Yoga for Stress Relief (With The Dalai Lama)
- General Stress Relief
- Anxiety and worry
- Neck and shoulder pain; including headaches plus lower back pain
- Stomach and digestive issues
- Insomnia, Depression and more
Over the centuries, yoga practitioners have discovered the secret to achieving optimal health, vitality and happiness. For the first time, this path to living a longer, happier life is revealed on a single DVD. Excessive stress and negative mental attitudes in our daily lives are the greatest obstacles to achieving serenity, good health & well-being. This DVD teaches step by step, easy to follow practices to reduce negative thoughts & emotions while promoting positive thinking. With over 20 routines to address negative mental, emotional and physical issues, this DVD is the most comprehensive DVD of its kind. This DVD also includes an UNPRECEDENTED 30 minute instruction on meditation with the Dalai Lama! This exclusive discussion of meditation with the Dalai
Lama himself appears only on this deluxe edition DVD. Considered one of the greatest influencers of our time, the Dalai Lama has spent his life teaching people how to be happy and promote positive thinking. His teachings are world
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Yoga For Weight Loss for Beginners
Reshape your body and feel great with these easy to follow routines. Now you can burn calories while toning and stretching your entire body. These practices will leave you feeling invigorated, more energetic and de-stressed.
Three Sections Of Routines
Getting Started Routines
As You Progress Routines
With the variety of of routines, this DVD is perfect for both the beginner and seasoned student alike. You will feel younger, more fit and in shape with these targeted and effective routines.
This stunning and beautiful DVD was shot at one of the most majestic, tranquil beaches in the world, Half-Moon Bay, Antigua!
This revolutionary, interactive DVD allows you to choose from 12 customized routines ranging from 15-60 minutes to get you toned and feeling great. This special, easy to use system allows you to find the routine that is just right for your needs. Veteran instructor Maggie Rhoades gently guides you through t
Rating: (out of 107 reviews)
List Price: $ 19.99
Price: $ 6.90
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Review by Kendra Barrett for Yoga For Weight Loss for Beginners
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I love this DVD and glad I bought it.
I really enjoy the extra sections using the band for toning, can feel it work and the other levels helped bring along in learning yoga.
Between the instructor (she is great) the scenary (beautiful) and the actual instruction I would highly recommend this DVD
Review by LCW for Yoga For Weight Loss for Beginners
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I guess I’m in the minority but I do not like this DVD at all. I’ve done several of the workouts and viewed all of them. All of the workouts are basically just Sun Salutations and standing poses rearranged to fit different time frames. Some workouts have weights and bands added to them.
The main thing that bugs me about this DVD is the sterile technicality of it. It was very, “Do this, then do that, now do this…” etc. There was no emphasis on breath, no time for centering yourself for a minute or so before your workout. The instructor’s voice was not very relaxing to listen to either. There was very faint hint of music in the background. I like music during my yoga workouts so it was almost a tease to me.
I’ve done quite a few Yoga DVD’s where I sweat buckets but they still have the relaxing meditative quality, the focus on breath, and they can still be a very demanding workout without being so sterile and technical. I prefer a more meditative Vinyasa Flow style workout, I guess. While this DVD definitely has some very challenging workouts, it lacks the mind-body emphasis that makes Yoga unique. Otherwise why not just do Pilate’s or aerobics?
It just wasn’t for me but if you prefer a “no nonsense” purely physical approach to Yoga you might like it. I’d still suggest you do some stretching though before you start this DVD as you will be going right into demanding poses like Chaturanga (the yoga push-up) within a minute or so of starting. Also you should be familiar with Yoga’s ujaii (sp?) breathing first as this DVD does not give any information on the very essence of what makes a workout “Yoga”. Otherwise you might as well just be doing any random body postures, twists, or stretches.
I can’t personally recommend this DVD because of my issues with it but if the above gripes are not important to you you may like this DVD.
