Traditionally, I have thought that I do not like yoga and prefer athletic stretch. Recently, I have tried several yoga workouts and seemed to confirm this assumption. The first thing that turns me off of yoga is the way many yoga instructors talk – New Agey or lyrically or like hippies or something. I’m not sure how to describe it, but it drives me nuts. The other thing that turns me off of yoga is the strain many of the moves put on my joints, i.e., downward dogs.

I tried this workout and, for the first time, decided to ignore the exact protocol of yoga moves and do what I could. For example, on downward dogs, I put my hands on my tall step instead of on the floor. It made an incredible difference. Suzanne Deason’s demeanor is also fairly straight-forward and matter of fact and that helps as well. I will do this workout again to see if I still like it, but after the first time I enjoyed it and felt relaxed and worked out and not annoyed by how the instructor gives direction.

Suzanne Deason leads the workout by herself on a beach in Maui. (Being back with her in Maul was a definite plus!) The music was calm and relaxing.

There were a few cases of her directing a move that I simply was not flexible enough to do. For example, when she stretched one leg out in front of her with the other one bent, she directed a more significant forward bend than I could accomplish. However, I just followed the directions I’ve heard from Tamilee Webb multiple times to go as far as I can, relax, and keep my shoulders down. For someone new to any stretching at all, it could be frustrating.

Laura S.