Product Details

• Actors: David Swenson
• Directors: Ashtanga Yoga Productions
• Format: NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Number of discs: 1
• Studio: New Leaf Distributing Company
• DVD Release Date: April 20, 2004
• Run Time: 120 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 1891252143
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,841 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

This DVD contains the complete First Series of Ashtanga Yoga preceeded by a 30-minute introduction explaining the foundations of the practice. David's delivery of the basic principles is clear and down-to-earth. He opens this practice to a variety of levels by offering varying degrees of approach. After the introduction there is a fully guided First Series practice in the traditional flowing rhythm inherent to Ashtanga Yoga. The session ends with a guided deep relaxation.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a great ashtanga dvd, July 17, 2008

By 

RS - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

I've practiced yoga for many years and Ashtanga yoga, specifically, for about two years. I still go to class at a studio once or twice per week, as a DVD cannot substitute for an actual teacher. However, classes are pricey, so I purchased this DVD to motivate myself and friends to do the practice at home. This DVD has been perfect.

The beauty of this DVD is that you don't have to be familiar with the Ashtanga practice to follow it. Prior yoga practice is recommended, however. A friend participated who had never practiced yoga, and he joined in and followed through the entire primary series. However, he thought it was difficult and would have preferred starting out at an easier level. That said though, you can watch the intro which explains the poses before doing the practice itself, which is a separate video on this same DVD.

Also, beginners and advanced Ashtanga practitioners can practice TOGETHER using this DVD since advanced and beginning poses are cued throughout the practice. This is wonderful because my friends and I are all at different levels but can follow the DVD together each week at my house. I LOVE THIS!! Typically, this is not possible in a class; I notice that when new students show up for class, the teacher tones the class way down, leaves out poses, etc. Now the option to do beginning and advanced versions of each pose is available.

One reviewer mentioned that this DVD gets hard at the end. Yes, the primary series is a difficult practice. But, the great thing is that you can do just the sun salutations at the beginning and consider that a full practice as long as you follow it up with corpse pose. So don't be intimated! Just stop the DVD and fast forward to the finishing sequences if you get to the point where the practice is too difficult. This is how Ashtanga is traditionally taught - you begin by adding one or two poses in the sequence at a time until you've memorized it and are able to do it.. then move on. So this DVD lets you do that, too.

In addition, the instructor is very encouraging and doesn't push the student beyond his/her limits. Alternative poses are always offered and he encourages you to sit out the vinyasas if you become tired, etc., not intimidating or making you feel bad at all if you are not in tip top shape or at top performance that day.

I highly recommend this for beginner and advanced ashtanga folks. This has really allowed me to deepen my practice without having to spend a ton of money at the studio.

65 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is Ashtanga, the original Power Yoga, February 23, 2008

By 

Deborah P "Deborah" (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This is a DVD of the Ashtanga Primary Series targeted to those who already do, or are already in the process of studying, the practice. (If you are unfamiliar with Ashtanga don't let the word "primary" fool you: this is a serious and challenging workout).

Ashtanga is a set series of poses (ie the same poses every time). It is an active, moving type of yoga. You get very hot and sweaty as you simultaniously build strength and flexiblity.

Ashtanga is a daily practice and should be learned from a competent teacher. If you are studying Ashtanga and can't make it to class every day this DVD is an excellent way to practice at home to supplement your time in class. But a live teacher is essential to make sure you are doing the practice correctly.

IF YOU ARE A YOGA BEGINNER OR NOVICE THIS DVD IS NOT TARGETED TO YOU (so please don't complain that it is too hard, too fast or lacks explanation). This is NOT meant to be a step-by-step intro to yoga in general or Ashtanga specifically.

It is an excellent DVD for those with Ashtanga experience who want to do a "led primary series". Or for those who are wondering what a full-fledged Ashtanga practice looks like.

But, if you are starting out, this is not a detailed instructional video on how to do each pose. It is a quickly moving, "led primary series" (and if you don't know what that means this DVD is probably not for you...yet anyway).

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars He's so good it may be discouraging, April 10, 2008

By 

yep (austin, tx) - See all my reviews

Although this is the first series, it's probably not the best video for a beginner. The first half of the video is simple enough, but many poses toward the end of the session seem impossible. If you've done yoga at least a few times and are looking to push yourself, then Swenson is the man to watch. If you get discouraged by watching exceptionally talented people, then you should go to a local yoga studio and not get this video. I like the video because Swenson is amazing and I can see exactly how postures should be done.