Partner Yoga

In days of old, the command to "walk the plank" meant that a mutinous salty dog would be forced to take a rather extended swim in the briny sea; today the phrase refers to something far crueler: a yoga position. If misery truly loves company, then yoga (a.k.a.--Aspiring to Become a Pretzel) must be the perfect medium for a muscle-wracking duet. So, imagine my surprise, when instructor Julia Tindall essentially made herself into a human table for instructor Joan Marie to stretch on (back to back) and both appeared to be smiling. In fact, the more I watched, the more I became convinced that there really was something to this partner yoga (Here, at least, when your partner says "I feel your pain," she's not merely mouthing a New Age platitude.) Although not a terribly slick presentation, Partner Yoga gets the job done with Tindall and Marie guiding viewers through a series of gentle (yet challenging) poses which will build flexibility, promote deeper breathing, and is generally a more healthy activity for a couple to engage in then, say, an evening spent watching a Steven Seagal cable marathon. Recommended. (R. Pitman)