Customer Reviews

Yoga Zone - Stretching for Flexibility

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am new to the world of Yoga and I have slight scoliosis (abnormal curvature of the spine). While I have no trouble with things like the cobra and cat stretch, I do have trouble sitting up straight - I either hunch forward or arch back when I sit. After trying the video, I can feel an increase in my general flexibility and find myself, throughout the day, reminding myself to sit up straight so my body can better utilize my oxygen and I just plain look better. I look thinner, too, when I don't slouch (slouching allows your stomach to "bunch" or "pooch."). I don't consider this to be a workout, though. I recommend it for either waking up or end-of-the day stretch, right before you curl up with a good book and cup of hot tea. The technicalities of the video - scenery, instructors, shooting angles, etc. - I found to be nondescript and average - which is probably good for a workout DVD. I pay attention to what I'm doing, not wishing I had some Barbie Doll's flat stomach or the cool workout suit she's wearing.

I have never practiced yoga before. This is my first yoga video I have ever purchased, so I don't come from an extensive and knowledgeable background. However, I have been reading various yoga books and found this DVD well worth the price (I bought it used for only $9).
The video at first seems cheesy, but get you get over that pretty quickly if you have an open mind. The instruction is clear and the yoga concepts behind the movements are very well explained.
Overall, the DVD is very short, but I find it a great way to squeeze in a stretching routine in a busy day.
I would recommend this DVD to those who are looking for basic hip, hamstring, rib, shoulder, and lower back flexibility (this is what the DVD focuses on). If you are looking for a more complete full body stretch routine this is not the video for you (unless of course you want to supplement this with other DVD's).

There are 2 workout sessions that are maybe 15-20 min each. I think the instructions were good, quality was good. If you are looking for a longer workout, look elsewhere but if you are want a basic stretch workout you can squeeze into your day this may be for you. The poses are basic to intermediate - this is more stretching style yoga rather than strengthening or power yoga. I enjoyed the 2 sessions but wish they were longer.

I am in my mid-thirties and am finding I am losing some of my flexiblity. This video is easy-to-follow, and after one week, I find myself more flexible than before. Yoga Zone workouts are a great value, as the other reviewer stated. For your money, this is the way to go.

I hemmed and hawed about buying this Yoga Zone DVD for a while, I had the chance to try it out and decided to pick it up. I wouldn't say it is the best Yoga Zone DVD but a good one for those needing to increase flexibility in the hips and hamstrings, which are my problem areas. Like most of the other Yoga Zones, there are 2-20 minute segments and both are filmed at the Grand Lidos San Souci resort in Jamaica. These 2 are filmed on the beach so the scenery is especially nice.

Session 1 is led by Jean Kerner, who I have seen in other videos but assisting. She is joined by Douglas Stewart who does a nice job demonstrating the poses, he is quite flexible too. You start out in a seated straddle stretch, but add a twist to each side, I personally thought this felt a bit uncomfortable so I might try modifying it next time and do a seated spinal twist instead. Next is triangle stretch where you will stretch forward over your leg first and then stretch to the side, this is repeated on the other leg before moving to another seated straddle stretch. This time you will put your hands in front and aim towards moving your chest to the floor, Douglas does this one easily. Following this you will do cat pose, then move into downward facing dog, low lunge and side lunge on one leg then the other, side stretch while on the knees, then you will do a toe stretch which I have never seen before. Finishing out this session you will do a seated forward bend and before ending in a cross legged seat.

