Kundalini Yoga to Detox and De-stress [DVD]

I had to come back and edit my comments. I need to begin with quite a few things.1) I hate exercise and desperately needed to lose at LEAST five or more stone.2) I had been struggling with weight issues combined with thyroid dysfunction (previous graves then to hypo) I had NO strength in (primarily) my legs, but also some in my arms. Despite using weights, resistance bands, exercise bike, power walks - I was having serious difficulty doing any type of work out - including many types of yoga.3) I am a long-time devotee of Pilates. The only work out session I seemed to be able to do and would make a difference (absolutely!)4) This sat on my table for 3 weeks - I eventually did it.Here's what happened for the first few times...First time I did this session I found it to be very simplistic (having never done Kundalini yoga before) but I found it MUCH preferred over the other styles of yoga I had tried. This is mostly seated (one set on the back for bridge pose - careful reps) and one other cat/cow (on hands and knees) to do leg extensions. The rest is seated and then at the very end 'deep relaxation.' The FIRST time I did this whole session (and managed to do it from beginning to end. IT WAS HARD - but REALLY GOOD.I found that I put it off for about a week, and then tried it again. The next time, I found that if I DIDNT match her speed on some of the movements, I did OK!!! I can think back to WHEN I first began this journey how challenging it was DESPITE how very passive (and wonderful) this dvd is. Maya - is *amazing* and gifted teacher.AFTER the first few times - I found myself wanting to do this more and more. I can now say that I have been doing this for about three years. In that time my fitness levels have changed *Drastically* - mind you - after SIX MONTHS of doing this (and walking here and there) - I dropped a dress size. Continued to work on better eating. But I began to crave different movement to balance/compliment my kundalini yoga sessions.To me - this is NOT A WORK OUT but a *session* - it's a mind-body-heart and spirit expedition...I require NO noise beyond my closed door..and most times I have the wall/fireplace going - having the room nice and warm really intensified the experience. Though be warned - toward the end when you're doing 'cat/cow' leg extensions - you may want to turn any heating off.NOW - bear in mind - this was not THE SOLE reason why I have NOW LOST FIVE STONE.I DID somehow manage to acquire a pinched sciatic nerve - which various poses in the Kundalini yoga seemed to aggrivate.I managed to find a 'yoga for back pain' dvd ( copy and paste: Yoga To The Rescue - Back Pain [DVD] ) - which at first seems a bit daft but its about RETRAINING your body mechanics AND healing any lower back and hip problems. It took about 2-3 months before I could get back into the Kundalini yoga. I still had some problems, but I needed to find which poses/postures were aggravating my hips, pinched nerve and back.After another month I managed to isolate which were the culprits. I have modified some and eliminated one entirely (bridge pose reps - I do specific stretches from the back yoga dvd that time beautifully before the next transition).With these things in mind - if you have a bad back - I strongly urge you to 1) either GET the Yoga To The Rescue - Back Pain [DVD] and LEARN the body mechanics. OR - just be careful in your movements and postures with Maya.I like to do a gentle rocking back and forth in 'easy pose' (lotus) to get a good solid foundation and relax.I like to rest my back and legs in-between - differently than how she shows (leaning back to the couch, gently extending my legs) - this is also a good opportunity to grab a nearby tissue to make sure your nose is clear. Kundalini yoga is a LOT about BREATHING through the nose. (if it's not clear - it's annoying! and embarassing ;) lol)The other things I integrated with my journey -Tai Chi, Tai Chi for weight loss by Scott ColePilates (my old routine for the last 20 some odd years)Power walksExercise bike with resistance bands wrapped around the handlesMostly I would say I am a passive exerciser...lolI DESPISE 'exercise' and having to beat myself to a sweaty pulp just to get results.I now eat much better - not perfect! I still have pizza and nibble on biscuits or something. But I have learned the moderation trick! (portions and preparation makes for A LOT)BUT - back to the DVD - when you are trying this for the first time. you will feel inclined to try