John Scott's Ashtanga Yoga (New Edition) (NTSC) [DVD]

I have little experience in yoga, just six months, but I really enjoyed this DVD.It is created for "home practice", it has 5 different audiotracks (english, german, mandarin, japanese) and subtitles.It is divided in levels: beginners (15 minutes), level 1 (30 minutes), level 2 (50 minutes), half primary series (1h15min), full primary series (1h30min), so you can choose level/duration according to your practice/free time. I like this because if you have just half hour at least you can do the beginners section (15 minutes) following the principle that "less is sometimes more".Being a beginner, I find particularly useful to have a DVD because often it is hard to find the motivation to do your practice by yourself. It is hard to find a place reasonably near that has an Ashtanga Yoga class and sometimes it is not easy to find a good teacher. Then there is even the money issue and most of the times you just give up on having your practice. So this DVD for me it is a comfort, because I can do my practice more often because I can choose the day/time/duration/place and build up my routine.Inside you will find a leaflet that gives you information about "The Art of Ashtanga Practice Method", "The Techniques of Ashtanga Yoga" and in both you will find indicated the important points to remember.You will be guided by John Scott through each sequence of movements. In the practice you will be focusing also on breath, gaze, navel and muscle control, gaining stamina, flexibility and strength.The only thing that I have to point out is that being a beginner I found it impossible to reach some of the positions and to perform some of the transition movements, and unlike a proper yoga class, in the DVD it is not given an alternative for the less experienced. What I do (and I suggest you to do) is to maintain the first position without taking it to a higher level of difficulty and to perform the basic Sun Salute as a transition movement.It is really a pleasure and it is inspiring to see the lightness, the strength, flexibility and control of John Scott performing the Ashtanga Yoga sequences.

I purchased this DVD having practiced ashtanga yoga on and off over several years and wanting to get back into doing it more regularly. I do quiet a lot of cycling and running and wanted to add yoga in to help with flexibility and relieve muscle tension.The DVD has several workouts targeted at different practice levels which is really good, however it is not very suited to beginners unless they are taking regular classes as the dvd assumes a certain level of flexibility and doesn't offer any alternatives for some of the more advanced poses. For example the half vinyasa practice is probably most akin to the regular yoga class, but I don't know many people who can lift themselves into a handstand from seated- me included!All that said if you aren't a beginner I think this DVD is fantastic. I have used it 4 times in the past 2 weeks and I have already noticed a big difference in flexibility and tone- more than I would expect from 4 yoga classes. I think this is because the teacher talks through each pose as it is being done reminding you of the breath, pulling up on your legs and abdomen and keeping you working hard throughout. There is also a vinyasa (upward and downward dog)between each of the seated postures, so you spend a lot of time stretching out the backs of your legs, back and shoulders. I thought I might find this constant taling annoying, but it allows you to go through the poses without looking at the tv screen, which is really helpful as you are facing away from it in several of the poses.I think it will take me a good while before I make throught the full primary series, but I will definitely be incorporating this dvd into my fitness routine from now on.

Covers the primary ashtanga series very comprehensively. Especially like how it is split into sections if you don't have time for the full practice. There are plenty of teaching points, pointers and guidance, which really helps solidify my class based practice. This isn't your typical practice yoga at home DVD and I think that if you want practice Ashtanga you need to go to class, but in between this DVD is great and really helps you to progress.

I have been going to Ashtanga classes for a while so know the primary series quite well. This DVD is a useful reminder/motivator - but I can imagine it would seem almost impossible (John is SO good) if you'd not been to a class. His brilliance was a bit demotivating to be honest!

I'm enjoying this - I've practised Ashtanga for several years and it is good to have something to motivate me and guide me at home. He is an inspirational teacher and I find the different levels very useful.

Great for beginners and when you have more knowledge of Ashtanga

I bought this looking for a beginner's how to for Ashtanga yoga... This is not it! Whilst clearly John Scott is very good at it, there is no instructions as to how to undertake any of the movements and the angle of the filming makes it hard when watching to ascertain how it is done. This may be suitable for experienced yoga practioners who are beginning Ashtanga yoga, but certainly not for anyone attempting yoga for the first time.

All the moves are expertly carried out by a yoga master