Rating: 
Summary: Two segments from the TV series-
Review: This is not as well thought out as the other YZ videos that I own. I did not find the first section at all relaxing. It included many fairly strenuous standing postures. The only "stress release" in this part was the instructor's mentioning that you learn to release stress through your breath. That is fine in the morning, but not before bed. There was a 2-3 min relaxation at the end, then the second half started. The second half is much more relaxing than the first, but still not up to their usual standards. If you want a nice relaxing video, there are many possibilities- The Kripalu Gentle is very nice, and has 2 30 min sections. You can buy YZ Conditioning and Stress Release, and only do 20 min of it. Or try a short Living Arts tape(PM Yoga comes to mind).
Rating:
Summary: Two segments from the TV series-
Review: This is not as well thought out as the other YZ videos that I own. I did not find the first section at all relaxing. It included many fairly strenuous standing postures. The only "stress release" in this part was the instructor's mentioning that you learn to release stress through your breath. That is fine in the morning, but not before bed. There was a 2-3 min relaxation at the end, then the second half started. The second half is much more relaxing than the first, but still not up to their usual standards. If you want a nice relaxing video, there are many possibilities- The Kripalu Gentle is very nice, and has 2 30 min sections. You can buy YZ Conditioning and Stress Release, and only do 20 min of it. Or try a short Living Arts tape(PM Yoga comes to mind).
Rating: 
Summary: Misleading title, but still good
Review: This video is a good example of why it's important to try an exercise/yoga tape before you buy it. The video is described as "evening stress release" but the poses don't actually seem geared toward that end. Yet I liked this video very much. It is actually more strenuous than the Total Body Conditioning video and has some great poses for your back. I have only two nitpicks: 1) there are a few poses that are used in both segments and I didn't like the repetition; 2) the instructor in the second segment sounds like a "valley girl" and her voice can be a little grating at times, but if you can get past it, this is a good video. One of the best in the series.
Rating:
Summary: Misleading title, but still good
Review: This video is a good example of why it's important to try an exercise/yoga tape before you buy it. The video is described as "evening stress release" but the poses don't actually seem geared toward that end. Yet I liked this video very much. It is actually more strenuous than the Total Body Conditioning video and has some great poses for your back. I have only two nitpicks: 1) there are a few poses that are used in both segments and I didn't like the repetition; 2) the instructor in the second segment sounds like a "valley girl" and her voice can be a little grating at times, but if you can get past it, this is a good video. One of the best in the series.
Rating:
Summary: Day time workout
Review: While this might be mis-labeled as "evening stress release", it still provides a good yoga workout. Similar to other Yoga Zone videos, there are 2 twenty-minute sessions, each taught by different instructors. There is no "voice-over" instruction; instead, one instructor verbally cues while another demonstrates, allowing you to mirror the postures on screen.Beginners should be able to do most of the asanas (postures), perhaps needing a few weeks to fully work into the more complex stretches. Those with more experience or flexibility will find a moderate challenge, as the instructor actually moves quite deeply into the asanas. There are a combination of strength developing postures followed by those that require flexibility, though I'm not sure how much of this video alleviates stress. There is very little time devoted to relaxation at the end, which is one possible reason why some other reviewers object to it being called "Evening Stress Release". I prefer to do this as a daytime workout, alternating between this and other videos. I prefer the 20-minute yoga sessions, as I can easily tailor my workouts to accommodate my time schedule and energy levels, and the variety allows for less boredom in repetition. An excellent yoga video for evening stress release is "PM Yoga". I use the one filmed with Patricia Walden, and find it very calming and centering for the end of the day.
Rating:
Summary: Day time workout
Review: While this might be mis-labeled as "evening stress release", it still provides a good yoga workout. Similar to other Yoga Zone videos, there are 2 twenty-minute sessions, each taught by different instructors. There is no "voice-over" instruction; instead, one instructor verbally cues while another demonstrates, allowing you to mirror the postures on screen. Beginners should be able to do most of the asanas (postures), perhaps needing a few weeks to fully work into the more complex stretches. Those with more experience or flexibility will find a moderate challenge, as the instructor actually moves quite deeply into the asanas. There are a combination of strength developing postures followed by those that require flexibility, though I'm not sure how much of this video alleviates stress. There is very little time devoted to relaxation at the end, which is one possible reason why some other reviewers object to it being called "Evening Stress Release". I prefer to do this as a daytime workout, alternating between this and other videos. I prefer the 20-minute yoga sessions, as I can easily tailor my workouts to accommodate my time schedule and energy levels, and the variety allows for less boredom in repetition. An excellent yoga video for evening stress release is "PM Yoga". I use the one filmed with Patricia Walden, and find it very calming and centering for the end of the day.
Rating: 
Summary: Two great programs for releasing stress and muscle tension
Review: Yoga Zone's Evening Stress Release consists of two short ( The first program begins with seated stretches and a flowing breathing sequence. It then moves into more active standing poses, including lunges, warrior 1 and 2, downward facing dog, and wide-legged standing forward bend. The practice returns to the floor for a modified boat pose, and it finishes with some leg stretches and a short relaxation. Program 2 also starts from a seated position for simple stretches and twists and then moves to kneeling for a cat stretch. Again, there are a variety of standing poses very similar to the first practice. Additional seated postures include a version of cow pose and wide-legged forward bend, and again, there is a short relaxation to finish. I find that while performing these practices raises my heart rate a bit, at the end, my body feels pleasantly stretched and thoroughly relaxed. These programs work well not only for evening relaxation, but also for waking the body in the morning and rejuvinating at any time of day. At only 18 and 19 minutes respectively, the time of each program flies by, and they are easy to fit into my schedule. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to reduce the amount of physical tension in their body in order to feel both more relaxed and less fatigued.
Rating:
Summary: Two great programs for releasing stress and muscle tension
Review: Yoga Zone's Evening Stress Release consists of two short (<20 minutes) yoga practices, both of which are designed to reduce stress and tension through actively stretching your muscles. Both programs were filmed in Jamaica, the first in a more wooded setting and the second on a beach. Program one is led by Charles Matlin, and Program 2 is led by Beverly Murphy; Lisa Bennett assists both instructors by showing more advanced versions of the postures. Both programs are appropriate for beginners, but even more advanced yogis will appreciate the attention to breathing and will definitely not be bored. The first program begins with seated stretches and a flowing breathing sequence. It then moves into more active standing poses, including lunges, warrior 1 and 2, downward facing dog, and wide-legged standing forward bend. The practice returns to the floor for a modified boat pose, and it finishes with some leg stretches and a short relaxation. Program 2 also starts from a seated position for simple stretches and twists and then moves to kneeling for a cat stretch. Again, there are a variety of standing poses very similar to the first practice. Additional seated postures include a version of cow pose and wide-legged forward bend, and again, there is a short relaxation to finish. I find that while performing these practices raises my heart rate a bit, at the end, my body feels pleasantly stretched and thoroughly relaxed. These programs work well not only for evening relaxation, but also for waking the body in the morning and rejuvinating at any time of day. At only 18 and 19 minutes respectively, the time of each program flies by, and they are easy to fit into my schedule. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to reduce the amount of physical tension in their body in order to feel both more relaxed and less fatigued.
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