Yoga for Beginners with Kino MacGregor : Ashtanga Yoga

I put this dvd in yesterday for the first time, I have to say I really like it. I did yoga in college -about 7 years ago now - and have an off and on love affair with it. Recently it's been off, so I needed something to get back on that wasn't going to kill me since my activity level has been nonexistent. This is a very good beginners dvd if you follow her instructions. What I mean by this is - if you don't know what you are doing, go to the tuturial or instructions on the dvd, they will help, then do the 20 minutes of sun salutations until you have them down and can participate the full way through before moving on to the next segment, and so on. Move slowly until you can handle more of a challenge. Ms. MacGregor is calming to listen to, keeping the same tones throughout to keep you aware of what you are doing as you move, She is not super fast paced in this which is good for me as asthma is not my friend. She does talk very fast though, but it's not super hard to follow. I have done dvd's in the past and find that I hate the people in them. All their excitement or vigor with their forced slow talking "depth" I find irritating. I mostly follow books, set my own pace, and listen to whatever music I feel like, because the DVD's or youtube videos are either too fast paced for me to follow or still to challenging for my very weak and inflexible self. I really do like this though. It's challenging without taking you out, it's easy to follow along without losing control of your breath and you get plenty of options for those who just can't move themselves in that posture yet. It's a good buy.

There are many "for beginners" Yoga DVD's available. (I own many of them!) But what Kino MacGregor presents in this DVD is something quite a bit more specific and deliberate. This DVD introduces you to a specific system of yoga known as Ashtanga. And it does so, in the traditional manner, via the sun salutations. Which DVD is best for which individual may be subjective. But I feel confident in saying that, for any individual who wants a sound and authentic introduction to the system of yoga known as Ashtanga, this is the best place to begin. The DVD includes a general tutorial for total beginners, three practices, two additional "workshops" / practices, an interview with Kino, and an inspirational demonstration by Kino. The first practice is essentially 5x sun salutation A, with a nice warm-up period and three closing poses. The second practice builds on this by removing the initial warm-up, quickening the pace, and adding 5x sun salutation B. The third practice incorporates some standing poses. There is an excellent workshop on core strength - it will work shoulders and legs as well - and I find these exercises are carefully chosen to prepare the student for some of the demands to come. There is also a relaxation workshop which I've not yet tried. Kino does not necessarily possess the smooth television presence of, for example, Rodney Yee. But she more than makes up for this with her precise, clear instruction. Her personal experience and her understanding of anatomy allow her to deliver very specific tips and guidance that anyone - beginner or expert - would find valuable. She also has a great volume of material provided for free on her youtube channel, which is how I discovered her originally. Check that out and see if you're as impressed with her clarity as I was.

I love this DVD. It's wonderful for beginners who want to specifically becin the Ashtanga yoga. Where I live, yoga is more aabout just stretching and relaxing. The Ashtanga yoga method is also about getting stronger and deeper into the practice. Kino really makes an effort to make you understand that. She also tells you WHEN you are a beginner and when you are more advanced, which I find really useful and important to improve and advance into the yoga experience. This DVD is about the foundations. A strong foundation leads to strong basics and make the advanced postures safe. While it's still challenging, it's quite nice for an absolute beginner. Kino always tells you where you should be feeling pressure and relax in your body, so that you can move into the postures the correct and safe way. This way you can get all the benefits of the postures whithout being dangerous or too challenging. You can get the maximum benefit of the postures, and with time, improve your flexibility and strenght. The interview part is REALLY interesting. It's not only about Kino herself, you MUST watch the interview. You might have some questions that you didin't know you were asking! She speaks about her diet, yoga journey and gives some information about the spiritual aspects of the practice. The DVD itself is also really nicely recorded, with beautiful backgrounds and high quality image. You can also remove the music or the vocal instructions, to practice silently. I can't wait to improve my level into the practice to buy her intermediate DVD. Kino is a wonderful teacher and a wonderful woman!

