I downloaded Richard Freeman’s DVD of the Ashtanga primary series yesterday from BeYouTv.com for US$9.95. It’s a good deal considering you don’t pay shipping and handling and own it forever. The video covers the entire primary series and is over 2 hours long. Freeman gives a good amount of detail. Just enough to allow you to do the poses without getting caught up in long explanations. His form seems great, too. He’s supposed to be the premiere guy for Ashtanga.
I’ve never done Ashtanga before, but I’m intrigued by Tabby Cat’s recent posts on it. Looking at this DVD, it seems really rough going in some segments. I know Ashtanga is the more macho form of yoga because I’m all the time hearing how tough it is. And tough it does look.
I do like the idea of having a set routine that you do all the time and then measure your progress by your ability to get through it.
BeYouTv also has his easier Intro to Ashtanga video and the harder Intermediate Series if you’re really ready for a higher challenge. Personally, I can’t conceive of going higher than the primary series but if you’re there then go for it.
As for the download, I recommend the MP4 format. The more common WMV format doesn’t allow for skipping ahead. All you can do is watch the whole thing and that’s annoying. MP4 allows you skip ahead and is burnable to actual DVD.
2 responses so far ↓
1 josh // Aug 15, 2008 at 2:33 am
Hey Dave, this looks pretty cool. I like the idea that Ashtanga uses fixed sequences so you are always doing more or less the same postures, sometimes other versions of yoga can be somewhat inconsistent.
BTW I came across this site recently, since you have spoken favorably of Bryan Kest’s stuff in the past (I just moved to LA and have had the good fortune to attend his classes semi-regularly over the last month). They offer yoga classes that you can download on a donation-only basis, mostly by instructors from Bryan’s studio (and the man himself): http://www.yogichocolate.com/index.php
2 Dave Chesser // Aug 15, 2008 at 9:11 am
Josh,
Yeah, Kest’s Power DVD series is great. You’re so lucky to be able to attend his classes. Thanks so much for the link. I think I’ll put it up in a post later so everyone can see it.
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