Barbara Currie - Seven Secrets Of Yoga (DVD)

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The Instructor
Barbara is one of (if not THE) leading yoga instructor in the country. I personally find her quite nice to work out with. She takes things quite slow and steady, and reminds you every few minutes that you should 'never ever strain' and that you must 'go at your own pace'. I think this is important, because all three women on the DVD look like they've been doing yoga for years and can bend themselves into some amazing ...
...unbendy you currently are. Barbara does all the instructions, but she also has two assistants behind her who demonstrate the beginner and intermediate stages of the postures so you always have someone to follow and to reassure you that you're not a complete failure! Barbara also tells you what each exercise is good for, and why it is important to stretch yourself in a particular way, and I think it's quite good to know why as well as how.
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First up, I'm going to spoil the surprise and tell you what the seven secrets are, because I know your first burning question is why should you bother with yoga?

1. Perfect shape. Yoga is supposed to stretch you out and correct posture, giving you a leaner, sleeker body.
2. Perfect weight. By working the muscles gently they tone up without becoming heavy. Yoga also regulates the appetite and keeps you calm so you're less likely to grab for high calorie snacks.
3. Energy. Restores the body's natural energy flow.
4. Deep relaxation. The gentle exercises allow you time to relax the mind as well as the body.
5. Focus and concentration. Because you need to concentrate to do the exercises right, your mind is focused and you forget about your daily concerns. This aids concentration and focus in other activities.
6. Flexibility. Yoga works all your joints keeping them flexible and in great condition, even as you get older.
7. Staying young. By keeping the spine flexible you add years to your life. Yoga also stimulates blood flow to the skin and hair keeping you looking younger and the relaxing benefits help reduce those frown lines.

So, now you know why it's so good for you, why should you use this DVD? A bit more information to help convince you..

The Format
The DVD is split into eight workouts, each lasting 10 minutes. This is a really great format for an exercise DVD as it means you can tailor how much you do. Some days you may only manage to do one segment, others you can do three in a row for a half an hour, or you could even do the whole thing. It's a really easy way to fit yoga into your life and every little helps, as they say. It's also more difficult to convince yourself you haven't got time for exercise if 10 minutes out of your day is all it takes.
The workout has quite a calming feel about it - the set is all pinks and purples with bubble machines looking soothing in the background and relaxation music plays throughout.

The Exercises
Each section is designed to be a balanced workout each with a slightly different emphasis.
1. 10 minute miracle: Basic straightforward stretches to start you off.
2. Advanced power stretch. Contains the 'salute to the sun' sequence - an energising flowing sequence of movements.
3. Yoga Balances. Mostly standing on one leg in various poses. Not as easy as it sounds!
4. Bottoms and Thighs. Exercises to lengthen and tone the lower body and help your lower back.
5. Tums. Toning but gentle abs exercises.
6. Arms. Exercises to tone the arms and bust as well as reducing neck and shoulder tension.
7. Power Stretching. Calming stretches, great before bed.
8. Inverted Postures. Shoulder and head stands. Tricky.

All the sections are reasonably gentle (you won't really get out of breath) but at the same time, you do finish them feeling like you've done yourself some good. Some of the workouts are more challenging than others. The inverted postures section is not really supposed to be attempted until you have really got to grips with everything else in the DVD. However, most of the trickier exercises are presented in stages, and you select which ever stage you feel comfortable with, moving on when you feel ready.

The Instructor
Barbara is one of (if not THE) leading yoga instructor in the country. I personally find her quite nice to work out with. She takes things quite slow and steady, and reminds you every few minutes that you should 'never ever strain' and that you must 'go at your own pace'. I think this is important, because all three women on the DVD look like they've been doing yoga for years and can bend themselves into some amazing positions. It's quite reassuring to be constantly reminded that you will progress with perseverance and that you are doing yourself some good however unbendy you currently are. Barbara does all the instructions, but she also has two assistants behind her who demonstrate the beginner and intermediate stages of the postures so you always have someone to follow and to reassure you that you're not a complete failure! Barbara also tells you what each exercise is good for, and why it is important to stretch yourself in a particular way, and I think it's quite good to know why as well as how.
However, Barbara is perhaps not to everyone's taste. My boyfriend can't stand her voice and refuses to be in the room when I'm doing yoga because he says she's creepy. I have heard other people say that they find her a bit irritating and that they wish she would shut up occasionally - she really does talk almost incessantly. If you are a bit more advanced with yoga or if you prefer a more peaceful, holistic routine, then Barbara may well get on your nerves. But I think she's great for beginners, and I personally find her more reassuring and encouraging than annoying.

Equipment
You really don't need anything to do this DVD. I have a yoga mat, but Barbara herself works on a folded towel, so that will probably do just as well. If you have carpet at home, I guess you wouldn't need anything, but if you don't, you do need some padding for the kneeling exercises.
You also don't need a huge amount of space. For 90% of the exercises, you barely moving beyond the boundaries of your yoga mat/towel, and even in my little flat I don't have any trouble. However, the legs section features an exercise called the Maltese Cross for which you basically need enough room to lie in a star shape on the floor - I don't have the space which is a little frustrating.

Verdict
I think this is a great DVD. If you are a beginner you won't go far wrong here - it's a great introduction to yoga and Babs is fab at keeping you encouraged. But it's not just for newbies. I've been doing yoga for a while and also go to a class, but feel it's a great way to keep you going throughout the week. I try to do two 30 minute slots from the DVD every week as well as my class, and I'm definitely feeling the benefits.

So have I discovered the seven secrets?
1. My posture is definitely improved. After a while, standing in your old slumped-shoulder stance actually seems wrong and quite uncomfortable and you find yourself standing taller and more 'open'.
2. I haven't lost any weight as yet, but have been snacking less!
3. Definitely have more energy and feel more refreshed after a night's sleep than before I started.
4. The exercises are very relaxing, especially the Power Stretching section. I usually find I sleep better if I do my yoga just before bed instead of in the morning (and it's easier at the end of the day too!)
5. I'm not convinced my concentration has improved as a whole, but certainly find I 'switch off' when I'm doing yoga.
6. Absolutely more flexible. One of the nice things about the video is finding that you can do exercises you were rubbish at to start with.
7. Well, I can't say if it's keeping me young or not (I'm only 27), but the better sleep and posture is certainly making me feel fresher.

A big thumbs up, and really recommended if your a beginner or if you want to add some quick 'top up' yoga sessions in between classes.  

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