Customer Reviews

The All-Day Yoga Workout - A.M., Stress Relief, and P.M. Yoga for Beginners

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I discovered this about eight months ago, and it's the only exercise program I've been able to stick with since high school. I'm not terribly fond of the Stress Relief section-- Suzanne Deason's voice annoys me, and I frequently get lost following her instructions-- but I truly enjoy the AM and PM segments.

Even when I've fallen off the yoga path for several weeks, I can get right back into it with the PM workout, without much pain or grief. I don't even sit facing the screen anymore-- it's easy to internalize the sequence of postures. It's great as an occasional stress release or as a nightly routine, and props are not essential, in my opinion.

The AM workout is fast-paced, and you will want to watch it at least once before attempting to do the workout, (most workout tapes say this on the label, but this time they really mean it!) but once you catch on, it gets you energized to start the day. I enjoy the faster-paced moves, but it's definitely up to you to choose the style that fits you best.

The triple set on one DVD is also a good value for the price, but the biggest drawback of this product is that two out of three workouts on this disc do require props to complete, at least for most beginners. I was fairly flexible going in, but large sections of the AM and stress relief workout are nearly impossible without a strap in particular.

This is an excellent DVD that I used as an introduction to yoga, and that I continue to use two or three times a week to supplement my yoga studio classes.

The movements are largely stretches, with none of the "huffing and puffing" that more intense yoga can require. The teachers are very responsible about showing alternate poses when needed. The standing poses helped me with my initial balance so that I was able to sustain more challenging poses in my studio classes.

The production values are very good, and the audio quality is great. Many yoga teachers encourage the use of home yoga videos and DVDs, but recommend listening to them more than watching them (after you're familiar with the sequence, of course); with audio instructions only, you're more likely to focus on your own body rather than trying to mimic the "perfect" teachers. This DVD has great sound quality and instruction, and I'm able to turn away from the TV and listen only.

I recommend this DVD for yoga beginners, and for yoga intermediates looking for a light 20-minute program on days they can't attend longer classes.

Before I had a DVD player, I purchased the VHS set of AM/PM Yoga, which I really enjoyed. Once I upgraded to DVD, this was my first yoga purchase.

I was already familiar with Rodney Yee and Patricia Walden's sections, so I knew I would enjoy those workouts. Each is perfect for the time of day it addresses; Rodney's AM Yoga is a wonderful way to wake up and revitalize in the morning, while Patricia's PM Yoga really helps me relax and wind down in the evening.

However, my enjoyment of both was greatly augmented when I started practicing Suzanne Deason's Stress Relief segment. I was not too familiar with using props, except for the strap part in AM Yoga, before I got this DVD. Since using the Stress Relief workout, as well as the How to Use Props feature, I am able to implement the strap and blocks into the other workouts to make the poses more effective for me.

I use this DVD daily, choosing whichever workout I have time to fit into my busy day. I would highly recommend it to any yoga practitioner who enjoys the Iyengar methodology used by all three instructors.

The other reviews have offered ample reasons for purcasing this. I would add that while the straps and blocks are needed, these can, if you wish, be fashioned from things you have around the house. A nice wide terrycloth belt from an old robe makes a great strap, for example.

If new to yoga, the best course would be to do Rodney Yee's A.M. Yoga for 21 days. This will build a healthy habit that will help you more than you can realize. Each of these lessons, by the way, are very well written and sensitively convey the benefit of the movements while expertly leading you through the actions.

Suzanne Deeston's Yoga for Stress is more strenuous and is very effective. A week or two into Rodney's A.M. session, you might want to begin with the Stress session after work.

After a week or two of Yoga for Stress, you should be ready for the P.M. session. But don't rush into it. Take your time.

If you do nothing other than wake up each morning and do A.M. Yoga, I believe you will find very pleasing results. I give this a powerful 5 star rating.

This is the third yoga tape I have bought and definitely the best. I especially enjoy the Stress Relief 20 minute workout with Suzanne Deason. I am defintely a beginner at yoga, but I found that I could handle this tape without feeling like an incompetent or that I might hurt myself trying to get into the poses. All three workouts are extremely relaxing. I stretched muscles and relieved tension in places on my body that I wasn't even aware of! The PM session is definitely the toughest, but still not bad at all considering I have always been very unflexible and stiff. All in all, a fantastic beginner's tape, ideal for relaxation and those who are just getting into yoga like me.

