Daily Movement Multivitamin with Katy Bowman, M.S.

I debated buying this DVD for some time. I am a fan of Katy Bowman, a Biomechanical Scientist who espouses the benefits of "Nutritious Movement." She is the author of several books as well as the now-defunct blog "Katy Says." She also has several other video releases, including a series of short "Alignment Snacks" available to download from her web site. I purchased several Alignment Snacks and liked them, but it wasn't until I recently read her book based on her blog,  Alignment Matters: The First Five Years of Katy Says , that I decided to go ahead and purchase this DVD.Bowman is not a huge fan of traditional exercise; rather, she advocates moving more, especially in the natural ways of our ancestors. However, she does emphasize the important of stretching as part of movement, and thus her "Daily Movement Multivitamin" contains stretches that she recommends to do daily. The stretches on this DVD are broken up into two routines, but in her short introduction, Bowman emphasizes that it is preferable to spread stretching throughout the day. The Main Menu of the DVD reads as follows:Play Entire DVDStanding ExercisesFloor ExercisesAll ExercisesAlignment MakeoverQuick AlignmentBonus Feature: What is Nutritious MovementDownload Printable HandoutIf you choose the "Play Entire DVD" option, after the introduction, the Alignment Makeover section comes first. These are five very short (25-45 seconds) segments in which Bowman explains some key alignment adjustments using a helper who demonstrates. The adjustments are Fix Your Feet, Back Up Your Hips, Find Neutral Knees, Align Your Ribs, and Ramp Your Head. In the Quick Alignment section, she reviews all five of these principles together.I received a copy of the printable handout with my DVD. I will list the exercises as they appear on both the DVD and handout, specifying the Standing or Floor segment; I'm also providing brief descriptions of each.STANDING (20:48 min; Bowman states focuses on lower body and good to use in a.m.; requires chair plus half-dome or towel)Head Hang - drop chin towards chestHead Ramp - back chin up to stack ears over shouldersKnee Cap Release - relax knee capsCalf Stretch - single calf stretch with ball of foot on half domePelvic List - lift straight let by activating hipTop of Foot Stretch - stretch toes behind, tucking foot underToe Exercises - work to lift toes individuallyDouble Calf Stretch - balls of both feet on half-dome, hands on chair/otherThoracic Stretch - hands on chair/other, arms straightFLOOR EXERCISES (29:28 min; Bowman states focus is on torso; need strap, block, & bolster or substitutes)Rhomboid Push-Up - from all 4s, protract/retract shoulder bladesStrap Stretch - straight leg lying hamstring stretchAbdominal Release - from all 4s, relax bellyFloor Angel - lying on back with shoulders on bolster, slide arms up and downCrescent Stretch - lying on back, form lateral c-curve or bananaHand Stretch - stretch individual fingers and wristsKnee Squeeze - lying with block between knees, ankles apartSpinal Twist - lying one-leg spinal twistLegs on the Wall - legs relax up against a wall in a wide V positionIn general, I liked the sequence of stretches. Most of them did not feel very intense to me (I am a daily exerciser and a yoga instructor), but I could see how they could be helpful. There were a couple of things I did not like. First, Bowman instructs via voiceover. All of the other videos I have done with her have been live, and I didn't like her more formal, produced style here. Second, the music is awful! It is just the same string over and over, very annoyingly repetitive. I definitely think that the routines would have been much better had Bowman teaching live with no music (or at least a music off option). Still, this is a very solid overall DVD, and I would recommend it.

I really didn't think this DVD of "nutritious" movements was doing much for me, but kept up with it because of good things I'd read. Glad I stuck with it. I can't think of a single exercise DVD that I've purchased (& I have purchased MANY DVDs) that has changed my body more. I battle lower back pain & tremendous pain in my calves. These problems are almost gone. The stretches/exercises may not seem like they're doing much while you're doing them, but they really are. Stick with it...your body will thank you.

I enjoy this DVD because after years of doing yoga and having the pains to prove it. Katy makes a lot of sense. Small alignments and stretches can make all the difference. I use this as part of a regimen that includes breath control, balance practice, I wish there were more variety on this dvd.

It is way longer then her other dvds that concentrate on certain areas, but overall I enjoy this one too😊.

Like all her work Katy gives us another bit of Movement Nutrition for daily use. Yummy!

i have some of her other dvds and i thought this would have something different or be like a regular workout video but it wasn't-you might like if it's your first dvd from her

Awesome information!!!!!