Customer Reviews

Yoga for Stress Relief

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is an extremely versatile DVD by renowned yoga instructor Barbara Benagh. She has combined short posture segments into a series of 20 different practices addressing a variety of stress-related conditions, from energizing after a long day to coping with aches and pains to relieving various digestive conditions. The practices, which are slow-moving with a mostly restorative focus, range in length from 15 to 60 minutes, making it easy to fit yoga into even your busiest days. Barbara frequently uses props; in addition to a yoga mat, I would recommend that you have at least one blanket on hand (preferably 2-3), with pillows and an eye bag being optional.

A breakdown of the DVD is listed below. The headings are the items found on the main menu, and the bullets indicate submenu items. The times for each practice are given as they appear on-screen, but I've added times in parentheses based on my own review. I've included brief notes on some of the practices that I have already tried; I plan to edit this review with additional notes as I use more of the vast material on this DVD.

Discussion of Meditation by HH The Dalai Lama (35)

Interview with Barbara (22)

Beginning and Ending Your Day

* Begin Your Day Slowly, 25m (24.5) - starts slowly on the floor and gradually moves into more active postures

* Wake Up! 60m (58) - nice, slow flow combining seated breath work, standing postures, and seated forward bends

* Evening Revival, 40m (35.5) - combination of standing and floor postures to increase energy and foster relaxation

* Letting Go of the Day, 40m (37) - a series of floor and restorative postures, including reclined cobbler's, supported child's pose, and supported forward bends

* Insomnia Series, 35m (36) - similar series of relaxing postures to help prepare for sleep

Neck, Shoulder, and Back Issues

* Easing Neck & Shoulder Tension, passive, 20m (19) - a series of mostly reclined postures allowing passive relaxation of the neck and shoulders

* Easing Neck & Shoulder Tension, active, extended, 30m (29) - more active stretches of the neck and shoulders from both seated and standing positions; ends with legs up the wall pose

* Lower Back Tension, 35m (35.5) - very similar to the digestive practices

* Hip Pain (SI Joint), 25m (36) - a series of gentle hip-opening postures

* Tension Headaches, 45m (44) - a combination of sequences from both the passive and the active neck and shoulders segments above; ends with a lengthy relaxation

Easing Your Mind

* Breathing Exercises to Calm the Mind, 15m (15) - a slowly moving series of different breathing techniques

* Restorative Poses for Relaxation, 15m (13.5) - three simple postures to facilitate deep relaxation

* Deep Rest, 20m (18) - reclined breathing combined with a lengthy relaxation segment

* Mood Uplift, 30m (32.5) - similar to Serenity in Stillness, offers a combination of calming and more active postures, including supportive bridge

* Serenity in Stillness, 35m (40.5) - combines elements of the disgestive, hips, and neck practices; my favorite so far!

* Anxiety Relief, 50m (40) - focuses largely on various breathing exercises to calm the mind

Stomach and Digestion Issues

* Constipation, 25m (27) - gentle prone postures to stimulate the stomach combined with standing and seated twists; ends with legs up the wall pose

* Improve Digestion, 30m (28.5)

* IBS, 30m (26.5) - a combo of standnig a floor postures ending with relaxation (legs up the wall)

* Diarrhea & Indigestion, 30m (25) - nice series of gentle supported postures to open the upper back and release the stomach; includes supported bridge

Credits

One final important note is that not all of the practices end with the traditional relaxation pose, or savasana: some conclude with legs up the wall pose, others end in a relaxed seated position, and some just sort of end. Overall, this is an excellent yoga DVD well-suited to a wide range of practioners, from those fairly new to yoga to more experienced yoginis like myself. Highly recommended!

To be most helpful, I'd suggest reading the most popular reviews here on Amazon to get the exact listing of this DVD's contents (20 routines). I was looking for a beginner's Yoga DVD and this is most definitely a beginners DVD. Although the exercises were relaxing, they seemed awfully long to me. None were particularly complicated or challenging and I found myself bored several times. Breathing and mind-relaxing is definitely one of the most important aspects depicted on this DVD, but nothing more challenging.

