This video really moves, and works great
strength, but it has the most wonderful flow.
It seems less challenging than his Level 2
tape (which I absolutely love!) This
tape(level 3) is based on traditional Astanga
yoga but Baron has done a great job in making
it safe and approachable. I never thought I'd
be saying this but these "yoga" tapes have
truly toned, lengthened and elongated my
body. As a fitness professional I always
thought yoga was a nice supplement and
counterbalance to sculpting and aerobic work.
But the proof is in the pudding, my body is
leaner, longer and more elegant. Get this
tape and use it. It
Instructor comments: As a fitness professional for over 12 years I
am not easily impressed with an instructor.
I've trained with the best. Baron is
absolutely a master teacher! The guy has
just got it! The passion! The inspiration.
The knowledge. The depth. And the ability to
make you want to work at bettering your best!
He helps you really "g
Karen Miller
3/23/99
Baptiste *Hot* Yoga Series vs. *Power* Yoga Series
(or, "when Good Times goes bad")
Baron Baptiste made a three-video series in 1998. There
are at least two versions of these tapes on the market, and
the production quality varies significantly. The videos
labeled as "Hot Yoga" are distributed by Good Times and are
the poorer quality versions, and the video's labeled "Power
Yoga" are the better productions - however, it aint quite
that simple...
The covers of the better tapes are labeled: Baron
Baptiste's Power Yoga, and the individual tapes were titled
1) Level 1: Power Yoga For Beginners, 2) Level 2, Ultimate
Power Yoga Challenge, and 3) Power Yoga The Next Challenge.
They do not mention "Good Times" as the distributor.
"Good Times" productions began distributing the tapes
shortly after they hit the market. Good Times made cheaper
reproductions that look like 5th generation copies and have
spots on the tapes that are blurry - at least mine do!
Good Times originally mass marketed the tapes for $14.95
each but many people got the Good Times version as part of
a Walmart distributed three-pack which sold for $12.96 for
the set of three. Rather than being called *Power* Yoga,
these tapes are called "Baron Baptiste's *Hot* Yoga", with
the same individual tape titles as the *Power* Yoga
version.
So, you're figuring, "ok, if I want good quality, I'll just
get the *Power* Yoga tapes rather than the *Hot* Yoga
Tapes. Unfortunately, it's not quite that simple.
Baronbaptiste.com offers tapes which show a cover graphic
for the *Power* Yoga series, however, the description which
accompanies the graphic says *Hot* Yoga, Levels 1, 2, and
3. This was done so people would not mistakenly buy the
Power Yoga series believing it was a different program than
the Hot Yoga series. The baronbaptiste.com tapes sell for
$20 +S&H each.
Collagevideo.com indicates they purchased their tapes
directly from Baron, and were quite miffed that Baron had
allowed Good Times to package a lower quality version for
$12.96 for all three - a price below their wholesale cost
for the better tapes. The Collage tapes are entitled
*Power* Yoga. However, you might get confused because
their catalog and website graphic for the Level 3 tape says
*Hot* Yoga (they indicate this will soon be corrected).
Collage sells the tapes for $14.95 each, and the set for
$40.00+S&H.
The $12.96 Walmart three-pack does not appear to be
currently available. It does pop up on Ebay, and the
Videofitness and Firmbelievers swap forums. Please note
that in addition to the 3 shrinkwrap bundle, the tapes
are individually shrinkwrapped, so it's quite possible to
unwittingly trade for one of the cheesy Good Times tapes.
If you want the better tapes, avoid versions which
reference "Good Times" productions.
Finally, none of this has anything to do with Baron's most
recent, and completely different series, which came out in
2001 and is entitled "Baron Baptiste Live" - these tapes
feature a completely different program which I personally
prefer - the real smart money will go there.
Jane C.
7/05/01