The package contains a complimentary world music instrumental CD which has a nice medley of sounds: flute to slow you down and drums to perk you up. But since I am no musician I will refrain from commenting on that one.
The background score by Pankaj Awasthi, for the DVD itself, works just fine by continuing to be subtle throughout. At certain points there is a clash of intentions. As, for instance, in the beginning where Shetty is humming 'Om'. The music is on, the instruction (voice by Sundeep Shinji Chudasama) on how to hum 'Om' is also on, and there is also Shetty, humming away in bliss. Too many sounds, overwhelming and distracting -- and the sense of starting the whole show peacefully is completely subverted.
Shinji's voice was difficult to follow. Perhaps my audio itself was bad. But I felt that the instructions were difficult to follow in certain parts because the sound seemed to dip and rise in a manner I could not keep pace with (there is also a Hindi option). I guess this could be a problem with the Indian buyers, since each of us relate to different accents.
The narration (written by Araghya Lahiri) on yoga in the beginning could have been tighter and precise: It loops and touches upon yama and niyamas (yogic observances and personal codes of conduct), then discusses Ashtanga Yoga or the eight-limbed yoga.
Today in the West, Ashtanga Yoga has become a label all on its own with a different association: It is the brand of challenging Pattabhi Jois school of yoga which very few people can attempt. So there are two associations with that term: one, an extremely body-centric practice and the other, more classical association of it with the eight limbs of yoga. When the narration addresses a mixed audience which is exposed to either of these terms, it can be a bit confusing.
Then, the narration traces yoga practices to Rishi Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. As you all know, there are only four direct references to asana in the Sutras. Even they are referred largely as tools to 'absorption of mind' and its steadiness. In fact, the sage was codifying existing practices in his sutras, with emphasis on the yoga of the mind, since he was addressing an audience that already had yoga in their lives.
So, if you are beginner, the narration does not say much to you about yoga itself since its sweep is too vast and vague. If you know some yoga, then it leaves you dissatisfied. In a work-out DVD, it is better to leave out such literary attempts, and stick to teaching the practical aspects of it.
Also see: Can't do a headstand? Try these yoga poses
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