Flexibility is important and probably something not everyone consciously thinks about ... until one tries to touch their toes or reach for something only to have a muscle protest. Yoga can aid in improving flexibility. The Yoga Zone video Stretching for Flexibility is one way to focus on yoga postures that improve one’s bendability. This video comes in both VHS and DVD formats. I own the DVD.


DVD Video Layout

This DVD is broken into two 20-minute workout sessions with three Yoga Zone Senior Instructors demonstrating the movements (two instructors in each 20-minute segment). Jean Kerner leads the first section, and Douglas Stewart demonstrates the postures. In the second session, Douglas Stewart describes the postures while his assistant, Suzanne (no last name given), demonstrates the poses. Comparing the two “leaders” in each session, Jean is smoother in her presentation than Douglas. She speaks clearly, is concise, and is well spoken as if she has done this type of presentation many times. I become restless when listening to Douglas explain the postures. A few times he hesitates in his speech, fumbles a bit, and sometimes talks too slowly for my taste. When watching Yoga Zone videos, I’m used to seeing instructors who know the routine so well that their presentations are flawless. The assistants do a good job demonstrating the poses, sometimes showing how postures can be modified for those who are less or more flexible.

Upon starting this DVD, the screen offers four Chapter choices.

Session #1:
Opening
Lengthening

Session #2:
Opposition Principles
Using Principles

Audio Selection -- Choose to listen to the music only or the narration with music.


The First 20-minute Session

Jean Kerner focuses on yoga postures that, as she says, “will keep you flexible for a lifetime”. This session focuses on stretching. While Jean explains the poses, Douglas demonstrates them. Jean takes time to discuss in detail how to properly breathe during the yoga poses. She explains the breath, how it feels in the body and how to use the breath during yoga practice.

The session begins with a twisting stretch. Other postures include: Side Bend (seated), Forward Stretch, Cat Pose, Downward Facing Dog, Lunges, Side Bend (on knees), Toe Stretch. There are many stretches that are not given names. This entire routine is done in the sitting or kneeling position with the exception of the pose Downward Facing Dog, which requires standing. The session ends with a seated meditation pose.


The Second 20-minute Session

Douglas Stewart is the lead instructor for this session with Suzanne demonstrating the postures. This session focuses on moving the body in opposite directions. Douglas says, “Opposition principles are two points moving away from one another in order to get the most out of stretching.” During many of the postures, Douglas explains which parts of the body are in opposition to one another.

This session also includes a number of stretches that are not identified by name. Some of the yoga poses include: Table, Reverse Plank, Inclined Plank, Downward Facing Dog, Forward Bend, Warrior II, Bound Chair, Sitting Fan, Seated Forward Bend. This session also ends with a seated meditation pose.


My Impressions

If you are familiar with the Yoga Zone television series, then you will notice these two 20-minute sessions follow the same format. Both segments are filmed at the Grand Lido Sans Souci Resort in Jamaica. The music is non-intrusive and soothing, complimenting the yoga postures and verbal instruction. The video and sound quality are good. Another plus is that the instructors perform the poses in “mirror style” so that it is easy to follow their movements.

The first session is devoted to stretching exercises. Depending upon how far you go into the stretches, you can really feel your muscles work. The instructor cautions not to go too deeply into a stretch if it feels uncomfortable. She stresses to relax into the pose rather than forcing the movement. A beginner can benefit from these stretches as the poses will help loosen tightness, and with continued practice, the body will become more flexible. Those who are intermediate yoga students will benefit from moving deeper into the poses. Jean’s assistant, Douglas, is incredibly flexible, and I noticed him sweating a bit as he consistently moved into deeper and deeper stretches. I notice greater flexibility in my movement having done these exercises.

The second session offers more challenge, particularly with the Table, Reverse Plank, Inclined Plank and Sitting Fan poses. Compared to other Yoga Zone instructors, Douglas tends to stumble over some of his words when explaining movements. He starts out strong with his description of Opposition Principles, then loses a bit of his poise but regains it farther into the session. It left me wondering if he were relatively new to performing in front of a camera. However, Douglas is very thorough in describing the postures and uses great visual examples of how the opposing parts of the body are to align. The yoga postures during this section of the video begin seated on the floor, then move to standing and then end seated on the floor. This second session requires more energy, and I feel like I’ve entered more of a workout than the first section of this video. Douglas comments that several of the poses are “strengthening” and describes how the body stretches while doing them.

Even though the second session of this video offers strengthening poses as well as stretching poses, I don’t feel as though I’ve had a complete yoga session. I’ve even done both sessions back to back (40 minutes), and while I feel stretched, I still don’t feel the relaxation I normally feel after doing yoga. I’m used to finishing a yoga session feeling not only relaxed but with a sense of well being. This particular video never leaves me with those feelings. I can see where these stretching exercises might be a good warm-up session before doing a major workout.

Each session ends with a seated meditation pose, but there is no meditation. While seated in the meditation pose, the yoga instructors recap the principles incorporated into the exercise routine.

One thing I enjoy about Yoga Zone videos is that most of them are filmed with the backdrop of beautiful Jamaican scenery. Maybe I’m more sensitive to my surroundings right now since this has been a particularly cold winter, but the sand and water are a welcome sight. Beautiful butterflies can be glimpsed flittering from one side of the screen to the other in the background, and the waves are beautiful riding into shore.


Who Benefits From These Routines

* Those in need of stretching exercises to improve flexibility
* Someone who prefers a mix of stretching moves mixed with yoga postures
* A warm-up routine prior to other more strenuous exercise


Summary

This is a video that I occasionally watch to vary my yoga routine, and the exercises do help improve flexibility. However, overall, I do not find the Stretching for Flexibility video as well balanced as other Yoga Zone videos. The one unique pose in this video is the Sitting Fan posture, which I don’t often see in video yoga routines. I would classify this video for beginners to intermediate yoga students. If this video comes as part of a set, it is a nice addition to a yoga video library. However, I do not recommend this video as a sole purchase unless you need a stretching workout.

I hope you have found this review useful.

Enjoy your day,
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com


Additional Information

Encoding Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only)
Format: Color
Not Rated
ASIN #: B00005RIXI
Length: 40 minutes
Available in DVD & VHS
Price: $9.98


Please read my other reviews:

Conditioning & Stress Release (yoga video)

Evening Stress Release (yoga video)

Yoga for a Strong & Healthy Back (yoga video)

Living Arts Yoga Mat - How to Choose the Right Yoga Mat

Yoga Essentials Strap

Living Arts Yoga Bricks

Yoga Essentials Toolkit

Longevity Through Yoga Mini Book

The Butterfly Place



Copyright 2004 Dawn L. Stewart

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD