I didn’t know what to expect when I purchased the Yoga for a Strong and Healthy Back Yoga Zone DVD. Could yoga really strengthen my back? Perhaps ease that sharp pain that happens when I sometimes bend over?


DVD Video Layout

This DVD is broken into two 20-minute workout sessions with four Yoga Zone Senior Instructors demonstrating the movements (two instructors in each 20-minute segment).

Upon starting this DVD, the screen offers three options.

Begin -- Immediately starts the video from the beginning.

Postures -- Start the DVD at any one of these eight chapters.

Audio Selection -- Choose to listen to the music only.

The different chapter headings are:

1. Stretching & Warm-up
2. Twisting Postures
3. Downward Facing Dog
4. Sitting Postures
5. Second Program
6. Standing Postures
7. Sitting Postures
8. Closing Meditation


The First 20-minute Session

Yoga Zone Senior Instructor, Jennifer, gives thorough, detailed instructions about each posture. She talks clearly, naming the poses as they are demonstrated by Jean, another Senior Instructor. The poses are well-paced and suitable for beginners. Jennifer also suggests modified poses for those not yet flexible enough to do the full postures.

The session opens with the Mountain pose. Other poses include the Chair, Forward Bend, Fan, Lunge, Reverse Right Angle, Downward Facing Dog, Old Dog, Bound Angular and Cross-Legged Seat. Jennifer explains that these poses, combined with gentle twisting movements and back bends throughout the session, explore the range of motion in the back and spine. The pace is easy with time to experience each movement.


The Second 20-minute Session

Yoga Zone Senior Instructor, Douglas, leads this session. The poses are demonstrated by Senior Instructor, Suzanne. During this segment, there are not many suggestions for modifying the poses. This session is good for beginning yoga students. I just wish that Douglas would stay in the poses longer. I feel rushed during this portion of the video.

The session opens with Douglas instructing the viewer to assume an “easy seat” on the floor; then the routine moves into the Potted Palm pose. Other poses include Upward Cat, Downward Cat, Extended Seal, Downward Facing Dog, Bound Chair, Boat Pose, Corpse Pose, Bridge Pose, Dead Bug Pose. According to the Chapter List, the last chapter is titled “Closing Meditation”. I did not consider the end of this session a mediation ... not even close to one. The session ends with Douglas and Suzanne in a meditative posture, but no meditation is done.


My Impressions

If you have ever watched a Yoga Zone episode on television, then these two 20-minute sessions will seem familiar. The sessions on the video follow the television format: one instructor describing the positions and doing many of the movements as a second instructor performs all of the postures. The music is non-intrusive and soothing. Both segments are filmed in Jamaica at the Grand Lido Sans Souci Resort, which offers a tranquil background of greenery, sand and water. The video and sound quality are good, too.

I have seen Yoga Zone television episodes featuring Jennifer, one of the Senior Instructors, and I always enjoy the sessions she leads. This is my first experience with Douglas leading a session. He’s pleasant and personable, but I wish he would stay with the postures longer than he does. All four Senior Instructors know the yoga poses, are flexible, encouraging and competent.

Another thing that is great about this DVD is that the instructors perform the poses in “mirror style” so that it is easy to follow their movements. I can remember back in grade school the song “put your right foot in and your left foot out” ... well, I always managed to have my feet moving the wrong way. The Yoga Zone instructors make it easy to follow their movements as they progress from pose to pose.

This video is labeled as being for beginning and intermediate students. Beginners will find this a good workout that easily guides them through the yoga poses. Those students who are at an intermediate level will find no challenge with these sessions. Both of these sessions offer a good, gentle stretching workout, and I always feel relaxed when finished. The two sessions blend one into the other, so you can choose to do one 20-minute session or both sessions for 40-minutes. The only yoga prop needed is a yoga mat.

One thing I don’t think this video emphasizes enough is that if the viewer suffers from chronic or serious back complaints, they should consult their doctor before doing these yoga exercises.


Summary

My back still occasionally “twinges” when I bend just the right way, but not nearly as often. I have no proof, but I believe the yoga routines on this DVD have helped to strengthen my back and improve my posture. These exercises are not a cure-all for back complaints, but if your doctor agrees that yoga might help, then this might be the video for you.

After saying that, I’ll also add that this is not my first choice of yoga videos. While this video offers a good stretching workout, there are other Yoga Zone videos I prefer to view. However, I do exercise to this video and have benefitted from it, so the Yoga for a Strong and Healthy Back DVD is a good addition to my yoga routine. I just don’t view it all the time.

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 #: B00005K9PO
Length: 40 minutes
Available in DVD & VHS
Price: $9.98


Please read my other reviews:

Yoga Zone -- Conditioning & Stress Relief Video

How to Use Yoga Props Video

Living Arts 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



Copyright 2003 Dawn L. Stewart

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD