DVD: RELAXING YOGA - Trish Smyth

By Emma, Wrexham View Profile
Being new to yoga (only ever having attended 2-3 classes some years ago) I feel this DVD is a good introduction. It's lovely to be able to do this at home, whenever I feel like doing it rather than being limited to a specific day or time. The background music throughout is relaxing and the presenter Trish Smyth's voice reassuring and pleasant. She instructs well; there were only a couple of occasions when I found I had to look closely to see what she was doing.

The DVD starts with frequently asked questions, such as 'where to find a yoga class?', 'can anybody do yoga?' (yes it's for everyone, but she recommends if anyone has health problems to check with their doctor first). Other questions such as 'what do I wear to a yoga class?', 'how long before I notice the benefits?', 'how long is a yoga class?' (it lasts about 60 minutes on this DVD), are all answered thoroughly.

The participant is then taken through a relaxation routine, then the yoga postures with the advice to not push yourself. I feel inspired by the way that she explains how the postures benefit the body whilst doing them. There is also a visualisation, with some beautiful images on the screen. The bonus material includes an alternative nostril breathing exercise which is balancing.

I write this review as someone who can often be exercise resistant and I don't always find it very easy to comprehend exercise instruction – often running in the opposite direction! Relaxing Yoga has helped me to get more of a feel for yoga; I feel more grounded and relaxed in my body generally speaking. I am finding that I am suddenly compelled to do some stretching......more