| ranked #8 out of 15 resources | rated 3.82 out of 5 | total 14 votes |
Yoga Short Forms: The Practice
Author: David Swenson
Resource Type: DVD
RRP: USD $24.95
Analysis:
- Great way to fit yoga into a busy lifestyle.
- Choose from 3 routines:
- 15 minute routine for people on the go or to jump start your practice.
- 30 minute routine for the beginners and newcomers to Ashtanga.
- 45 minute routine for an intermediate session or as a stepping stone to full primary.
- Includes 10 minutes of guided deep relaxation.
- The routines are considered very fast, especially when you compare it to a full primary series practice, which takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to complete.
- Instructions given by Swenson are more of cues and coaching rather than the precise techniques of the asana.
- Includes modifications for more difficult asanas and tips for proper form.
- No music during the routines but has flute music in the 10 minute guided relaxation.
- Focuses on the very physical side of Ashtanga yoga practice, ie no chakra talk.
- Swenson’s voice is pleasant to listen to while he guides you through the routine.
- Set outdoors at a garden in Washington state.
- Makes Ashtanga yoga primary series more approachable, especially for beginners.
- Best to get a yoga manual to accompany this DVD for more precise techniques of asanas.
- Inspiring demonstration by Swenson at the beginning of the DVD.
- Suitable for beginners.
From the DVD:
Over the years people have asked me what to do when there is not enough time to practice a complete series. This is a valid question. We live in a fast-paced world. There are fast foods, fast cars and fast computers. All of this speed is meant to give us more free time. Unfortunately, the opposite seems to be the case. With all of the rushing to and fro there is little time left for personal pursuits. It would be easy for me to simply respond by saying one should just make the time by either rising earlier in the morning or taking time away from other activities. For some people this approach may be appropriate, but it is not feasible to expect everyone to apply such a disciplinary regimen. Setting unreasonable goals creates a recipe for discouragement or self-doubt which may lead to giving up the practice altogether. It is much better to practice a small amount rather than none at all. I have created a set of abbreviated routines which I call “Short Forms”. They are designed to allow the “time-challenged” to have a practice available which may fit into the tightest of schedules. It is much easier to find fifteen minutes or a half-an-hour to practice than it is to find ninety minutes or two hours, These routines are also good to use as stepping-stones to approach the full series. These abbreviated sessions are a great way to become familiar with the essence of the practice so that when one has the time or inclination to practice a complete routine of Ashtanga Yoga First Series it will not be as overwhelming. For many people the shortened versions may also be enough. The important thing to remember is that this is your practice. Create the most suitable routine for your lifestyle. Consistency is more important that [sic] quantity in a sporadic fashion. It is much better to practice three days a week for thirty minutes each time than it is to practice one day for two hours and on another day for twenty minutes and then none at all for the next three weeks. Find a routine that you can stick with and the benefits will accrue faster than being sporadic. Take pleasure in your practice. It is good to finish a session and be looking forward to the next one, rather than making our practice so difficult that we create a loathsome duty out of it. We cannot avoid all of the stresses that life offers. Our only real control is how we react to the waves of challenges that are thrust upon us. Yoga is an incredible aide to assist us in these modern times and with the Short Forms routines presented here you may find the right program to fit into your lifestyle.
Namaste,
David Swenson
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December 1, 2005 @ 12:07 am
kAndy said,
This DVD is fantastic! I’m new to Ashtanga and trying to get into daily practice, but the thought of spending 1.5-2 hours every day doing the full primary series was really daunting. Not to mention that I don’t think my body would survive it yet!
This DVD is really helping me get in some practice every day and as my instructor says, “10 minutes practice is better than no minutes”.
kAndy xxx
December 13, 2005 @ 12:07 pm
Betsy said,
David’s Short Forms DVD got me into Ashtanga. I enjoyed the DVD so much that I started attending a shala. I can only make it to class once a week, and don’t often have time for the complete primary series during the workweek. David’s Short Forms is a godsend for me. He has a very gentle and encouraging manner, and of course, the demo at the beginning is a marvel. For those of us who are time-crunched, Short Forms is a wonderful way to get in an abbreviated Ashtanga practice, led by one of the best teachers out there.
Betsy
August 2, 2006 @ 9:11 am
kerrin said,
great for a busy schedule. the 45 minute practice is really good, the 30 minute practice feels like something is missing, but better than nothing.
only the 15 minute practice is not really necessary. if i only have a few minutes i prefer to do some sun salutations.
overall a great practice with david swenson, but you have to be experienced because he does explain but you still have to be familiar with ashtanga yoga.