Customer Reviews

Yoga for Stress Relief

5 star:		(167)
4 star:		(34)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

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 descriptions of each individual practice.

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, including sun salutations
* Wake Up! 60m (58) - nice, slow flow combining seated breath work, sun salutation/standing postures, and seated forward bends
* Evening Revival, 40m (35.5) - starts in child's pose and moves on to standing postures and then shoulder/back stretches on the floor
* Letting Go of the Day, 40m (37) - a series of floor and restorative postures, including reclined cobbler's, supported child's pose, and seated forward bends/twists
* Insomnia Series, 35m (36) - relaxing postures to help prepare for sleep; starts with simple standing poses and moves on to seated forward bends, supported cobbler's and child's pose, and legs-up-the-wall

Neck, Shoulder, and Back Issues
* Easing Neck & Shoulder Tension, passive, 20m (19) - a series of reclined postures allowing passive relaxation of the neck and shoulders
* Easing Neck & Shoulder Tension, active, extended, 30m (29) - more active stretches of the neck, shoulders, and upper back from both seated and standing positions; ends with legs-up-the-wall
* Lower Back Tension, 35m (35.5) - reclined and prone postures to open up the back
* Hip Pain (SI Joint), 25m (36) - a series of gentle hip-opening postures including reclined leg stretch, open half lotus, and prone postures
* Tension Headaches, 45m (44) - a combination of sequences from both the passive and the active neck and shoulders segments above; ends with legs-up-the-wall plus a lengthy relaxation

Easing Your Mind
* Breathing Exercises to Calm the Mind, 15m (15) - a slowly moving series of different breathing techniques while lying
* Restorative Poses for Relaxation, 15m (13.5) - three simple postures to facilitate deep relaxation (supported cobbler's, heart opener, legs-up-the-wall)
* Deep Rest, 20m (18) - reclined breathing combined with a lengthy relaxation segment
* Mood Uplift, 30m (32.5) - offers a combination of calming and more active postures, starting with standing postures and moving to supported bridge and supported heart opener
* Serenity in Stillness, 35m (40.5) - combines elements of the digestive, hips, and neck practices; my favorite so far, especially with the supported bridge
* Anxiety Relief, 50m (40) - focuses largely on breathwork to calm the mind; also includes prone poses, reclined twist, and supportive postures

Stomach and Digestion Issues
* Constipation, 25m (27) - gentle prone postures to stimulate the stomach combined with standing and seated twists
* Improve Digestion, 30m (28.5) - sun salutations plus standing and seated twists; ends with half shoulderstand
* IBS, 30m (26.5) - starts with reclined breathwork and moves on to seated forward bends; ends with half shoulderstand and legs-up-the-wall
* Diarrhea & Indigestion, 30m (25) - nice series of gentle supported postures to open the upper back and release the stomach, ending with supported bridge and legs-up-the-wall; another favorite!

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. Overall, this is an excellent yoga DVD well-suited to a wide range of practitioners, from those fairly new to yoga to more experienced yoginis like myself. Highly recommended!

I have to confess I had become a lapsed Hatha Yogini. After years of practice, a few intervening accidents and life intervened and my Hatha Yoga practice was sacrificed in the caldron of daily life.

While I was aware of my body absorbing the toxins of people's nasty attitudes, violence on TV and in the newspaper,etc, I chose to persist in the exingencies of my work and studies ignoring the calls of my ailing body.

In that my work and study centers around stress relief and I am a student of the Dalai Lama, I decided to check out this video.

In my experience this is one of the best yoga videos among the now 1,055 yoga videos now listed on Amazon. It combines meditation instructions from the DVD A Path to Happiness by the Dalai Lama and a host of stress relief combinations from gentle awakening to more vigorous awakening to working on what malady our bodies are using to signal us that we are out of balance.

The instructions are clear and concise without undue explanation. (For students who seek more understanding of the poses, the videos of Rodney Yee, Patricia Walden, John Friend and many others are out there.)

The instructions are for the average person. There are no Sanskrit names. There is excellent attention to proper alignment, appropriate focus and attention and use of props. Her breathing instructions are the best that I have heard from any yoga instuctor.

As I practiced these routines I could literally feel toxins depart, my stiffness start to leave and my "energy" flow more freely.

This is the video of a seasoned Hatha Yoga instructor and practioner and yoga practioner. If you want to learn complex advanced poses and their Sanskrit names, don't buy this video. If you want to detoxify, and restore balance to your life, this is the video for you.

