Tragically Hips was originally meant to be released as an audio CD, but for whatever reason - you can read it on the site - http://www.vancouveryoga.com/tragicallyhips_mp3yoga.html
Eion has simply released it, asking only that if people enjoy it and might wish to make a contribution of some kind, to "make a donation to a foundation that is working to keep the earth green and healthy."

Well, I just finished it and am trying to think of a good foundation to donate to ;)

Tragically Hips comes in under an hour, and packs a wide variety of standing and sitting poses. The one disadvantage I can see is that it might be difficult for beginners. Since it is audio, there are only verbal cues, and since it's a download there are no pictures to follow (although I understand he has plans to put some on the site). The routine moves swiftly, and the first set of sun salutations B took me by surprise - they go at a cracking pace, as do the vinyasa interspersed within the routine. The cueing for the more common positions seems to be streamlined, focusing less on the well-known elements (like the usual "inhale, look up" during the salutations) and more on the details that tend to be mentioned less often. Those details were useful. There is a tendency (for me, anyway) in familiar poses to become complacent and just hang the way you usually do, and there were a few times the cueing reminded me of something I was letting myself get sloppy with, or less aware of. There were a few times the cueing picked up my "cheats".

Like most power yoga routines, it begins with sun salutations A and B, moves into standing poses, then seated poses. Apart from about two boats inserted into some vinyasa, there is no abdominal work, but I can live with that. :D
If you have done a reasonable variety of power yoga tapes or CDs, (or, heck! Go to classes!) you will likely be familiar with most of the poses, or at least some variation of it. The one exception that comes to mind is a standing pigeon/galavasana prep, which also includes a teaser "and now, if you know it, you can balance on your hands…but if you don't know it, don't worry about it". It really doesn't matter, it's enough to just hang out in the hip opener.

Eion's cueing, as in his tape and other downloads, is spontaneous, lighthearted, hip, and humorous. He seems to let a little more of his philosophy pervade this, opening the routine with a request to bring to mind an altruistic reason for doing the practice, some being that may benefit from the feeling you get from yoga. Sweet cherry nectar shows up again ;) but I'll be damned if I'm ever going to taste anything like nectar in double pigeon :O As in previous routines, there is always the reminder to feel contentment with whatever stage you are at, and the reassurance that whatever version of the pose you are doing is perfect for you. As you enter savasana, there is an invitation to awaken a sense of gratitude, and let that spread outward into your day.

It would be nice if Eion considered this a "beta" version, and perhaps eventually released a commercial version with tracks, pictures, the whole shooting match…I'd probably still buy it! (I kind of doubt it though) As it is, it's a nice selection of poses, and a fun sequence, and I just get a kick out of listening to Eion.

I don't know if I would recommend it to absolute beginners, for reasons mentioned above. Also, some of the transitions are somewhat challenging…going straight from revolved prayer twist to warrior 3 to standing hand-to-foot, for instance, or going from tree to eagle. On the other hand, experienced beginners who already know these poses may enjoy these variations. But it's less the challenges in the poses, which can always be modified, than the lack of visual direction and the fast pace that has the potential to frustrate beginners.

I must warn you… if Eion has ever made you crazy in any previous release…well, he's likely to do it in this one, too. Myself, I enjoyed it, and see myself pulling it out again.

Instructor Comments:
included in the review. I wrote this ages ago and forgot to submit it, so I'm throwing it in for the record.

Sophie