OUR LEGION of volunteer reviewers of exercise videos - also known as "The Get Molly Off The Hook Gang" - has come through once again. Here's a look at five videos that recently crossed my desk and made their way to guest reviewers' VCRs. (Most of these videos are available from a variety of sources; the largest clearinghouse is Collage Video, 800-433-6769; www.collagevideo.com.)

"Basic Yoga Workout For Dummies" (45 minutes, $9.95, www.dummies.com). Reviewed by Mary Decker, 44, of Woodinville.

This video "admirably fulfilled my need for a no-nonsense primer," said Decker, whose previous yoga experience was limited to some postures in the warm-up and cool-down sessions of Denise Austin's TV exercise shows. "Absolute beginners, as well as fitness fans who have already dabbled in yoga, will like this step-by-step introduction to `The Daily Dozen.'" Sara Ivanhoe, creator of yoganation.com and star of the Crunch video "The Joy of Yoga," gently guides viewers through 12 essential standing, seated and lying poses, including pointers on breathing and modifications according to fitness level. Pop-up icons address yoga jargon, myths and "do's and don'ts." "The end result is a very enjoyable video which should give even the most timid or out-of-shape exerciser the confidence to explore yoga's appeal."

"Yoga Mama" (45 minutes, $14.98). Reviewed by Shannon Stepan, 39, of Poulsbo.

This video, part of the Crunch series, was perfect for Stepan, who lacked both energy and time to work out during her pregnancy. "The actual workout is about 35 minutes long," she said, "and it focuses entirely on stretching and relaxing, which are very good on joints that are swollen in preparation for childbirth," including special instruction for carpal tunnel syndrome, which Stepan also appreciated. The postures, based on Hatha Yoga poses, are designed to prepare the body for the changes that occur before, during and after labor. "You will definitely not receive any aerobic benefit from this workout," Stepan said, "but the stretching and relaxing techniques are important during pregnancy. The video is easy to follow, none of the moves are difficult, especially with the modified instructions, and it sure feels good when you are through."

"Kathy Smith's Kickboxing Workout with Keith Cooke" (46 minutes, $14.95). Reviewed by Phyllis Rowland, 44, of Seattle.

"I would rate it a B-plus," said Rowland, who described the routine as ranging from easy to difficult, and from low to high impact. "I think beginners would have difficulty with a number of the sets; I did, and I've gone to classes for a year." She found the "Euro-disco-techno" music annoying and thought some moves didn't flow well or were too fast for proper technique. She liked the warm-up, cool-down and the two bonus sessions at the end (buns/thighs, abs/back). "These I'll keep doing. The rest of the routine - probably not. One of the fun aspects to kickboxing is actually getting to kick and punch something - great stress relief! This you obviously miss doing the video. ... I would recommend this to only the laziest of kickboxers, for snow days, or as a supplement to an actual class, with a sensei or someone trained in kickboxing, a padded floor where you don't need shoes, and padded things to kick and punch!"

"Charlene Prickett's It Figures" (155 minutes, $30, 800-MORE-FIT; www.charleneprickett.com). Reviewed by Jean Miller, 59, of Anacortes.

This tape was donated by Jo-Anne Rosenberg, who thought other readers might like to know about Prickett's series, recorded for Canadian TV. Since one tape contains five shows, "This a lot of bang for your buck," said Miller. She found Prickett's step workouts sensible and vigorous and liked the toning programs, and would do them again. But Miller was bothered enough by "chatter breaks" to replace the batteries in her remote so she could fast-forward past them. She also would have appreciated seeing other intensity levels in one of the three demonstrators. "As a personality, Charlene doesn't come across as authoritative, but she's likeable and her advice, except for lowering fat intake to 10 percent, is sound."

"Danceworks!" (60 minutes, $19.99, 877-525-6655; www.greatmovesvideo.com). Reviewed by Mary Rosewood, 46, of Kirkland.

"In a word, this video is fun!" said Rosewood of the joint effort between Pro-Robics owner Kari Anderson and Pacific Northwest Ballet, the beneficiary of proceeds from the project. In the 40-minute cardio sequence (to a variety of popular music), "I couldn't tell when the warm-up ended and the actual workout began. Kari teaches the steps slowly but they pick up speed quickly. If you've taken dance before, you'll find this fairly easy to follow. If you haven't danced before, the foot combinations may get too complicated. But don't give up. When I got lost, I gave myself over to the rhythm and kept my feet going to my own dance steps." During some of the 20-minute mat work and stretch time, "I talked back to the ever-optimistic Kari: `I bend my knee in front of me and do WHAT with my back leg?!' But overall, I found the stretches graceful and satisfyingly challenging. ... I will dance with Kari and the PNB dancers for as long as the video holds together."

Molly Martin is assistant editor of Pacific Northwest magazine. She can be reached by calling 206-464-8243 or writing mmartin@seattletimes.com or The Seattle Times, P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98101.