Rating: 
Summary: Namaste
Review: This DVD is excellent. Nicki Doane is a wonderful instructor who is inspiring without being preachy. This is the first time I have ever attempted a yoga workout, and I must say it is more difficult than I imagined. Nicki walks you through every step and uses repetition so you feel as if you have memorized every step even after the first viewing.I bought this DVD with the Beginner's Practice DVD and now realize I was WAY ahead of myself. The Beginner's Practice DVD is much faster and more difficult and introduces new poses, but the first 45 mins or so are great if you want to do the sun salutations at a faster pace. All in all I do not regret buying this DVD at all. I have tried many different work-out DVDs and this is one that has kept my attention.
Rating:
Summary: not for the novice....
Review: i had to give this dvd 5 stars because it really is good and just what the editorial review said it was...niki's voice is calm and soothing but a little stern almost as she takes you from one position into the next...however, it is not easy and if you are looking for a dvd to practice simple yoga this is not the one...this one will make your heart beat a lot faster and you might even break a sweat!! i have been doing yoga for about 18 months now and i am determined that i will get through this dvd...i have to say that when i finish what i am able to do (which is about 35 minutes) i feel exhilarated! i would also advise you not to do what i did and buy the two dvd's at the same time (the beginner's practice is the second dvd in the series) until you are sure this is a yoga practice that can work for you...
Rating:
Summary: Great host!
Review: Nicki Doade is a really good teacher. The workout has a nice pace and is difficult for a beginner but do-able. Excellent relaxation at the end. This is my first try at yoga so I'm not sure if 5 stars are warranted but it's a good one!
Rating:
Summary: solid introduction
Review: I found this to be a very helpful introduction. Whilst I have started yoga classes at a studio, this video helped me learn correct breathing and transitions. Very slow and deliberate -- it's great for building a foundation to further practice, and a good workout in itself. Nicki Doane is a no frills but solid instructor. I look forward to moving to her next video.
Rating:
Summary: Simply the Best in Sun Salutations
Review: I'm a beginner to Ashtanga yoga and I liked this video very much. The editorial review above says it all. Nicki Doane's slow, steady pace and her stern voice help me concentrate on breathing and work deeper into each pose in Sun Salutation A & B. I tried and liked Rodney Yee's "Power Yoga" before, but his pace was a little too fast for me.
With Nicki's instruction, I can inhale and exhale to my full lung capacity, and I can have the time to fully appreciate my body's reaction during the practice. My body is fully stretched, generating a lot of heat, and I feel very refreshed, peaceful and strong after every workout.
You shouldn't expect to get into other poses than in Sun Salutations, since this video is aimed to build up the foundation for further yoga practice through repetition of these basic movements. So, if you are already familiar with Sun Salutes, you might want to start with her "Ashtanga Yoga Beginner's Practice," which includes some standing poses in addition to Sun Salutations. Or, if you want more variety of poses packed in shorter time, David Swenson's "Yoga Short Forms" would be very helpful.
But personally, I believe that a serious beginner should try this Nicki Doane video first. She doesn't talk much about yoga's spirituality, but you'll find it through the practice yourself, which I think is the way it should be.
Rating: 
Summary: Another waste of $$
Review: All these videos are the same! Just with new music, and a new setting. I wish i could say I like it, but all it made me feel is depressed being in my own living room, while these rich people were in hawaii cause i bought there tape.
If you already own one of their tapes, don't bother buying anymore. they're all the same.
Waste of money.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent and Detailed Pose Instruction
Review: This is an amazing Ashtanga introduction for beginner's. If you have been avoiding Ashtanga because it is a hard workout and requires significant body strength, this dvd will gradually help you make the transition from easier forms of yoga to Ashtanga practice. The instructor is wonderful and the scenery is gorgeous while not being distracting. The single best feature of this dvd (esp. for the beginner) is that it includes a real-time, pose-by-pose, explicit breakdown of each pose and transition to that pose as you go along in the workout. There is none of this having to look at the break-down of the poses after the tape is over and when you are out of the sequence and mindset. Also - this great feature is optional so you can turn it on or off per your needs. This dvd is a wonderful foundation for further practice and a arm-strength builder in itself! whew!
Rating: 
Summary: GREAT
Review: I REALLY ENJOY THIS DVD ITS THE FIRST WORKOUT THAT HAS GOTTEN ME TO ACTUALLY WANT TO GET UP THE NEXT DAY AND DO IT. ITS SIMPLE YET DIFFICULT AT THE SAME TIME WHICH IS WHAT YOU WANT IF YOU WANT RESULTS. IM NOT QUITE READY FOR THE NEXT LEVEL YET BUT I WILL CONTINUE THE INTRO UNTIL I DO.
Rating: 
Summary: I'm not quite sure about this one.
Review: I loved the advanced Ashtanga demonstration. It's something to watch and a beautiful performance. Also Nicki Doane's interview explaining Ashtanga is very good. I've given this DVD a three because of these two sections. The actual practice was disappointing. There are no submenus for the Salutation A and B, you just have to skip forward through the practice if you want to do a portion. When I did practice straight through I found Nicki's voice quite abrasive. I'm sorry to say that because I think it is a good practice and in time I'm hoping her voice doesn't irritate me. I doubt I'll be bringing this one out a whole lot. A softer voice and better music would have improved this practice.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Beginner
Review: If you want a true introduction to ashtanga, here it is. Nicki's instruction is very clear and extremely easy to follow. She carries you through the sequence with a low-toned neutral voice that will not distract you but will guide you. If you are new to yoga this is where you want to begin. Her language is clear as she uses the sanskrit names of the poses and explains each term as she uses them. She turns your attention to your breath when you need it. She directs your attention and focus very well.
The music is calming with some gentle instrumental sounds and a low, dull, medatative male voice which her voice meshes well with.
This is a slow, easy to follow explanation of the asanas. After almost a year of using this tape I purchased the Beginners practice with Nicki Doane and used it faithfully to take me further into my yoga practice. It was only then when I felt confident enough to go to a yoga studio and take live instruction without feeling like a jelly bellied, sweaty couch potatoe. Of course that was just me, but the hands-on instruction of a live yogini really deepend the asanas for me and cannot be ignored so use this as your introduction to your introduction class.
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