Yoga Stretch for Beginners and Beyond DVD

I've been desperately in need of the ideal stretching routine to complement my other workouts and this DVD fit the bill perfectly. This DVD has two seperate workouts or "practices" if you will, that both lengthen, strengthen and tone the body, and do so gently. No wacky binding moves, hand-stands, or pretzel twists necessary. Perfect for Yoga beginners, or advanced exercisers such as myself, who are looking to lengthen without pain and discomfort. Both workouts are filmed outdoors in a gorgeous setting complete with sunshine, next to a sparkling pool, and swaying trees. The music is soothing and on cue featuring soothing, gentle classical tunes, as well as relaxing, calypso-style guitar. You don't have to be a "yogi" to do this DVD. Like another reviewer mentioned, there is no chanting or sanskit, which can often invoke negativity in regards to the term "yoga". AM Yoga is your more "typical" yoga practice, with standing, and floor exercises done on a mat. Jessica shows beginner, as well as more intermediate to advanced moves for all the poses. Familiar poses in this workout include warrior, reverse warrior, childs pose, downward facing dog, bird-dog, cow-cat and several others, done in a flowing sequence that is soothing, yet tones and lengthens the muscles. This practice closes with a quiet, meditation. PM Yoga is more of a stretching routine, and requires a mat, a small pillow (not necessary on carpet or a thicker yoga mat) and a towel or yoga strap to help stretch and lengthen your muscles. (alternatively, I used a flat resistance band for the same effect). This routine is great for use after a touch, vigourous workout, when you need a little more stretching. There is also a relaxing, quiet meditation at the end of this routine that is very refreshing. Both routines are great, and can be used seperately, or in complement to other workout programs or routines you may be doing. This DVD is designed for "beginners and beyond" , but perfectly met me needs as a more advanced exercisor. I am anxious to use it reguarly throughout my fitness journey, and beyond.

I'm new to working out with Jessica Smith, but I just ordered both this Yoga Stretch DVD and her Walk On DVD since I've read wonderful things about her on the Video Fitness forums (where people post about at-home exercise DVDs). This Yoga Stretch DVD is fantastic! The main menu includes a short Introduction video from Jessica that explains the two workouts, and then the options of selecting either the Energizing Flow (designed for the morning/daytime) practice or the Relaxing Flow (designed for the evenings) practice. Each one comes in at just about thirty minutes long. In the Intro segment, Jessica recommends that you alternate between the two sequences. To do the practices, you'll want a yoga mat, and, for the Relaxing Flow, a towel or yoga strap and a pillow. The two sequences are filmed outdoors next to a pool, and it is just Jessica in each workout with some light instrumental music in the background. I love her personality, and how she guides you through each practice. Her cueing is excellent (which is particularly important on a yoga DVD when you can't always see the DVD), and both Flows are a nice combo of yoga and stretching. In each one, she includes some traditional yoga poses like Warrior 1 and 2, but also mixes in some gentle leg lifts and other stretches. The P.M. workout also includes a lot more stretching of the hamstrings and more hip openers (using the towel or yoga strap), which always feels so nice at the end of the day. These are also great for many levels. I consider myself to be an intermediate-level yoga practioner, and could see this being perfect for anyone from beginners who don't want something too taxing to more advanced yogis who want a gentler practice. I can see why everyone loves Jessica, and will definitely be buying more of her DVDs!

Very easy for beginners and she offers challenges as you progress. I am an older person and completely new to Yoga and it was nice to have some options for lower levels and when I advance I hope I can hold the poses like she does. Great workout for seniors!

