Ashtanga Yoga: Beginners Worko

On the negative side, her voice is really annoying. While narrating the practice, she sounds exactly like the character "Lilleth" from Fraiser or Cheers: cold, serious, unapproachable, monotone. (In the interview section, when she is just talking, her voice is fine. I wish she had just been herself for the practice part of the video).

Then, the practice. Another negative. Ashtanga has a set series of poses. Always the same poses in the same order (the idea is the practice is the same so you can notice changes in yourself). She does not do the standard sun salutations but breaks them down into smaller components. OK, fine, beginner video. But I would like to see the option of just doing them AS THEY WOULD BE DONE IN ANY ASHTANGA CLASS IN THE WORLD, and that is not available.

Also, the flow. Breathing is an important part of Ashtanga. 5 breaths per pose. No fiddling around getting in and out of position or it will be over. She states up front (but not on the cover of the box) that each pose will be held longer for explanation time. Fine. But again, give us the regular Ashtanga flow as another option.

Modifications for beginners: I did not see a lot. This practice would totally discourage my beginning students who have tight hamstrings. She assumes everyone can put their palms flat on the floor but does not thoroughly explain what to do if you can't.

Included poses: Standing poses. What about the rest of primary series?

Hypocrisy: She tells the audience to relax (in that Lillith voice) but the sun is shining so brightly in her face that her eyebrows are pinched together. I can almost feel the tension coming through the screen!

Positives:
This is one of the few yoga DVDs that actually tries to make use of the medium's capabilities. When a special logo appears you can click and get more in depth information about the pose (this would have been a great place for modifications!)

The production values are high; The setting is beautiful and it seems professionally done.

Overall:
I would not recommend this DVD. Someone new to yoga (unless they were already into ballet or something else that makes them exceptionally flexible) might be very discouraged.

Someone who has done other styles of yoga already and is curious about Ashtanga, this might be too watered down. The real practice goes faster and is more flowing. And half the primary series is missing: no seated poses.

If you have done yoga and want to learn the Ashtanga sequence and timing David Swenson's videos are much better. Swenson's production is not as professional the setting not as gorgeous, but his yoga is the real Ashtanga. And, he does give modifications for beginners!

I gave it a star because the setting (Hawaii) is nice to look at, and another because of the excellent production. The yoga...not the best.

If you are serious about ashtanga and want to work hard, you CAN do the whole DVD, with time. It's not the easist yoga to do, but it's really fun and I like Nikki Doane's approach.