Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series DVD - Kino MacGregor

Sanskrit in Sun Salutations A and B and the opening chant makes a grand entrance in this DVD. Fittingly dramatic.In Kino MacGreogor Ashtanga Yoga: Primary Series, Ms. MacGregor explains how certain muscles are activated and why they become active as a result. For example, she instructs us that "Strong legs are your foundation" in Utthita Trikonasana (Extended Triangle). Another useful feature of the video is easy-to-difficult and everything-in-between demonstrations to suit Ashtanga practitioners at various skills. The advanced options, particularly Ms. MacGregor's Vinyasa moves showcasing her strength, flexibility, control and grace, are inspiring. Equally important is the beginner section that is made for "the blooming lotuses," as Kino-Ji calls us who have not yet mastered any given posture. Brownie points are not only for the proper forms demonstrated and techniques given but also for her helpful comments about the purpose of a posture, such as in Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana A. In this "Extended hand to big toe" the balance is a main aim, not a hamstring stretch. A viewer must be mindful and listen to draw in all this insightful information to get the full benefit of this DVD.That last sentence from the previous paragraph leads us to following criticism. Generally, information in the DVD is a little bit disorganized. Specifically, the Dristi (gaze) is not consistently given for each asana. Without the point of concentration, the mind of a practitioner can easily wander. Yoga is meditation in motion; the gaze helps yogis accomplish steadiness and concentration. So on-screen captions with Dristi points would have added more to the DVD.Another issue with this instructional video is its dearth of different camera angles. Without these, viewers cannot see what each posture looks like from both left and right sides, the front and the back. In general, alignments are one of the important fundamentals in Yoga. We need to see what a correct position is supposed to look like.Left out also is how long each posture is held. Actually, let me correct myself. Ms. MacGregor does say it. But it comes half way through the viewing at Marichayasana A (after 40:00). In Ashtanga, each asana is five breaths long except for the closing sequence. The way my certified level-2 instructor taught me about the length of each posture in the last fifteen asanas in the final sequence went like these.Urdhva Dhnarasana 5 breaths (3 times)Paschimottanasana 5 breathsSalamba Sarvangasana 16 breathsHalasana 8 breathsKarnapidasana 8 breathsand so on.Sirsasana A 25 breathsSirsasana B 10 breathsBaddha Padmasana 10 breathsPadmasana 10 breathsTolasana 10 breathsThat being said, "different" certified Ashtanga instructors teach slightly "different" forms, counts, sequences and techniques. Unless in Ms. MacGregor's own teaching with every posture having five sets of exhale and inhale, written captions for breaths added and edited on-screen later would have made this production a better instructional DVD. (I doubt that it'd be five breaths each consistently across the whole practice though--that's another discussion irrelevant to this review.)Even with all of these deficiencies, this almost perfect DVD is another must-have for Ashtangis to learn the complete sequence of the Primary Series and also complements Ms. MacGregor's tips on YouTube.

Not your typical Kino video, if you're used to her youtube postings. I like this dvd and find it very very challenging. I haven't been able to make it through the whole thing yet and I think that's a good thing!

This video is VERY advanced, and while it offers a few options that are less you have to stop the dvd to find those then find where you left off in the sequence. While I find it challenging and love Kino I wish it was not so advanced. I tried to contact her prior to purchase to inquire about the differences between this dvd and her new beginners dvd (i am not a beginner i have practiced for years) and did not revieve a response, while I understand her very busy schedule maybe she, or her camp, could provide this info for customers so others don't make the same mistake I did.

This is such a fantastic home practice tool if you're getting into the Ashtanga method! If you're an absolute beginner, it may be a bit difficult (although she does offer beginner options). However, if you are intermediate or advanced, it is pretty easy to keep up with her flow and just do what you are capable of. The set-up of the DVD is great and allows you to skip to certain parts of the series from the menu (for example, Surya Namaskar A and B, Standing Postures, Seated Postures, Backbends, Closing Sequence, etc.). All around, a wonderful product!

I thought I would enjoy this more! It is ok, and I thought that I would be ok with her talking thru the whole thing (like some others had posted), but I guess I'm not. She does the really hard positions, so if you are not as flexible or advanced as she is, you may be discouraged. I don't even use it anymore. Sad

I'm from France and we don't have much ashtanga yoga DVDs here so when i saw the wonderful Kino Mc Gregor did her own i was thrilled and ordered it right away. You can't imagine how impatient i was to try it. Unfortunately i never did, not once ! Why ? Because i watched it entirely first and saw that Kino was talking all along. She never stops talking ! I don't know what you like about yoga but personally i enjoy practicing in a quiet, peaceful environement where you can only hear your breathing and others breathing , maybe sometimes your teacher talking gently. Here it's not the case at all. Not only does she "blablabla" constantly to a point it's really annoying and disturbing but her voice isn't enjoyable, sorry Kino :/ It seems like she doesn't even breath and talks in apnoea lol ... it's even stressful to listen to her. Though her instructions are very good and her practice perfect i'm really disappointed about the choice she made to " guide " like this... Not for me...

I'm a yoga teacher but there's not really any ashtanga near me. Kinos DVD is amazing. Gets you right through the primary series In hour 15 minutes which I really did to be a nice no nonsense pace. One reviewer mentioned that she talks too much. I don't find that at all. I want her to talk the whole time so I can learn the most for kinds amazing experience. This USA beautiful series to watch kino do and easy to follow along. IS has been a great addition to my life by one of the best ashtanga yogis in the USA. Love.

This is a great DVD for anyone who already has some experience with the Primary Series.I was a little disappointed because there aren't any options to choose from and the explanations are NOT integrated in the practice of the Primary Series. You have to watch them separately.

This is a great DVD showing all of the Ashtanga primary series if you want to learn it, but it's not really for beginners, kino has brought out another DVD for beginners that you can get instead.

The DVD quality is terrible, it’s grainy similar to that of a pirate DVD even though it is an original!

It good DVD goes bit to fast for my liking but Kino knows her stuff

not for totally beginners, but very good dvd for home practise!

Good DVD but not for complete beginner