Yoga For Stress Relief [DVD] [2008]

This DVD is just what is says it is - and it's brilliant! I liked the concept of this DVD before it was released and even put in a reserve order - when it came I wasn't disappointed! The routines are specific, give instant symptomatic relief and a deeper, longer lasting basis for good relaxation practice. There are 20 routines to choose from with a good range of times and difficulty - from 15 minute breathing exercises to a full 60 minute morning practice. It scores highly in both the variety and quality stakes.I've loved and used this DVD so much that I recently recommended it to a friend - with a link to Amazon so that she could buy it... that's when I had a look at some of the other reviews. I thought some of the negative ones were very unhelpful from a yoga point of view. Some site it as over-simplistic, too slow, too boring... well it is a yoga for stress relief DVD! I'm not saying these people are wrong to think the way they do, but having practiced yoga for over 10 years and seriously studied it for 3 years, I do think they're missing the point somewhat.This DVD is put together so that you can dip straight into a relevant practice whatever your symptoms, needs or time constraints. It is deliberately slow and simplistic as the aims are to gently squeeze the physical tensions from your muscles whilst calming both your mind and your nervous system. If you are stressed and it is making you feel ill the last thing you need is fast-paced, boot camp yoga with complicated poses and a sky high difficulty rating with overbearing music and visuals!Yoga begins in the mind and one of the main aims is to slow things down and be present with your intention, your breath and your body - Barbara Benagh does this beautifully and soothingly in this DVD. And it is not a question of experience - this DVD will fit anyone, novice and experienced yogi alike. There is no such thing as being too experienced or too fit for any practice - yoga is non-competitive by its very nature, and it is your level of commitment that counts. Do this practice wholeheartedly and you won't be disappointed. It won't make you thin, make you sweat, give you huge muscles or make you super fit - but then it doesn't claim to. What is will do is slow you down and help you deal more effectively with the unpleasant effects of stress.

I purchased this as a beginner to yoga and breathing exercises. I found that this was execlty what I wanted, short sessions, relevant and easy to follow. It takes a bit of getting used to as a beginner but I found it really calming and not over the top as some of these DVDs can be. If you are looking for light yoga and to relax this really does do the trick and without being patronising or too difficult to follow. There are a range of chocies, including the start and end of the day and for particular reasons; neck, back, calming etc which helps to choose the right session. I would recommend this if you are starting out and don't have a great deal of time, this can be picked up at any time of the day and some of the breathing tips can be used even when not watching the DVD. I am enjoying this purchase much more than anticipated and as a yoga sceptic have found myself pleasantly suprised and much more relaxed.

I can't believe that this dvd has had so many good reviews! i bought it because of the reviews but I am completly disappointed!Good points:- Short segments when your short of time- Exercises that work to stop aching shoulders etcBad points:- Not actual yoga asanas, so bad for the beginner-Not a flowing, continuing practice, you spend one minute sitting then your lying down again-Boring.I would not receommend this for beginners. If you want simple exercises for aches and pains then buy this. If you want a decent yoga dvd buy something else. The exercises did work but i was disapointed when there was no opportunity for me to practice actual yoga!

This does what it says on the tin and provides yoga workouts geared towards alleviating certain ailments and symptoms of stress. This DVD displays breathing techniques and postures in the Hatha discipline and many of the moves are very medatative in nature. If you are looking for a hardcore ashtanga workout, performed at break neck speed, then do not read any further.I bought with DVD with stress relief in mind and I am not disapppointed. I have, I might add, practised yoga for many years but I wanted something that targeted specific problem areas. The DVD covers a lot of ground: back and neck problems; tension headaches; stress and anxiety; mood boosting moves for those suffering from depression. There are workouts to start the day, end the day and those that tackle insomnia.The instructor is knowledgable and her voice is soothing. The pace is slow but deliberately slow: this may annoy or irritate some people but I found it to be effective. In fact, a lot of the reason why some people struggle with the slow pace and the 'nothingness' is because they are stressed and find unwinding problematic. Patience and perseverence are the key to gaining benefit from this DVD.I've benefitted enormously from using this DVD: the 40 minute and 60 minute workouts feel like 5 mins when you do them (honestly!). I feel calm, in control and elongated after doing them.I give this 5 stars because it is excellent and well worth the money.