It's a great dvd and yoga routine. The downside to it that it should be labeled as a beginner Ashtanga dvd and not Yoga for Beginners. It would be a great dvd for someone who already has some strength, flexibility, and knowledge of yoga.

1. Kino always talks fast; you will see a few 1-star reviews about how fast she talks and constantly talking. If you ever watch her YouTube videos you will know that is just how she is and very knowledgeable in what she does. 2. The pace is fast but it's a DVD people. You need to slow down or work on something, the control is in your hands: it's called a remote. 3. Many of the moves and positions are very challenging BUT that isn't her, that is Ashtanga. If that is too much for you look into Hatha or Vinyasa which are gentler approaches. Ashtanga is more strength oriented than anything else. 4. She does talk so much you will have to look here and there to make sure you are doing what she is. But after you do that a few times you will be able to follow along and if you memorize it, just do it on your own without the DVD. 5. It takes time. It's no different than any other physical activity. You need to go at your own pace for only you know what you can and cannot do. In short, this is one of my favorite DVD's. I am currently focusing only on this DVD unless my body needs a break to which I am known to switch to one of my Hatha DVD's. Either way, it's well worth having. P.S. Blocks and Yoga straps help.

This is my 1st truly terrible review I have had to write. I cannot give this 0 stars so 1 will have to do. Let me preface this review by saying I had long admired Kino. She is crazy talented as far as balance, inversions, and flexibility. I would look at her instagram pics and videos and be in awe at her abilities. I ordered the "beginner" so my husband would be able to do this with me. Lets just say it was an epic fail...just like this video. 1st this is NOT a beginner dvd. Kino uses pretty advanced cues that even had a seasoned yogi saying whaaaaaat? 2nd she doesn't stop talking. It's like she couldn't let there be silence for a moment. She over-did it in that department and that's super annoying. 3rd it's voice over so don't expect anything else. 4th She is monotone and that equals boring. Having a teacher with the ability to NOT make you want to get up and leave is very important. I made it through Surya Namaskar A and had to turn it off. That's pretty bad... 5th I can't believe there's more..... there is NOTHING I liked about this dvd. Nothing. Just because you are good at something doesn't mean you will be a good teacher. I was extremely let down. I know she will be in San Antonio soon and after this...I will not spend my money to take her class. In fact she owes me a refund i think. This was a complete waste of $.

It's an ok video. I love ashtanga yoga. I was expecting it to have more standing poses. The narrator is less than pleasant. The poses move quickly & the narrator talks very quickly causing me to feel anxious. I am anxious just writing this review thinking of the voice. There is minimal instruction on breathing & the correct way to do the pose, so i would not recommend for beginner level.

I have a review on here of a Yoga for athletes DVD. I grew up a football, baseball and basketball player. Both football and baseball all the way through college. We're both nearing 40 and she had a belief that Yoga was just for flexible people and thought it was boring/slow. I did okay with the Yoga for athletes and gained some old flexibility back in my legs. So she wanted to try Yoga herself. I directed her to this video since I've seen Kino's videos on youtube. First a problem. Wife was not happy about my choice. She instantly said, "OMG" yes, she said the acronym instead of the words and, "You picked this one because you think she's hot". All joking aside, guys should probably stick to the one for athletes or one being instructed by a man since your wife/girlfriend might not take too kindly to you watching Kino. After two weeks my wife admitted she was feeling more limber especially in her legs and lower back. She does this routine roughly 3 times a week and then alternates it with a higher impact aerobic DVD 3 times a week. My own advice is to be patient with these Yoga DVDs. That could be a negative with Kino as well. She goes through the motions without a hitch. Making it look almost easy. I would compare that to some local college football players I work with. They want to be able to jump right in the weight room and stack the bench press with 410 pounds. That's the patience I believe is required. Start out slow and work your way into this workout. Any working out is better than none so look at it that way when you're frustrated with not being able to do what the instructor does. You'll get there eventually or at least you'll eventually be closer to getting there than you was before you started.