Review of "Element: Yoga for Stress Relief & Flexibility"
By Ashley TurnerAnchor Bay, 2010
Review by Beth T. Cholette, Ph.D. on Jan 18th 2011
This latest introduction to Anchor Bay's Element series features yoga instructor Ashley Turner, who also appeared in Element: Yoga for Weight Loss. Here Turner offers two yoga routines which can be used either together or separately to enhance relaxation, stimulate circulation, and increase agility. Turner practices outdoors in an attractive poolside garden setting with the Pacific ocean in the background. She teaches via voiceover and offers mirrored cuing, sometimes using only Sanskrit names for the postures, sometimes adding in the English translations as well. Other than her yoga mat, Turner does not utilize any props, although she occasionally makes suggestions for how props (e.g., blocks) could be used to modify some of the postures.
The Main Menu of this DVD offers the following options:
*Play Yoga for Stress Relief
*Play Yoga for Flexibility
*Play Complete Program
I have broken down each of the practices in greater detail below.
YOGA FOR STRESS RELIEF
This is the longer of the two practices at just under 36 minutes; virtually the entire routine is performed seated on the floor. Turner begins with instruction on ujjayi breathing, taking time to cultivate this breath. After a few head rolls, she performs a single "ohm" and suggests setting an intention (sankalpa) for the practice. This is followed by a seated side bend, simple seated twist, and a unique seated twist with an emphasis on stretching the upper back/shoulders. After using Lion's breath to promote cleansing, Turner continues the seated postures with head-to-knee pose, half Lord of the fishes, double pigeon, wide-legged seated forward bend, and revolved head-to-knee pose. Finally, Turner begins a series of finishing postures: first, she comes to hands and knees for a cranial massage, and next, she moves to a reclined position for windshield wiper legs and knees-to-chest. After a brief rest in reclined cobbler's pose, Turner comes into savasana with an optional self-massage (4 minutes). She concludes the practice seated with a final ohm.
YOGA FOR FLEXIBILITY
Turner also begins this practice seated with instruction on ujjayi breathing. She moves into a standing forward bend/half forward bend sequence before coming to standing at the front of the mat to set an intention and to chant a single "ohm." (Note: Turner has her mat placed parallel to the mat; placing your mat perpendicular to your TV may make it easier to follow along with this routine.) From here Turner flows into a standing series which moves from low lunge to half split to standing splits. Turner then performs eagle pose on both sides before repeating the lunge series on the opposite side. The next sequence adds in some gentle backbends: Turner starts in down dog and moves into baby cobra, a cat/cow series, a locust variation, and some brief free form work. Coming back to seated for hero's pose, Turner offers the option of moving into reclined hero. She concludes the practice with a lower back release, a reclined twist, and a short (about 2 minutes) relaxation, finishing this 33-minute practice in a seated position with a final ohm.
Overall, this DVD offers two very nice yoga practices providing exactly what the titles suggest--i.e., the opportunity to decrease stress and enhance flexibility. Although Turner does suggest some modifications as well as offers tips on form, her level of instruction is not appropriate for those brand-new to yoga. However, this would be an ideal DVD for anyone with some basic yoga experience looking to enhance their practice and move on to the next level; moreover, intermediate practitioners such as myself are likely to find a place in their home practice for these enjoyable routines.
© 2011 Beth Cholette
Beth Cholette, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist who provides psychotherapy to college students.
Resources
-
Articles
-
The Nature of Stress
- Introduction and the Nature of Stress
- The Biology of Stress
- The Fours Stages of A Stress Reaction
- Other Important Biological Systems That Help Regulate Stress Reactions
- Factors Influencing the Stress Response
- Types of Stressors (Eustress vs. Distress)
- Factors Determining Whether Stressors are Experienced as Negative or Positive
- Self-Efficacy and the Perception of Control in Stress Reduction
- The Long-Term Consequences of Negative Stress
- Mental and Emotional Impact of Stress
- Social Impact of Stress
-
Methods of Stress Reduction
- Methods of Stress Reduction
- Meditation for Stress Reduction
- Kinetic (Movement) Strategies for Stress Relief
- Yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi for Stress Reduction
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation for Stress Reduction
- Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais, Massage, Reiki and Acupuncture Stress Reduction Techniques
- Medication Strategies for Stress Relief
- Psychological Strategies for Reducing Stress
- Cognitive Therapy Techniques for Stress Reduction
- Cognitive Distortions Affecting Stress
- Dysfunctional Beliefs Affecting Stress
- Cognitive Restructuring
- Distraction and Humor in Stress Reduction
- Visualization and Guided Imagery Techniques for Stress Reduction
- Hypnosis and Autogenic Training for Stress Reduction
- Environmental, Social and Spiritual Strategies for Stress Relief
- The Vitality of Natural Environments for Stress Reduction
- Food and Pets as Stress Relief Tools
- Socialization and Altruistic Acts as Stress Relief
- Religious/Spiritual Practice for Stress Reduction
-
Stress Prevention
- Stress Prevention
- Stress Prevention: A Values Clarification Exercise
- Time Management to Prevent Stress
- Assertiveness and Interpersonal Boundaries in Stress Reduction
- Stress Inoculation Therapy
- Developing a Personalized Stress Prevention Plan
- Developing a Stress Prevention Plan Part 2
- Selecting Methods and Making a Commitment in Stress Prevention
- Tracking Your Progress and Maintaining Your Gains in Stress Prevention
- Additional Stress Reduction and Prevention Resources
-
The Nature of Stress
-
News
-
Questions and Answers
- Husband Jealous of my Friends and Family
- What's Wrong With Me?
