Accessible Yoga for Every Body

Rating:
Summary: Nice Gentle Routine
Review: I just finished this program a few minutes ago and wanted to share my thoughts on it.

As a person with a daily yoga practice for the last seven years, a participant in regular classes, and with a home practice that incorporates programs of this sort(over 70 VHS/DVDs at last count) I would say that overall I really liked this.

While my favorite type of yoga practice is vinyasa flow based, I do like to alternate with Gentle programs.

While I was doing this particular program I was thinking it might be a program that would even be gentle enough for my mom (who is in her 60's), but as it continued I would have to say that there were a few spots where I felt it might be a little unsafe for her (and she has some experience with Yoga from classes and uses the Yoga Zone Basics 5 tape set).

Even though Ms. Ward explains things very well and stresses to work at your own level and that "Yoga should never hurt", there are no modifications shown. For someone without previous experience of Yoga this could be a problem.

There were a few times where I felt that had I not had the experience I have doing yoga that I could have caused some strain , particularly in my knees. I always listen to my body and don't try to always do exactly what the instructor is doing if I feel it's not sound for me at that given moment, but that has come with years of experience.

Still, as an overall routine I did like this a lot and I can see that I'll use it quite frequently on my "gentle days".

I really like her sequencing of the poses, the pacing, and the fact that there is a long relaxation at the end.

It's about an hour long, but it really goes by quite quickly. I think Susan Winter Ward is an excellent instructor who has a great feel for teaching and a really soothing voice (which I find really helps in terms of the "feel" of the practice).

So, in spite of my concerns I would highly recommend this practice but I think it is probably good to have at least a little bit of experience with yoga to be on the safe side.

Namaste