Release Workout

I couldn't wait to try this video after using and loving Suzanne's other 3 DVDs. I hadn't tried anything by Leah yet, but she seemed just as great as Suzanne in this selection.First things first, the video is about 50 minutes long. It includes standing work, floor work, and stretching with relaxation. If you do the whole video, you will get a full body workout. You don't need any equipment for this video (a huge plus!) Maybe a mat, if you want one, but you could do the exercise on carpet too and you don't even need that much space.This video is good for beginners and advanced exercisers alike. Suzanne is pregnant in the program, so she demonstrates the modifications, which should be easy enough for anyone to follow if they are not up for following Leah who demonstrates much more challenging moves at times. I am in great shape. I work out 7 days a week for at least an hour a day. I weigh between 110-115. Doing everything in advanced mode is still very difficult for me at times (especially the plank series - I have to drop down to my knees for a few seconds usually). The only part I wasn't really that impressed with was the abs section. First of all, it seems too brief and second of all, it's all performed on your back - shoulders off the ground. This always causes me a lot of neck strain. Also, my abs are pretty developed, so I didn't feel this was much of a challenge (even going with the advanced choices). I guess from Suzanne and Leah, I was just expecting a little more creative ab exercises. This is my only gripe about the video! The rest is truly an amazing workout. The music, as others have mentioned, is beautiful and soothing. There is an option on the video to turn off Leah's voice over and just workout to music. I think this would be cool after you have learned all the instruction.The stretching portion is very good. For some reason, it seems to make my body feel better than most other stretches I've done on different videos. Maybe it's just the music, but it's a nice relieving feeling. There is a nice addition at the end of the video - 10 minutes of the music for relaxation time. I admit, it's hard to just lay there and not do anything. If you're like me and your brain is hard to turn off and you're thinking of a million things you need to do, it's literally tough to make yourself just lay there, but force yourself because it is very peaceful if you can... even if you don't do it for the whole 10 minutes.One last thing to add... Leah and Suzanne mention it at the beginning of the video, but this is more of a toning and muscle tension release workout. If you want the best results, you need to do some cardio on top of this video. While you will be burning calories doing this, it's really not a cardio workout. Leah and Suzanne reccommend doing Release about 3 to 4 times a week. I've been combining this with some Taebo and Jillian Michael's 30 day shred. It works very well. It may sound strange, but I like to do Release at about 8 o'clock at night before I go to bed because it relaxes my muscles. Good luck to all! Go Suzanne and Leah! I can't wait for more videos!

I bought the release work out off of my body flow teacher's recommendation. I have a busy schedule and cannot always go to the gym for the class, but I love working out to relieve stress. My teacher suggested this and I think it is absolutely great! Yoga is a little slow for me, but this is the perfect balance of stretching, sweating and relaxing!

I have Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue and this DVD was a welcome find. Prior to getting sick, I used to be a cardio junky, and it's been very difficult to find exercises that I can physically do now AND that I actually like doing. This DVD is great for those days when I'm too fatigued for fast-paced exercises and/or when I'm too weak and sore to lift any weights. I don't expect that it will restore me to my prior state of fitness, but it provides a solid 40 minutes of body weight movements that I can make it through without overtaxing myself while still feeling like I did something at the end. It is also quite calming and relaxing, which helps to keep me mentally engaged on those days when I would find a healthy and energetic instructor too daunting. It's not a DVD I would have found particularly challenging before I got sick, but it does the trick now. (This is the same review I left for their companion Warrior DVD, which I also recommend.)

I ordered this because based on the cover and description of 'dynamic poses,' it looked like a good, challenging yoga workout. It's more like cardio yoga, where you are using yoga poses but moving through quick sets. It's not a bad workout but if I had realized what it was, I would have ordered something different.

If you are considering purchasing Release, I highly recommend it! It's 55 minutes, but the last 10 or so are spent doing stretches that make you feel totally relaxed after your workout. The workout itself is GREAT. Having bought several yoga/pilates videos over the past few years, Release is above and beyond anything I've bought in the past. For one, I never DREAD doing it; in fact, I find myself looking forward to it. Once I finish...I feel totally refreshed! After using this video 5 times...I can already notice a difference in the toning of my arms, legs and abs. Also, unlike some videos, you never feel annoyed with the instructors. Both Leah and Suzanne are great. Sometimes they chime in with, "Come on, you can do this!" and it actually motivates me to hold the poses longer than I may have otherwise.I'm very excited to own this video and I've told all my friends and family about it. This is a must-have!!!

I am a mommy of 6 children and have used many workouts throughout my lifetime, but this one has done more for me than any others. I have done well with my pregnancies and have managed to get back to my pre-pregnancy figure. After my 6th child, I found this video after using Susanne Bowen's Long and Lean prenatal workout during my pregnancy. I not only got into shape much faster but have so much more muscle tone and even a better figure. I love the way this video stretches and tones all muscle groups and is challenging, but doable. It is also easy to follow! My husband is constantly complimenting me on my tone arms, shoulders and legs and this is the only video I do! Love the way I feel when I'm done... not exhausted, but refreshed!!

I am a trainer/instructor (pilates, bootcamp) and I LOVE this video. The chaptering is well done: Lower body (standing, Upper body I, Upper body II, Stretch, Relaxation/Meditation). This is a great workout that is under an hour, so it is easy to fit in. Perfect if you not in the mood to run or jump around...I love this addition to add to my non-cardio or heavy weights day. Sometimes a full yoga class is too much and this video combines a little yoga and and a little pilates in one. I also enjoy the relaxation and the end of the video. This is one of my favorite low-impact, yoga/pilates videos...and, I have most of them!It has great cueing and modifications for the novice. I highly recommend this video.