Three workouts focused on maintaining a healthy back
Beth Cholette | Upstate NY USA | 04/28/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"NOTE: This same yoga practice, now being release by Gaiam, was previously released by Living Arts. It has also been released under the title "Back Care Yoga," but it is NOT the same practice as "Back Care Yoga for Beginners."
Excellent yoga instructor Rodney Yee offers this 3-part workout focused on strengthening back muscles in order to maintain a healthy back. He utilizes various props (blanket, bolster, chair, brick, strap) to make the poses more gentle and accessible to those at all levels of fitness (however, absolute beginners should probably stick with his other practice, Back Care Yoga for Beginners).
The first 16-minute section concentrates on simple stretches to warm up the back muscles. Poses are done either while lying on the floor or in a seated position, and Rodney uses a blanket to increase range of motion. The second segment is a bit longer (around 18 minutes) and places greater emphasis on strength moves. It begins with basic backbends (eg, cat pose) and moves on to standing poses modified by use of a chair; the segment ends with a series of lying stretches. In the final section, Rodney uses a wider variety of props, including TWO chairs and both the blanket AND the bolster. This is a slow-moving, approximately 16-minute segment which focuses on fostering relaxation through practicing a small number of postures held for a longer period of time.
At times, Rodney's reliance on props is a bit distracting, particularly while you are trying to relax during the final section. However, he always allows ample time to relocate the props in-between poses, and his use of the props is definitely beneficial, particularly during the second practice. Rodney's manner is extremely calm and relaxing, and his voiceover is always perfectly in sync with his on-screen performance. One minor criticism is that he doesn't offer mirrored instruction, but this is easily ignored given his otherwise excellent cueing. Overall, this is a very good series of yoga practices by a master yoga instructor."
Best Nonmedical therapy for persons with back problems
Working Mom | Chicago, IL | 03/02/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have had severe pain and myelopathy symptoms due to spinal bone arthritis for over 10 years. I have seen neurologists and physical rehab physicians and therapists. I am also a registered nurse. Rodney Yee's Yoga for Back Care is the one "therapy" I would not hesitate to recommend. It is very informative and the yoga routine never fails to help if practiced 3X per week. I have used many of Yoga Journal's instructional videos over the years as well as attending Iyengar yoga classes. Rodney Yee is my favorite of the Yoga Journal instructors. His voice calms and soothes. The bonus sequence of poses to help maintain proper posture while seated truly is a bonus for folks who spend all day in front of a computer."
Great product
Wanda Haynes | 01/28/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This yoga exercise is wonderful. It has saved me lots of money
and visits to my chiropractor. It's easy to do and helps with
my back and neck problems."
So far so good - BEWARE formerly released as Back Care Yoga
koola | Silicon Valley, CA | 01/04/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I just got this and haven't gone all the way through it, but I wanted to let others know that it says in little bitty print that it was originally released as Back Care Yoga. Therefore, it is 60 minutes long and NOT 30 minutes.
So far - fine for the inflexible/ new to yoga. Enough instruction and easy pacing so that I could keep up. My back, legs, and hips felt looser after just doing the warm ups.
There's also a section that discusses how to have a healthy seating posture including stretches to do if you sit at a desk a lot and how to vary your posture. On target with what health professionals have told me."