This DVD is instructed by Canadian yogi and self-described "Blissogist" Eoin Finn. It offers four vinyasa flow yoga practices of varying lengths, all with a strong focus on stretching the hips. On this DVD, Finn is joined not only by his wife, Insiya, but also by a group of Winter Olympic Athletics, each of whom is performs a slightly different variation in each pose. They are practicing in beautiful outdoor settings, and Finn instructs via voiceover.

The Main Menu of the DVD offers the opportunity to preview each of the four practices, which are as follows: Easy Street, World Champions Hips, All Downhill, and Hot Chocolate. Finn's Blissology web site offers a PDF listing all of the poses included each of these practices, but I have provided a simple overview of each below.

EASY STREET (51 minutes)
As the title suggests, this is likely the easiest practice. It begins in a seated meditation pose and goes through only one sun salutation round. Standing postures including a warrior series, and once on the floor, you'll do pigeon, seated forward bends, twists, and a nice relaxation.

WORLD CHAMPION'S HIPS (79 minutes)
This challenging routine includes Finn's "Ultra Yang" sun salutations (which involve extra push-ups), the same warrior series, additional standing postures focused on the hips, standing and arm balance work, splints, backbends (or "front body stretches," as Finn calls them), and more involved forward bends/twists.

ALL DOWNHILL (43 minutes)
Although the title and length of this practice would suggest an easy routine, Finn actually includes some challenging postures here. After a single sun salutation flow and the warrior series, he includes the same standing and arm balance work as in the previous practice as well as a backbending series. A forward bend series, reclined pigeon, and relaxation conclude this practice.

HOT CHOCOLATE (57 minutes)
This practice also includes Finn's challenging Ultra Yang sun salutations. There are more unique postures weaved in here, from forearm plank to dolphin to crow to an abs series. Forward bending, backbends, and supine work is included as well. Finn shares the instructor duties this DVD with Insiya and what sounded like one other voice; I found this both distracting and unnecessary.

In addition to the four main practices, this DVD offers an Extras menu with features such as Athlete's Visualization, information Knee Safety, and a preview of Finn's then-upcoming Blissology Project DVD set (at that time, Blissology was called "Yoga for Every Day"). I have Finn's Blissology set as well, and I find that I prefer the practices on those DVDs to Pursuit of Happy Hips (PoHH). I greatly appreciate that Blissology offers shorter practice options (25-35 minutes) for each day, whereas the shortest practice on PoHH is OVER 40 minutes long. Furthermore, I prefer Finn's live instruction in Blissology as well as his slightly more relaxed vibe--as opposed to PoHH, which seems more athletic.

This is definitely a well-done DVD with four very nice strength-based practices. Personally, I prefer Finn's Blissology, but others may may appreciate the variety and additional challenge that Pursuit of Happy Hips brings to their yoga collection.

Instructor Comments:
Eoin is not only a yogi but also a surfer, and he definitely exudes a hippie vibe. To fully appreciate his personality, I prefer practicing with him live as in Blissology.

Beth C (aka toaster)