Chakras have been my focus these past two days. I didn't plan to work my chakras, but I thought that with my being sick this past week, chakras would be a good thing to work on. I've been listening to my body's wisdom all week and these past few days, it was calling for chakra work. Why not listen, right? The body wants what the body wants (or, at least, mine does).
I started yesterday with the latest release from Acacia and Sharon Gannon -- Chakra Balancing Yoga. I've reviewed a few of Sharon's other DVDs and they've been solid. In the interest of full disclosure, I must admit that I'm not a Jivamukti fan. I've found the preachiness that underlies and overshadows the yoga to be a bit much. Still, I like to approach each new DVD with an open mind. And that's exactly what I did as I unfurled my yoga mat yesterday.
I enjoyed the Bija seed sound chants woven throughout the practice. Sharon's chanting was melodic and a nice change of pace from the repetitive usual. While I expected chanting during this chakra balancing practice, I didn't expect the extra added bonus of what felt like Metta woven throughout as well. After coming into a pose, you would send blessings and love to a person (someone that has hurt you or that you've hurt or that is special to you) or later in the practice to the Universe (then you would chant). The DVD is marketed as a mind-body-spirit practice, and I have to say that I completely agree. The addition of the Metta transformed this practice from ordinary to extraordinary.
While the pace of the practice is slow, I would say that this is a strengthening practice, as the postures are held for the duration of the Metta and the chanting. My concern with the practice itself was that there seemed like precious little prep and perhaps not enough counterposes to counteract the strain of holding the poses for such long periods, but my body didn't feel any ill effects afterwards. In fact, I felt wonderful after practicing with this DVD.
Unfortunately, about a quarter to half way through the DVD, Sharon got on her soapbox about vegetarianism. I tried to tune her out, but her request that we ask for forgiveness for eating animals got through to my brain. I don't eat meat, yet I still get annoyed every time Sharon Gannon and/or David Life add these little comments into their teaching. I realize that this is a cause of theirs and I think it's an admirable one to support. However, just as I believe in separation of yoga and religion, I believe in separation of yoga and preachiness for vegetarianism. I've heard David Life speak about vegetarianism as a form of Ahimsa. I've been to a Jivamukti workshop in which I was given what could best be called vegetarianism propaganda. I don't like it. I don't like the judgment behind it -- frankly, it doesn't feel like Ahimsa to me.
That one comment dimmed my enthusiasm over this DVD, but I can't say I was surprised to hear it. Usually, Sharon and David's views on vegetarianism make their way into every yoga DVD that they produce. That aside, this DVD is solid. The holding time for each posture is long and there is Headstand at the end of the practice, so beginners should think about modifications, but this sequence combined with the metta-esque ritual and the chanting makes for a lovely practice. You can get a taste of the DVD below:
Today my journey through the chakras continued, but this time with ISHTA Yoga founder and master yogi, Alan Finger. This morning I worked with his book, Chakra Yoga: Balancing Energy for Physical, Spiritual, and Mental Well-Being, and the companion CD. Not only does the book have brief, 10-minute practices to awaken each chakra, but it also has an extended practice that addresses all 7. I worked with the longer practice and then enjoyed the almost hour-long combination of nadi shodhana and meditation that was offered on the CD. This is my first experience with Alan Finger, and I must admit that it had left me wanting more. There's an ISHTA open house coming up at the end of the month (in NYC), and I just might attend to get a better feel for Alan and his practice.
The practice offered in the book is a lovely balance of standing, seated and lying postures and since you set the pace, it's perfect for yogis of all levels. None of the poses are too challenging for the beginner, yet a more advanced student can build on a few of the postures to include more difficult asana (if so desired). I kept things simple this morning and went with the practice laid out in the book.
The CD was a pleasant surprise. The approximately 40-minute chakra meditation (which included visualization and the chanting of the Bija mantras) left me feeling balanced and ready for the day. Alan's deep and hypnotic voice was soothing and never pulled me from my deeply peaceful state. I definitely see myself using this CD again.
It would seem my body is right again -- the chakras are where it's at for me this weekend. Although I didn't work with it this weekend, I do have another chakra resource to recommend -- it's A Chakra and Kundalini Workbook by John Mumford. I've used this workbook in the past and it's filled with excellent exercises for anyone who's serious about working with his/her chakra system.
I'm ending my week on a healthier note, I'm happy to say. My chakras got a good workout these past few days and I'm feeling more like myself. Now it's time for a fabulous week filled with health, yoga, and fun!
