This tape is one of the new ones in the Living Arts series that includes A.M., P.M., and Abs Yoga for Beginners. The tapes in this series are all 20 minutes long. The setting is a beach on Maui at sunset. The music is new-age instrumental. During the introduction, Suzanne Deason talks about the negative effects of stress on the body, and how yoga can help to relax the body. She explains how the video targets the areas that hold stress: the neck, shoulders, and the low back. This video uses props moreso than other yoga videos; mainly a yoga brick (a thick book would work), and a yoga strap. Even if you don't ordinarily use props, you will find them helpful here.

The video starts with standing poses and stretches for the shoulders and upper back, then goes into side bends. It includes a wide stance forward bend with your hands placed on the brick, and then your head relaxed on the brick. You will then do triangle pose, and lunging side bends using the brick for support. There is then a wide stance shoulder stretch, and then you go to mountain pose and do a standing forward bend, and then a deeper bend with your head resting on the brick. Suzanne explains that you can relax more deeply if you are supported. Kneeling poses are next: child's pose, a kneeling stretch, cat stretches, and then to downward-facing dog with your head resting on the brick. You will do lunges with modified prayer twist. Seated poses are next: seated forward bends with your head resting on the brick, single leg stretches, wide leg seated forward bends--all with your head resting on the brick. Then reclining poses: single leg stretches using the strap, reclining twists, bridge pose, and then bridge pose with your lower back resting on the brick (very nice). Finally, you go into a bent knee relaxation pose, and then into corpse pose. Suzanne rolls immediately to a seated position, but the relaxation music continues through the credits so you can stay in the pose longer if you wish.

All in all, I think that this is a good relaxation video for beginners, since none of the poses are that involved. Advanced exercisers may like this as a post-tough workout stretch. I like the length (20 minutes), as I find that sometimes when I need yoga I don't have 45 minutes to an hour for Yoga Zone or Yoga Mind & Body. This video does not promote as complete relaxation as Yoga Zone Conditioning and Stress Release, for example, due to the 20 minute length and the fact that the poses are not held for as long. The pace is also quicker, but to fit the poses into the 20 minutes they have to be. It was definitely worth the $6.99 I paid for it. Due to the length, I'm sure I will use it rather frequently. I found this video at Target, and a label on the wrap stated that it was available only at Target. I've yet to see it elsewhere.

Instructor Comments:
Suzanne takes a non-mystical approach to yoga. Her form is good, as are her form pointers. She does a thorough job of explaining the use of props, and the benefits/purposes of the poses. Picky me, but I wish the tone of her voice were a little bit more relaxing.

Kristin Aziz