Power Yoga for Happiness

Eoin Finn
Year Released: 2003

Categories: Yoga


Eoin's on my wavelength. The bliss factor might not be as potent for others, but I felt pretty darn groovy during and after Y4H's 80 minute "Full Happiness" routine. And now I'm spreading the happy vibe.

some background for the uninitiated. This is Vancouver yoga instructor Eoin Finn's second release. The first, Power Yoga, is available from Amazon.com or http://www.vancouveryoga.com and has been a big VF favorite with the Videofitness.com yogis. Power Yoga is taped in a beautiful mountain shore setting. Eoin walks around his class, instructing. Power Yoga has 2 routines - a 45 minute and, I think, a 70 minute.

Eoin talked *alot* during Power Yoga which is fine by me but others complained. From my perspective, unlike say, Rainbeau Mars, or Bryan Kest - both of whom I like but can also find grating (Rainbeau too sloppy and overreaching in her metaphors, Bryan too barky), there's *nothin* Eoin Finn says that I'm not ok with. I'm completely charmed by him and find his instruction helpful and motivating.

Power Yoga for Happiness differs from Power Yoga in a number of ways. First - its a 2 DVD set with, I believe - 5 different routines - something for every time schedule. I've only done the full 80 minute routine and can't comment on the other segments, but geeze, at CAN $24.99/USD $19.95 for the 2 DVD set - how can you go wrong?

Y4H is in a woodsy setting. The class is slightly smaller. Spikey, the dog is more prominently featured and has his own sticky mat. Eoin asks us to do "Upward Facing Spikey" at one point.

Eoin instructs in voice over and actually participates in the class as a student. He is *not* as loquacious as he was during Power Yoga. He's calmer. There are insets where Eoin, and the other instructors, are seen doing certain asanas solo in different, very pretty settings.

The 80 minute routine on Y4H is more advanced, in an athletic sense - than anything on Power Yoga. He shows some very advanced postures - full turtle for instance, but makes an effort to make the class all levels - he shows alternative poses and uses a ski trail analogy - there's a green trail, a black diamond trail, etc.

I liked the original music just fine - more than fine, actually. It changes in the course of the routine - there's a long segment with acoustic guitar that's a bit reminiscent of Hillary Burnett's music on her Power Mat tapes - a compliment. The program, overall, has an absolutely terrific vibe. *what* can I say?

I think that Eoin and I want the same thing out of our yoga practice - a lighter, freer body, vitality. He gets into some loftier methaphors - freedom, love - I'm good with those things too. He described his hip openers as keeping the body young - I like that very much, and I think he's right. Alot of what's drawn me back to yoga is a desire for more openness and flexibility - youthful qualities.

The 80 minute routine is very thorough, but did not have ANY inversions - that bummed me out. He does some self massage, which is nice, and something you don't see in videos. He starts with standing forward bends, then sun salutations, standing work, balance poses, side planks, lots and lots of hip openers and forward bends, some abdominal work (the instruction could be a little better with the ab stuff - i had some concerns about a newbie doing that section), back bends, and a real savasana.

Y4H has its own website:
http://www.headwatersdesign.com/poweryoga.html

Instructor Comments:
Eoin is a knowledgeable, caring, fun loving yogi. Can you say "charming?"

Jane C

01/11/2004