I’m reviewing this workout after doing it a couple of times.

N.B. This video has been released under a few different titles, among them (Yoga Journal’s) Yoga for Longevity and Peak Performance Yoga.

General workout breakdown: See Beth’s review.

Level: I’d recommend this to exercisers with at least a little prior yoga experience. The practice does not contain any particularly advanced postures, although it helps to have a bit of flexibility already in a few poses. Beginners may find this a doable challenge, while those more experienced will find this a gentle practice.

Class: 1 woman joins Rod, who instructs via voiceover. The woman shows modifications, and for once an instructor has really spent a lot of time thinking about appropriate modifications, making sure the modifications are clearly shown, and describing what the modifications entail.

Music: gentle instrumental (some guitar, some more atmospheric stuff) that fades into the backgroun.

Set: a grassy spot on a cliff above the ocean waters surrounding Maui, Hawaii.

Production: clear picture and sound. The music is relatively quiet in relation to Rod’s voice. Camera angles (in the main practice) usually show all of both Rod and Ingrid. There are some sweeping as well as overhead / farther away views, but in the end the camerawork isn’t all that distracting.

Equipment: yoga sticky mat (or equivalent). You may also want to have a block, a strap (or belt, old tie, etc.), and a blanket (something firm, like wool or woven cotton, rather than something squishy or fluffy) if you plan on using the modifications.

Space Requirements: enough space to lie down with your arms and legs extended.

DVD Notes: On my DVD, labeled Yoga Journal’s Yoga for Longevity, the main menu offers these options: Longevity Workout (the entire practice, preceded by an intro from Rod which you can skip with your remote), Workout Segments (Introduction, Practice for Longevity, and Deep Relaxation), Modified Workout Segments (Introduction, Practice for Longevity, and Deep Relaxation, but here only Ingrid, the modifier, is shown), and Special Features (Interview with Rod Stryker, during which Rod, who is quite approachable and personable, talks about how he came to yoga, what “yoga for longevity” means, what yoga can do for you, etc., while scenes from the video as well as a “normal” class Rod teaches play in the background, 7.5 min.; Rod Stryker Biography).
During the practice you can hit “angle” on your remote to toggle between the regular practice and the one focusing on the modified postures.

Comments: This gentle practice claims to focus on yoga’s anti-aging benefits (at least on the cover and accompanying booklet of the older editions; during the practice Rod keeps his instruction general). It makes a great morning practice or a great post-work / study session practice to (re)awaken stiff muscles.

Instructor Comments:
Rod provides solid instruction and good cuing; in fact, I didn’t find myself needing to look at the screen often and felt like I explored a few new ways to approach not so new to me poses. He has a pleasant voice that’s gently encouraging. He cues for his left and right rather than mirror cuing.

KathAL79