Yoga Remedies for Natural Healing

Rodney Yee
Year Released: 2000

Categories: Yoga


This tape has six sections of brief yoga routines designed to promote "natural healing." I am not sure if they would actually do so, but for the most part, they are relaxing programs that offer a quick stretch. First is a very short conscious breathing section, done entirely on the floor. Then, we get the first remedy: for stress. Rodney voice-overs this part and performs the poses with Suzanne Deason. She's background: he doesn't even look at her, never mind correct form or otherwise interact with her. Occasionally, he mentions modification she might be doing, and this is the only section where modifications are given. The poses are done entirely standing except for some up/down dog and meditation near the end. I feel it would have been better if they had kept the whole thing standing, as moving to the floor can involve extra hassle if you don't have a mat ready or just want to tack this on to something else.

The second section was my favourite. It claimed it was for "indigestion" which again is debatable, but it was a solid and very relaxing routine of spine twists and oblique stretches done on the floor, both lying down and sitting up. Suzanne does this alone, with Rodney voice-overing. She uses props, and the poses are simple enough that most people won't need to modify more than that.

The third and fourth sections, for back pain and fatigue, are very different. They involve the fussy use of blanket props. For back pain, Rodney alone does several knee-to-chest stretches, cat pose sequences and even a down dog section. I didn't like this part very much. The fatigue section holds each pose for a very long time and is more meditative/relaxation format than active yoga poses. It involves a lot of resting your head against a chair and propping your legs on a chair. The more gadgets and props I need, the less I tend to enjoy my workouts, so I skimmed past this section. Once we get past two props not including the mat, I get frustrated. Blocks and strap are about all I can handle from yoga :-)

The last section is for headaches, and involves blankets, a wall (or in Rodney's case, a pole embedded in the sand), rolled blankets AND an eye-bag (whatever that might be). It involved a lot of breathing exercises done with your legs up against the wall, and a section of seated nostril breathing. I didn't really do this one. It was too slow, too fussy and too.much.

Overall, I'll probably use the first two sections as a light yoga routine, although it is too bad he makes us go on the floor in the first part (if we have to be on the floor, I'd rather stay down there. None of this going down on the floor for one pose only business!) The rest of the tape is just too fussy for me, with all the blankets and walls and chairs and things. I am dubious about the supposed curative powers of this tape, but I won't deny that the parts I did were relaxing enough. Overall, would I recommend this? Sure, if you like Rodney Yee or want some really quick yoga sections you can tack on to other workouts. It would also be a good tape if you enjoy guided breathing and meditation exercises, and the more spiritual elements of yoga. But if you just want to stretch---maybe not.

Joanna

06/03/2001