When I first got this tape I was at first put off by the slickness of the production and the music (which I felt was too intrusive). While I still think the music is a bit too loud and sometimes compete's with Erich Shiffman's instruction I do really like this tape overall. Even the music has become more enjoyable to me as I've gotten more used to the routine and have to concentrate less on the verbal instruction for cues. I have been doing yoga daily for almost 9 years and found this routine to be quite different from other tapes I have (and I have over 70 and counting). It's a nice change of pace to help bring variety into one's daily practice. It's excellent for days when you don't want something as intense as an Ashtanga routine but still want to be challenged. It covers all the basic movements/countermovements that will leave you feeling quite thoroughly stretched and strengthened. Ali Macgraw is definitely a serious practitioner of yoga and has wonderful grace and form. Her sincere comittment to yoga comes across clearly on this tape and I found her inspiring. Eric Schiffman did a great job designing this routine and leads you through it smoothly. I would agree with the other reviewers who recommended that one start with a beginning yoga tape before trying this one. Also, in spite of the fact that there are several "students" in the video there are no modifications shown which is a major drawback for someone new to yoga. For example, I often modify several parts of the sequence depending on how I feel on any given day. I like to work the Sun Salutes incrementally, starting with the first lunge with my hands on the floor, the next salute with my hands on my knees during the lunge, and then I move into the lunge (3rd salute)with my arms overhead. Most people may not need to move into the salutes like this but first thing in the morning I generally need to open up slowly in spite of the warm ups that are done before that part of the program. I also do the same with the plank poses, first on my knees as I lower down and then working eventually into a full chaturanga (lower pushup position)in the last repetitions of th Sun Salutes.I would recommend that beginners start with "Yoga for beginners" by Patricia Walden which is an excellent and thorough introduction, or Yoga Zone's Basics tapes (the five tape set is fabulous) to get started. Also there is a new series of Vinyasa Flow style tapes by Rainbeau Mars. The collection is called "Sacred Yoga" and the first two tapes are "For Beginners" and "Pure Tranquility" which are excellent gentle practices, the last two tapes "Pure Power" and "Pure Sweat" are much more challenging and all are beautifully done and highly recommended. The "Total Yoga Flow Series" by Tracey Rich and Ganja White are also excellent. If you're newer to yoga try "Earth" and then moe on to "Water" (which is about the same level of difficulty as the Macgraw tape reviewed here). The last tape "Fire" is very challenging and advanced. Also I would recommend buying Eric Schiffman's book "Yoga, the practice of moving into stillness" which is the best book I've seen on the subject. He gets into the deep levels of yoga that make the practice much more meditative. You will also learn how to make the practice more of your own in terms of working with your own specific physique. Another amazing book is Donna Farhi's "Yoga Mind Body and Spirit". That and the Schiffman book are the best I've seen!