Yoga helps me to manage the stresses in my life ... those challenges that philosophers tell us help to build character. As I roll along life’s bumpy road, I find the Yoga Zone video Evening Stress Release for Beginners is a nice way to unwind. This video comes in both VHS and DVD formats. I own the DVD.


DVD Video Layout

This DVD is broken into two 20-minute workout sessions with three Yoga Zone Senior Instructors demonstrating the movements (two instructors in each 20-minute segment). Charles Matkin leads the first section with Lisa Bennett demonstrating the postures, and Beverly Murphy leads the second section with Lisa Bennett again demonstrating the postures. Lisa is excellent at yoga and shows how to do each movement, stretching into the full pose. The other two instructors discuss how to modify the poses and often demonstrate the modified postures.

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 the six chapters.

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

The different chapter headings are:

1. Downward Facing Dog
2. Scale Posture
3. Part 2
4. Cobra Pose
5. Lunge
6. Sitting Angular


The First 20-minute Session

The backdrop for this workout is a beautiful Jamaican garden. Charles Matkin opens this session by saying, “To manage your stress...the key is your breath.” As he explains the yoga poses, he also focuses on even breathing and how to use the breath to relax into a posture. Lisa Bennett does the movements in her usual quiet, calm way. She makes it look easy.

The session opens with a cross-leg pose and then segues into a series Charles refers to as “full complete breaths”. Also included in this session are Downward Facing Dog, strengthening Lunges, Forward Bend, Warrior II, Fan posture with a twist, the Awkward Chair and Scale posture. Ending the session is a relaxation meditation, which I wish lasted longer. As soon as this session ends, the video starts the second workout.


The Second 20-minute Session

For this session, the scenery changes to a Jamaican beach. Beverly Murphy is the lead instructor with Lisa Bennett demonstrating the postures. Before beginning the exercises, Beverly says, “When we open into a pose, this ability to surrender spreads into other parts of our life making life a little more easy and peaceful.”

As in the first session, this workout opens with a cross-legged pose. Other yoga postures in this session are the Potted Palm, Cat pose, Cobra, Upward Facing Dog, Child pose, Downward Facing Dog, Lunge, Fan pose and Sitting Angular. Beverly also includes several twisting postures in the workout and ends with a brief relaxation pose.


My Impressions

If you are familiar with the Yoga Zone television series, then you will notice these two 20-minute sessions follow the same format. Both segments are filmed at the Grand Lido Sans Souci Resort in Jamaica. The music is non-intrusive and so subtle that it is almost difficult to hear. The video and sound quality are good.

I have watched Yoga Zone television episodes that feature both Charles Matkin and Lisa Bennett, and I enjoy their instruction. Beverly Murphy was an unfamiliar face to me prior to viewing this DVD. Both Charles and Beverly speak clearly, pace their movements and offer specific instruction. They are easy to follow. Lisa Bennett, while she says nothing, is a gentle calming personality. She demonstrates the poses with an expertise and flexibility that is envious. The instructors perform the poses in “mirror style” so that it is easy to follow their movements.

This video is labeled for beginners, and this is an accurate statement. The poses concentrate on twisting and stretching to work stress out of the body. A beginner will be able to follow the postures, perhaps performing modifications of the poses until more familiar with them. I have been practicing yoga for awhile and am comfortable with the moves demonstrated in this video. I can do the 40 minute workout without sweating. Someone who is an intermediate yoga student might find these sessions a relaxing break from more strenuous routines. An advanced yoga student will find no challenge in this video.

And because I can’t resist commenting on it ... even though this video is titled “Evening Stress Release”, the segments are taped during daylight hours. The Jamaican scenery is relaxing, though, and is a treat for the eyes.


Summary

I find that I am more relaxed after performing the sessions on the Evening Stress Release for Beginners yoga DVD . It would be even nicer if the relaxation pose at the end of each section were longer. The video is designed for beginners, and the poses are presented in a way suitable for novices as well as those more familiar with yoga.

I am beyond the beginner level, though. As a result, this is not my favorite yoga stress-relief video. If I had to choose between this video and the other Yoga Zone video Conditioning & Stress Release, I would pick Conditioning & Stress Release as it offers a more thorough stress-relieving workout with a great relaxation meditation at the end.

I’m torn on whether to give the Evening Stress Release for Beginners video an Average or Above Average rating. Even though I enjoy the instructors and they present the poses well, there is something uninspiring about this particular video. Yoga Zone has produced better material than this. That’s why I’m going with an Average rating.

I hope you have found this review useful.

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


Additional Information

Encoding Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only)
Format: Color
Not Rated
ASIN #: B000068MAK
Length: 40 minutes
Available in DVD & VHS
Price: $9.98


Please read my other reviews:

Conditioning & Stress Release (video)

Yoga for a Strong & Healthy Back (video)

Living Arts Yoga Mat - How to Choose the Right Yoga Mat

Yoga Essentials Strap

Living Arts Yoga Bricks

Yoga Essentials Toolkit

Longevity Through Yoga Mini Book


Copyright 2004 Dawn L. Stewart

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD