Customer Rating: 
Summary: a great ashtanga dvd
Comment: I've practiced yoga for many years and Ashtanga yoga, specifically, for about two years. I still go to class at a studio once or twice per week, as a DVD cannot substitute for an actual teacher. However, classes are pricey, so I purchased this DVD to motivate myself and friends to do the practice at home. This DVD has been perfect.
The beauty of this DVD is that you don't have to be familiar with the Ashtanga practice to follow it. Prior yoga practice is recommended, however. A friend participated who had never practiced yoga, and he joined in and followed through the entire primary series. However, he thought it was difficult and would have preferred starting out at an easier level. That said though, you can watch the intro which explains the poses before doing the practice itself, which is a separate video on this same DVD.
Also, beginners and advanced Ashtanga practitioners can practice TOGETHER using this DVD since advanced and beginning poses are cued throughout the practice. This is wonderful because my friends and I are all at different levels but can follow the DVD together each week at my house. I LOVE THIS!! Typically, this is not possible in a class; I notice that when new students show up for class, the teacher tones the class way down, leaves out poses, etc. Now the option to do beginning and advanced versions of each pose is available.
One reviewer mentioned that this DVD gets hard at the end. Yes, the primary series is a difficult practice. But, the great thing is that you can do just the sun salutations at the beginning and consider that a full practice as long as you follow it up with corpse pose. So don't be intimated! Just stop the DVD and fast forward to the finishing sequences if you get to the point where the practice is too difficult. This is how Ashtanga is traditionally taught - you begin by adding one or two poses in the sequence at a time until you've memorized it and are able to do it.. then move on. So this DVD lets you do that, too.
In addition, the instructor is very encouraging and doesn't push the student beyond his/her limits. Alternative poses are always offered and he encourages you to sit out the vinyasas if you become tired, etc., not intimidating or making you feel bad at all if you are not in tip top shape or at top performance that day.
I highly recommend this for beginner and advanced ashtanga folks. This has really allowed me to deepen my practice without having to spend a ton of money at the studio.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great Ashtanga video
Comment: If you have done an Ashtanga class before and are looking to continue your practice at home, this is a great DVD. It is much better that the Gaiam Ahstanga Yoga DVD. David Swenson is a much better instructor and the full Primary Series is on here. David includes options for modification and he also includes a lot of reminders for engaging the core, using proper form, etc. While it cannot replace taking a class with an instructor, I highly recommend this DVD to use at home to supplement your practice, or to use on vacation, etc. I am very pleased with this dvd, worth every penny.
Customer Rating:
Summary: He's so good it may be discouraging
Comment: Although this is the first series, it's probably not the best video for a beginner. The first half of the video is simple enough, but many poses toward the end of the session seem impossible. If you've done yoga at least a few times and are looking to push yourself, then Swenson is the man to watch. If you get discouraged by watching exceptionally talented people, then you should go to a local yoga studio and not get this video. I like the video because Swenson is amazing and I can see exactly how postures should be done.
Customer Rating:
Summary: This is Ashtanga, the original Power Yoga
Comment: This is a DVD of the Ashtanga Primary Series. (If you are unfamiliar with Ashtanga don't let the word "primary" fool you: this is a serious and challenging workout).
Ashtanga is a set series of poses (ie the same poses every time). It is an active, moving type of yoga. You get very hot and sweaty as you simultaniously build strength and flexiblity.
You should learn yoga under the guidance of a competent teacher. Ashtanga is a daily practice but if you can't make it to class every day this DVD is an excellent way to practice at home.
IF YOU ARE A BEGINNER OR NOVICE THIS DVD IS NOT FOR YOU. If you are new to yoga there is no substitute for a live teacher. Either take a class or better yet a few private lessons so you develop a strong foundation from the beginning.
It is an excellent DVD for those with previous Ashtanga experience who want to do a led practice. If you don't know what this means, this video is not for you.
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