Review by Heather for Yoga For Weight Loss for Beginners
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What I love most about this video is that it’s a bunch of videos in one. Depending on the time you have in a given day, you can always fit in one of the workouts – so no more excuses! The instruction is crystal clear and the setting is beautiful. I was skeptical about doing yoga with weights at first, but it works. And this video really teaches you, so you can eventually do the workouts on your own.
Review by Jason Feder for Yoga For Weight Loss for Beginners
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I have not done a lot of yoga before, but now I’m hooked.
This DVD is fantastic. It has two levels of workouts (and each level has a few workouts) – one level is for beginners and one has some more challenging poses once you are comfortable with the first level.
There is also a third section (again with a few workouts) that incorporates weights and/or a resistance band into the workout.
Not only have I lost some weight and am closer to touching my toes easily, but I have really toned up from this DVD. I would have called this DVD, “Yoga for Getting in Shape” Highly recommended.
Review by Tonja R. Nansel for Yoga For Weight Loss for Beginners
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Having done yoga both with videos and in a class, I found this video to be a step above most other yoga videos. It is arranged in three sections, each having multiple workouts. The first section is designed for beginners, with one section teaching a basic set of poses, and two sections with flow-style practices of varying length. That is, the poses flow from one to the next for continuous, slow movement. The pacing is great – slow enough to allow good form in each pose, but fast enough to allow you to move along with the breath, as you breath in and out. However, it is clearly not “remedial,” and includes poses requiring some flexibility, balance, and strength (e.g., downward-facing dog with one leg raised, as well as some balancing poses). If someone lacks flexibility or strength, I’d definitely recommend starting instead with “Essential Yoga for Inflexible People,” which a friend tells me is perfect for beginners. The second section (the one I use the most) is a little more challenging and also has several different flow-style practices that vary in focus (arms, legs, total body) and length. It’s surprising how much your heart gets beating and you really feel your muscles working. They are the ideal every-day workout. The third section is an interesting twist – yoga along with light weights or a resistance band to get even more strength training work. Again, there are several different practices that vary in focus and length. Very clever and fun. The instructions on how to work in each pose are extremely well done. Usually, the biggest downside to learning yoga from a video rather than a well-conducted class is that you can’t get individualized instruction, and so you can learn the poses incorrectly and not get the full benefit of the practice. However, the instruction is so well-done that I found this video to instead help me refine and improve my use of the various poses. Finally, the filming is simply beautiful, with a gorgeous ocean landscape. This is quickly becoming my favorite yoga video!
Review by Mary Leone for Yoga for Stress Relief (With The Dalai Lama)
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The is a wonderful selection of Yoga on this DVD which will help with a wide range of stress and ways to relieve it.
The DVD is set up so you can easily select what you would like to do (Beginning & Ending The Day, Easing Neck & Shoulder Tension and others including routines for digestion problems. If you are like me, sometimes my stress goes to my stomach and this is a welcome selection. ) and have a wide range of choices.
There is plenty of active yoga for the times you would like something a bit more challenging and routines that are gentle and soothing.
Barbara’s decades of experience as a yoga teacher and scholar comes through in her instruction and I am looking forward to someday attending a conference or seminar where she is teaching.
Review by Kim Isley for Yoga for Stress Relief (With The Dalai Lama)
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This DVD is simply amazing and has to be one of my most used DVDs. There are so many workouts for different needs. Some routines move slowly and calm me down, while others move more quickly and seem to burn off excess energy. The amount of variety is simply astonishing and has something useful and different every day. I am sleeping better now and have been more patient with my family and co-workers. This DVD is going to be a stocking stuffer for a lot of people this year!
Review by YogaKat for Yoga for Stress Relief (With The Dalai Lama)
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I love this DVD. It is by far the best overall relaxing yoga sessions you can find. The segments are pieced together and are repeated in different sequences depending on your need. They are very Yin Yoga like / very gentle yoga sessions. Barbara Benagh leads you through the sessions and has a calm, soothing voice. She reminds you to breath, slow and steady. You get a total of 20sessions on the DVD. It is beautifully filmed at Half Moon Bay Resort in Antigua (much better than a boring yoga studio!). My only critic is that I would have liked to have a matrix where I could create my own sequencing from all the individual segments (like Shiva Rea’s DVDs). Also, they should have published a booklet describing each session with the DVD, so here’s my version ;o) Print this out and keep with your DVD. I highly recommend this DVD, it is well worth the money.
