Rating: 
Summary: A nice practice
Review: I didn't think I'd like Alan Finger because he seems so odd, but I think he's actually a really good instructor--leading you through the poses very clearly and well, and offering a good philosphy for practice. The only thing about this DVD is that it's one workout only, so you don't feel like you're getting much value for your money. That being said, everytime I do this workout, I'm suprised how much I enjoy it. It's a good supplementary DVD, but you'll definitely need more just for variety's sake.
Rating: 
Summary: This is the BEST yoga DVD i have use so far! I LOVE IT!
Review: I have been a yoga student for several years and have ordered and tried probably a couple dozen different yoga videos (so many are somewhat disappointing or just not what I am looking for ina video). I just got Alan Finger's Yoga Zone Flexibility and Stress Release DVD yesterday and I did the workout this afternoon and I cannot believe I went all these years without this video. It is wonderful. It is soothing, calming, challenging (but not all too hard for me) and very relaxing and YOU SWEAT through it even tho it is not a cardio workout at all. I just love it. I wish there were more videos out there like this one. A real bonus is that Alan has two people in the video demonstrating the yoga moves, one does the advanced postures and one does a modified version for beginners. It is wonderful. I recommend it to new yoga students and for intermediate students. The ending of the video is a real pleasure as Alan Finger talks you through visualization of your chakras as you rest in corpse pose. Thank you Alan!
Rating: 
Summary: Not quite up to Yoga Zone's excellent standards
Review: I hesitate to say anything vaguely critical of Yoga Zone material, but.....this tape seems less complete than their others. On the plus side, the relaxation segment at the end is excellent, and the poses are well described. There are some strong poses, but it's not a strength workout--good for days when you're not quite up to a power yoga session. I recommend their Condioning and Stress Release (the best I've ever seen) over this one, especially to those new to yoga. I'll probably use this occasionally for variety.
Rating:
Summary: this is the one!
Review: I spent the last few months reviewing yoga video tapes from friends and the library, hoping to find 'the one.' Well, this is it! From Bryan Kest to Chakra Yoga, Rodney Yee to assorted other Yoga Zone tapes, I have to say that the combination of Alan Finger's well-thought out practice, the variety of poses, the beautiful locale and the absolutely relaxing end of tape have pushed 'Flexibility and Stress Release' to the top of my list. As a beginner, there was one pose I was unable to do (I believe the 'Raven' pose), but most of the poses are do-able, some quite challenging. I liked the medium speed of the workout -- he doesn't shift too suddenly from one pose to the next, nor does any pose grow tiresome. The women in the tape are both instructors in their own right, and one is his wife. They both do a great job at demonstrating the poses, both in advanced and modified positions, and neither is distracting from the focus of the practice. Again, the relaxation portion of the tape is outstanding, utilizing some creative chakra mental imagery. After this workout, I feel so content, flexible and relaxed. I think the tape clearly achieves its title's goal...
Rating:
Summary: this is the one!
Review: I spent the last few months reviewing yoga video tapes from friends and the library, hoping to find 'the one.' Well, this is it! From Bryan Kest to Chakra Yoga, Rodney Yee to assorted other Yoga Zone tapes, I have to say that the combination of Alan Finger's well-thought out practice, the variety of poses, the beautiful locale and the absolutely relaxing end of tape have pushed 'Flexibility and Stress Release' to the top of my list. As a beginner, there was one pose I was unable to do (I believe the 'Raven' pose), but most of the poses are do-able, some quite challenging. I liked the medium speed of the workout -- he doesn't shift too suddenly from one pose to the next, nor does any pose grow tiresome. The women in the tape are both instructors in their own right, and one is his wife. They both do a great job at demonstrating the poses, both in advanced and modified positions, and neither is distracting from the focus of the practice. Again, the relaxation portion of the tape is outstanding, utilizing some creative chakra mental imagery. After this workout, I feel so content, flexible and relaxed. I think the tape clearly achieves its title's goal...
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Video
Review: I was really pleased with this video. Alan Finger really does an excellent job of explaining the poses. It's a very good beginner work-out.
Rating:
Summary: This Yoga Guy is kind of ..... strange.
Review: I'm very new to Yoga, so don't take my advice if you are an expert. I thought the guy (Alan Finger?) was a few cards short of a full deck. Although it doesn't say it anywhere on Amazon.com, this is marked as an Intermediate Level Yoga tape. However, as an out of shape person trying to get in shape (and more flexable), I am able to perform most of these exercised in the modified form. Just my two cents.
Rating:
Summary: More than what You Pay for
Review: Intuitively I know that my body accumulates a lot of stress which translates to tension in my muscles. I'm only a twenty-three year old student who works sixteen hours a week, I'm not over or under weight, and I get a bit of cardio nearly every day. Yet, I have fairly intense lower back pain, especially after I work (I don't enjoy my job). I've turned to yoga within the past year to relax, centre myself and wring the tension out of my muscles. Out of my twenty or so workout dvds, this one is one of the more challenging and reminds me to be more mindful of my movement during my other workouts. I can really feel a difference in the quality of every workout I do with this attitude--pilates, ballet, aerobics, kickboxing--it's all become more fullfilling because I catch myself more easily when I accidently cheat. As of yet, I haven't worked with a male yoga instructor I feel especially comfortable with in any class, but I think I'd be comfortable with Alan Finger. He's really good. Suzanne Deason's voice and tone can get a bit annoying, though her "Yoga Conditioning for Weightloss" is excellent (four levels to watch!). He reminds you to breath carefully and the quality of his verbal instructions for each pose are easy to follow and not cheesy. I like that he's competent and relaxed without seeming stuck on himself or lofty--like he cares about what he's doing and what he's sharing with you. And, very importantly, he reminds you often to only go as far as you can go--I'm not all new agey (not that I have anything against people who are, it's just not my style), but I recognize that yoga is a lifestyle commitement that takes time and effort, and not just when you're actively in a yoga posture--so take your time and enjoy it! Like any skill, yoga takes time and effort. If you don't take a class, I recommend supplimenting any yoga video with a descriptive book--pictures and text--from a library. (Yoga is for everyone and requires no money if you're on a budget. Many props can be made from household items, which Alan Finger does suggest--another thing to like about him). I recommend a book to read and pictures to go along with any video because no video instructor on any video I've seen has given a full enough description of the right posture for the poses. Maybe it would just take too long. Once you've read about them, you have the poses in your head and can get even more out of any video by adjusting to fit your body and skill level.
Rating:
Summary: stay at home yoga
Review: my thanks to the previous reviewers whose words encouraged me to order this DVD. i just went through the program and found it every bit as good as any class i've paid for and superior to some.
just what i was looking for. 2 levels so you can do it at your own comfort. i have the goal of getting up to the higher level so it won't be quickly outgrown.
Rating:
Summary: Great Video
Review: Of all the Yoga Zone DVD's that I own, this has to be the worst. I like a video where there isn't a lot of talking. Alan Finger does not stop talking throughout the entire video. As well, some of the postures were too basic. Since it's a DVD, you can choose to skip parts and make your own workout, which is a good thing because the beginning of the video is enough to turn anyone off.
If you can get past Alan Finger talking all the time, some of the poses are actually challenging. He spends a lot of time on inverted postures, which I find are the most difficult. While it's not a favorite, I'll still keep it in my collection.. for now.
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