At the start of this video, instructor Darryl DeWalk makes the point that it is an intermediate level practice that is appropriate for those who have taken at least 10-15 yoga classes. I would take this a step further and rate this practice as high intermediate/advanced, as Darryl includes many challenging postures that were beyond my own intermediate level. However, Darryl also states that it is sometimes helpful just to watch your teacher perform, and it was fun trying to go a bit beyond my usual limits.

Denise has already done an excellent job breaking down this DVD, but I'll add my own impressions. The main menu has three choices, Play All, Sequences, and Extras. I've listed the sequences below along with a brief description of each.

Opening Relaxation, 4 mins. Reclined cobbler's pose using a strap around the feet and a bolster under the back; provided a very nice opening to start the practice.

Vinyasa, 26 mins. Darryl begins in a seated position, which I liked a lot; I also liked the inclusion of boat pose so early in the practice. Additional floor postures are cobbler's, staff, and cat/cow. From a standing position, Darryl starts most sequences from down dog rather than moving through the traditional sun salutation; again, I thought this was a nice change of pace. The first sequence is down dog to lunge to twisted lunge. Between most of the sequences, Darryl does a vinyasa series of down dog to chaturanga to updog; chair pose and one-legged down dogs are also added in. Other sequences in this section include locust-warrior 1, single angle-warrior 2-triangle-side plank, and bow-crow-pigeon. The sequences sometimes flowed a bit too quickly for me, but overall, I liked this segment.

Inversions, 15 mins. I couldn't do much of this section, but it was still fun! Darryl begins with some handstand preps to open the shoulders and then performs handstand against a wall (2x). He then preps for pinca marurasana and performs this pose against the wall as well. Next comes unsupported handstand, with Darryl showing you several methods for "falling" out of the pose so that you don't hurt yourself; he even performs a few cartwheels! He finishes with unsupported headstand (I did mine supported).

Standing Asanas, 9 minutes. This was probably my favorite segment, and so I wish it had been longer. Here, Darryl performs several standing sequences, this time without the vinyasas. Sequences include triangle-half moon-bow in half moon; tree-dancer's pose; hand-to-foot sequence.

Seated Asanas, 14 mins. This looks to be an easier section at first, as it begins with a staff pose-forward bend-reverse plank series. However, Darryl ends this sequence with lifted staff, a pose not yet attainable for me. Also included are head-to-knee, revolved head-to-knee, cobbler's, maryichasana (with optional bind), half-lotus forward bend, seated pigeon (aka rock the baby), and several more challenging arm balances, including starfish pose.

Finishing Asanas, 15 mins. This section starts with camel and reclined hero, then moves into some more traditional core work in the form of crunches. It finishes with an inversions sequence: bridge, upward bow, plow, shoulderstand and variations, deaf man's pose, and fish.

Savasana, 7 mins. Darryl guides you through a nice, relaxing savasana to end the practice.

There are two options on the "Extras" menu. The first is sun salutations, a 3.5 minute sequence of lunge salutations. The second is an asana slide show which displays Darryl in various postures, many of which are not included on the DVD.

Overall, this is a very nice longer practice (done in its entirety, it's almost an hour and a half). At times, it felt very similar to my Anusara class, where we often play with arm balances and other poses beyond my level. I think that this practice is actually closer to advanced than intermediate, but intermediates who don't mind if they can't do all the postures are likely to have fun with the practice as I did. I enjoyed Darryl's unique sequencing and mostly liked his posture selection, although there were a few notable absences (eg, eagle, twisting triangle). I'd definitely recommend this DVD to others who are looking to advance their home practice.

Instructor Comments:
Darryl teaches via voiceover in a beautiful Hawaii beach setting. His commitment to the practice comes across clearly on the screen, and I liked how he was reassuring about working at your own level (he suggests and sometimes shows modifications). Also of note is that Darryl himself composed all of the music for this video.

Beth C (aka toaster)