***BEGINNING & ENDING YOUR DAY***
Beginning Your Day Slowly (25 min.)
On your back in reclining cobbler’s pose.
Lying back , wave breathing.
Modified downward dog.
Standing at the head of your mat, standing forward bend, sun salute movement.
Sitting, Shoulder stretch series (great!).
Sitting in cobbler’s pose, forward bending.
Sitting cross legged, breathing.
Wake Up (60 min)
Lying back, wave breathing.
Sit on heals, then wide leg child pose.
Standing at the head of your mat, full sun salutation.
Standing, tree pose.
Standing, wide legs, triangle pose.
Standing, wide legs, side angle pose.
Standing, wide leg, twists
Sit in cobbler’s pose, forward bending.
Seated wide angle pose.
One leg, revolved head to knee pose.
¼ dog pose (kneeling on all fours & on forearms).
Sitting cross legged, breathing.
Evening Revival (40 min.)
Sitting on heals, then wide leg child pose.
Standing, wide legs, twists with arms outstretching
Standing, wide legs, triangle pose.
Standing, wide legs, side angle pose.
Standing, wide legs, hinge over twits, then hang down.
Sitting, Shoulder stretch series (great!).
Lie face down, cobra series, 4 times (great!)
Revolving head to knee pose.
Sit cross legged, breathing.
Letting Go of the Day (40 min)
Lying on floor with feet on floor, knees bent, tune-in, breating.
Reclining cobbler’s pose.
Sit on heals, wide leg child pose.
Cobbler’s pose, then 1 leg forward bend (head to knee pose).
Cross legged, seated twist.
Knees bend, seated twist.
Savasana
Insomnia Issues (35 min)
Standing, wide legs, inversion
Modified downward dog
Cobbler’s pose, then 1 leg forward bend (head to knee pose).
Supported resting cobbler’s pose.
Supported child pose.
Legs up the wall pose.
Complete yoga rest.
***EASING NECK AND SHOULDER TENSION***
Easing Neck & Shoulder Tension, Passive (20 min.)
Bolster across neck & shoulders, prayer on forehead.
Lay on back, knees bend, 1 arm under back stretch.
Arm across chest twist, lying on back (on your side)
Easing Neck & Shoulder Tension, Active, Extended (30 min.)
Sit or stand, side neck stretching.
Sitting, Shoulder stretch series (great!).
Lie face down, cobra series, 4 times (great!)
Standing, wide legs, twists with arms outstretching.
Standing, wide legs, hinge over twits, then hand down.
Legs up the wall pose.
Lower Back Tension (35 min.)
Reclining cobbler’s pose.
Wave breathing.
Reclining leg stretch.
Lying face down, crocodile & locus.
Upper back bolster.
Quarter dog pose.
Savasana
Hip Pain, SI Joint (35 min.)
Reclining cobbler’s pose.
Wave breathing.
Reclining leg stretch.
Sit cross legged, open ½ lotus pose (aka square pose).
Lying face down, crocodile & locus.
Sit on heals, wide leg child pose.
Modified downward dog.
Savasana.
Tension Headaches (45 min.)
Lying on floor with feet on floor, knees bent, tune-in, breating.
Bolster across neck & shoulders, prayer on forehead.
Lay on back, knees bend, 1 arm under back stretch.
Arm across chest twist, lying on back (on your side).
Supported child pose.
Legs up the wall pose.
Complete yoga rest.
***EASING YOUR MIND***
Breathing Exercises to Calm the Mind (15 min)
Lying on back< knees bent, breathing.
Lying on back, knees bend, tune into breathing.
Lying on back, twisting with breath.
Wave breathing.
Restorative Poses for Relaxation (15 min.)
Supportive resting cobbler’s pose.
