Total Body Stretch Collection [DVD] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

I bought this on VHS at a rummage for 50 cents. I started wearing out the tape from using the tape so much, so I was happy to find the DVD to purchase so I could have it on hand if my VHS were to brake. I love the AM and PM Stretch. It's a combination of YOGA and gentle stretches. I think it's perfect for beginners who are not very active but want to ease into yoga or to move more. I love the pace of the instructor, and I find her speaking voice very direct and very relaxing. It's very good about timing and catching you at the moments you are not breathing or are tightening up muscles if you are modeling what she is doing. My young kids found this a bit too easy, but for a working person who is standing or sitting too long during the day, or can't unwind at night. It's perfect. Day 1-7 of using the program, I cannot do a plank. I mean, I struggle with doing an adapted one with my knees on the floor and I hate it. ( 54 - 157lb- no muscle menopaused woman) At Day 7 of regular use of either AM or PM , I can hold a plank for as long as she wants and longer. On day 14, a push up is easy, and I feel so much better. As a woman with tension in my hips, and lower back pain. I love the program and how the easy stretches work out my tight hips. I want to sit cross legged for a long time so this helps me achieve that! I would say the only negative, is that I would like to hold some of the stretches longer, it does go a bit quickly at times on some of the stretches, but it keeps you engaged this way too. I've done many yoga classes and videos, and I feel this one has helped me the most. If you haven't found your way yet to do more moving. I recommend starting this one and doing it for a handful of times to see if it opens your door.

I read a lot of reviews before buying this video... I've had it for several months now and I use it 2-3 times a week, mainly after a challenging work-out (jogging)... Really really love it... my favorite is the AM stretch that I do... at night... because it is very complete and also soothing and relaxing... it will help you increase the flexibility of every muscle/joint in your body... just enough of a challenge for someone in good shape already... but quite a challenge for my husband who is not flexible at all... the length is perfect... the scenery and her voice are encouraging... in a little while, I may try to graduate to the second DVD that seems more challenging... so the collection will keep me challenged for a long while... The first DVD I received did not work well (was freezing all the time), but Amazon rushed me a new one that works perfectly.

I love this stretch/exercise DVD. I use it every day and it has helped with my flexibility, lowered stress and made me physically stronger. The narrator has a soothing voice and uses good ques to make the movements easy to follow and most effective. The DVD incorporates relaxing background music and beautiful scenery that is soothing. The stretches and exercises are excellent. There are 2 DVDs with 4 different stretch programs to keep exercise varied and interesting. This is by far my favorite exercise video.

[Amending my review accordingly:] I have changed my review from one star to four. The reason for this is because I have now tested the AM/PM Stretch sequences and I have to say they are incredible. My only complaint is that things are kept short and quick-ish, which is understandable since they want to get to everything in. (I have been doing a full hour workout, using both AM and PM in the evening to reap the full benefit.) I have definitely been seeing results: improved posture, improved strength, and less back pain. With that said, the workouts may be too intense still for someone in worse shape than I am and I won't even touch the second DVD because of the heightened cardio. However, if you've been doing something slower and relaxing for some time (I started with Save Your Lower Back with Annette Fletcher) and are looking to step it up a notch without being ridiculous, then this DVD might just be what the doctor ordered. [Original review:] I have sciatica and was desperately seeking some comfortable, slow-paced stretching and strengthening exercises I could do to ease my pain and strengthen my abdominal muscles. When I first put on the Full Body Stretch segment, what I saw could only be described as cardio with extremely short stretching exercises performed throughout, hardly long enough to truly reap the benefits. (To be fair, I haven't yet seen the other work-outs on the DVDs, but if they are better, then I will amend my review accordingly.) As a cardio DVD, it would be four stars. The work-outs are excellent, varied, well-explained, and keep you moving. They have a nice flow, nice environment, and it's overall a pleasant experience for those capable of living up to it. The only downside is that there are no alternatives shown for some of the more difficult exercises. (Some of us just aren't fast or flexible enough yet.) However, given that I purchased this under the pretence that I was getting a DVD dedicated to stretching, perhaps as a supplement to other exercise routines where the stretches simply don't last long enough or to stretch out my body because of pain, it gets a stone-cold negative one.

I own the DVD with the green cover and really enjoy it. I was looking for similar videos and saw the two white covered videos. They are shown under the banner "Frequently Bought Together" section leading me to believe they contained different content. This is deceptive. There is only one 20 minute section on the Daily Stretch conditioning video that is "new". The rest of the DVD workouts are identical even though the package makes it look like you are buying something different. Buyer beware - your paying for virtually the same thing. Deceptive packaging and deceptive advertising. They are great videos - you just don't need to buy both!