Gaiam Stress Relief Yoga for Beginners

Note: This DVD comes in at least 3 different packages, but the content is EXACTLY the same in all of them (this was confusing to me, especially since one lists Patricia Walden as an actor, which she is NOT, and lists a location other than Hawaii, which is also incorrect.) The other cover, in addition to the two shown in this listing, can be seen here:http://www.amazon.com/Yoga-Stress-Relief-Suzanne-Deason/dp/B000YV1L1M/ref=sr_1_6?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1331994858&sr=1-6REVIEW:Contains a 20 minute stress relief practice. It moves quickly. It is not the most strenuous practice but does require a decent amount of forward bending flexibility. Garundasana (eagle) is arms only, but if you know the pose you can add the legs. I have done and taught yoga for many years and I still find this routine relaxing (but not taxing). Is it the hardest yoga routine ever? no. Will it make you look cut and buff like a body builder? no. But it is relaxing and soothing, as promised. If you want a longer practice, pause the DVD and hold the poses longer.Also included is a short restorative practice. Many people who have not tried restorative yoga dismiss it, but reclining in specific supported positions can actually help calm the mind and ease fatigue. The poses presented here are good ones. If you have never tried restorative, you can see what it is like here.A NEGATIVE: The quality of these DVDs is not high def. On my 27" computer screen they are banded and pixelated when watching full screen. I suspect they were made from the original VHS tapes.This is not the biggest deal, because they are to DO the practice, not to sit and watch like a movie, but I thought since they keep issuing new editions the technical quality would keep up with the times.It seems a bit disingenuous for Gaim to keep issuing the same material, without any improvement in quality, every few years with a different cover. I have 2 sitting on my desk right now because from the descriptions I thought they were different content. So, if you were wondering whether to get "Stress Relief Yoga" with Suzanne Deason or "Yoga for Stress Relief" wonder no more: they are the exact same content. Get whichever is cheaper!

This is a good 20-minute all-around practice, useful for squeezing in when you don't have much time for yoga practice. I've got where I prefer it to both the a.m. and p.m. videos in this same series.It includes everything a good yoga practice should: a warm up, standing poses, twists, backbend, forward bends and relaxation. Emphasis on loosening the shoulders, and opening the lungs.Naturally, in trying to include so much in such a short time, there are parts that feel a bit rushed, which is the video's main flaw. However, it's not so fast that I can't keep up. If I have a leisurely morning ahead of me, I will generally choose something else -- but I'm happy to have this for mornings that aren't.

This video is a Godsend. If you are looking for a feasible 20 minute yoga practice to fit into your morning and/or evening schedule, buy it! I try to do this practice each morning before I go to work and deal with 5th and 6th grade special education students! It is obvious to me that my days run smoother the days I do this practice compared to the days I skip practice. So if I want things to roll off my back, then I must put in the 20 minute a.m. practice. It works for me; I am on my 2nd disc. As other reviews have stated it is an easy level of yoga; good for a beginner or more advanced practicioner as myself who wants a calming peaceful practice. I highly recommend.

I had this video as a VHS and loved it. So yes, I love the dvd -- there is the addition of an interview with Susan Deason, and an orientation on the use of props in yoga exercise.

This dvd is a waste of time. It would be ok if used in a preschool gym class. It is really an advertisement for the Gaiam website, product demos and all. Very disappointing, no real workout. Don't waste your $.

I find this audio very useful if I haven't done yoga for awhile. It is relatively easy, and it takes little energy. The problem is that Suzanne Deason whips through these poses so that people on a tight schedule can hurry up and relax in 20 minutes or so. To benefit from yoga, one must take time and relax into the pose. In fact, it's helpful to do each pose more than once to get a better stretch. There is no time on this video. In fact, this pace could cause injury to someone who stretches too quickly.I still use Stress Relief for Yoga, but I keep the remote handy and pause the DVD several times while I hold my pose. This would be a perfect DVD, if Deason slowed down. I have found nothing better as a tool for relaxation.I originally bought this in VHS, but had to remember to rewind to the actual start of the exercises. I did not want to hear Deason's spiel each time I played the video. I'm happy to say that the intro has a section of its own on the DVD verson.

Bought this DVD for my husband who is unfamiliar with yoga but needs the stress reduction benefits. Couldn't believe how fast this woman goes from one position to another! I mean, this is supposed to be for beginners! I can tell you right now that if I had tried to get my husband to follow her routine, he'd have walked out of the room after five minutes, STRESSED OUT completely!

The "Yoga Practice" part is a perfect way to unwind if you don't have much time to spare. The second part which shows how to use the props has served me well when I had a problem with my balance and couldn't do my usual hour-and-a-half yoga routine. I chose the restorative poses which I was most comfortable with and did them in my own pace. Otherwise, the intervals from one pose to another were too fast to get the right restorative or relaxing result.Over all, a very good way to pause during those times of stress and fatigue.