"Yoga Journal: The Flow Series: Earth, Water, Fire" (45 minutes each, $14.95 each, $39.95 for the three-video set; 800-544-3569; www.whitelotus.org. Reviewed by Carol Anne Durham, 55, of Mukilteo.

Tracey Rich and Ganga White demonstrate a complete daily Hatha Yoga practice in this series. Durham, who had tried yoga off and on since 1968 (when she bought a 75-cent paperback about it) but never with a video, found the emphasis on breathing familiar in the Earth workout, described on the box as "gentle, restorative, recharging." Although the practice is offered as an introduction for beginners as well as an alternative practice for the more experienced, Durham thought Rich and White showed some of the poses more than they explained, making them perhaps difficult to follow for a beginner. "Also, when they were going through the session they talked pretty much all the time, and I like it when you get into the position and have just the music so the meditative element can be used." Geared toward all students, the Water tape aims to develop strength and refinement using a variety of floor and standing poses. "I found some inverted positions hard on my lower back, and I think anyone who has any problem with that just needs to modify or omit certain parts of the workout," Durham said. The Fire practice works on aerobic endurance, strength and flexibility. "This one is for more experienced people who are in very good shape."

Fitness news you can use Reviewers wanted It's time again to update our list of volunteer reviewers of exercise videos. If you'd like to be included, fill out our video reviewer form online. Or you may send a 3-by-5 card to Video Reviewers, On Fitness, Pacific Northwest magazine, The Seattle Times, P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111. Include your name, date of birth, address, day and evening phone numbers, types of exercise videos preferred, exercise equipment you own, and whether you have a DVD player. Throughout the year I try to match videos I've received with prospective reviewers. If selected, you'll receive a video, guidelines and a deadline for a review of several paragraphs; the video will be yours to keep. (If you've signed up in the past, please do so again, since this group will update and replace the previous one.) India meets Italy, at sea Yoga Journal magazine is planning what it calls the first yoga conference at sea. The one-week "Yoga Cruise," which will include workshops, seminars, panel discussions and special evening entertainment, is planned to set sail Feb. 2, 2003 from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Featured yoga teachers include Baron Baptiste, Beryl Bender Birch, Lilias Folan, Shiva Rea and Rodney Yee. The 960-foot CostaAtlantica, flagship of Costa Cruise Lines, is filled with Italian art and design. Ports of call include in Key West, Cozumel, Jamaica and Grand Cayman. Information: www.yogacruise.com or 888-367-2842.

"Crunch Total Yoga: Fat Burning Yoga and The Joy of Yoga," (75-minute DVD, $14.95; 800-433-6769; www.collagevideo.com). Reviewed by Theresa Martin, 56, of Sultan.

This DVD contains two Crunch programs. The Joy of Yoga, which runs 35 minutes, is good for a beginner, says Martin. "The poses/stretches will look familiar to anyone who does exercise videos, as these techniques are employed in Jane Fonda's and Cindy Crawford's videos and, I would guess, lots of others. But the instructor emphasizes the difference of breathing in yoga." Fat Burning Yoga runs 40 minutes, offering poses of increasing difficulty (although demonstrating a range of intensity) and including an abdominal sequence, which Martin found quite difficult. "I would recommend Total Yoga to women in my own age group," Martin said. "The younger generation might find it a bit tame."

"Yoga Fusion: Strength & Sculpt" (47 minutes, $14.98, 800-203-0707; www.amazon.com. Reviewed by Clara Komar, 31, of Shoreline.

Komar liked this first of two videos in the Yoga Fusion series, which blends yoga, Pilates, qi gong, dance, core conditioning and sculpting exercises. "I thought it provided a good, well-rounded workout. Even though it is low-impact, it definitely makes you break a sweat and works all of your main muscle groups." The demonstrators use exercise balls and hand weights but show modified moves without them. Komar thought it was fun as well as challenging, but cautions that it's probably best for intermediate or advanced people familiar with yoga poses: "It requires a lot of flexibility to do some of the moves in this video."

"Yoga Fusion: Power" (48 minutes, $14.98, 800-203-0707; www.amazon.com). Reviewed by Loreen Sako, 41, of Edmonds.

"I just couldn't enjoy this video," said Sako, despite trying it more than the three times we ask of guest reviewers. "It was not fun at all, but more importantly it did not pay much attention to proper technique and form. I don't have an extensive yoga background, but am familiar with it enough to follow. Unfortunately, Yoga Fusion performs more intermediate/advanced moves and beginners would have a difficult time following the workout." She thought instructor Teigh McDonough went through poses too quickly, without initial demonstrations, and offered too few modifications for those with problem knees, backs or necks.

Molly Martin is assistant editor of Pacific Northwest magazine. She can be reached at 206-464-8243, mmartin@seattletimes.com or P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111.

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