Rating: 
Summary: Very well done and good for beginners...
Review: ...because of the repetition, this is a very valuable introduction to Ashtanga Yoga. If you really want to learn yoga, it takes time, patience, and practice...all things necessary when viewing this DVD/video.
I've read and heard many criticize Nicki's voice as monotone and boring...and I almost didn't buy the DVD because of those reviews.
I'm glad I did buy this DVD. Her monotone voice allows me to focus on the many elements of each pose and not become annoyed by a "sing/song", chirpy aerobics instructor voice. I've taken a few introductory classes in yoga - Iyengar and Ashtanga and stretch regularly - and I still found Nicki's explanations very helpful. I especially enjoy being able to spend time in each pose and really explore it.
I also have a Power Yoga tape that does not provide any pauses, teaching, or other instructional aspects - but does zip through the entire Primary series at good clip. This DVD with Nicki will prepare me for that tape - while learning, I value the pace of this DVD.
This DVD is a beginner practice. It takes one through Sun Salutations A and B and several standing poses with time and patience and instruction. It does not go through the entire Primary Series. If you cannot complete this DVD - then you may not be ready to move on to a more advanced - faster - yoga tape IMHO.
If you're looking to be entertained by your instructor - this is not for you. If you want to learn Ashtanga Yoga - get this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Very hard to do.
Review: I am brand new at yoga and bought this one because it said beginners in the title. Having only practice for only 2 months, I can recognize that is not really for beginners. I have yet to be able to complete the entire DVD. I browsed through the rest and don't plan on ever getting there because the poses all seem to be very similar and boring. She does a demo of the advanced Ashtanga poses and is very impressive but seems to me unrealistic and "out there". I am not looking to be THAT flexible. As for strength, it works pretty well, but it tough to hold some positions. Helping flexability is a 10. I could barely (and I mean barely) touch my ankles but after 2 months, I can easily touch the underneaths of my feet. Also, her voice is insanely monotonous. Even in the interview she does not change tone in her voice. It makes it very hard to relax. She is impressive in what she can do, but if I were tell people (especially beginners), I would only recomend this for people who don't mind alittle bit of boredom and repatition to buy this. If you want diversity, then I do not recomend this DVD.
Rating: 
Summary: Buyer beware!
Review: I bought the first DVD in this series, Doane's Ashtanga Yoga: Introductory Poses. I thought it gave a great introduction to the Ashtanga system, taking you through suryanamaskar A and B and several standing poses. I bought the second DVD, Beginner's workout. It is the EXACT same practice. There is nothing new. Doane goes through the same standing poses as on the first DVD. I find that to be incredibly un-yogic of the people at Gaiam, just a way for them to get more money from unsuspecting customers who get no clue from the descriptions of the two DVDs that they are actually the same. Do not buy this. I plan to write to Gaiam as well to complain about this.
Rating: 
Summary: Nails on a Chalkboard
Review: I found it impossible to get past the voice of this instructor, which is equivalent to nails on a chalkboard, and the fact that she just talks too much. The workout in and of itself is okay for beginners but I would never purchase another DVD with this instructor!
Rating:
Summary: Nails on a Chalkboard
Review: I found it impossible to get past the voice of this instructor, which is equivalent to nails on a chalkboard, and the fact that she just talks too much. The workout in and of itself is okay for beginners but I would never purchase another DVD with this instructor!
Rating: 
Summary: Ashtanga Yoga - Well Done.
Review: I guess it is valuable to critique this DVD of Ashtanga Yoga. I am unsure if one can honestly "hate" a monotone voice, but I guess if one is really attempting to be rude or hurtful anything is possible.
I purchased Nicki Doane's first CD before I ever got into Yoga. I found it challenging but doable. Perhaps this is due to my martial arts background but I can see how those not used to Yoga might find Nicki's form and pace threatening, I did but then I learned Suryanamaskar A and B and started taking classes at a local Yoga Studio. Nicki's tape prepared me for a real Ashtanga Yoga Class at a real Yoga Studio.
Ashtanga Yoga is not sexy. Ashtanga Yoga is not overly entertaining. It is a practice where you, your breath, your body and the mat meet. This meeting is not always enjoyable and often times you can be walk away broken. It has always been my understanding that this is the very idea of Yoga Practice to discipline the body and the senses to free the higher self from their yoke. Such notions as one's voice being pleasing or unpleasing are of little matter for those who are on this path.