Supported heart opener.
Legs up the wall pose.
Deep Rest (20 min.)
Lying on back, knees bend, breathing.
Complete yoga rest.
Mood Uplift (30 min)
Wave breathing
Standing at the head of your mat, standing forward bend, sun salute movement.
Standing, wide leg, twists
Standing, side leg, warrior 1
Standing, hanging forward bend.
Supported bridge shoulder stand (with block).
Supported heart opener.
Complete yoga breath.
Serentify in Stillness
Fold blandket in 3rd and half roll at the end. Lie face down with roll in abdominal. Massage belly.
Reclining cobbler’s pose.
Reclining leg stretch.
Open ½ lotus pose (reclining).
Sit on heals, then wide leg child pose.
Arm across chest twist.
Supported bridge shoulder stand (with block).
Sit cross legged, breathing.
Anxiety Relief (50 min)
Lying back, wave breathwork.
Lying back, 1st lift breathwork.
Lying back, segmented exhalation breathwork.
Lying back, extended pause breathwork.
Lying face down, crocodile pose, breathwork.
Arm across chest twist.
Supported child pose.
Sit in cobbler’s pose, then 1 leg forward bend (head to knee pose).
Sit cross legged, breathing.
***STOMACH & DIGESTIVE ISSUES***
Constipation (25 min)
Fold blandket in 3rd and half roll at the end. Lie face down with roll in abdominal. Massage belly.
Child pose exploration.
Inversion, standing wide angle pose.
Modifed downward dog.
Sit upright, cross-legged, seated twists.
Lying on back, Savasana rest.
Improved Digestion (30 min)
Stand at head of mat, standing, sun salute movement.
Standing feet wide, twists
Sit upright, cross-legged, seated twists.
Half shoulder stand.
IBS (30 min) Irritated Bowel Syndrome
Lay on back, knees bent, breathwork.
Lay on back, reclining cobbler’s pose, unraveling.
Sit upright, cobbler’s pose, forward bending.
Seated wide angle pose.
Half shoulder stand.
Legs up the wall pose.
Diarrhea & Indigestion
Laying on back, reclining cobbler’s pose, unraveling.
Supported heart opener.
Upper back bolster opener.
Supported bridge shoulder stand.
Legs up the wall pose.
Review by Dr. Jan B. Newman for Yoga for Stress Relief (With The Dalai Lama)
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I have to confess I had become a lapsed Hatha Yogini. After years of practice, a few intervening accidents and life intervened and my Hatha Yoga practice was sacrificed in the caldron of daily life.
While I was aware of my body absorbing the toxins of people’s nasty attitudes, violence on TV and in the newspaper,etc, I chose to persist in the exingencies of my work and studies ignoring the calls of my ailing body.
In that my work and study centers around stress relief and I am a student of the Dalai Lama, I decided to check out this video.
In my experience this is one of the best yoga videos among the now 1,055 yoga videos now listed on Amazon. It combines meditation instructions from the DVD A Path to Happiness by the Dalai Lama and a host of stress relief combinations from gentle awakening to more vigorous awakening to working on what malady our bodies are using to signal us that we are out of balance.
The instructions are clear and concise without undue explanation. (For students who seek more understanding of the poses, the videos of Rodney Yee, Patricia Walden, John Friend and many others are out there.)
The instructions are for the average person. There are no Sanskrit names. There is excellent attention to proper alignment, appropriate focus and attention and use of props. Her breathing instructions are the best that I have heard from any yoga instuctor.
As I practiced these routines I could literally feel toxins depart, my stiffness start to leave and my “energy” flow more freely.
This is the video of a seasoned Hatha Yoga instructor and practioner and yoga practioner. If you want to learn complex advanced poses and their Sanskrit names, don’t buy this video. If you want to detoxify, and restore balance to your life, this is the video for you.
