Susanna S. (quilt938) from STAFFORD, TX Reviewed on 12/22/2007...
this one is ok out of the yoga zone collection; not my favorite but by no means bad. there is one pose called bulls seat or somethng like that on one of the programs (2 20 min from tv show) that is really hard on the knees and I think it's a bit dangerous to have on a short beginners workout like this but I've done enough to know how to modify but not everyone has. also be aware that these are moving and have downdog/standing poses to get rid of the stress that's held in the joints/muscles..this isn't a sit and meditate type eveing workout like the name might imply to some.
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Movie Reviews
Two segments from the TV series-
drariadne | Earth | 11/08/2000
(2 out of 5 stars)
"This is not as well thought out as the other YZ videos that I own. I did not find the first section at all relaxing. It included many fairly strenuous standing postures. The only "stress release" in this part was the instructor's mentioning that you learn to release stress through your breath. That is fine in the morning, but not before bed. There was a 2-3 min relaxation at the end, then the second half started. The second half is much more relaxing than the first, but still not up to their usual standards. If you want a nice relaxing video, there are many possibilities- The Kripalu Gentle is very nice, and has 2 30 min sections. You can buy YZ Conditioning and Stress Release, and only do 20 min of it. Or try a short Living Arts tape(PM Yoga comes to mind)."
Two great programs for releasing stress and muscle tension
Beth Cholette | Upstate NY USA | 06/11/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Yoga Zone's Evening Stress Release consists of two short (less than 20 minutes each) beginning level yoga practices. The first program begins with seated stretches and a flowing breathing sequence. It then moves into more active standing poses, including lunges, warrior 1 and 2, downward facing dog, and wide-legged standing forward bend. The practice returns to the floor for a modified boat pose, and it finishes with some leg stretches and a short relaxation. Program 2 also starts from a seated position for simple stretches and twists and then moves to kneeling for a cat stretch. Again, there are a variety of standing poses very similar to the first practice. Additional seated postures include a version of cow pose and wide-legged forward bend, and again, there is a short relaxation to finish.
I find that while performing these practices raises my heart rate a bit, at the end, my body feels pleasantly stretched and thoroughly relaxed. These programs work well not only for evening relaxation, but also for waking the body in the morning and rejuvinating at any time of day. At only 18 and 19 minutes respectively, the time of each program flies by, and they are easy to fit into my schedule. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to reduce the amount of physical tension in their body in order to feel both more relaxed and less fatigued."
Friendly, real instructor, relaxing workout
Beth Cholette | 06/07/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I checked out the video version from the library and love it so much that I am buying the DVD. I have tried other yoga zone tapes and DVD's and found the female instructor to be imperious and her voice was like a school teacher whining at me. I also have used Kathy Smith yoga videos, but found she moves from pose to pose a little too quickly for my taste. This instructor is funny, relaxed, and I love his advice to, "relax into the stress." He uses other phrases to get across the true point of yoga, which is to help me relax during real life stressful situations and not just during my yoga sessions. I like the poses, they are not too difficult, and it is overall very relaxing. There are two approximately 25(?)minute sessions, so there is variety and I don't have to spend a lot of time. The setting is nice, the instructor pleasant, and I just highly recommend this video."
Not for evenings, but OK
Beth Cholette | 11/27/2000
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I agree with the other review, that the first workout isn't good for evenings. It had chair pose & warrier, and I was expecting more to stretch out my back, neck, & shoulders with the name "Evening Stress Release" so I was dissapointed. If it had a different title, I wouldn't have had expectations. I liked the second workout, and found it relaxing. That one started out on the floor and included some good side stretches, too. Overall that this tape could have been a lot better if it was geared towards stretching out tight areas, but instead they picked a couple TV shows that really didn't fit with the title of the video. If you are looking for two short yoga workouts, it isn't a bad tape."
Day time workout
e-nonymous | Great Lakes region | 12/06/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"While this might be mis-labeled as "evening stress release", it still provides a good yoga workout. Similar to other Yoga Zone videos, there are 2 twenty-minute sessions, each taught by different instructors. There is no "voice-over" instruction; instead, one instructor verbally cues while another demonstrates, allowing you to mirror the postures on screen.Beginners should be able to do most of the asanas (postures), perhaps needing a few weeks to fully work into the more complex stretches. Those with more experience or flexibility will find a moderate challenge, as the instructor actually moves quite deeply into the asanas. There are a combination of strength developing postures followed by those that require flexibility, though I'm not sure how much of this video alleviates stress.There is very little time devoted to relaxation at the end, which is one possible reason why some other reviewers object to it being called "Evening Stress Release". I prefer to do this as a daytime workout, alternating between this and other videos. I prefer the 20-minute yoga sessions, as I can easily tailor my workouts to accommodate my time schedule and energy levels, and the variety allows for less boredom in repetition.An excellent yoga video for evening stress release is "PM Yoga". I use the one filmed with Patricia Walden, and find it very calming and centering for the end of the day."