I first came across yoga DVDs by Jane Adams about a year ago when I was searching for new yoga DVDs for my collection but I cou... Read More
I first came across yoga DVDs by Jane Adams about a year ago when I was searching for new yoga DVDs for my collection but I couldn't find a Canadian seller at that time so I put off the purchase until recently when I found this DVD on Amazon.ca.Let me start off by saying this DVD is excellent and has so much to offer. The target audience is Seniors but middle aged people and people with some limitations and/or beginners will also benefit and enjoy this DVD. The setting is outside in a beautiful garden in Kalispell, Montana. Jane does the routines alone outside on a sunny day in front of a stunning border of flowers with every color you can imagine that starts at the lawn level and runs to about 6 feet high. The camera is usually set showing her doing the moves from head to foot with only a few closeups when necessary so it is much easier to follow along. She instructs by voice-over and the instructions are clear and easy to hear as the music is lightly playing in the background. You will mirror her meaning she will tell you to move your left foot and she will move her right so that it is like looking in a mirror and this makes it really easy to follow along.There are three separate routines listed in the main menu which I will briefly outline below:1. Level 1 - Chair Yoga (26 Minutes)This is the least challenging of the three routines. It is all done sitting in a chair, no yoga mat is required. At a steady pace you will complete gentle twists, leg lifts, arm circles, wrist circles, ankle rotations, neck stretches and much more. Easy to follow and you won't even know that a lot of the moves are yoga modifications. The session ends with a short relaxation. You never stand or even get up from your chair for Level 1. (Look for the cat wandering into the routine).2. Level 2 - Chair & Standing By Chair (40 Minutes)This routine is a little more challenging than Level 1 and in it you will do exercises sitting in a chair but you also will do exercises standing behind the chair and on each side of the chair. When standing the chair is to steady you. If you did Level 1 prior to this one you will notice it builds upon what you did in Level 1 and introduces the standing balancing poses. It is completely new video footage from Level 1. Again, Jane does not get into using yoga language but those familiar with yoga will recognize the modifications of the usual yoga poses such as modified down dog and forward bends using the chair.3. Level 3 - Stronger Chair & Standing (55 Minutes)This is the longest and most challenging of the 3 routines on this DVD. This time you benefit from a yoga mat in addition to a chair, and possibly a second chair for added stability. All the routines are done either sitting in a chair or standing. There is less reliance placed on using the chair for stability than in Level 2 but it is completely at your option. Level 3 is all new video footage and does not recycle from the previous Levels 1 and 2 but you will feel familiar with some of the exercises. Level 3 can be further broken down into sections as follows;3a. Standing Warm-ups (6 Minutes)Bends, stretches, and more demonstrated without the chair.3b. Seated Core & Foot Warm-ups (6 Minutes)All sitting in a chair. Includes gentle twists, stretches, ankle openers, and more.3c. Standing Balances (13 Minutes)Lots of standing balances using chair as needed3d. Seated Upper Body (6 Minutes)All sitting in a chair. Includes fingers, arms (eagle arms) and more.3e. Standing Poses (16 Minutes)Those with yoga experience will recognize modified Sun Salutation ( Warrior 1, Down Dog, Plank, Forward Bend all modified with the chair) and Triangle and Warrior 2. Those without prior yoga will learn and follow by Jane's expert instructions.3f. Seated Finishing Poses (8 Minutes)All done in the chair. Easy spinal twists, stretches and more. Ends with a short relaxation.In summary, I find this to be a very good DVD with expert instruction. It is truly a bargain as you get 3 classes totaling over 2 hours of instruction. The outside location is an added bonus. I can see myself using this DVD many times and am glad I purchased it. Read Less