I love this DVD. It is by far the best overall relaxing yoga sessions you can find. The segments are pieced together and are repeated in different sequences depending on your need. They are very Yin Yoga like / very gentle yoga sessions. Barbara Benagh leads you through the sessions and has a calm, soothing voice. She reminds you to breath, slow and steady. You get a total of 20sessions on the DVD. It is beautifully filmed at Half Moon Bay Resort in Antigua (much better than a boring yoga studio!). My only critic is that I would have liked to have a matrix where I could create my own sequencing from all the individual segments (like Shiva Rea's DVDs). Also, they should have published a booklet describing each session with the DVD, so here's my version ;o) Print this out and keep with your DVD. I highly recommend this DVD, it is well worth the money.

***BEGINNING & ENDING YOUR DAY***

Beginning Your Day Slowly (25 min.)
On your back in reclining cobbler's pose.
Lying back , wave breathing.
Modified downward dog.
Standing at the head of your mat, standing forward bend, sun salute movement.
Sitting, Shoulder stretch series (great!).
Sitting in cobbler's pose, forward bending.
Sitting cross legged, breathing.

Wake Up (60 min)
Lying back, wave breathing.
Sit on heals, then wide leg child pose.
Standing at the head of your mat, full sun salutation.
Standing, tree pose.
Standing, wide legs, triangle pose.
Standing, wide legs, side angle pose.
Standing, wide leg, twists
Sit in cobbler's pose, forward bending.
Seated wide angle pose.
One leg, revolved head to knee pose.
¼ dog pose (kneeling on all fours & on forearms).
Sitting cross legged, breathing.

Evening Revival (40 min.)
Sitting on heals, then wide leg child pose.
Standing, wide legs, twists with arms outstretching
Standing, wide legs, triangle pose.
Standing, wide legs, side angle pose.
Standing, wide legs, hinge over twits, then hang down.
Sitting, Shoulder stretch series (great!).
Lie face down, cobra series, 4 times (great!)
Revolving head to knee pose.
Sit cross legged, breathing.

Letting Go of the Day (40 min)
Lying on floor with feet on floor, knees bent, tune-in, breating.
Reclining cobbler's pose.
Sit on heals, wide leg child pose.
Cobbler's pose, then 1 leg forward bend (head to knee pose).
Cross legged, seated twist.
Knees bend, seated twist.
Savasana

Insomnia Issues (35 min)
Standing, wide legs, inversion
Modified downward dog
Cobbler's pose, then 1 leg forward bend (head to knee pose).
Supported resting cobbler's pose.
Supported child pose.
Legs up the wall pose.
Complete yoga rest.


***EASING NECK AND SHOULDER TENSION***

Easing Neck & Shoulder Tension, Passive (20 min.)
Bolster across neck & shoulders, prayer on forehead.
Lay on back, knees bend, 1 arm under back stretch.
Arm across chest twist, lying on back (on your side)

Easing Neck & Shoulder Tension, Active, Extended (30 min.)
Sit or stand, side neck stretching.
Sitting, Shoulder stretch series (great!).
Lie face down, cobra series, 4 times (great!)
Standing, wide legs, twists with arms outstretching.
Standing, wide legs, hinge over twits, then hand down.
Legs up the wall pose.

Lower Back Tension (35 min.)
Reclining cobbler's pose.
Wave breathing.
Reclining leg stretch.
Lying face down, crocodile & locus.
Upper back bolster.
Quarter dog pose.
Savasana

Hip Pain, SI Joint (35 min.)
Reclining cobbler's pose.
Wave breathing.
Reclining leg stretch.
Sit cross legged, open ½ lotus pose (aka square pose).
Lying face down, crocodile & locus.
Sit on heals, wide leg child pose.
Modified downward dog.
Savasana.

Tension Headaches (45 min.)
Lying on floor with feet on floor, knees bent, tune-in, breating.
Bolster across neck & shoulders, prayer on forehead.
Lay on back, knees bend, 1 arm under back stretch.
Arm across chest twist, lying on back (on your side).
Supported child pose.
Legs up the wall pose.
Complete yoga rest.

***EASING YOUR MIND***
Breathing Exercises to Calm the Mind (15 min)
Lying on back< knees bent, breathing.
Lying on back, knees bend, tune into breathing.
Lying on back, twisting with breath.
Wave breathing.

Restorative Poses for Relaxation (15 min.)
Supportive resting cobbler's pose.
Supported heart opener.
Legs up the wall pose.

