor. Throughout the practice, Rainbeau reminds you to concentrate on your breathing in order to allow your mind to become focused. She then leads you through a series of gentle stretches, many of which are recognizable from more traditional stretching programs, such as shoulder and tricep stretches. After throughoutly releasing muscles in the upper body, Rainbeau moves on to gentle twists for the lower body, always focusing on opening the hips as well. Although the practice ends rather abruptly, it leaves you in a perfect position for continuing in a seated meditation or reclining on the floor for relaxation pose.
This is perfect practice for anyone who wants a very gentle, very relaxing yoga program, but it would also be a great video for those totally new to yoga and wanting to increase their flexibility through very simple yoga stretches. Highly recommended!
Instructor comments:
Rainbeau comes across as sort of a young, happy, hippy chick. She provides excellent mirrored cuing and is obviously very knowledgable about yoga.
Beth C (aka toaster)
August 20, 2004
This is a very thorough, very relaxing 30 minute yoga video - she mentions that it is to prepare for meditation. The stretches/poses are held for a good amount of time and she cues pretty well. She is a little "woo woo" in the video, but I didn't find it too distracting or annoying. One comment: she spends most of the time on the upper body, little on the lower but I don't really mind that. Overall, I think this is a great video for any level.
Instructor comments:
Good cueing and demonstrates the poses very well. She doesn't really offer a lot of modifications but for this one, I don't think you need them. A little woo-woo, so be warned.
Beth
bdandy3
10/14/04
This DVD includes a gentle 30 minute yoga routine which is done entirely seated, plus a bonus 10-minute meditation. The background scenery is a Maui beach.
Rainbeau says several times that yoga is not a competition, and that whatever you can do now is perfect. I found this motivating.
This routine is one of the most relaxing ones I own. It has a very "new age" tone, which I like, but which might not work for some people.
Instructor comments:
Quiet & soothing voice, uses very poetic language and imagery
Linda
12/31/05
This is about 30 minutes long and all seated and slowly done. I think it's a preparation for meditation. I did it last night and enjoyed it. It's not rushed at all.I think it's hard in that you have to be patient and move slowly in the poses. I thought it would never start with anything other than breathing! and holding the arms up and to the side ..started feeling that! (beginner and was tired) but has nice seated forward bends and side bend (keeps changing the cross of the legs too) and nice twists done several times on each side. also has a great hip opener where you cross one ankle of the other knee and then bend the straight leg if yo ucan to feel it more in the hip.
I have other yoga practices that I'll probably do more but I got the 4pack vhs cheap (beginner, pure sweat and pure power) and thought it'd be nice to try something different for a change and I do like it and will probably do it again since i have it and the stretches were nice. also had some neck stretches in there too and everything is done slowly and quietly and very relaxed.
Instructor comments:
voice over, nice voice, very calm looking
Susanna
4/23/06
