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This
video is divided into four sections: Breathing, Posture, Centering
and Relaxation. It starts with Suzanne Deason lying on her back
with bent knees. She talks us through breathing, bringing in small
movements of the pelvis, then leg stretches, increasing in intensity
to spinal twists. The breathing and movements are closely co-ordinated
and this ten minute section not only prepares us for the more vigourous
postures to come but, by helping to free up a stiff back, can be
a useful routine in its own right.
The
Postures section start with downward dog, lunges and forward bend,
followed by three balances. A six minute sequence of side bends,
intersperced with forward bends, is followed by more balances. Centering
takes place on the mat, with locust moving into upward dog and bow
pose. Cat movements are followed by pigeon and squat pose, seated
twists and forward bends. The
Relaxation section is, in many ways a more extreme form of the Breathing
section, conducted on our backs, with leg stretches and twists and
ending with a couple of minutes in corpse. The entire routine is
performed on the Hawaian coast, with the instructions given as a
talk-over. Having guided us into each pose, Suzanne Deason describes
breathing and where to direct our effort and relaxation. A separate,
three minute modifications section at the end of the video illustrates
how to use props to make the positions less extreme.
All
the postures in this beautiful video are expertly demonstrated and
described. The sequence flows between postures and areas of the
body, building on themes, with Hawaian seascapes in the background
and Suzanne Deason's relaxing voice guiding us. She makes it clear
that yoga practise is more than a physical workout, that it can
be used to enhance the deeper emotional and spiritual levels of
our lives. She explains that "as you move into the pose,
your mind is focussed on your body and your breathing, but as you
settle into the pose, your concentration expands past the physical
level, towards stillness"
Is
this meant just for women? Well, it is hard to understand why, unless
it is the frequent instruction in the standing sequence to move
our hands to our belly. Suzanne Deason explains in the introduction
that "Women especially can benefit from a yoga practise
that concentrates on the powerful energy in the belly, our centre
of gravity". Another feature intended for women is the
20 minute "Bonus Monthly Practise". This illustrates some
less extreme and more appropriate postures, making extensive use
of props, with practical advice on yoga and period problems.
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