Hey there Eviemay, Blessings... :}
I have used the materials in the back intermittedly. They are great for clearing the chakras. I like the exercises for the lower two chakras and the heart.. The only stuff I don't like actually is the knee bending exercises because this causes me such pain. :}
As far as using them directly before a healing session I have not. As said here previously you have to go with what feels right for you. Perhaps many do a chakra clearing session for a bit before healings but I am not with that consistently. But I do healing work everyday on myself so perhaps that is just about the same affect.
I liked the lower chakra stuff and the chest openers because I could really feel them and they did feel very affective. I like to stretch using yoga poses I've brought into my daily practice and that is what feels right for me now.
Hope this helps,
love you!
Jahnavi
