This video delivers what it promises: it provides an energizing yoga practice to wake you up in the morning or to refresh you at any time of the day. The workout begins with gentle, non-yoga stretches focused on increasing the blood flow to various parts of the body. Instructor Hemalaya also incorporates a few exercises not generally found on other yoga tapes: she engages in both brief chanting and "energized breathing." The main section of this practice consists of a series of sun salutations; each series becomes a bit more challenging, eventually incorporating standing poses. The practice ends with a relaxation which includes a few additional "omm" chants.

The music on this video is quiet and pleasant with sort of a tribal theme (similar to Minna Lessig's "Strength and Grace"), and the studio setting is designed to look like a comfy loft apartment. Despite some minor instructional flaws, this is an enjoyable yoga practice which provides a nice change from some of the other available videos.

Instructor Comments:
Hemalaya has a pleasant voice and offers good general instruction, but there are two main problems with her cuing: 1) her voice over instructions are often out of sync with her camera performance of the poses, and 2) when she cues right and left, she is inconsistent about using mirrored instructions.

Beth C (aka toaster)