It is my hope that those who practice Ashtanga Yoga reach deeper than this for criticism.
AUM!
Rating:
Summary: Great Beginners Workout!
Review: I had been looking for the perfect beginners Ashtanga Yoga workout video and this was exactly what I was looking for! The instructor goes through each of the basic moves until the end when you put them all together in a continous flow. But don't be fooled by the word "beginners." It's a hard workout and you may want to try Hatha Yoga first to get stronger. But this video is great if you want to learn more about Ashtanga Yoga while getting stronger and more flexible (especially your arms!). The extras include a step by step guide to the basic moves, an interview with the instructor, an advanced demonstration, and the full workout. I definantly recommend this for all you Yoga lovers out there and for those who want to try a new workout!
Rating:
Summary: Simply the Best Beginner Ashtanga Yoga Videos
Review: I have been searching for quite some time now for beginning Ashtanga videos that are of a slower pace so that I can focus on alignment, breath and the locks. This and the companion video "Yoga Journal's Ashtanga Yoga Introductory Poses" are perfect. I have been using David Swenson's Short Forms DVD and although it is excellent I find the pace too fast to adequately focus on alignment, breath and the locks due partly to the shape I am in. I have recently been doing "Yoga Journal's Ashtanga Yoga Introductory Poses" and on alternate days David Swenson's "Yoga Short Forms" 45 minute routine.
The 1st video in the series "Yoga Journal's Ashtanga Yoga Introductory Poses" breaks down Surya Namaskara A & Surya Namaskara B in to shorter movements so each asana of the vinyasa can be focused on. The second video starts with the Sun Salutations and then moves through the Standing Asanas.
Nicki Doane, the Yogini on both the Beginner's Practice and Introductory Poses, is an excellent instructor and I look forward to her future releases. If you do not already own these 2 videos and want to get into Ashtanga Yoga I highly recommend that you get both videos. You will not be disappointed. Even though the pace is slower if you are like me you will still find both videos very challenging.
Rating:
Summary: Simply the Best Beginner Ashtanga Yoga Videos
Review: I have been searching for quite some time now for beginning Ashtanga videos that are of a slower pace so that I can focus on alignment, breath and the locks. This and the companion video "Yoga Journal's Ashtanga Yoga Introductory Poses" are perfect. I have been using David Swenson's Short Forms DVD and although it is excellent I find the pace too fast to adequately focus on alignment, breath and the locks due partly to the shape I am in. I have recently been doing "Yoga Journal's Ashtanga Yoga Introductory Poses" and on alternate days David Swenson's "Yoga Short Forms" 45 minute routine.
The 1st video in the series "Yoga Journal's Ashtanga Yoga Introductory Poses" breaks down Surya Namaskara A & Surya Namaskara B in to shorter movements so each asana of the vinyasa can be focused on. The second video starts with the Sun Salutations and then moves through the Standing Asanas.
Nicki Doane, the Yogini on both the Beginner's Practice and Introductory Poses, is an excellent instructor and I look forward to her future releases. If you do not already own these 2 videos and want to get into Ashtanga Yoga I highly recommend that you get both videos. You will not be disappointed. Even though the pace is slower if you are like me you will still find both videos very challenging.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent workout, fantastic instructor
Review: I have several yoga tapes and have been to many different kinds of classes, and this is my favorite workout---the one I want to do every morning. If you're brand new to yoga, it'd probably be better to start with Nicki Doane's other tape (introductory poses) to really get a hang of the sun salutations, which are done at a speedy clip in this tape.
Other reviewers have complained about Nicki Doane's voice, and I also thought it was strangely harsh when I put in the DVD for the first time, but after going through the entire workout, I found her the best instructor I've had. She is completely neutral, but no-nonsense. Her affectless voice allows me to forget about her as a person (I have not been able to do this with other instructors) and simply focus on the poses, which has helped me to really find my focus and "still" my mind.
Other reviewers have also complained about the timings in this workout and the lack of the complete First Series of Ashtanga. All I can say to that is that the timings are perfect for me. The extra time gives me a little room to really work on getting into the poses, and there is plenty of exercise in this tape. Once this is easy, go ahead and move on to a tape with the entire sequence on it (when will Nicki make one?? Whenever she does, I will buy it!), but this workout is complete and balanced in itself. When I finish this workout, my body feels tired and evenly exercised, and I feel exhilirated.
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