Yoga Tune Up: Quickfix Rx

Jill Miller
Year Released: 2009

Categories: Special Health Conditions , Yoga


NOTE: Originally, Quickfix Rx was released as a single, 2 DVD set. Later, Jill Miller released this two DVDs separate as QF Rx Upper Body and QF Rx Lower Body. I am writing a review for the UPPER BODY *only*.

I have and like much of Jill Miller's media. In fact, that's what made me so hesitant to pick up this DVD--i.e., the idea that it would duplicate material that I already owned. But, now that I finally did break down and purchase this DVD, I feel like the previous reviewer, Lindsey; I can't believe that I waited so long! ;)

Quickfix Rx Upper Body addresses four "micro regions" of the body: Neck, Shoulders, Upper Back, and finally, Hands/Wrists/Elbows. Here is what you will find on the Main Menu:

About Yoga Tune-Up
Introduction
Play All Quick Fixes
Neck
*Quick Fix Videos
Shoulders
*Quick Fix Videos
Upper Back
*Quick Fix Videos
Hands, Wrists, & Elbows

If you select any of the "Quick Fix Videos" options, you are taken to a submenu. Here is what a sample submenu looks like for Neck:

NECK

*Quickfix Introduction
*5 Minute Quickfix

*Quickfix Introduction
*10 Minute Quickfix

*Play Both Quickfixes
*Back to Main Menu

As you can see, these menus are NOT the most user-friendly and a bit unwieldy to navigate! The Introductions to each Quickfix segment are generally quite brief (30-40 seconds), but it also seems completely unnecessary to have them as separate menu sections.

Although Kath has already provided some breakdowns, I offer my quick take below, along with actual time information in paratheses (some of the segments aren't actually 5 or 10 minutes long).

NECK
5 minute (5m): starts with a stretch, incorporates self-massage using a ball, ends with an isometric stretch
10 minute (10m): seated in chair for series of isometric contractions from all directions; also includes some stretches, and ends on the floor for upper back rolling

SHOULDERS
5 minute (5m): very quick-moving series of shoulder circles (both front/back and lateral), milking shoulders, and bridge arms in standing
10-minute (12m): opens with pranic bath; incorporates new moves such as "blockhead" and "railroad piston arms" as well as moves which appear on Jill's other DVDs, including open sesame and reverse crucifix; ends with cow-face arms and ball work on floor

UPPER BACK
5 minute (6m): starts seated for cat/cow, adding rotation and deep side bending; finish with forward bend
10 minute (9.5m): start on hands and knees for cat/cow, then move into child's pose variations; also includes cobra, drunken table, and massage work with balls

HANDS, WRISTS, & ELBOWS
5 minute (5m): several gripping moves work hands/fingers plus several moves to stretch the forearms
10 minutes (7.5m): starts with a hula wave and forearm self-massage ("squeezing the toothpaste"); continues with eagle arms and a wrist stretch on the floor

Again, I am really happy that I finally purchased this. Although some of the material IS familiar to me from Jill's other DVDs--for example, as noted above, the 10 Minute Shoulder Quickfix has exercises which also appear on Jill's Post-Athletic Stretch Routines, another DVD of hers that I own--there is plenty here that is new as well. Furthermore, I really like the short length of the practices (as opposed to the DVDs in Jill's Yoga Link series, which I enjoyed but eventually got rid of because I wasn't using), AND I also like the fact that all of the 10-minute practices (except the hand/wrist/elbow one) offer a combination of postures and ball work. If you are on the fence about this DVD, I highly recommend it.

Instructor Comments:
Jill is down-to-earth, self-effacing, and fun. Her teaching style combines an impeccable focus on anatomy with a layman's understanding of these issues--quite an accomplishment indeed! :)

Beth C (aka toaster)

07/08/2011