Yoga for Beginners with Kino MacGregor : Ashtanga Yoga

The media could not be loaded. Absolutely LOVE this DVD. I'm not exactly a beginner in Ashtanga. I'm on year 3+ of Ashtanga and have been working so very hard at it but you find out so much about the fundamentals and foundations that Kino covers here well. The MAIN reason I got this video, however is because of the 20-minute core work that Kino does and if you do them every day, you will build a core so strong that those Ashtanga transition that seem impossible will then become possible. I attached a short clip of doing assisted press-ups with the Dharma Yoga Wheel right after finishing the core exercises in this video, and this is something I'd not have been able to do before the core work. I'm already seeing amazing progress after just 1 week of doing these core exercises.The rest of the video is also very good. I did the entire 2 hours yesterday just for fun. It's a tutorial at first followed by 3 short practices. So in essence, I did a ton of Surya Namaskar A and B which was fun. I love the inspiration that Kino offers and if you really listen to what she says, she has a lot to teach. I used to dismiss some of her teachings and just want to get the "secret" to doing this and that, but when I really started to listen, I realized how crucial it is to emphasize on building up the core and since I started doing that, I'm seeing amazing progress. So for that alone, this DVD is worth it a hundred times over.I watched it using Amazon Video streaming option on my phone, even though I bought it (not rented it). love that option as I don't have a DVD player so I could just stream it from my iPhone 6S plus! Excellent option for Amazon to have for us here.HIGHLY RECOMMEND to anyone who wants to build strength with confidence and also learn some Ashtanga!

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.

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 $.