 Ashtanga Yoga: Beginner's Practice(Gaiam) 2003 What is it? An hour-long Ashtanga Yoga workout that focuses on Surya Namaskara A, Surya Namaskara B and most of the Standing Poses. It's not the complete Primary Series, but the whole Primary Series would probably be a little overwhelming for someone who is an Ashtanga Yoga beginner. Nicki Doane is the instructor. Who is it for? Advanced beginning to intermediate Yoga enthusiasts, especially those who have taken some flow and Power Yoga classes and are becoming interested in authentic Ashtanga. While the DVD title says "Beginner's Practice," it's not for those who are new to Yoga. Some of the poses are fairly advanced, and no real modifications are shown. You'll need a mat, of course, and if you already know how to modify poses to suit your abilities, you should have your props nearby and be ready to use them without any additional coaching.
What to expect: How you feel about this Ashtanga Yoga session probably depends on your focus when it comes to Yoga. If you see Yoga as primarily a workout consisting of moving in and out of poses that deepen your flexibility, then you may find this DVD repetitive and just more of the same-old, same-old. If you're serious about exploring the poses, your mind and your breath, but you're not quite ready to tackle all of Ashtanga's Primary Series (it is quite challenging), then this DVD will be a revelation. Nicki Doane is the antithesis of most DVD instructors. She has a neutral persona keeps your attention on the practice, not on her personality. Her instructions are given without a lot of vocal modulation. Some may see her delivery as flat, but the truth is she wants you to focus on the poses and what is going on inside you, whereas a lot of other more animated instructors are actually quite distracting. If you are really willing to deeply examine the Asanas and how you relate to them, you will find Doane's approach very satisfying as it leaves you nowhere else to go but within. Doane has offered Ashtanga beginners a bit of leeway in the standing poses by holding them longer than the traditional 5 breaths — something you probably won't get in an authentic Ashtanga class. If you find Ashtanga a bit intimidating, this DVD will be a welcome supplement to classes you may already be taking. Or you may want to practice to this DVD for a while before stepping into your first Ashtanga class (that said, no DVD is ever a replacement for class at a Yoga studio). Either way, you will welcome this DVD if your approach to Yoga is serious and you want more than the Yoga Lite offered by many other DVDs. Other Yoga DVDs you may like:
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