Newcomers to Ashtanga yoga may find themselves surprised at the intensity of the workout. Ashtanga is a challenging, high energy yoga workout that synchronizes movements with breath, and it has been steadily gaining popularity over the past years. The focus is on breathing and alignment, and the postures are done quickly to strengthen and stretch the body. I’ve been practicing Hatha yoga for many years, but about six months ago got hooked on Ashtanga yoga. I’ve tried various DVDs, but one of my favorites is Ashtanga Yoga - The Primary Series with Mark Darby and Nicole Bordeleau.

I find Mark Darby to be an amazing teacher. He has been practicing for over 25 years, and is one of the few teachers worldwide who has attained the highest level of Ashtanga Yoga teaching accredition. He is incredibly talented and flexible. Fortunately, the routine is modeled by him doing the most difficult positions, along side Nicole, who is also incredibly talented, modeling the ’slightly less difficult’ version for the rest of us. Mark stresses alignment and breath. The DVD has gotten a lot of use at my home, because it offers flexibility for the time-challenged: a 90 minute, 30 minute (which is really more like 45, and my favorite) as well as a 10 minute workout. This DVD is suitable for beginners and adepts alike. One of the things I like best about yoga is the way that the learning and postures unfold; it continues to surprise and challenge.

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