Total Stretch for Beginners with Tamilee

In 1996 I suffered a disabling back injury as a nurse. I used to workout everyday, but after 8 surgeries I was in chronic pain and just barely able to get around inspite of lots of pain meds. I found that my limited mobility caused me to get very stiff and was causing my pain to increase. I tried numerous exercise and stretching videos but they were too difficult for me to use.This is the best streching video I have ever used. It offers 3 basic routines (1 standing, 1 sitting, 1 lying down) that only take about 10 min. each. It is perfect for me because if I have trouble doing a stretch standing I can do it sitting down. I've found I use elements from all 3 routines to do a total body stretch without pain. And after using the video for a week the pain in my hips, which had been keeping me awake for over a year, is gone!I would recommend this tape to everyone and encourage you to use it at least 3 times a week if not daily (when I get lazy and don't use it, my pain comes right back!). This tape is also great for anyone who spends their day hunched over a computer because you can do the sitting routine in 10 minutes right in your cubicle and nobody will even know.Pain relief for under $10! I would have never thought it was possible! As an added bonus, there is a stretching routine on the disc too which both me and my puppy found to be very relaxing.

I highly recommend this stretch video for beginners and overweight exercisers! I'm a beginning-intermediate exerciser, about 50 pounds overweight and with fair-to-moderate flexibility. I mention that because I found this video particularly doable and effective. Some other stretch videos I have tried (such as AM & PM Stretch) have had too many maneuvers where my extra weight (especially in belly and thighs) really got in the way of being able to get into the position properly and do the stretch effectively. I am able to do all of Tamilee's stretches, and really feel my muscles releasing and lengthening.Tamilee is an excellent instructor. Her explanations of how to get into each posture are clear, and she is very good about articulating exactly where I should feel each stretch. For many stretches, she demonstrates several modifications for people with greater or less flexibility; I find that I can do some of them at a more advanced level and for others need an easier modification. She is affirming about doing -- and enjoying -- the stretch at whatever level I can, in a way that helps me avoid feeling discouraged about the stretches where my flexibility is more limited. Her manner is warm and friendly, and she is encouraging without being chirpy.I regularly use one of the 10-minute sections to finish my cooldown following a cardio workout, and have found the 10-minute floor stretch to be especially useful after aero-toning with hand weights -- there's a deltoid stretch that is absolutely amazing after I've been working the shoulders and back! The second "stretching for flexibility" 30 minute segment is fantastic for an evening stretch, after I've been parked behind a computer all day. For evening stretches I alternate this with Strong Knees and the the warmup/stretch section from HeavyWeight Yoga: Yoga for the Body You Have Today, which together have really helped me build stability and flexibility.

Due to limited space in my room, I cannot efficiently execute floor stretches, as my legs & arms do not have enough room to move, and I'm constantly restricting my movement or smacking things around. The standing & chair stretches are a blessing, as I can complete both routines without having to worry about fast forwarding through floor stretches as I do with other DVD's. The routines Tamilee created are very effective, hitting most of the major muscle groups that we use during daily activity, and ones that have particularly been giving me trouble.My only problem is that she does not hold the stretches long enough. I'd say she averages about 5-8 seconds per side on each stretch, whereas I was seeking about 15-30 seconds per side. Because of this, I'm in the process of memorizing the routines, so that I may do them without the video, and hold the positions for longer intervals.Other than the short stretch intervals, the DVD is great. The option of having standing, sitting, and floor stretches as three separate entities is a fantastic idea, and the instructor is easy going and pleasant to follow. Definitely recommended!