He's the yoga teacher of choice for Sting and Madonna - but is Duncan Wong's Yogic Arts more than just the latest Hollywood fad? Cathryn Scott puts his DVD to the test.
There's a certain snobbery among some yoga fraternities when it comes to DVDs and videos.
Without the aid of a teacher, some argue, it's easy for students to develop bad or even dangerous habits and not stretch themselves to their full potential.
Not to mention the fact they're generally fronted by some celebrity or other cashing in on the public's desire to slim down.
But for those who work irregular hours and struggle to attend a class, they can be a great way of ensuring a varied and strong practice.
They're also a way of inspiring your own practice, introducing you to new varieties of yoga that aren't necessarily taught in your area, as well as new sequences and modifications on poses.
Such is the case with Duncan Wong's Yogic Arts, a form of yoga that the American teacher describes as a blend of "science, spirit and art".
It draws on elements of Korean Buddhist gung fu, Ashtanga yoga, and Thai bodywork.
It's a strong and dynamic practice that will leave you feeling as though you've had a good workout, while at the same time its breathing exercises and focus on Mudras and Bandhas mean it stretches deeper into your body and soul.
The format
The one-hour yoga practice is broken down into ten sections, from a pranayama warm-up through sections aimed at developing various areas of the body from shoulders to hips and gluts, to a relaxing Savasana.
Particularly useful is the segment on strengthening and increasing flexibility in the wrists, an often neglected part of the body, yet one that is essential for so many poses.
The Mudras Explained and Bandhas Explained extras are a great addition, adding depth to the DVD.
While the session runs for about an hour, you can also choose one of two half-hour variations, or if you're short on time it's easy enough to dip in and out of the different segments of the DVD.
The verdict
Admittedly it won't appeal to everyone. The way the instructions are voiced-over as Duncan goes through his practice can be a little off-putting - you feel you're intruding on someone's private practice rather than being ‘taught'.
And although the high-definition black and white filming is beautiful, the constant panning in and out of the camera can be annoying. Equally, some may well feel the same about the unnecessarily bare-chested, tattoed Duncan Wong himself.
The DVD says it's suitable for beginner to intermediate, but it's probably too strong for someone who is new to yoga - even more so given all the talk of bandhas and mudras.
But for someone looking to develop their practice this is a great source of inspiration and influence, as well as a welcome guide for those days when motivation for your home practice is running low.
Cathryn Scott is a freelance journalist based in Cardiff. She has practiced yoga for seven years and is about to start a yoga teacher training course with the British Wheel of Yoga.
Where to purchase Duncan Wong's Yogic Arts?
Yoga-abode recommends www.yogamatters.com
Alternative outlets Amazon.co.uk
