Mark Blanchard
For those of you who are looking to spice up their yoga routines with a new
tape which will challenge your strength, flexibility and stamina, I can
highly recommend this one. Like his previous tape "The Power Within" this
one takes place both in a large class with Mark teaching, spliced with
scenes of Mark and 2 others, one of whom shows less advanced versions of the
poses, doing the same routine on a deck with beautiful mountains behind
them. This is not the power yoga as demonstrated in Beryl Bender Birch's
book, which is her version of very traditional ashtanga yoga; rather it is
Blanchard's version which uses sun salutations in between postures to really
build upper body strength. The things I really like about this tape are the
numerous balancing postures I haven't found on many other tapes. They are
extremely challenging but so much fun to confront. He frequently
encourages students to back off from poses, and to compete with neither
fellow students nor one's self. Mark also strikes me as being less "in your
face" than Bryan Kest.
Although Mark does talk about breathing and often says when to inhale and
exhale, I strongly suggest those really interested in power yoga to get
David Swensen's "Yoga Short Forms" video. Not only will you get a different
take on the poses, but you will learn so much more about proper breathing
which you will eventually need on Blanchard's tape. Swensen's tape has a
15, 30 and a 45-minute routine which will help build up your yogic stamina.
The few negatives, which are pretty minor, are 1.) Blanchard wears very
baggy pants which means you can't see that his knees are bent at certain
parts of a move until he tells you to straighten your legs. As you learn
this move, though, it shouldn't be problematic for long. 2.) The only way I
think a beginner would benefit from this tape would be if s/he is a person
with enormous self knowledge and respect for their body, and could truly
stop as needed without becoming completely discouraged about ever being able
to advance with this tape. David Swensen's short forms tape would be an
excellent starting point. 3.) I think he could talk more about safety and
form for shoulder stand and plough poses. 4.) While this tape is not "power
yoga" in the "ashtanga" sense, I view it as another means to build strength
and stamina while working on amazing poses not usually taught on tape. I
plan to alternate this with my regular ashtanga workouts. This, along with
his earlier tapes, are some of the most difficult videos I have ever
encountered.
Instructor comments: He is an encouraging teacher with a calm demeanor. As an experienced yoga
teacher, he knows this is hard work and urges students to accept and respect
their limitations.
Fran Goldsmith
6/28/00