Healing Yoga - DVD

This DVD is a re-release of a product that originally came out on VHS titled "Yoga Remedies for Natural Healing." Because the practice features five short yoga routines (each about 8.5 minutes), the DVD format is a vast improvement, as you can easily go directly to the routine of your choice from the main menu. The practices are led by yoga instructor Rodney Yee, who teaches via voiceover. In addition to the five main routines, there is also a 4-minute "Conscious Breathing" exercise; here Yee leads the viewer through breath awareness while in a reclined position. I have described each of the five main practices in detail below.

Stress. This practice is a bit shorter than the others (7.5 minutes), and it is designed to release tension from the head, neck, and shoulders; Yee demonstrates along with fellow yoga instructor Suzanne Deason. It begins with several arm stretches, including stretching the arms overhead and into eagle arms. There is also a single sun salutation and several standing poses (triangle, side angle, wide-legged standing forward bend). The practice finishes with some additional arm stretches an a brief savasana.

Indigestion. Here Deason demostrates alone, beginning in a reclined position for a series of reclined twists. Several variations on seated (sage) twists follow, and the routine concludes with child's and hero's poses.

Back Pain. This practice uses two blankets and a strap; Yee is practicing alone. The props are used to facilitate several supported reclined postures. There is a brief cat/cow stretch followed by down dog, and then cobra pose is practiced with the blanket under the hips. The routine finishes in child's pose.

Fatigue. This practice uses a chair and two blankets, and I believe the demonstrator is Yee's ex-wife, Donna Fone. The first posture is standing forward bend with the head supported on the chair, and then down dog is performed with the head supported on the block. Next, the chair is again used to support the head in a seated forward bend. The final pose was a sort of modified plow, resting the knees and the tops of the feet on the chair; this posture was a bit difficult to set up, especially given that not much time is allowed here. The practice finishes with a brief rest with calves on the chair.

Headache. This session, which Yee leads alone, was a bit longer at 9.5 minutes. It consists mainly of supported, restorative postures. Yee uses two blankets and an eye bag for both legs-up-the-wall pose and a reclined lying chest opener with the feet at the wall. This routine also includes practice of alternate nostril breathing and brief meditation.

Overall, this DVD offers a nice selection of short yoga practices. I would recommend the DVD mainly to those with some prior yoga experience, as the practices move a bit quickly at times. My favorite routine was the Stress, which required no props and which did not suffer from the lack of longer pose holds.

I really like Healing Yoga a lot. I never owned a yoga DVD with Rodney Yee as an instructor. I must say that he is an excellent teacher and one does not feel inadequate doing these positions. There are easier options demonstrated, so I never felt that I was not experienced enough. What I really like about this DVD is how I feel afterwards. I love the sections addressing each health problem. One can pick and choose what sections to do. It still flows nicely and the breathtaking setting makes it pleasing to the eyes. I would highly recommend this DVD to anyone.

Rodney Yee makes yoga so accessible to everyone, and this DVD helps to target areas within your body that need extra attention. I love it.

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