Session 2 is led by Douglas, he is joined by Suzanne. The focus here is principle of opposition, 2 points moving away from one another. You will start out in a seated position with legs extended in front of you, then you will lie on your back with your arms extended over your head and legs extended in the air. You will lower one leg to the floor and raise it back up, then the other leg, repeated once for each side. Then you will move into table pose with the option of going into reverse plank, this is held for a while and it the toughest pose you will see in either session, kind of felt as if it didn't belong there. Next you will do a seated side lean stretch, then you will move into cat pose before moving into incline plank then downward facing dog. Following this you will stand and move into a forward bend, then you will move into warrior 2 on one side, then bound chair pose. Bound chair is a shallow chair pose but you have your arms extended out in front of you but trying to keep the shoulders back, a lot harder than it looks. You will repeat warrior 2 on the other side and bound chair once again.
Next is a seated straddle stretch, Douglas calls it "sitting fan" pose. Here you will add a side stretch to each side before putting your hands in front and aiming to get your chest to the floor. Suzanne demonstrates this one nicely. You will finish out in a seated forward bend before moving into a cross legged seat.

Overall I liked these two programs, I thought Jean and Douglas did a decent job for the most part. I think the cueing could have been a little better in segment 2, but the routines themselves I can see being very beneficial for me and I will use this DVD a lot. I give this one 4 stars.

I usually like the Yoga Zone videos. Not only are they a good value for the money but the routines are well explained and truly geared towards the goal set.

I've been using Yoga Zone videos for almost a year and was ready to move to something more challenging. The new set of YZ videos (this and Fat Burning) are just the right level for someone practicing yoga for a while. This video is definitely not for the beginners. Worth a buy if you already are a Yoga Zone fan.

This DVD has 2 20-minute sessions which I normally do together for one long workout. I enjoy session 1 with Jean much more than session 2 with Douglas. Jean gives clear instructions and is very easy to follow. She demonstrates the modified poses herself. You get a good workout for your entire body and end the session feeling stretched, energized, and relaxed.

Session 2 with Douglas is more like being in a class as he is constantly informing you of what principle you are working. If you are new to yoga or not as flexible, extending your feet up towards the ceiling and holding them will be very difficult. Also, Table and Reverse Plank poses were done without much instruction and held awhile. While you are trying to do these poses, Douglas continues to tell you about the principle of opposition - very annoying! Session 2 left me with the feeling that Douglas was trying to prove to Yoga Zone that he can teach and knows his material. He was much too technical for my liking.

Session 1 is relaxing while session 2 was not. To be fair, I have done this tape several times but still find Douglas to be annoying and his poses difficult. This tape was still worth the money because session 1 gave me what I was searching for - relaxation and stretching.

I love the 1st program on this dvd...the instructor sounds so nice and encouraging..and when her assistant folds all the over to the ground in a stretch you can tell she's amazed but says we may not go as far as him but that's ok...those words and the look on her face really made me enjoy the workout and stick with yoga. I haven't done the 2nd program (I like the 1st one too much!) but this one is a little different than some of the other yoga workouts...it's almost like just stretching. I like to do this one after I walk or I'm already warmed up. you start seated and do some twists to each side and really hold them a long time. then stretch each leg one at a time and to the side, forward bend with both legs out, cat and a very long downdog (feels like it goes on forever..had to work up to this and still don't always hold it the whole time) and some lunges with other leg on the floor...overall a very nice stretch and no standing poses other than downdog, and you get to it from your knees in cat pose.

The poses and pace of this dvd worked for me, but I find I avoid using this dvd, and choose others because of the sound. I personally find the first instructor's voice tense and unpleasant, though her instructions are clear and useful. Her tone sets a mood that is not condusive to yoga for me. If I use it, I turn the sound off.

Love this yoga workout, the reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because I felt like it needed more stretching for the neck/shoulder areas that are so tight on most people over 30. Also a couple of the stretches seemed to be more painful than helpful, maybe I was doing them wrong? Otherwise it's a good video over-all and I am still doing almost all of the poses. I have been doing yoga for over 8 months. I must say I love yoga, it has helped me work out 95% of my back problems. I hardly ever have back pain now and am so much stronger. I love being flexible and feeling the relaxing effects of the yoga. My frequent migraines are now almost non-existant. (I do 20 minutes of cardio per day so that or yoga may be the "cure", not sure-probably both!)