ZYoga
Ann DyerYear Released: 2005
Categories: Yoga
I'm reviewing this workout after doing the main yoga program and the accompanying
CD once each; I've previewed the rest.
General workout breakdown: The main yoga routine, lasting about 40 minutes, consists
primarily of forward bends and gentle twists to induce calmness and even drowsiness.
After some centering and chanting Om, Ann leads you through a warm-up (modified
standing forward folds using the chair?this adds some nice shoulder stretches),
modified downward facing dog (using the chair), standing one-legged forward bend,
seated forward bend, inverted lake (aka "legs up the wall" pose), inverted bound
angle, downward-facing crossed leg (i.e. forward bend onto chair in crossed leg
position), supported reclined twist, supported child's pose, and corpse. Ann takes
some time to set up each pose and holds that pose for several minutes. She doesn't
rush anything, which is appropriate for this routine.
Level: I'd recommend this to anyone, although it probably more geared towards beginners
through intermediates. Some yoga experience is probably best but not absolutely
necessary. I consider myself a low intermediate in yoga; I have over three years
of experience but am still working on my strength and flexibility. I found this
video appropriate for me, although I adjusted one or two poses either to get a little
deeper stretch or to accommodate my props.
Class: Ann alone, instructing "live."
Music: none during the asanas. (Surprisingly, I didn't even notice the absence
of music.) The menu and savasana segments have Ann playing a sitar and singing
(in Sanskrit?). I'm not one for sitar music, but I found Ann's music understated,
calming, and even beautiful. (Ann is apparently a concert artist as well as a yogini-oh,
to be so talented!)
Set: The interior set has dark blue fabric hung all around; Ann practices on a
raised wooden platform covered with mats. Little candles appear in clusters around
the space. Off to one side is a potted plant; off to another hang gold chains.
It's not dark, like Kripalu Gentle Yoga, but it's not so bright that it's distracting
if you turn your lights off before doing this.
Production: crisp picture and sound, no distracting camera work, etc. - very well
produced.
Equipment: yoga mat (or equivalent), sturdy chair (one with a wide, straight back
is best), and blankets (Ann uses two; you?ll want something that's not too poofy).
Ann is barefoot.
Space Requirements: enough room to lie down with your legs extended. You should
have space to maneuver freely around your chair, too. Access to a wall may be helpful
for some poses.
DVD Notes: There's a 30 second intro before you can hit "main menu." The DVD contains
the main program, "You, Yoga, and Sleep" (Ann tells you a little bit about the program),
and "Breathe Back to Sleep" (Ann helps you relax and shows you some breathing techniques
to help you get back to sleep when you wake up in the middle of the night). The
main program is divided into two chapters: one for all of the poses and one for
the corpse pose; you can select the corpse pose alone from the main menu (where
it's called "Guided Savasana & Nama Brama - A Yoga Lullaby."
This is a boxed kit. The DVD comes in a folded cardboard and plastic holder, which
also contains a CD with a guided relaxation sequence done in corpse pose that lasts
over 20 minutes. (This begins just like the savasana on the DVD, but Ann continues
deeper. This would actually be a great add-on to any yoga practice with too short
of a savasana or for use after a practice you've designed on your own; there's no
mention of getting sleepy, so you could pop it in anytime.) Also in the box is
a 26-page booklet, containing a forward by the producer (who has actually taken
Ann's classes), an introduction about the importance of sleep and doing yoga by
Ann, "Before You Begin" (the steps Ann recommends in order to get the most from
using this practice), and Ann's descriptions of each pose (including in writing
the benefits, an explanation of how to perform each pose, and suggested modifications
and then in pictures Ann performing each pose). The booklet is well done, and yoga
instructors should take note of it because it adds so much to the practice. (I
know it's a lot of work to put something like this together, but I'm now going to
be disappointed when a yoga program doesn't come with even a list of poses.)
Conclusion: I think this is a keeper. It's very well done, for starters, and between
the DVD, CD, and booklet I'll probably get some use out of the program. I don't
plan on using this regularly, because I tend to get bored and burned out easily
if I use something a lot, but it'll be good to have on hand when I know I need a
good night's sleep or after I've had a few restless nights.
You could certainly devise your own routine based on these principles and don't
*need* this kit. Personally, I'm lazy when it comes to designing my own programs
and tend to get too wound up in what comes next, so I'll rely on the media until
I feel more confident in my practice.
I have to admit that the first times I used the DVD and CD I didn't fall asleep
immediately, but I did feel very relaxed and calm, breathing deeply and slowly until
I fell asleep naturally within a decent amount of time. Oddly enough, I remember
dreaming (something which doesn't happen often to me) while lying half-asleep before
my alarm went off. I can't say I felt particularly rested or refreshed the next
day; I suspect I slept more lightly than I do normally (hence the dreaming). Whether
that's a good thing or not I have no idea, but my guess is that it'll take a few
more times until I get used to the routine and its effects and thus until I fall
asleep quickly and sleep deeply after this practice.
This does have a brief chanting section and some discussion of yogic traditions
and beliefs, but none of that made me particularly uncomfortable.
Instructor Comments:
Ann is comfortable in front of the camera and comes across as down to earth and
approachable as well as compassionate and intelligent. She instructs well, and
she writes even more information about the poses in the accompanying booklet. She
has a pleasant, soothing voice which she uses as if in a quiet conversation with
you. Her manner doesn?t seem forced or affected at all. I love the fact that she
looks "normal" rather than like some fitness model. After all, Ann's a real yogini
who hasn't been selected by some producer because of her looks but rather by people
who appreciate her knowledge and desire to use her routine to help more people.