This video is meant as an introduction to Power (Ashtanga) Yoga. I can't imagine that a beginning exerciser would be able to do this workout. I do quite a bit of strength training, and I have some difficulty holding the poses. However, Bryan says throughout the video that you need to find your edge, hold the poses only as long as you are comfortable and can maintain proper yogic (nose) breathing, and should only go as far as you can while keeping your face relaxed. At the time I am reviewing this, I have only done this video two times, so I can't recall a lot of details. Also my only other experience with yoga is with another video, so if you are experienced with yoga, you may have a different opinion of this video than I do. I have read the newsgroup alt.yoga, and have heard a couple of complaints that this video is too commercialized, and uses too much sex appeal to sell it. This is probably true, but I figure I am the target audience for this video (female fitness nut looking for something different, yet challenging), so here goes.

Bryan teaches the class, he does not participate, there are nine students of various levels in the class. Even the least flexible of them is pretty darn flexible. He starts by warming up by repeating several series of poses, but even in the beginning, he throws in a push-up between levels. (example, start in upward push-up position, do a pushup, shift into upward dog, push-up, downward dog, hold down dog for a few seconds, another push-up, then on to the next pose. He does this sequence constantly between poses, throughout the whole video). I would suggest previewing the video at least once before doing it, it is very difficult to watch while completing the poses. I also found it easier to position myself sideways to the tv, as opposed to facing it, so I can turn to the side to check my positioning. Bryan does do a good job of talking you through the poses. Also, my favorite quote is "If you are doing your best, then you are doing this class perfectly". I consider myself pretty darn fit, but I am nowhere near as flexible as these folks are, and though I think my legs are very strong, I had a hard time holding some of the more difficult poses as long as they did in the video.

Bryan constantly reminds you to ease off if you are uncomfortable, and gives tips to avoid injury. I also like the way he says...If you feel comfortable and loose, feel free to [insert instructions for more intense version of pose here]", instead of the other way around, like most aerobic videos, where they say something like "feel free to [insert easier modification, like do this move off the step]". It made me feel more comfortable to feel like it is more unusual to be able to slide your head under your leg while in a lunging position, while I was barely able to do the easier version.

After I did this video, I was sore in muscles I didn't know I had! I enjoyed it, felt like I had a good strength and flexibility workout. I will definitely add this video into my weekly workout routine.

Trish Ransom

11/30/-0001