Restorative Yoga Practice: Gentle Beginners Sessions

Well-done DVD offers the opportunity to experience the benefits of restorative yoga at home
In this DVD, instructor Deborah Donahue offers six different sequences, four of which are purely restorative, plus a meditation and a slightly more active morning routine. She provides live instruction and utilizes various props, including several blankets, a bolster, a strap, and blocks. The Main Menu of the DVD lists the following options and times for the practices:

*Introduction
*Meditation, 12 minutes
*Morning, 15 minutes
*Mid-Day, 45 minutes
*Evening A, 55 minutes
*Evening B, 55 minutes
*Restful Sleep, 85 minutes
*Credits

Donahue conducts each of the four restorative sessions in a similar manner. For every posture, she begins by describing the setup, including the props that will be required for the pose. Then, after providing guidance on how to come into the pose, she simply allows time to rest in the posture, only occasionally providing additional brief reminders on breath or alignment (and sometimes making small...

Yin-like yoga, but wish there was matrix menu.
This is a lovely restorative yoga practice with many options. You will need a bolster, strap, and blankets. All of the yoga positions are done on the floor with the exception of the morning 1/2 sun salute. Each position is held from 3-8 minutes.

Each practice is composed of recorded segments that are pieced together and many are repeated throughout the DVD, not always my favorite type of practice because it's somewhat choppy. This DVD however is better than many I've tried. The transitions are good, but it would have been better with a matrix-choice menu where you could build your own sequences.

In addition the music is a little too loud. I have to turn my TV up to hear Deborah and then the music is a bit too loud and not the best quality (although I do very much like the soothing flute music). Deborah gives an explanation about getting into the pose and provides a bit of encouragement to relax. Other than that you get to relax and enjoy. I sometimes go into...

Such a good discovery
I was so excited and hopeful to find this Restorative Yoga DVD. I have fibromyalgia and my yoga practice had been suffering because it became too difficult and painful for me to continue my usual routines. I needed guidance and the right instructor to show me the techniques that are gentle and quieting to my body and provide just the right balance for my particular challenges. Deborah Donohue is that instructor and I have been enjoying yoga again and finding a renewed sense of tranquility.

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