Lately my life has included much more stress than usual. My father had a stroke, and if that wasn’t bad enough, a few weeks later one of my closest friends unexpectedly died. I needed stress management. Yoga has always worked well for me ... so it’s no wonder that I found extra relaxation with the Conditioning & Stress Relief Yoga Zone video. I own the DVD version, though this video is also available as a VHS tape.


DVD Video Layout

Upon playing this DVD, the menu screen offers two options.

Begin -- Immediately starts the video.

Exercise Selection -- Shows six chapter headings. Choose any chapter to begin the yoga routine. By starting with different chapters, you can create a variety of workouts ... or focus on the chapter that best suits your needs of the moment.

The different chapter headings are:

1. Intro
2. Mind, Breath & Body
3. Danda Series
4. Mountain Pose
5. Strong Conditioning
6. Final Relaxation


The Chapters

Intro -- Time: 1 ½ minutes
Alan Finger, a Yoga Master, briefly discusses the benefits of yoga and introduces his two assistants (Michelle and Lisa). He also suggests watching the video once all the way through without doing the exercises.

Mind, Body & Breath -- Time: 6 minutes
This entire section is done while seated on a yoga mat. Alan Finger remains seated as well, explaining every move in detail. As Alan says, “Learn to stretch the breath long and deep .... Your breath is the gauge for how far to move (into a pose).” The breath and how to properly breathe are explored. What I especially enjoy in this section are the neck and shoulder exercises that release tension in those areas. Very relaxing.

Danda Series -- Time: 5 ½ minutes
The poses start in a seated position, and by the end of this section, the last pose stops in a standing position. This section begins with yoga postures to help straighten the spine as a method to discourage slouching. Other poses include: the Table (also known as the Bridge), the Cat-Seal and Downward Dog. There are also exercises for releasing stress in the wrists. In case you are wondering, the word Danda means “staff”, and since staffs are straight, Danda Series refers to exercises that straighten and strengthen the spine.

Mountain Pose -- Time: 5 minutes
All the exercises in this section are done while standing. Begin by doing the Mountain Pose, which helps to form good posture. Then the poses segue into the Blown Palm Series and end with the Mountain Pose. During these standing postures, Alan Finger also stands to explain the movements.

Strong Conditioning -- Time: 20 minutes
Again these exercises start in the standing position, then move through sitting stretches. The section ends with a Half Spinal Twist, which is done while laying on the back. For me, this is the most strenuous section. By the end of this chapter, Alan Finger moves from a standing position to sitting on the floor to explain the floor exercises.

Final Relaxation -- Time: 8 minutes
This is a wonderful end to the yoga routine ... thoroughly relaxing! Lay with the back against the floor, arms and legs completely relaxed. Alan Finger’s soothing voice guides the individual through a meditation-relaxation session using visualization techniques. Anxiety and tension melt away. You may find yourself dozing off! I find I have no desire to move and wish the end of this DVD would last and last. At the end of the session, Alan says, “... take that peace, take that stillness, take that joy into your life.”


My Impressions

I enjoy the Conditioning & Stress Relief yoga DVD. The pace is relaxed, the instrumental background music soft and soothing. The exercises are demonstrated in a well-lit studio setting with wooden floors. Each yoga posture leads naturally into another, so that the routine flows, which in itself is relaxing.

Alan Finger’s calming voice explains step-by-step each pose, the importance of breath and how to properly breathe while doing yoga. He also emphasizes which muscles are benefitting from each pose. I have no trouble following left and right movements when he describes the poses -- sometimes with other videos following along is a challenge. He goes into detail, always pacing his words so that the listener easily understands what he is saying.

Two Senior Yoga Zone Instructors perform the positions as Alan Finger describes the poses. Michelle Carrillo, dressed in black, does the poses in modified positions for those who are less flexible or new to yoga. Lisa Bennett, dressed in purple, is incredibly flexible and demonstrates the poses as only an expert can show. Both women are relaxed and flow from one posture to another, their movements easy to follow.

The only yoga prop used throughout the routines is a yoga mat. At the beginning of the DVD, in the “Mind, Body & Breath” section, rolled towels are used to modify some of the sitting poses. Alan, Michelle and Lisa are barefoot and wearing comfortable clothing.


Who Would Benefit from this Workout

The Conditioning & Stress Relief video is an ideal workout for those new to yoga, people in need of a workout that not only conditions the body but relaxes it, and even for those who have practiced yoga for years. The gentle pace of the video is for everyone, whether they are more comfortable with the slow pace or are in need of a change from power workouts.

The “Strong Conditioning” section of the video offers some challenge for the beginner. When I first started doing this section, I had trouble with a few of the poses. My body wasn’t as flexible as the two women demonstrating the yoga movements! They make it look so simple. I modified the postures, doing the yoga poses as best I could until, with time, I mastered them.

With the DVD broken into six chapters, workouts can be tailored to specific needs ... whether one has the energy to do a 30 minute workout or the full routine. Perhaps your time is limited, so choose a few short sections for a 10 or 15 minute program.

The relaxation techniques in this video are beneficial. I know I feel better after doing them.



What I Would Change

Posture Names -- Alan Finger does not name all the yoga positions. I find this a bit frustrating since I like knowing the names of the postures. Sure a person can find the yoga poses in a book or online and learn the names that way, but it would be helpful if Alan said the names of the poses as he described them.

Video Quality -- While this DVD offers a good picture and sound, occasionally the picture jumps a bit. However, this is not a bother since I’m usually doing the routine in time with the DVD, so I’m not looking at the screen all the time. Still, it would be nice to have better quality.

Time Length -- This DVD is advertised as being 55 minutes long. If you count all the warnings about consulting a doctor before doing any exercise program and include the time for the end credits to roll, then it probably is 55 minutes long. However, the actual exercise routine is only a bit longer than 45 minutes.

Minor Pet Peeve – The woman on the cover of this video does not appear anywhere in the video. Why not feature one of Alan Finger’s Senior Yoga Instructors who are performing the poses? Just a minor nitpick.


Summary

The Conditioning & Stress Relief Yoga Zone DVD offers a complete yoga workout with professionals who know how to present the exercises in an easy-to-understand fashion. It’s true. These exercises aid in relaxation with the benefit of conditioning the body. I always feel better after finishing the routines on this DVD. Alan Finger is a remarkable instructor. This is a well thought-out yoga video that brings relaxation and stress relief. I highly recommend it.

I hope you have found this review useful.

Enjoy your day,
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com


Specifications

Encoding Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only)
Format: Color
Not Rated
ASIN # B00006G8HD
Length: 55 minutes
Price: $14.98


Please read my other reviews:

How to Use Yoga Props Video

LivingArts Yoga Mat – Choosing the Right Yoga Mat

Everything You Need to Know about Yoga Bricks

Using a Yoga Essentials Strap

Yoga Essentials Toolkit

Yoga Mini Book for Longevity

JVC XV-N44SL DVD Player


Copyright 2003 Dawn L. Stewart


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older