Deep Rest (20 min.)
Lying on back, knees bend, breathing.
Complete yoga rest.

Mood Uplift (30 min)
Wave breathing
Standing at the head of your mat, standing forward bend, sun salute movement.
Standing, wide leg, twists
Standing, side leg, warrior 1
Standing, hanging forward bend.
Supported bridge shoulder stand (with block).
Supported heart opener.
Complete yoga breath.

Serentify in Stillness
Fold blandket in 3rd and half roll at the end. Lie face down with roll in abdominal. Massage belly.
Reclining cobbler's pose.
Reclining leg stretch.
Open ½ lotus pose (reclining).
Sit on heals, then wide leg child pose.
Arm across chest twist.
Supported bridge shoulder stand (with block).
Sit cross legged, breathing.

Anxiety Relief (50 min)
Lying back, wave breathwork.
Lying back, 1st lift breathwork.
Lying back, segmented exhalation breathwork.
Lying back, extended pause breathwork.
Lying face down, crocodile pose, breathwork.
Arm across chest twist.
Supported child pose.
Sit in cobbler's pose, then 1 leg forward bend (head to knee pose).
Sit cross legged, breathing.

***STOMACH & DIGESTIVE ISSUES***
Constipation (25 min)
Fold blandket in 3rd and half roll at the end. Lie face down with roll in abdominal. Massage belly.
Child pose exploration.
Inversion, standing wide angle pose.
Modifed downward dog.
Sit upright, cross-legged, seated twists.
Lying on back, Savasana rest.

Improved Digestion (30 min)
Stand at head of mat, standing, sun salute movement.
Standing feet wide, twists
Sit upright, cross-legged, seated twists.
Half shoulder stand.

IBS (30 min) Irritated Bowel Syndrome
Lay on back, knees bent, breathwork.
Lay on back, reclining cobbler's pose, unraveling.
Sit upright, cobbler's pose, forward bending.
Seated wide angle pose.
Half shoulder stand.
Legs up the wall pose.

Diarrhea & Indigestion
Laying on back, reclining cobbler's pose, unraveling.
Supported heart opener.
Upper back bolster opener.
Supported bridge shoulder stand.
Legs up the wall pose.

This DVD is simply amazing and has to be one of my most used DVDs. There are so many workouts for different needs. Some routines move slowly and calm me down, while others move more quickly and seem to burn off excess energy. The amount of variety is simply astonishing and has something useful and different every day. I am sleeping better now and have been more patient with my family and co-workers. This DVD is going to be a stocking stuffer for a lot of people this year!

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.

The is a wonderful selection of Yoga on this DVD which will help with a wide range of stress and ways to relieve it.

The DVD is set up so you can easily select what you would like to do (Beginning & Ending The Day, Easing Neck & Shoulder Tension and others including routines for digestion problems. If you are like me, sometimes my stress goes to my stomach and this is a welcome selection. ) and have a wide range of choices.

There is plenty of active yoga for the times you would like something a bit more challenging and routines that are gentle and soothing.

Barbara's decades of experience as a yoga teacher and scholar comes through in her instruction and I am looking forward to someday attending a conference or seminar where she is teaching.

This is simply one of the best yoga DVDs I have seen. It is simple to follow and very relaxing. I have had trouble with neck and back tension from work and sitting at a desk for hours a day. I find doing this DVD really releases a lot of physical and mental stress, It really is amazing.

I received this DVD as a gift, gave it a try, and loved it. Everything about it spells stress relief. The seaside set is soothing, as is the instructor's gentle voice. Her instructions are easy to follow which is particularly important for a yogically challenged person like me. I highly recommend it.

I have to admit that I am a long time fan of Barbara's and have been gleefully attending her classes whenever I can for nearly eight years. She is a treasure to study with, in person or via your own DVD player, and this video communicates her unique and introspective take on yoga practice beautifully. I always think of yoga as a path filled with small but profound revelations, and studying with Barbara through the DVD will undoubtedly guide you to some of these 'aha' moments.

Her introductory talk, narration and instruction are clear and down to earth, which will appeal to those who do not go in for the flowery language and all-too-transparent yoga gush that has crept into other yoga videos. To conclude: my guess is that you will love to practice using this intelligent, accessible and time flexible DVD. Make it an addition to your yoga library.

I love the background beach and relaxing waves. I can do simple stretches or more advanced yoga and my stress goes out with the waves of the sea.