Customer Rating: 
Summary: A 20-minute Power Yoga Gem
Comment: I have yet to come across a better 20-minute power yoga practice. Perfect for the mornings you've overslept or if you're an add-on junkie (like myself) trying to squeeze as many workouts as possible into 40 minutes.
In a class-style setting Kest instructs as he moves among the yogis making form corrections and, as he is known for, talking all the while. Although one yogini shows modifications, this is not a true beginner workout. (Novices would do better starting with Yoga Zone's "Introduction to Power Yoga.") I've been practicing yoga for a little over two years and this one is still in my regular rotation. It's short but intense especially if you substitute more advanced versions of the poses such as a full side plank instead of the one-knee-down modification.
Kest starts of with (surprise!) sun salutations, brisk but nowhere near as rapid as his non-beginner routines. Standing poses include warrior 2 into extended side angle and triangle into the Kest "airplane," as well as a stretching sequence with blown palm and standing forward bend. (Side plank is in there somewhere.) He finishes up on the floor with boat, reverse plank, seated wide-legged forward bend, spinal twists and final relaxation.
Bryan Kest seems to be a love-him or hate-him instructor. He's very easy on the eyes but some complain that he talks constantly and uses superfluous language. Personally, I don't think he talks any more than your average video instructor; he is leading a class after all. I find the constant form pointers to be helpful and the use of imagery deepens my understanding of how my body should feel while keeping the practice playful. Clearly I'm a fan. But those who prefer a strictly athletic approach or who have a conflict of faith may not agree... which is a shame because it's a little 20-minute gem.
Customer Rating:
Summary: AWESOME BRYAN!!!
Comment: Great DVD for someone just starting Yoga! I am 65 and have been strength training in a gym most of my life and really thought I was in great shape. What a surprise, even this beginning series made me realize how much I need to improve my flexibility, endurance, and strength. Bryan really breaks it down to my level and has made it so easy to not only understand the move but the reason for each move. My breathing and flexibility were awful and I am sure this will be the answer to my low back and joint problems as it has already helped me with only a few workouts. I would highly recommend this DVD to anyone, at any age that wants to improve his or her health and has just starting with Yoga. As Bryan emphasizes, you don't have to do every move with perfection as that will come with practice and that helped me a lot. AWESOME BRYAN!!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Excellent Beginner Series
Comment: Bryan Kest is a gifted teacher and inspiring man. This series is perfect for the beginning Yogi. Kest provides plenty of explanation at the start of both the Step-by-Step and 20-Minute Beginner series. You enter each workout with an understanding of the movements and in the right frame of mind. Once I had listened to the intro a few times, I just jumped straight into the workout on my DVD player. I found the Beginner workout challenging and was thankful for Kest's voice guiding me throughout. As I was new to yoga when I bought the DVD, the series helped my body become familiar with basic Vinyasa flow movements. I found the flexibility and strength starting to improve in my arms and legs just after doing the workout a few times.
I highly recommend this tape for the beginner Yogi! It's gotten me hooked on yoga and I've already started doing some of Bryan Kest's other series! I've also noticed how yoga is affecting other parts of my life. I find myself feeling more calm and relaxed after each workout than I have felt in a long time!
Customer Rating: 
Summary: If you have done any Yoga at all, don't bother.
Comment: Bryan is inspiring and he has a lot of good things to say. I just wish he would say it in the first session and then let me practice yoga in the rest of the sessions(four included on this DVD). I've done Yoga on and off for years and recently got into power yoga. This is waaaaaaaaaaaay to slow and by the time you feel any heat, you are done. If you are a beginer it would be pefect for about 2-3 weeks and then you'll need to move on to something more.
