Customer Reviews

5 Day Fit Yoga

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

...once you figure out which workout is which. I was quite confused when I first started working with this DVD because the workout descriptions on the back cover do not match the workouts as they're numerically ordered on the DVD. It's definitely a shortcoming in the editing that the workouts are only numbered, and not titled. Having said that, now that I've gotten to know the sessions, I find this a good resource. It's particularly good for traveling, because there is a nice selection from which to choose. Below is the index, as I have come to know the DVD. I hope this helps other users!

1. AM Peak Performance (Rod Stryker)
2. PM Weight Loss (Suzanne Deason)
3. PM Peak Performance (Rod Stryker)
4. AM Yoga for Weight Loss (Suzanne Deason)
5. Stress Relief Yoga (Suzanne Deason)

I agree this is a poorly presented re-release of 5 20-27 min. sessions by Susan Deason & Rod Stryker.
Straight from Gaiam's site, the order of "workouts" (Way too easy to be considered such), are:
1. A.M. Peak Performance Yoga - Focus w/Rod Stryker (2003)
2. Stress Relief Yoga w/Susan Deason (1998)
3. P.M. Peak Performance Yoga - Stress Relief w/Rod Stryker (2003)
4. A.M. Yoga - Conditioning For Weight Loss w/Susan Deason (1999/2002)
5. P.M. Yoga - Conditioning For Weight Loss w/Susan Deason (1999/2002)

The list on the back of the DVD case lists them in a different order which makes no sense. The reason there is no intro was because when filmed, the intros were also a different section/menu choice. But they still could have included them or at least have identified them somehow. On Susan's Stress Relief, there is more content then just the 20 min here & on her Weight Loss, there is 20 min. Breathwork that goes deeper & is more of a workout, though still easy.

These are professionally done, beautiful outdoor scenes, all were originally on VHS as well & re-released on DVD previously except Rod's AM/PM which never was until now & is still is listed on VHS here. (This is not his Longevity DVD version.) You can check reviews for content.
None of these are going to make you sweat or work your muscles, or lose weight unless you are obese (>30 BMI). They are mostly relaxation poses w/a few triangles, lunges, side angles, chair & maybe a warrior thrown in, 1 standing pose per workout almost.
This is for beginners to yoga, those just starting to workout & don't want anything that will be daunting, those who are inflexible or limited endurance due to health issues, or those looking only for slow, careful, easy relaxation only.
Susan Deason & Rod Stryker's style is not flowing, more a stretching "workout", very different from Rodney Yee's who's more fluid in both how he decides the order in the poses as well as his teaching style that is more mind/body while Susan's & Rod's comes off more stiff & only about the physical ability.

Copy of my 7/23/07 review for VHS A.M. Peak Performance - Focus w/Rod Stryker:
Fusha wrote a great review. This is set right at a Maui beach by the rocks with the water spraying nicely. The music is very light, like Kenny G type light sounds.
He does not say the Sanscrit names & talks as minimally as possible about how to do the pose right & barely mentions how they benefit the body. He doesn't use any new age lingo.
He does the poses one at a time like a gym session, w/o flow & goes into seated or basic stand to rest in between. He starts off easily, does the pose very modified a few times before actually doing the pose fully. Each pose is only held a few seconds then given a rest & repeated or to the next pose. There are no sun salutations.
Considering it's only 25 min, he does a considerable amount of poses such as upward dog, downward dog, upward dog, locust, cat/cow, chair, lunges, triangle, modified side angle, seated spinal twist, sitting straight leg single & double leg fwd bend. (not in that order)
I did this after being awake about an hour & found it too easy. My endurance isn't that good, but my flexibility is above average. I found myself annoyed at the lack of flow, light/non deep beat music & stiffly executed intention of the poses. I did held a pose longer while he went in/out of the next pose or did other ones to stretch out more since I had limited time before rushing for an appt. I did not sweat at all or feel anything other then enjoyment for being stretched out & getting more circulation from physical work rather then being lazy.
This would be good for beginners if he gave more detailed instruction. For those looking for a very short & easy session w/decent amount of poses, this is for you.

Gaiam has a video trailer for this
Stress Relief yoga video clip can also be found on youtube

I work out a lot. Usually 2 hours in the morning and 2 to 3 hours in the evening after work. (Some of my evening workouts are done in front of the TV). So I'm always on the lookout for some nice PM yoga DVDs. Yoga is the perfect way to wind down the day (actually, it's also a good way to start the day)

As soon as this DVD started I was in for disappointment. First off, the title screen is bare bones ans is simply numbered with 1,2,3,4,5 exercise designations. There is no indication what the numbers mean. And the numbers on the DVD title screen do not coincide with the exercise order listed on the back of the DVD box. And finally, the DVD has no extras. Nada.

Okay, so they skimped on the frills. All could be saved if the workouts are any good. I can not speak for the AM workouts but PM workouts were nothing but some gentle stretching. And worse of all this gentle stretching did not induce the sense of calm and well being I was looking for with my last workout of the day.

I really hate giving these fine people such a poor score but this product not only failed in its presentation but the actual product itself did not work for me at all. BTW, I accidentally played one AM yoga session and the only difference was the use of blocks (none in the AM)

On the bright side, I will continue to search for more PM yoga DVDs. I like doing that.

This is a great packaging of quite a few old Gaiam VHS tapes on one Dvd, making it quite a space-saver for someone who had all the original videotapes. Two of the tapes, Rod Stryker's Am Yoga & Pm Yoga, have never before been released on DVD (they are #1 & #2 on the DVD). Those 2, along with Stress Relief Yoga (#3), are three of my most-used yoga videos and I hated constantly rewinding & fastforwarding the parts that I needed.

