Customer Reviews

AM & PM Stretch

5 star:		(83)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I was looking for a good stretching routine and I've found it! Madeleine Lewis instructs the stretching. She is very clear in her instructions and is good for either beginners or intermediate students. The scenery is absolutely lovely in the practices. You have your choice of three different routines. One, the AM is a fairly gentle routine. I use it quite often in the morning to get me going. You do a short warm up and then get into the stretching. There are about 25 stretches and the practice lasts about 25 minutes. The second one is a PM stretching routine which again starts with a warm up, then about 15 stretches and then a relaxation/cool down, about 25 minutes. The third routine (extra) is a power stretch and very uplifting, lasts about 20 minutes. All of them are very good and useful for every time of day.

I am in my late fifties, overweight, out of shape and have arthritis in my knees. When I previewed this DVD, I was sure that I would not be able to do the stretches. However, with some modifications for my inflexibility, I was able to do all the stretches.
Pros:
Beautiful and peaceful scenery
Very professionally produced
She gives instructions with voice-over as she does the stretches silently - very easy to follow her instructions and movements
Calm, soothing voice
Reminders to breathe correctly
Reminders for good body alignment and form
Not impossible moves for the inflexible
Good sequencing of stretches
Just makes you feel good!
Cons: Her voice-over tells you to use one leg or arm while she is using the opposite leg or arm on the video. Not really a big deal,though.

I was looking for a stretch video to help with muscle tension and for relaxation after work or whenever I may feel the need. I found that this stretch routine really works for me. I am a beginner and I desired a routine to increase my flexibility as well. I tried the AM stretch routine one morning and found that it really helped to relax, calm and even energize me for the coming day. The PM routine was relaxing as well and it helped to unwind me. The routines in each section are not difficult and allow you to do what is comfortable for you. I purchased the DVD version with both AM/PM stretch routines. The DVD version also contains a bonus workout.

This is a great DVD. The scenery is absolutely beautiful and the stretches are relaxing and invigorating at the same time. The instructor does an excellent job reminding you to keep proper form and proper breathing. I am an advanced exerciser and found that this DVD was a great addition to my routine. I really felt like the lower back, hamstrings, and the entire upper body were opened up and stretched. You even stretch the wrists in the PM Stretch, which is often a neglected part of the body. Very basic, but very effective. Beginners to advanced exercisers would benefit from using the DVD.

I really wanted to like this, but felt really misled by the title and packaging. I was looking for a thorough stretching routine I could do after exercising or to work out those morning kinks and stiffness. This isn't it. It's really a pilates/yoga DVD, and as such would get 4-5 stars. But I didn't want pilates or yoga--I don't like pilates, and I've got plenty of yoga DVDs. I give it 1 star as a stretching DVD. Stretches aren't held long, there's a lot of bouncing, the upper body is largely neglected, and I didn't get that nice "stretched out" feeling I was looking for.

It's fine for what it is--the scenery is pretty and the music is benign. The instructor doesn't seem to know her right from her left, which since all the narration was voice-over, was distracting, but it doesn't matter all that much as far as doing the routines.

I have had this DVD for only a few days now, and my body already feels more healthy! I originally bought the DVD because I suffer from insomnia and I thought that a PM stretching routine might help me fall asleep. It has helped a lot! I have been doing the "PM Stretch" just before going to bed. It makes me feel very relaxed both physically and mentally, and I have been able to fall asleep easily afterwards. The music is very soothing and the background setting is gorgeous! As an added bonus, I've also discovered that the "AM Stretch" is a wonderful way to wake up in the morning. I do it first thing as soon as I get out of bed and it really helps me wake up and seize the day. The AM music and mountain setting are invigorating. The instructions for both AM & PM stretches are given in a clear, easy to understand way, and the stretches are easy for even a beginner such as myself to do. I also find it helpful that throughout the programs you are gently reminded to check your posture, breathing, and muscle tension. Each program is only about 30 minutes long, so it's easy to make the time in your day to do them. I highly recommend this video to anyone who is looking for a good stretching program!

Since I was 10 years old, I've had problems with chronic headaches. I've seen many neurologists and had spent 20 years looking for relief before I bought this DVD. As soon as I started the AM & PM Stretch, I realized that I have serious muscle tension issues in my neck and back. Now, as long as I do these stretches once or twice a week, I never get headaches. These stretches make me feel great.

The PM Stretch is the ultimate stress reliever. After the AM Stretch, I am ready to take on the world. I started doing these stretches 2 years ago and I still do them at least once a week.

The events that lead me to buying this DVD: I fell off of a cliff while playing paintball. I dislocated my shoulder. Months later I started having severe pains in my upper back. I saw a chiropractor who recommended I try some stretches. I bought this DVD. No more upper back pain. No more headaches. I feel great!

Do yourself a favor and try these stretches.

I am an active woman of 62 and stretching is vital in keeping my body able to do each activity I ask of it. The "a.m. & p.m. stretch" DVD of Madeleine Lewis has made this necessary stretching a pleasure. Her wonderfully soothing voice, her flowing movements, her obvious knowledge of the body encourages me never to miss my morning & evening routines. I feel no important muscle has been neglected and I feel confident that Madeleine is helping me do a really good thing for myself. I especially appreciate her gentle reminders to breathe, check my posture, and persevere. The beauty of the mountains surrounding her is a wonderful bonus and instills feelings of peace and tranquility that I take with me into my busy day. Nature is very important to me so I truly look forward to the visual aspect of this DVD. I'm looking forward to more of this kind of work from Madeleine Lewis. Thank you GAIAM and especially thank you, Madeleine!

This is a well produced and pleasant to watch video. Nice scenery is coupled with relaxing music and voice-over. That being said, I found it to be quite basic and more remedial in its approach than what I had hoped for. If you are searching for gentle routines using very basic yoga-like movements, this may be a good choice for you. However, if you are more physically inclined and able, and are looking for a more serious stretching video, this will probably fall a bit short of expectations.

I got this a couple of weeks ago. I was looking for something that would stretch the major muscle groups and help with my posture (I have quite a pronounced "swayback"), and it's exactly what I wanted. I've been doing the AM stretch most mornings and the PM stretch once or twice, and I've gained some flexibility and (perhaps more importantly) also find myself automatically correcting my posture throughout the day. The morning routine also includes some "core" exercises, so your muscles work to some extent too (good for getting warmed up in the morning).

The routines are filmed in a nice setting (mountains), and the stretches flow nicely from one to the other. I would guess that there's a lot of yoga influence in there - however, it's definitely a stretching routine and not a yoga routine. The instructor is very good - she demonstrates the stretches nicely and provides constant reminders to check details of the stretches to get maximum benefit (but not in an irritating way). Each routine is 25 minutes, including a short warm up. There's a 20-minute bonus "power stretch" routine, but I've yet to try that - maybe after some weeks of the AM/PM routines.