Review by Beth Cholette for Yoga for Stress Relief (With The Dalai Lama)
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This is an extremely versatile DVD by renowned yoga instructor Barbara Benagh. She has combined short posture segments into a series of 20 different practices addressing a variety of stress-related conditions, from energizing after a long day to coping with aches and pains to relieving various digestive conditions. The practices, which are slow-moving with a mostly restorative focus, range in length from 15 to 60 minutes, making it easy to fit yoga into even your busiest days. Barbara frequently uses props; in addition to a yoga mat, I would recommend that you have at least one blanket on hand (preferably 2-3), with pillows and an eye bag being optional.
A breakdown of the DVD is listed below. The headings are the items found on the main menu, and the bullets indicate submenu items. The times for each practice are given as they appear on-screen, but I’ve added times in parentheses based on my own review. I’ve included brief notes on some of the practices that I have already tried; I plan to edit this review with additional notes as I use more of the vast material on this DVD.
Discussion of Meditation by HH The Dalai Lama (35)
Interview with Barbara (22)
Beginning and Ending Your Day
* Begin Your Day Slowly, 25m (24.5) – starts slowly on the floor and gradually moves into more active postures, including sun salutations
* Wake Up! 60m (58) – nice, slow flow combining seated breath work, sun salutation/standing postures, and seated forward bends
* Evening Revival, 40m (35.5) – starts in child’s pose and moves on to standing postures and then shoulder/back stretches on the floor
* Letting Go of the Day, 40m (37) – a series of floor and restorative postures, including reclined cobbler’s, supported child’s pose, and seated forward bends/twists
* Insomnia Series, 35m (36) – relaxing postures to help prepare for sleep; starts with simple standing poses and moves on to seated forward bends, supported cobbler’s and child’s pose, and legs-up-the-wall
Neck, Shoulder, and Back Issues
* Easing Neck & Shoulder Tension, passive, 20m (19) – a series of reclined postures allowing passive relaxation of the neck and shoulders
* Easing Neck & Shoulder Tension, active, extended, 30m (29) – more active stretches of the neck, shoulders, and upper back from both seated and standing positions; ends with legs-up-the-wall
* Lower Back Tension, 35m (35.5) – reclined and prone postures to open up the back
* Hip Pain (SI Joint), 25m (36) – a series of gentle hip-opening postures including reclined leg stretch, open half lotus, and prone postures
* Tension Headaches, 45m (44) – a combination of sequences from both the passive and the active neck and shoulders segments above; ends with legs-up-the-wall plus a lengthy relaxation
Easing Your Mind
* Breathing Exercises to Calm the Mind, 15m (15) – a slowly moving series of different breathing techniques while lying
* Restorative Poses for Relaxation, 15m (13.5) – three simple postures to facilitate deep relaxation (supported cobbler’s, heart opener, legs-up-the-wall)
* Deep Rest, 20m (18) – reclined breathing combined with a lengthy relaxation segment
* Mood Uplift, 30m (32.5) – offers a combination of calming and more active postures, starting with standing postures and moving to supported bridge and supported heart opener
* Serenity in Stillness, 35m (40.5) – combines elements of the digestive, hips, and neck practices; my favorite so far, especially with the supported bridge
* Anxiety Relief, 50m (40) – focuses largely on breathwork to calm the mind; also includes prone poses, reclined twist, and supportive postures
Stomach and Digestion Issues
* Constipation, 25m (27) – gentle prone postures to stimulate the stomach combined with standing and seated twists
* Improve Digestion, 30m (28.5) – sun salutations plus standing and seated twists; ends with half shoulderstand
* IBS, 30m (26.5) – starts with reclined breathwork and moves on to seated forward bends; ends with half shoulderstand and legs-up-the-wall
* Diarrhea & Indigestion, 30m (25) – nice series of gentle supported postures to open the upper back and release the stomach; includes supported bridge and legs-up-the-wall
One final important note is that not all of the practices end with the traditional relaxation pose, or savasana: some conclude with legs-up-the-wall pose, others end in a relaxed seated position. Overall, this is an excellent yoga DVD well-suited to a wide range of practitioners, from those fairly new to yoga to more experienced yoginis like myself. Highly recommended!