This is a relatively easy, true beginner's DVD. I have no complaints with that because I have fibromyalgia and I like to have some form of exercise every day but intense exercise will cause me to have severe bounce-back pain and stiffness. These sessions are a true relaxing joy for a beginner or person with limited mobility or ability - or someone who wants relaxation or stretching after other types of vigorous exercise.

So many people now expect yoga to be sweaty pushups - they've forgotten to just breathe, relax, and enjoy the joy of stretching and feeling their bodies. I love this DVD and I have been doing yoga for over 20 years. Because I also like to do other types of exercise often on the same day, these 20-30 minute yoga sessions are often just the right thing.

I just got this DVD, and it's really disappointing. The segments are fine, but the Suzanne Deason segments are the exact workouts from her other DVDs. For instance, the "stress relief", the "AM yoga", and the "PM yoga" segments are on separate DVDs by Suzanne Deason that I already own. When I purchased this DVD, I thought I was getting 5 new routines; it turns out I only got 2. The description for this DVD is highly misleading.

The next thing about this DVD is that the set up is terrible. On the screen where you choose which of the five workouts you want, your options are "1, 2, 3, 4, 5." Once you choose your workout, you have no idea whether that particular one is meant for morning or night (there's not even a title when the segment starts). There's a list on the back of the DVD that describes each of the 5 workouts, but--surprise!--they are not in the same order as the workouts on the DVD.

Finally, this DVD has two workouts that are geared for PM. I work out in the morning, and I probably would not have bought this DVD if I had known this. So now, my 5 new workouts have become 1 new workout. How frustrating and disappointing!

I really like the two Rod Stryker segments on the DVD. I've not completed any of the Suzanne Deason ones. I started one of the Suzanne Deason ones and found that my Yoga Journal: Morning, Noon & Night DVD had better stuff on it.

I keep this for the Rod Stryker segments. His voice is very calming. There's enough time in each pose. I genuinely feel relaxed at the end of the segments. I liked his segments so much that I'm trying one of his meditation CDs for better stress reduction.

So I'm giving it 3 stars because I like the Rod Stryker segments and I did not care for the Suzanne Deason segment I tried. I'd give it 5 stars if it was just Rod Stryker on the DVD. Sorry, Suzanne. It wasn't bad, it's just that I liked something else better.

The DVD should have not been named "5 Day Fit Yoga". Maybe that would help.

If the segments work for you, then cool.

I've had this for years. It's an old standby for me when I want someone to guide me through a nice stretching yoga routine real early in the morning or right before bed. It's perfect for beginners, but also wonderful for a wind-down at the end of the day. Sometimes my arthritis flares up (I'm a slim and active 43 year old, but hey--sometimes it hurts to do too much) so this is perfect.

I wouldn't recommend this for someone who is a fitness buff looking for a tough, sweaty, flowing yoga class. This is not it.

I've noticed in myself that as long as I'm doing the moves and I am consistently practicing, my body tightens up and I look better and stand taller (6-8 weeks to notice the difference). Who says a yoga practice has to be sweaty or challenging to make a difference? But that being said, if you are looking for advanced poses you will not find them in this collection.

I recommend this one for your collection. It doesn't hurt to have these, if for nothing else than to have a relaxing session, or to break up the monotony. I like that there are five different workouts on here. THe only drawback is that the work-outs are not labled in the table of contents--but if you are reading this you will see that people have listed them for you, so it's not a problem.

I came accross this in a drug store for 10 bucks and was hesitant to buy it, I have done many yoga dvds in the past from kundalini to ashtanga to power and enjoy all for different reasons.

As other reviews pointed out the menu makes no sense. On the dvd it's number 1-5 and even when you start one segment there is nothing there to tell you which one you are doing. ( I took the other reviewers helpful list and taped it to the back of my dvd case- so thanks for that).

The reason I gave it 5 stars is because the very 1st night I happened to do workout 3 (which turns out to be the pm yoga by Rod Stryker). I had a very important meeting the next day was excited and I have insomnia so I excpected not to sleep, but ended up falling asleep fast and had the best nights sleep in ages!! note I have tried many pm yoga dvds for sleep but none had helped my sleep. This alone made it well worth the 10 bucks I paid!

This is really a beginner yoga DVD. I find it relaxing and I get some good stretches. I focus on listening very carefully to the instructions and only take glimpses of the tv. The negative comments regarding the order of the segments does not bother me at all; I made a little list on a post-it note and stuck it inside the cover so I know what accessories I need for each segment, such as a towel or a block.
My first copy of this DVD began to skip and I desperately wanted a replacement, so I ordered it and am happy with it.

I took a few beginner yoga classes at the YMCA a few years ago. After a long absence, I recently came back to yoga to try to increase my flexibility and as an evening supplement to cardio and strength workouts. I would still classify myself as a beginner, and this yoga DVD is really great if you're looking for 20-25 minutes to wind down. The instructions are clear and easy to follow (you don't really even need to see the screen most of the time), and the pacing is done well. They have modifications built in, which you can ignore if you like.

I gave this four stars because 1) The menu is downright lazy; 2) if I hadn't had some foundational yoga form classes, I might not perform the poses correctly as the instructions don't always tell you everything you need to focus on in a specific pose; and 3) it's misleading to call routines 2 and 3 "for weight loss." You will not lose any weight doing this, but they are nice morning and evening stretch routines.

This is my favorite yoga DVD to turn to in the evenings - recommended!