I was able to glean a few Yoga techniques to help relax, but not much more. I would have liked to see more stretching exercises. Instructor Barbara Benagh is perfect for demonstration techniques and the overdubs were relaxing with a great ocean/beach background. The biggest lesson I learned was that one needs to slow down and take the time to do even the simplest techniques.

The 30-minute segment with the Dalai Lama was interesting at first, but the audio (or my poor listening to dialects) was distracting. I respect the Dalai Lama but felt that this segment was extraneous - more of a filler. I would not dismiss this DVD for anyone, however I just didn't connect with it. The next thing I am going to do is enroll in an actual class where I can concentrate completely with an actual person.

Well done Yoga DVD; the instructor's whole demeaner expresses authenticity and being centered spiritually (without explicit spiritual jargon - except for the brief endings of routines with hands in the prayer position). A small quible; as a beginner, I think this DVD would have benefited from having some routines for beginners...though implicitly, it does build on basic breathing exercises.

Be well.

ADDITION: After months of using this CD I can still say it is enjoyable and beneficial... the instructor's warmth and authenticity stands up to repeated viewings, even though I am a guy trying to maintain some masculinity while doing yoga!

I just love this dvd. Anyone looking for a gentle effective routine will too. I have persistant neck and shoulder injuries and find this dvd is simply the only one that helps. I use now exclusively as I just simply find it so effective. I own atleast 20 other yoga dvds by various popular instructors and none have been as helpful I found I tried them a few times and then abandoned them, but this dvd i use everyday. I love the way it is filmed with each pose as its own vignette so you can skip those you don't like or create your own sequence.

As one who has suffered with chronic neck pain for many years I am so grateful for Barbara's somewhat unique routines for easing neck and shoulder tension. They work.

Initially I considered this slow flow DVD to be suitable for all levels and felt it was accessible to beginners. However, after reading through all the reviews, I realize that although Barbara does a masterful job in guiding one to release tension there may be a learning curve as those new to yoga find their inner connections. A little patience with oneself and persistence in following Barbara's guidance will surely bring many lovely results.

Sometimes it is easier to think about relaxing than actually doing so, but this DVD has helped me do so.

There is something here for everyone, and I really love the breathing exercises. Amazing on how breathing can help calm you down.

The section for neck and back issues is another favorite. Cars and computers have put some strain on me, and these exercises have helped me feel alot better.

The Dalai Lama interview is a great bonus section. He seems so approachable and warm and his message ties in well with the rest of the DVD and what it helps you accomplish.

If you have pain, feel hectic or are just looking for something to relax, you should have this DVD.

This yoga tape gives me incredible flexibility with yoga guidance depending on what my immediate needs are of mind and body and the amount of time I have. I am far more likely than in the past to take the time to do some yoga since I can do a 15 minute sequence or 45 minutes simply and easily. Also, a criteria for me is also the backdrop I am looking at and I love the water setting of this program....

I find this DVD very easy to follow and very soothing to listen to. Highly recommended.

I was HIGHLY disappointed in this DVD. The workouts are just not as restorative as I had hoped from the title etc. There were too many active workouts. I was sleepless one night so I tried the insomnia sequence and I couldn't BELIEVE she had DOWNWARD DOG on there! Oh MY GOODNESS! You don't do active poses that get your blood pumping when needing to relax and sleep.
BUT, she is a very good, in fact EXCELLENT teacher for sure.

The instructor is perfect in her instruction, the right speed and soothing.

The routines are relaxing and accomplish what they say they will in their name such as "head, neck and shoulders" or "back".

Additionally the scenary is stunning and the section with the Dalai Lama is inspiring.

All in all this DVD is highly recommended