Energizing practice combines yoga postures with joyful chanting 2010-01-06

Reviewer: Beth Cholette

NOTE: I received a free copy of this DVD to review for Metapsychology Online Review; you can find a more complete version of my review on that web site.

This DVD is led by Amy Weintraub, who discovered that the practice of Kripalu yoga alleviated her own depression. Although it is a fairly gentle practice that is appropriate for beginning level students (although some prior familiarity with the poses would be helpful), Weintraub combines the postures with sounds, a style which may not appeal to everyone.

The entire practice is 75 minutes long. The chapter points are listed on the DVD case as follows:

1. Introduction
2. Joint Warm-Ups (4.5 minutes)
3. Centering Meditation (6 minutes)
4. Breathing Exercises (7.5 minutes)
5. Warm-Up Poses (19 minutes)
6. Cultivating Will: Standing Poses (12.5 minutes)
7. Will and Willingness: Backbending Poses (6 minutes)
8. Will and Surrender: Forward Bends and Twists (8 minutes)
9. Surrender: Yoga Nidra (11.5 minutes)

Weintraub practices alone outdoors in a bright, grassy, park-like setting. She teaches via voiceover and does not mirror-cue. For the Joint Warm-Ups, which are set against Krishna Das music, Weintraub loosens up the entire body, circling the ankles, knees, and the hips, and ending with a bit of a free-flowing "dance," encouraging you not to worry exactly how you're moving or what you look like. She offers the option of seated or lying for the Centering Meditation (6 minutes), during which she instructs you to focus on your breath as she leads you through the yogic 3-point breath. Weintraub first introduces chanting here, repeating "ohm" with the hands together and "yam" with the hands over the heart. The Breathing Exercises chapter reviews each of breath kriyas. Weintraub performs a few quick rounds of bellows breath (bhastrika) and skull shining breath (kapalabhati) in a seated position, then moves to standing for the breath of joy; she adds breath retention in-between each of these moves. Weintraub stresses the importance of reading the DVD insert before attempting to perform any of the pranayama.

In the Warm-Up Poses, Weintraub continues to combine mantras with movement, with the opening mountain pose sequence utilizing a bold "maha ra!" Coming to the floor, Weintraub moves through a reclined leg series plus thread the needle, and then from an all fours position, she performs a twist and a cat/cow variation that she calls "flying cow." This segment concludes with sphinx pose, down dog, and skull shining breath in chair pose. For the Standing Poses, Weintraub begins with a low lunge a chant of mahaha, which is intended to stimulate the heart chakra. This section also includes pyramid pose with the crown chakra sound and a warrior pose variation repeating the maha ra sound. The Backbending Poses consist of a gentle flow with boat (locust), bow, and rabbit postures. The Forward Bends and Twists begin with a full seated forward bend. Next comes one of the most challenging postures of this practice, a reverse plank with skull shining breath. Weintraub finishes this segment with a final round of skull shining breath in a lying twist. The practice concludes with Yoga Nidra, a lengthy, guided deep relaxation.

Weintraub's joy in filming this DVD is obvious and somewhat infectious. If you open both your heart and mind to practicing in this manner, it is likely that it will boost your mood and your spirit. Even though I consider myself a more intermediate yoga student, I really enjoyed the sequence of postures in this practice; the routine left me feeling stretched and refreshed. One final note, however: Weintraub cautions that the breathwork is not appropriate for those with Bipolar disorder/mania and should also be avoided by those who are pregnant, menstruating, or suffering from high blood pressure or an inflammatory condition.

Timely Shipping, Exceptional Product 2009-04-03

Reviewer: A. Morgan

Thanks for the quick delivery of this video. My children and I enjoy doing this yoga practice together. I was impressed with the quality of the yoga poses and the breathwork. Definately helps with the blues. Two thumbs up.

A different approach 2008-11-25

Reviewer: Mark D. Krull

I found this dynamic approach quite exhilarating. Very different from traditionally recommended yoga postures for depression.

Mudra, chanting, stretching, kunalini, hatha yoga set outdoors 2008-05-24

Reviewer: Lena, LMT

This is set in a beautiful park-like of wide open grass/trees, cacti & mountain in the back in Tucson, AZ. Amy Weintraub alone demonstrating & using voice over. The production quality is well done for all aspects. Amy has a very non self-conscious, new age style that demands you be open, silly (non one's watching) & relax. Amy has great body awareness, great energy that you want to learn from.
Here is the breakdown of the dvd with poses/stretches she spends most on listed. This isn't about working out or sweating, but about being more aware of your body & letting go. The pace is very relaxed & she gives modifications by words & also flashes in/out of video of her doing them.

Menu: play & chapter choices
Intro: 5 min
Joint warm-up - 5 min
opening up joints, kinda dancing
Centering Mediation - 5 min
seated breathing & chanting
Breathing Exercises - 8 min
seated breathing, easy kunalini movements, chanting & easy standing kunalini movements,
Warm-up Poses - 18 min
a few very modified standing fwd bed, chair, mountain pose & down dogs, relined leg stretches, knee to chest stretches, sphinx, shoulder stretch, more basic modified sun salutations, cat/cow & few other her own style linked stretches
Cultivating Will: Standing Postures - 13 min
standing fwd bend, lunge, warrior 1 very modified arms, pyramid
Will & Willingness: Back bend postures - 6 min
locust or she calls bow, full bow, child's, & roll to lean on crown a little she calls rabbit.
Will & Surrender: Fwd Bend & Twist - 10 min
simple spine stretches, sitting fwd bend, reverse plank, reclined spinal twist, reclined butterfly, raise & lower legs slowly & hold for slight ab work
Yoga Nidra: Surrender - 10 min
Ends w/Amy in Savasana reclined guiding you in meditation & then just music.

More about her at her site yogafordepression com

it's okay 2008-02-08

Reviewer: Michelle R. Strzelewicz

I enjoyed Amy Weintraub's book and I love yoga, so I purchased this DVD. I really like the Joint Opening part, and the seated meditation. Once the yoga started with the chanting, I just couldn't get into it. Chanting is not the style of yoga that I enjoy - although others may. It is a well quality made DVD. So if you don't mind chanting throughout your yoga, it's for you. If chanting is not your style, then I would not recommend it. It's a nice gentle practice.