- ADD Maybe?
- Stress and Loss of Feeling or Emotional Deadness
- My BoyfriendLlied to Me About His Ex.
- Please, A Response!!!!!
- Can't Stand Noise
- Is Psychosis Curable?
- Anxiety
- Paranoid Thoughts
-
22 more
- Do I Need Help?
- What Is Wrong with Me?
- Should I Seek Help?
- Premonitions
- I Love Her, but I Want That Spark Back
- PTSD
- Elderly Parents
- Am I Crazy?
- Concerned
- Disconnected
- I'm overemotional! What's wrong with me?
- Need a Solution (Hair Pulling) - Cat
- My Health
- what to do about built up tension inside
- Do I feel stress?
- Is Something Wrong With Her?
- Dealing With General Discontent
- Part Time Work and Stress
- Arranged Marriage
- Seizures Interfering With Love
- Countering Type A With Assertiveness
- Sick Husband
-
Book & Media Reviews
- Anxiety, Phobias, and Panic
- Change Your Thinking
- De-Stress Your Life in 7 Easy Steps
- Element: Yoga for Stress Relief & Flexibility
- Emotions, Stress, and Health
- Everyday Yoga for Stress Release
- Job Stress and the Librarian
- Knowing the Nature of Fear
- Kundalini Yoga to Detox and Destress DVD
- Learn to Relax
-
13 more
- Meditation for Optimum Health
- Meditation in a New York Minute
- Stress
- Stress Relief to Go
- Stress Survival Guide
- The Joy of Meditating
- The Spa Deck
- The Stress Less Workbook
- The Stress Owner's Manual
- The Stress Reduction Workbook for Teens
- The SuperStress Solution
- Thriving Under Stress
- Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation and Stress Relief
-
Links
-
Videos
- How Do You Manage Stress?
- How to Stay Calm When You Know You'll Be Stressed
- Managing Stress
- Beating the Holiday Blues
- How to Stay Happy and Healthy through the Holidays?
- Are You Stressed?
- Tips To Reduce Holiday Stress And Find Your Bliss
- Understanding Your Stress
- Stress Video
- 7 Steps to Reducing Stress
-
25 more
- Is Stress Making You Sick?
- 5 Ways to Decrease Stress During the Holidays
- Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
- What is Mindfulness?
- The Good and Bad Stress
- The Link Between Stress and Depression
- Terror Related Stress
- Emotional Stress Can Cause Illness
- Post Holiday Blues
- Stress in America - Conquering Your Stress
- Dealing with Stress
- How Your Brain Can Turn Anxiety into Calmness
- How to make stress your friend
- The Art of Stress-Free Productivity: David Allen
- 90:10 The Single Most Important Thing You Can Do For Your Stress
- Coping With Stress: Cognitive-Behavioral Stress Reduction
- Tips on how to manage everyday stress
- Stress Relief Tools To Help You Be Happy When Stressed
- Stress Will Kill You
- 5 Problem-Solving Skills to Manage Workplace Stress
- Outsmarting Stress and Enhancing Resilience
- Stress & the Heart – What You Need to Know
- Can Work Stress Hurt Your Heart?
- Good Stress Vs. Bad Stress
- 5 Tips for Coping with Natural Disaster Stress
-
More Information
Topics
-
Addictions
-
Aging & Elder Care
-
Assessments & Interventions
-
Career & Workplace
-
Emotional Well-Being
-
Life Issues
-
Parenting & Child Care
-
Abuse
-
ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
-
Adoption
-
Autism
-
Child & Adolescent Development: Overview
-
Child & Adolescent Development: Puberty
-
Child Development & Parenting: Early (3-7)
-
Child Development & Parenting: Infants (0-2)
-
Child Development & Parenting: Middle (8-11)
-
Child Development & Parenting:Adolescence (12-24)
-
Child Development Theory: Adolescence (12-24)
-
Child Development Theory: Middle Childhood (8-11)
-
Childhood Mental Disorders and Illnesses
-
Childhood Special Education
-
Divorce
-
Family & Relationship Issues
-
Intellectual Disabilities
-
Learning Disorders
-
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
-
Parenting
-
Self Esteem
-
-
Psychological Disorders
-
Anxiety Disorders
-
Bipolar Disorder
-
Conversion Disorders
-
Depression: Depression & Related Conditions
-
Dissociative Disorders
-
Domestic Violence and Rape
-
Eating Disorders
-
Impulse Control Disorders
-
Intellectual Disabilities
-
Mental Disorders
-
Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders
-
Personality Disorders
-
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
-
Schizophrenia
-
Sexual Disorders
-
Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders
-
Suicide
-
Tourettes and other Tic Disorders
-