Gentle Yoga: 7 Beginning Yoga Practices for Mid-life (40's - 70's) including AM Energy, PM Relaxation, Improving Balance, Relief from Desk Work, Core Strength, and more.

I love this DVD and it has me doing yoga on days I don't feel like doing anything. First, it contains several shorter practices with different concentrations so I can pick exactly how long I want to practice and what type of practice I want to pursue. If I don't feel like getting on the floor, there is a standing-only practice. If I don't feel like getting up, there is a floor-only practice. (The practice for people who work at a desk really revealed my weak shoulders and tight hips. I should probably do that one daily!) Second, the instructor is not a 20-year-old blonde, and not to be prejudiced, but now that I am in my late 40s, I like to practice with someone closer to my own age. Third, the voiceover instructions are clear and easy to follow, and sometimes the instructor will supplement the voice instructions with her hands. Fourth, the practices are filmed in some of the most gorgeous scenery I have ever seen in a workout video. Fifth, this finally a DVD with BEGINNING in the title that actually presents yoga in a way beginners can follow. (Other BEGINNER DVDs I have used seem to be designed for experts in ballet or Pilates who are nonetheless trying out yoga for the first time. No, I am an overweight, inflexible real beginner.) Like I said before, I love this DVD, and the only negative I can mention is that the relaxation practice wasn't really what I was looking for. I have a Rodney Yee DVD where he finishes the practice with the best relaxation sequence I have ever experienced, and I was hoping it would be more like that. But not using that one routine certainly does not discount the value I receive from this DVD and I look forward to using it in the years to come. March 2019 UPDATE: I recently started exercising again and I wanted a gentle practice for my rest day. I am using the 18 minute morning energizer and it is perfect for my needs. It involves enough movement that you feel like you did something, but not enough that it becomes strenuous and you want to quit (if you're a bit lazy like me). And of course, you can't beat the scenery! I am so happy I bought this DVD!

I'm a 64-year old male who is reasonably fit - run 2.5-3 miles three days a week and lift weights & do floor exercises three days a week (Sunday is normally a rest/heal day). I was getting worried about the general stiffness and inflexibility in my body, so thought I needed to explore incorporating a different set of exercises. On advice from my 29 year old son (who takes Yoga classes with his girlfriend), I decided to try Yoga. I considered enrolling in a class but didn't want to embarrass myself by being clumsy and looking foolish in front of others. So, I went to Amazon and looked for a DVD. After reading reviews for multiple DVDs, I selected this one. After a month of incorporating Jane's practices into my daily routine (I typically do 1-2 programs a day), I can tell a big difference in my flexibility and over-all well-being. Initially, some of the practices were very strenuous for me and I was unable to even attempt some of the poses and movements. I kept at it and I would try and do all the ones my body would allow. After only a month, I can now attempt all the movements but still have quite a ways to go to do them completely. My hips and back aren’t nearly as flexible as hers but they are slowly improving. Additionally, she includes some exercises to help improve balance. These are highly challenging for me, but I’m slowly working away at it. The setting for the DVD is majestic, the soft music is calming, and Jane is wonderful. She has such a calm, encouraging, and peaceful presence. I particularly like her gentle reminders of when and how deeply to breathe. This may sound goofy, but it is very helpful.

I began taking yoga classes about 5 months ago. This video is not quite what I think beginning yoga practitioners need, but I like having it to supplement and extend my studio classes with additional poses. The video also provides direction and flow when I need to practice at times when I can't get to the studio. Jane's narration is very good--serene and slow. It takes several viewings to adapt to her pace, and this would probably be true with any yoga video. She reminds the viewer when to inhale and exhale, which is very important in yoga and the mark of an excellent yoga teacher. Within the spectrum of yoga poses, the asanas presented are considered to be for beginners, even though some viewers have found them very difficult. If you're starting yoga in midlife after being mostly sedentary, as I am, it will take time for your body to adapt. Don't push it; you'll be a beginner for quite a while. The outdoor settings are a bit distracting for me, though lovely in themselves. I also wish the camera were closer to her in order to see the details better. In a face-to-face class, the teacher can correct alignment and help the student adapt poses to one's own body. Obviously, that's not possible in a video, but more close ups would help. In my limited experience, yoga seems to be taught by immersion; there don't seem to be true introductory classes. The definition of "beginner" seems to be rather broad. Thus, starting with a F2F class might be more beneficial and safer for the true neophyte yogi of any age. For someone who has a little yoga experience, these are gentle poses that provide some challenges and help you develop and maintain your practice.

