Ashtanga Yoga

Hi All

I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good DVD for Ashtanga. I’ve done some online research and it looks like Nicki Doane is pretty popular as well as David Swenson and Richard Freeman. Any advice on who I should pick even if it isn’t any of these three. I’ve never done Yoga before but have always wanted to so I am a beginner.

Comments

  • Hi Pundee,
    I’m a big ashtanga fan and although I practice by using David Swenson’s binder book (because I find videos distracting) all the feedback/ratings on Netflix and Amazon.com points to Rodney Yee’s dvds. However, since you are a newbie to yoga I would recommend starting with a couple beginner’s classes (not ashtanga) to start so you can get familiar with the basic moves and proper alignment and then take a class or two of ashtanga before starting at home. I realize this may or may not be feasible due to location or finances but ashtanga style has two series of poses done in sequence and then poses done in order (standing to primary and so on). You can definitely benefit by just doing the poses but you can get a lot more out of it with some expert guidance.

  • Hi, Pundee!

    I would reccomend R. Sharath’s Primary Series DVD. He is Sri K. Pattabhi Jois’ grandson, and considered to be one of the world’s leading Ashtanga teachers. I agree totally with Lovingraw’s reccomendation to take a couple basic classes before doing it on your own, as proper alignment is so very important.

  • I also agree that live classes can’t be beat, if you have never done yoga before, I’d say they are key, particularly with a style of yoga as intense as ashtanga. A teacher can really help you with alignment and offer modifications to postures.

    If you do want to use a DVD, I would suggest David Swenson’s ‘Short Forms’. It consists of 3 practices—15 minutes, 30 minutes, and 45 minutes—plus a great deep relaxation. David’s cuing is very good—he does the practice, with voice-over cuing. He shows modifications to postures and I think it’s accessible to someone who is a beginner.

    His book is first-rate. I use it all the time; like lovingraw, I find that DVDs can be distracting; with David’s book, I can do the postures at my own pace.

  • Luna bluLuna blu Raw Newbie

    I really enjoy Visyasa flow, with Seane Corn. She is a strong powerful woman. It’s a 2 dvd set, called the body and Beyond.

    I took a year of teacher training in Ashtanga/Iengar yoga, so I pretty much do my own thing. When I want to be guided, I thrown on Seanes dvd.

    If you are a beginner, then find yourself a teacher you connect with. They will be able to watch your postures and correct you if it is not quite right! A dvd is great, but until your body ‘knows’ what is proper form, then take a class, with out a doubt. You don’t want to hurt youself or fall into bad habits! Plus you could connect with like minded folks, possibly even a raw foodist!

    Namaste!!

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