Janis Saffell Dynamic Stretch [DVD]

Janis Saffell Dynamic Stretch is the best dvd for stretching out your body if you are not in the mood a strict yoga routine. She performs and reponsibly teaches simple yet effective stretches that flow naturally. I also love that I can do this when I am really tired and want to be revitalized. Most of the routine is matwork so don't be afraid that you will have to stand the whole time. There is nothing dangerous or awkward about being guided through these exercises. That is not to say that you will not be challenged if you are full of intention and do the exercises the way she does them. She is extremely pleasant and easy to understand. Each exercise/stretch flows into the next and makes perfect sense. The routine is balanced and does not cause me pain. In fact, I love it so much because it actually relieves my pain and stiffness. She doesn't hurry through anything. She is equally skilled at teaching pilates, and you can buy her pilates dvd along with this one at a discount I think. I have purchased "Dynamic Stretch" four times now because I leave it places or I give it away to people who need it desperately because I know that they will never take a yoga class or do stretches on their own.My dog stretches every time he gets up before he even takes a step. He is smarter than we humans I think. Janis' approach is smart. I think she demonstrates how human beings would behave instinctively (like my dog) if we were not conditioned to skip over being kind to ourselves and others. Take care of yourselves and encorporate this dvd into your life before you step out the door. I was eager to review this dvd and am glad to be generous with my praise because this has actually helped me. I can't say that about most of the things into which I have dumped money. I also enjoy "Pilates To Go" by Maria Leone and all of Maury Winsor's stuff. Most of the exercise dvd's I've purchased are junk. This one, I cannot live without. I have a spondilolethisis (can't spell). It means my back is broken. Lengthening at a slow, graceful pace is extremely important to my well-being.

I bought this DVD because I am looking for a series of demonstrations of what is informally called "dynamic stretching" (AIS method) -- i.e., stretches done while moving in and out of the stretch instead of holding the stretch for a period of time. This DVD does not provide that. It provides a perfect demonstration of a simple old-school stretching routine (about 27 minutes) where you can recognize the moves from yoga, pilates, dance and phys-ed and it will definitely get a good cross section of muscles for postural balance once someone is warmed up by some other exercise but it is not geared to prevent injury or teach the type of physical therapy-supported body awareness of new stretching methods.

This is a great flowing stretch workout. Also appreciate that it's not really yoga at all. Love the peaceful tropical poolside setting and the pleasant relaxing music. This workout is only about a half hour long altogether, and you can also choose between just the standing or floor work for an even shorter routine when you don't have a lot of time. Very happy with this!

I got a better stretch with this video than with yoga. I do have to agree that the cuing is not good (so you have to keep your eyes on the screen and learn your moves) and the production is not very professional, but it is an awesome stretch, especially for the legs, and I also felt that the stretching was ballet inspired (arm movements)with some yoga poses. I liked and will do it weekly to culminate my exercise week. I felt the tightness in my body relieved. Love it!

One the the BEST video- opportunities are:1)Background music is a bit too loud2)transition between each stretch could be a bit slower.3) keeping the final stretch a few seconds longer1-3 would meet the needs of the target audience even more. Most advanced yoga practitioners will not buy a video. VERY , VERY GOOD DVD

The voice-over narration could be vastly improved. Several times during the workout, Janis switches sides, but doesn't cue to do so, and since you are not looking at the screen at the time, you don't know what's going on. At other times, she cues "arms back" when "arms up" is what she means, and "bottom leg" when she means "top leg".Moves opening the chest and back and leaning to each side to stretch the obliques are repeated three times during the workout. It seems like an aweful lot of oblique stretching, whereas the lower body (which needs more stretching in most people) is given short shrift.

The exercises are good, but a little advanced for where I am right now.

This DVD is okay. It is not what I had expected, but not dissapointing. The voice of the instruction can get a little annoying, and the streches are not advanced, but all the same it is good.