Chakras have been my focus these past two days. I didn't plan to work my chakras, but I thought that with my being sick this past week, chakras would be a good thing to work on. I've been listening to my body's wisdom all week and these past few days, it was calling for chakra work. Why not listen, right? The body wants what the body wants (or, at least, mine does).
I started yesterday with the latest release from Acacia and Sharon Gannon -- Chakra Balancing Yoga. I've reviewed a few of Sharon's other DVDs and they've been solid. In the interest of full disclosure, I must admit that I'm not a Jivamukti fan. I've found the preachiness that underlies and overshadows the yoga to be a bit much. Still, I like to approach each new DVD with an open mind. And that's exactly what I did as I unfurled my yoga mat yesterday.
I enjoyed the Bija seed sound chants woven throughout the practice. Sharon's chanting was melodic and a nice change of pace from the repetitive usual. While I expected chanting during this chakra balancing practice, I didn't expect the extra added bonus of what felt like Metta woven throughout as well. After coming into a pose, you would send blessings and love to a person (someone that has hurt you or that you've hurt or that is special to you) or later in the practice to the Universe (then you would chant). The DVD is marketed as a mind-body-spirit practice, and I have to say that I completely agree. The addition of the Metta transformed this practice from ordinary to extraordinary.
While the pace of the practice is slow, I would say that this is a strengthening practice, as the postures are held for the duration of the Metta and the chanting. My concern with the practice itself was that there seemed like precious little prep and perhaps not enough counterposes to counteract the strain of holding the poses for such long periods, but my body didn't feel any ill effects afterwards. In fact, I felt wonderful after practicing with this DVD.
Unfortunately, about a quarter to half way through the DVD, Sharon got on her soapbox about vegetarianism. I tried to tune her out, but her request that we ask for forgiveness for eating animals got through to my brain. I don't eat meat, yet I still get annoyed every time Sharon Gannon and/or David Life add these little comments into their teaching. I realize that this is a cause of theirs and I think it's an admirable one to support. However, just as I believe in separation of yoga and religion, I believe in separation of yoga and preachiness for vegetarianism. I've heard David Life speak about vegetarianism as a form of Ahimsa. I've been to a Jivamukti workshop in which I was given what could best be called vegetarianism propaganda. I don't like it. I don't like the judgment behind it -- frankly, it doesn't feel like Ahimsa to me.
That one comment dimmed my enthusiasm over this DVD, but I can't say I was surprised to hear it. Usually, Sharon and David's views on vegetarianism make their way into every yoga DVD that they produce. That aside, this DVD is solid. The holding time for each posture is long and there is Headstand at the end of the practice, so beginners should think about modifications, but this sequence combined with the metta-esque ritual and the chanting makes for a lovely practice. You can get a taste of the DVD below:
Today my journey through the chakras continued, but this time with ISHTA Yoga founder and master yogi, Alan Finger. This morning I worked with his book, Chakra Yoga: Balancing Energy for Physical, Spiritual, and Mental Well-Being, and the companion CD. Not only does the book have brief, 10-minute practices to awaken each chakra, but it also has an extended practice that addresses all 7. I worked with the longer practice and then enjoyed the almost hour-long combination of nadi shodhana and meditation that was offered on the CD. This is my first experience with Alan Finger, and I must admit that it had left me wanting more. There's an ISHTA open house coming up at the end of the month (in NYC), and I just might attend to get a better feel for Alan and his practice.
The practice offered in the book is a lovely balance of standing, seated and lying postures and since you set the pace, it's perfect for yogis of all levels. None of the poses are too challenging for the beginner, yet a more advanced student can build on a few of the postures to include more difficult asana (if so desired). I kept things simple this morning and went with the practice laid out in the book.
The CD was a pleasant surprise. The approximately 40-minute chakra meditation (which included visualization and the chanting of the Bija mantras) left me feeling balanced and ready for the day. Alan's deep and hypnotic voice was soothing and never pulled me from my deeply peaceful state. I definitely see myself using this CD again.
It would seem my body is right again -- the chakras are where it's at for me this weekend. Although I didn't work with it this weekend, I do have another chakra resource to recommend -- it's A Chakra and Kundalini Workbook by John Mumford. I've used this workbook in the past and it's filled with excellent exercises for anyone who's serious about working with his/her chakra system.
I'm ending my week on a healthier note, I'm happy to say. My chakras got a good workout these past few days and I'm feeling more like myself. Now it's time for a fabulous week filled with health, yoga, and fun!
Namaste!