I'm fairly new to yoga and got this dvd for more of the advanced features. It has the 3 programs, plus a bonus on how to use props. The morning is perfect to get you going...same with the stress one. Also, in the evening, the stress or pm is perfect before bedtime.

I would suggest this for beginner or intermediate level people. While challenging on some poses for most newbies, I think advanced to very advanced people would get bored. The background music is very nice and soothing too!

This program is great. I had never done Yoga before and the instructors are very detailed and explain all poses. I have been using the program every day and the variety is wounderful. I highly recommend this program to both beginners and not so beginners. Happy Yoga!

I've done this DVD a few times now. I generally do the AM and the Stress practices at the same time. I feel VERY refreshed and wonderful after doing these two sections of the DVD. I still find the PM practice too difficult for my current ability and patience.Do be sure to wear non-binding clothing to do this workout. I put on an old sleeveless leotard I had from years ago. It leaves all my skin exposed pretty much, except my torso....Back to "All Day Yoga," I think it's terrific. I so love how I feel when I'm do the AM and Stress practices. Also, I particularly like Rodney Yee's AM practice. His voice is calming and his routine is very comfortable. When I have time, I like to do the Stress practice right afterward, although it's a little more challenging. You get a bit more stretching with that workout. I DEFINITELY need to use a block (and sometimes 2 of them stacked!) to do this workout.This DVD is a great way to begin your day! And if you're feeling sluggish mid-day, or after work, I think it's a great pick-me-up for that. You could do Rodney's AM practice even if it was a different time of day. It's clearly the easiest one on the DVD ... especially if you are new to yoga and completely out of shape as I am!

I'm definitely in a beginner's range when it comes to yoga practice (only started out last month). This DVD with three short sessions I bought simply based on people's raving reviews and it turned out to be a disappointment. This review mainly focus on A.M. yoga part by Rodney Yee, as that's the only one I feel comfortable practicing with more than a few times per week.

But that doesn't mean A.M. yoga is flawless. The biggest problem, at least for me, is that the pace is way too fast. Even it is seemingly the slowest and most relaxed part of all on this DVD, I always find myself a bit behind. For example, whenever he tells us "change the side of your legs", I fall behind and that leaves me with frustration. Of course I do my best so that I can keep up with his graceful movement on TV screen, but it's simply impossible for me at this stage of yoga practice, having been a non-athlete all my life. Also, there are times that I cannot really figure out what he's exactly doing (e.g. "briging your right knee toward your armpit...) because of the poor camera angle.

As for A.M. part, I do not think the overall movement is particularly challenging, though. Anyone can follow it with ease (if you DO watch it over and over again before actually doing it!)---that's why I tend to stick to Rodney's part most of the time despite its problems.

Other parts, namely P.M. yoga and Stress Relief, didn't hold my attention enough to keep practicing with: the former I didn't like its whole sequence at all (sitting-on-the-hip-and-stretch poses are my least favorites, closely followed by standing poses, especially when they are performed THAT quickly), the latter turned me off completely with extensive uses of foam blocks and, again, it's incredibly fast paced for "Stress Relief". (Now I'm slowly beginning to understand that I have an aversion to these Iyengar style instructions!)

Another common problem with these three instructors is their not-so-great cuing techniques. In this respect, Alan Finger of Yoga Zone series(Great place to start! My favorite!!!) and Erich Schiffmann on Ali MacGraw's "Yoga Mind & Body" are far superior. If you beginners would like to know what the best cuing sounds like, try their tapes first---you won't regret it. (I know, I know, that Ali MacGraw one perhaps might not be the best choice for absolute beginners for its lack of detailed explanation on poses...yet I believe it's a tape you eventually would like to grow into, if it suits your taste.)

Anyway, I would rate this All-Day Yoga Workout a 3. (4 for Rodney part, 3 for P.M., 2 for Stress Relief) I'm going to sell/give it away as soon as I find a better alternative for my shorter yoga practice. (A couple of recently released Yoga Zone DVD might be the best bet for me, I guess.)

I've done aerobics, steps, pilates, running...you name it!...but I've never consider yoga as a workout routine, I started practicing yoga and bought this dvd, It is perfect! specially if you are a beginner why?, THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: it has a section where you can learn the name and the posture of each yoga position, which is essential to know if you are a beginner!, the AM workout is great!(all of them are good, but this is my fave)although I just started practicing yoga, I see significance changes in my body and well-being, when I am exercising my form, posture and flexibility is much better! if you are new, be patient, but worth a hundred fold to try yoga and/or combining it with your regular routine.