I tried a yoga class several years ago and loathed it entirely. I have severe ADHD and a high stress job and I just could not get my brain to turn off. I found the whole exercise mentally exhausting and I had zero interest in trying again. I'm currently in the middle of a year long weight loss plan to lose 100 pounds [25 pounds down, y'all!] and needed a workout to improve my flexibility and strengthen my core, while being low impact. A friend recommended yoga. I laughed at her and then saw her results and shut my mouth. The added bonus to yoga was that it was supposed to help with my stress level - which my friends all agreed was a bit too high - and, although my last experience was not pleasant, I begrudgingly agreed to try it again. I had no interest in participating in a class again and looking like an uncoordinated spastic pigeon in front of other people, so I thought it would be best to find a DVD so I could do all the funny positions in the privacy of my own living room. [Happy baby pose... really?!?! The only person who needs to see me like that is my gynecologist.] I read dozens of reviews and found that the reviews for Jessica Smith were very much what I was looking for - calming voice, nice music, no chanting, attainable poses, etc. I bought this DVD and an accompanying Jessica DVD that was more advanced [I'm an overachiever, what can I say?] It took me several days to work up the courage to even try my first workout [Did I mention I REALLY hated it last time?]. I started with the relaxation option on the Beginners and Beyond DVD. It started off fairly easy and advanced as the DVD went along. I felt a little stupid with my booty in the air and my shoulders twisted on the mat but I felt it working and so I pushed through. I survived with no bodily injuries and felt incredible afterwards. I was so relaxed by the end I couldn't believe thirty minutes had really passed. The stretches were difficult to start [I'm not the tiniest person in the world and my muscles have never stretched that way] but she found a way to add modifications that I found very helpful and possible. The next day I was sore but in a very good way. I could tell I had used muscles I don't usually utilize. Speaking of the next day, I had an emergency at work - think community-wide PR nightmare. It was one of the most stressful days EVER. Previously I would turn to chocolate and eat my feelings but all day I found myself thinking about getting home to do yoga. "WHAT?!?!" my brain could not comprehend such nonsense. I even commented to a friend how bizarre it was that after one day it was all I could think about. So, I went home and did it again. During my second attempt I was able to see improvement in my stretches and felt myself gaining better balance and body awareness. I felt all kinds of gooey inside when I finished. I literally sat in the floor for ten minutes and couldn't believe how much better I felt after just two sessions. Then I went to bed and absolutely melted into my pillows. I slept better than I have in months. This all may sound like an exaggeration but it's absolutely true. I'm hooked. I think I officially have to call myself a yogi now. I cannot wait to go home and do my yoga again tonight! [Life goal: do a handstand! I totally think I'll eventually get there if I keep going!] I will absolutely continue using Jessica Smith's products and recommend them to anyone who is starting out and feels a little bit too chunky or uncoordinated for yoga. You're not! I promise! So what if your fat rolls keep you from reaching your toes! Mine do, but the whole point is reaching for those toes in the first place! In fact, I have a feeling these DVDs will never become "too easy" as there is always room for improvements and harder modifications - no matter how thin and coordinated you become! Namaste!

I had trouble following some of the moves. Hard to watch the screen to see what to do while in some positions. I couldn't physically perform some of the moves. Parts of it were too fast, including the breathing! I'd recommend the Yoga and Tai Chi videos by Scott Cole. He goes slow enough to learn the moves and makes it very easy to follow.

With a full-time sitting and typing job my hips and wrists are really tight at the end of my day and I've incorporated yoga or stretching DVDs into my routine for about the past 2-3 years. This DVD has really helped to counter balance some the issues with my hips, lower back and posture. The instructor is very pleasant and I enjoy the way she explains each movement and breaks it down so someone with my lack of flexibility can still get into the movement. It has been my experience that so many other instructors online and with DVDs are helpful but they don't really provide modifications for those with less mobility/flexibility. This DVD fit the bill for me. I notice I tend to reach for it 2-3 times per week over all my other DVDs. Since I strength train 3-4 days per week, with the PM yoga stretch, I can really feel my muscles stretch and sometimes alleviate the DOMS or lactic acid which has built up in my muscles. I have enjoyed it so much over the past weeks that I purchased for a friend. I also enjoy the AM energizing practice. It really wakes up the muscles and truly energizes the mind and body.

I've done both practices on this DVD, and they are quite different (which is a good thing). The evening routine is very stretchy and slow moving, and I really like the way that Smith uses the props to demonstrate and says "if you can reach with your hands, do that"; most instructors will do a short demo with the prop and then go back to being an intimidating pretzel while this beginner thinks, "I'll never be able to do THAT!" The morning routine is a very good workout without being a killer for those working on gaining fitness and flexibility--you will know that you are using your muscles and getting some tone, flexibility, and strength. Smith builds you to more difficult movements by starting small, then letting you know if this is your limit today, repeat that level while she goes on to do slightly more difficult versions of the movements. It's very easy to decide where to stop and repeat or continue depending on your own fitness and flexibility.

This video has two sessions that can be done in one day, one in the morning (or any time you need energy) and the other at night. The AM yoga session made me feel energized and the variations made it possible for a beginner like me to do it on a daily basis while challenging (not exhausting) themselves and progress nearly every day for weeks on end. I felt a sense of accomplishment when I was able to progress to a more challenging variation. I've made it to the advance version on some exercises but am still working on others. The PM session is not nearly as physically challenging, it focuses on more static stretch/lengthening exercises that helps both my body and mind feel calm and relaxed which made going to sleep so much easier. I highly recommend this video because of it's repeat-ability factor. There are some where I get tired of watching it after the first few times either because of the exercises or the commentary. But this still leaves me feeling energized in the morning and relaxed at night. I'll tell you right now there are days when you'll regress and have to stick to a lower variation or just be able to do one of the sessions but instead of tapering down to nothing. I'm always wanting to get back to the full swing as soon as I am able because it makes me feel better.

Excellent for beginners. Very easy to follow and instructor is easy to listen to. Very enjoyable.

Love this DVD.

I bought this video so that I could continue my yoga workout in between classes. However, I’m not entirely happy with this video as the overall yoga program is too slow for me and there is too much talking going on. Hence why I’ve only watched it the once.