After years and years of walking on my treadmill I got bored with it, gave it away and wanted to try something new. I purchased this DVD hoping that this is something I could learn to love and do. First of all, let me tell you that this is excellent for the 50+ crowd. The instructor walks you through step by step and makes you feel really comfortable. The exercises are geared for the 50+ crowd and I don't feel defeated doing them. I have tried other forms of exercise DVD's only to feel lost and left behind but this is not so with this DVD. The instructor is so graceful with her moves that I can't wait to get to this point, what beautifully slow and peaceful movements. I didn't feel rushed or pushed over my limits while I do feel I have exercised. At first I tried the morning relaxation exercise and thought, how is this exercise? Then I tried the core and strengthening exercise and thought, I am extremely out of shape. I don't know how and can't explain it but this really works. I could feel the difference in my posture with wanting sit straighter and was even remembering to push my shoulders back lengthening my back. I love the total relaxation exercise! It's 8 minutes of pure bliss, and it sets my mood for the stressful work day ahead and help me to relax. After only a week of doing the core and strengthening I could feel the pull and difference in my muscles. All I can think now is, wow this stuff really works. I highly recommend not only the instructor and the DVD but the workouts for the 50+ crowd. This is something I will be doing for a long time to come. I will update 6 months from now and let you know how it's going.

I LOVE this DVD. I'm not really a yoga person. I do like a good workout, not too strenuous but effective. I like to do floor exercises, the rebounder, the barr method (which is actually quite hard) Tony Little's exercise bar. I'm in my late 50's and I have neck and back issues from a lot of physical work and car accidents. I've gone to the chiropractor over the years. So over the last year and a half I slacked off on any regular exercise routine and knew I had to get started without exasperating my body. So After really looking at the different DVD'S to ease back in, I came across this one. I did not want to start right back into the barr method even though I eventually will because it really makes your body look great. In the past other yoga programs actually hurt my body plus I wasn't really liking the routines of yoga. Which brings me to this Gentle Yoga by Jane Adams. It is excellent. I love it. The DVD is divided into 7 routines. Jane does a great job at explaining each move as she is doing it with a voice over. The exercises feel so good. I love the Morning Energy routine, they are all good. Jane is in her 50's and she looks fantastic. I find her voice to be fine and not annoying at all. One of the best things about this DVD is the beautiful scenery, it's right up my ally. It is filmed in the beautiful outdoors in Glacier National Park and you actually feel like you are there. This has started to make my body feel really good again, no back or neck issues. I've been doing it for about 6-7 weeks. This will help me ease into more exercising. I highly recommend this program and will continue to use for many years to come. Very Happy I found this. Thank You Jane!

The exercises on this dvd convinced me that Yoga is a great way to stay in shape.

