Search - Yoga Zone - Stretching for Flexibility on DVD

Good for yoga workout if short on time

blinc24 | Marietta, GA | 05/29/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Nice stretching routines....

Teedums | White Bear Lake, MN | 03/18/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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."