Everyday Yoga for Stress Release with Nadia Narain

This is a great dvd for those that want short bursts of a calming grounding yoga practise.It is split into three segments - calming, de-stressing and a general flow. I quite often mix them up for a longer session.The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because I would have liked the segments to have been slightly longer - the de-stress (the third segment) is the shortest - I think 5 minutes more and it would have been perfect!The breathing segment (which you can select on the menu) is grounding and Nadia's voice is very soothing.

Very calming and relaxing DVD.I have many exercise DVDs from Pilates, Insanity, Jillian Michaels, 10 minute solution etc and I like them all and use them regularly.I have been meaning to try Yoga for ages, but have been put off by the length of the classes, felt that some of the moves might be too challenging or that I'd get bored with the slow pace. I'm a runner so usually have tight calves and hips and always been a bit scared to try anything that needed flexibility! However after suffering with high blood pressure recently and being told by my dentist that I'm grinding my teeth in my sleep, I realised that I need to make some changes and introduce some calming activities rather than all the high impact jumping about that I've been doing.I chose this DVD based on all the brilliant reviews and I'm so pleased I found it.There are 3 x classes each lasting around 20 minutes and with a slightly different focus. As the sessions are so short, it's easy to fit this in before and after work, I try do it at least once a day. Practise 1 is Gentle, Practise 2, strengthening (slightly more energetic) and Practise 3 is for anxiety relief after a stressful day. I tend to do Practise 2 in the morning and then either practise 1 or 3 in the evening. - Having said that, they are all very relaxing to do, they don't make me sweat or get out of breath and all are very easy and beginner level.Each move is very well explained and the sessions are so quick they do not get boring. The moves flow from one to the next and poses are not held for extended periods. I particularly like the arm and shoulder stretches and also the downward dog and calf stretches are really helpful if you get tight calves.There is also a breathing exercise to try and a short guided meditation which I do if I feel that I need a little extra relaxation.I would recommend for anyone needing to relax from a stressful lifestyle or career, suitable for beginners and I even got my very inflexible boyfriend to do it with me yesterday.

As above

I've always wanted to practise yoga, but it's always looked too complicated and like hard work. Plus, some of the images I had in my head made it seem kind of boring. But then somebody I was following on Instagram started posting pictures of themselves doing yoga and claiming that it really helped their anxiety levels. So, I thought I'd give it a go...The title of this DVD drew me in straight away, and convinced me that it was probably easy enough for a beginner. I read a review that suggested that Nadia's voice was a bit patronising, so I watched the trailer on YouTube and decided that she sounded normal enough, and I bought the DVD.The first time I tried the DVD, I kept getting in a muddle with my breathing (breathing out when I was supposed to breath in) and felt very uncoordinated. But I liked the gentle background music and found Nadia's narration very soothing.I've stuck with it for a few weeks now, and can honestly say that I've noticed a huge difference in my life. I make time before I go to bed to do a segment (each section is about 20 mins long) and my breathing has improved and so has my upper body strength.I keep my yoga mat and gym clothes in my bedroom, so I have everything at hand and can't makes excuses.As I've already mentioned, each segment is roughly 20 minutes long. I guess you could do the whole DVD at once, but I think it's designed so that you just do one or two sessions. I usually only do the one.There are some added extras as well- some meditation sections. I like these, but think that they're a bit rushed (only about 5 mins) and Nadia's voice is a bit hurried and she doesn't always give you time to feel your body relaxing.I am going to invest in one of her other DVDs now, as feel I've committed to this yoga thing- despite my reservations!

This DVD is that good I not only bought it for myself but for my Mother-in-law who is experiencing a difficult time at the moment. From my perspective I have suffered with anxiety for years, this manifests itself in a variety of ways; mentally (obviously) but physically also-stiff neck and shoulders (I carry a lot of stress there) I'm constantly clenching my jaw, I can experience rapid heartbeat as well as other symptoms. Anxiety affects my every day life. Well this DVD has succeeded in bringing a little bit of peace to my over-active mind and overly stressed body. The really beautiful thing about this DVD is Nadia Narain herself...she talks to you with a real sense of empathy and understanding. For me it's as though she knows that I never feel good enough or perfect enough and through the way she delivers the yoga postures and breathing techniques there's an overwhelming sense that she's trying to say 'you are enough just as you are' when I have finished the DVD and I'm rolling up my mat I sigh with contentment and feel relaxed which in itself is a massive achievement for me. When I first got the DVD I focused on practice 3 which is aimed at relieving anxiety, however I now do the whole DVD, I love practice 2 because it makes me feel strong physically which undoubtedly impacts positively on my mental health, practice 1 is a great way to warm up or great to do on its own if it's been a busy or tiring day. I truly adore Savasana at the end. Nadia has a beautiful, calming voice alongside beautiful, relaxing music this DVD is a must have in a very stressful world and has been a life saver for me. I could do with Nadia being by my side all day!!