First off, I am not much of an avid exercise person. The last time I got into an exercise routine was approximately ten years ago. I hadn't any idea what a difference in my life that the Jane Adams videos would make. I first purchased her Balance and Strength video and followed through with the routine for three months when I decided to move on to this next video, Gentle Yoga. The first video, Balance and Strength, was used to prepare me for a knee replacement surgery. I know that most people would think that you cannot do much exercise with severe knee pain but this really worked for me. Since most of the training was done in a chair, it made working out easy even for someone like me. It strengthened my entire body and although I did not lose much weight, it did tone me up. I, recently, went to physical therapy for pre surgery exercises and was amazed to find that most of the exercises that he gave me, I had already been doing with this video. He told me because of this, I should have an extremely easy recovery. My flexibility was great as was my measurements. The therapist was very impressed. I have begun to use this video to improve upon what I had been doing and it is working out great. Jane's videos are easy to follow since she does them as if you were looking in a mirror (although the backdrop of the Grand Tetons make it so much more enjoyable) I can't wait to get my surgery in 3 weeks and keep up with this practice and move on to another of her series of exercise training. I would recommend this video along with her Balance and Strength for anyone who wants to regain some strength and make an overall improvement in their health. By the way, I get to exercise in peace since the music puts the dogs to sleep and keeps them calm.

I received this product on Jan 2, 2016 (a gift to myself for the new year!). I've suffered off and on from lower back pain for approximately 30+ years. It waxes and wanes and at times the pain can be incapacitating. I wish I'd have had this in my 20s. It would have saved me from muscle relaxants and opiates to get me through the extreme flare ups! I even had a steroid injection a few years back to help alleviate pain. When I received this DVD, I had been experiencing a nagging 2 week flare up of back pain following a "tent" sleepover with my oldest grandson. I popped in the DVD and began with the core strengthening exercises. At first I wasn't sure I could complete the exercises because of the discomfort I was experiencing, but I took it slow and with each movement and each stretch I began to experience a loosening of the muscles. I was really amazed at how good I felt following the exercises. Honestly, within 1 week the back pain totally dissipated. I've definitely been gaining core strength, but took a bit of a break because I'd been feeling so good. However, after a day of watching and bouncing around my 5 month old grandson, I began noticing the onset of a flare. I immediately popped in the DVD, and same result! I am a believer, and convinced now that I will need to make this a part of my daily routine. My 3 grandboys are sure to grow way too fast, and I want to be able to play with them for as long as they're interested in spending time with me. I'm just not ready to slow down! Jane's instructions in this video are flawless. Her voice is soothing. The scenery is beautiful. The exercises are gentle and don't require a lot of time. I didn't sweat (I hate sweating!!) But, most importantly, the exercises have been effective! Thank you Jane!!

I’m loving the morning stretch routine and the evening relaxation. I’ve also done the one which tackles stiffness as a result of desk work. I recommend this for anyone who has never done yoga, or has not done it for some time.

I like the Gentle Yoga practice. The Morning Energy gives you the right start for the day. I like also the different practices you can use if you want to work on your balance, strength or flexibility. The lying practice is not that easy as you think, you still have to work it! The Evening Practice let you relax of the end of the day from all your hard work. And there is the Relaxation, great, I like to do it before bedtime just to calm down. What do you want more. I am 70 years old and for me it is just right. The voice of Jane is also very clear, calming and you never feel behind the workout, you can just do it. Thombs up for Jane's Adams Gentle Yoga.

This is the best Yogo DVD I've bought. I've not done all the practices yet, just the morning energy, evening practice and Relaxation practice which are just the right amount of time. Easy to follow and background music and scenery very relaxing. I'm starting to see the benefits already. Would highly recommend. 5🌟

Jane Adams has a happy, matter-of-fact, delivery for the listener/practitioner. The backgrounds are lovely and real and remind me of my home in southwestern BC. The music is lovely and soft, and never overwhelms Jane or the setting. I love that the staging is very basic and unpretentious. I mean the point is a do-able workout, right? Each practice is thoughtfully sequenced for gentle, slow progression, but still achieves a solid work-out and there is room for progress (at least in my practice). This CD is for yoga beginners or for people who need to slowly work back into a yoga practice. If you are like me and you need to work up to your poses but still want to find enjoyment in a kind and gentle workout with a good stretch, then this is for you. Thank you Jane! It is a joy to work out with you.

Nice and clear to follow and i am very pleased with the purchase Thanks Christine