Yoga Roundup #2 (with Giveaway)

**UPDATED WITH WINNERS, BELOW**

This is aNOTHER jam-packed yoga post (see previous one) with 3 reviews and a giveaway. Read or at least scan all the way to the bottom.

Upfront disclaimer: I received a free sample of the first two products for purposes of sharing my honest opinions.

#1: RescueGirl

Hypothetical question:

What would I do if I had (1) keen artistic talent, (2) a wicked sense of humor, (3) a deep understanding of yoga's benefits?

Hmmmm....maybe I would do what Amy Luwis did: create Yoga to the Rescue, a deck of 48 cards that can be read like a book or be used as, well, a rescue for what ails you.

This deck of cards is divided into 7 sections, each with 5-10 poses, so that you can access asanas that address your current pursuit:

• Sexy: for fitness and confidence
• Calm: for stress relief
• Energy: to boost and invigorate
• Restore: to feel like a kid again
• Cleanse: to detox and purify
• Sanity: for mood and balance
• Ragtime: for PMS and period relief
  

For each section, Amy suggests several sequences of poses. You can then build your own yoga flow that provides you exactly what you need.

Each card shows one pose, and includes the Sanskrit name, the Western name, an amusing drawing, a modification should you need a "partway" pose, a diagram and explanation of how to get INto the pose, its benefits and focus points. I learned factoids I had not known before.

I join both Liz Phair and the Washington Post in giving Yoga to the Rescue a big thumbs up. Whether you have a latent or enduring interest in yoga, I think you'll enjoy this deck/book.

$18, or 2 for $32 at RescueGirl.com / $11 at Amazon. Yoga to the Rescue is also available as an iPhone app. How cool is that!?

See giveaway info below.

#2: Yoga for Relaxation by Bliss Wood

I previously reviewed a Bliss Wood CD, and this one also earns a thumbs up. Bliss gently leads you through 12 Hatha Yoga poses for an hour-long session, including warm up, stretching of hips, legs, shoulders, back and abdomen, some lunging, and final relaxation/meditation. They key word is gentle.

The CD insert includes photos of the poses so you can get an idea of what each asana looks like.

It's a terrific tool for someone new to yoga or someone who would like to be guided at home.

$17 on the Bliss Wood website; also available at Amazon, where you can listen to sample tracks.

#3: YogaToday.com

How did I not know about this? Luckily, my new friend Dez (a new mom and mompreneur) clued me in.

YogaToday is a website that offers full yoga sessions -- gorgeous videos set in Jackson Hole, WY. You go to the site and can bring up a huge selection of full yoga classes to view at your leisure -- a new one is made available each morning. Great for when you're traveling, can't get to a yoga studio, or just want to give yourself a spur-of-the-moment class. Here's an 11 minute sample. Check out the scenery.

I have subscribed to the YogaToday blog. Two or three times a week I get a shorter video that focuses on a certain issue: arm balances, hip openers, a lesson on bandhas (remember "rootlock"? -- see comments) and others.

And it's all FREE! Giveaways for everyone!

But wait -- there's more!

GIVEAWAY info

RescueGirl is offering freebies to 5 lucky readers. One deck is available, as well as one download code for each of the iPhone/iTouch apps (YogaSexy, YogaRemedy, YogaBliss and Everyday Fabulousness). Codes can be used by you or given as a gift. The first commenter picked by random.org will get first choice, and so on, until all five prizes are given.

Leave a comment below by 6 am MDT on June 22, stating your preference. We'll let winners know either in this space or by email (if available). The deck/app codes will be sent directly from RescueGirl herself, Amy Luwis.

You can get extra entries by tweeting this post (if you're already on Twitter, just click the ReTweet button at the bottom of this post), by linking to this post on your own blog, or by putting the All Thumbs button on your blog. Just come back to let us know where to find your shout-outs.

Thank you so much for telling your friends about All Thumbs and spreading the word on your blog with this button so that we can keep these giveaways coming.

**Winners!**

Random.org selected # 9, 2, 11, 13, 4. Which means I am trying to reach Kymberli, LJ, Lilith, Peggy, Danielle. Congrats, ladies, and thanks to all for entering.

Stay tuned for more sassy reviews of sassy stuff.

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