Note: A version of this review originally appeared on the website Metapsychology Online Reviews.This video is presented by Iyengar yoga instructor Lillah Schwartz and was produced by her studio, Lighten Up Yoga and Healing Arts. It is designed to provide a self-help approach to relieving neck and shoulder pain through strengthening and improving posture. In the 40-minute instructional segment, Schwartz takes the viewer through twelve basic, therapeutic yoga poses, placing a strong emphasis on form and alignment, pointing out common mistakes, and offering modifications to use if needed. Then, she provides a 20-minute practice sequence which allows the user to move through postures in a more flowing session with less instruction.The chapters of the instructional segment are as follows:*Introduction*The Basic Twist*Yogi Curl Ups*Neck Toners*Fish Pose*Fish Pose - Wall*Cat Cow Pose*Full Down Face Dog*Dog Prep*Down Dog to Lunges*Elbows on Chair*Proper Sitting Posture*Eagle Pose Protraction & Retraction*Cows Head Pose*Chair Twist*Door Chest Hang*Savasana - Corpse Pose*ConclusionSchwartz incorporates several props into the practice, including two blankets, a block, a strap, and a chair. Also, as you can see from the descriptions above, she uses a wall to modify several of the postures. Both the tutorial and the practice are taught by Schwartz alone in an outdoor setting with soft music playing in the background. Although Schwartz\'s instructions are given via voiceover, during the tutorial segment, she provides brief live introductions at the start of each chapter/pose.I am someone who seems to have chronic tightness in the upper back, shoulders, and neck - perhaps due to having a job that requires me to sit all day, possibly because I also spend 1 1/2 hours in the car five days a week to get to and from that job. Whatever the reason, I have been to physical therapy as well as have tried all kinds of therapeutic yoga practices which target this area, and I\'ve definitely found a new favorite in Yoga: Relief for Neck and Shoulder Pain. The simple sequence of postures is extremely well done, going from very gentle stretches such as the reclined twist to more active one like the door chest hang and eagle arms (why doesn\'t every yoga practice for neck and shoulders include this pose?). Also, the 20-minute practice length makes this session short enough to be conveniently performed on a regular basis. In summary, I would highly recommend this video to address mild tightness, pain, and discomfort issues throughout the entire upper back, shoulders, and neck.
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