and keep up. Relax...breathe and do your best - THAT IS ALL you need to do. I firmly believe that by the end of your first session you will feel *Good*BE Careful with your posture - how you hold your core. And do not over extend beyond your own flexibility - just do what is *naturally* within your reach or comfort zone.BE careful with going too far in 'range of motion' - hands to shoulders twisting side to side - breathing in to the left breathing out - to the right - it is VERY EASY to twist too far - make sure you create a SOLID base in easy pose - I also find that slightly lifting my legs helps to maintain this. --- you will find that there are potentially a few that may need modifications (or how many reps..if there are too many reps - then do it in 'half time'!!) but mind you this isn't all about 'repetitions' really.What I have found is that the MORE you focus...and 'go within' - the LESS you are aware that you are INCREASING your fitness levels. Increasing oxygen levels. Flexibility, strength and stamina. It's non-existant in this session!! IFFFFFF you focus...and really attune yourself with the breathing.I used to have to do this dvd with my eyes open through the entire session. Now for the most part, I do it - with my eyes closed.By the time I finish - I am so......SO glad that I did it.YES I moan some days I don't feel like doing anything - I just might not! But if I know it's been a few days I say GET OUT OF MY HEAD and just DO! JUST DO IT!!! REPEAT: GET OUT OF MY HEAD and JUST DO!!Take this workout/session slowly, carefully and most importantly *mindfully* - it is a journey of a thousand steps in under an hour. but is SO thorough, and ultimately so wonderful - to me it's like stepping into a warm bath that gives a mind-body and soul massage...and the irony...being that I AM ALLERGIC To exercise :P I've gotten in a good hour of yoga. A lot of times I will finish doing a sequence I've created FROM the back yoga dvd - this is to help maintain the work I've achieved (which winds up being anywhere from an additional 20-45 mins after the Kundalini yoga).Maya is a very gifted and generous teacher. Just relax and go with it. If it gets too difficult, slow down (mind you it's not fast - at all, you'd have to get it to understand what I mean). Also you may want to try looking it up on YouTube to see if you can get a good preview.I love - this dvd - very much. It has changed my life. I've not only lost 5 stone and then some, but am *still going*This dvd is a TOP PRIORITY above ANYTHING Else in my 'fitness' endeavors.IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO THIS DVD FOR WEIGHT LOSS - it can be a start. But don't expect miracles, get lost in the beauty of the experience!!! Once I let go of 'all things' and dove in head on, before I knew it - I'd dropped that dress size.IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO DESTRESS......this really can release... A LOT. but again - just relax - focux, go with it.Do not expect miracles from any 'dvd' - you - and you alone are the one who makes the decision to do - or not to do. And how much you put into it. -- this...to me, requires - that you take EVERYTHING out of your head and FOCUS.....on what you're doing. IF YOU DO this you will reap the benefits of this session...and the more you do it - the more amazing and euphoric it becomes!I do not practice the 'kunalini yoga faith' per se. But the imagery and mantras used are powerful and resonating.LASTLY - now nearly three years later, I am subtly surprised that the session is OVER because I was fully integrated with my session.It's *wonderful* - but do be careful with your positions, range of motion, etc. Best of wishes!!

I am a single mother of 2 and I have sickle cell anaemia, an inherited blood disorder that often causes me to be in crippling pain for days at a time. I love going for long meditative walks when I'm strong enough, but the cold can be very discouraging as it can bring about painful crisis. I bought an exercise bike to eliminate the excuse of cold weather, and while I did use it, over the past couple of months it has gradually become a glorified clothes horse and is, as I write being used to dry my bath towel. I bought this DVD on recommendation by a friend, and was further assured of how good it is by the reviews of others here before me. Even so, I still didn't take it out of its packaging til about 3 weeks later and even then, the first time I put it in to my DVD player it was just to be able to tell my friend I'd 'followed' it. Well, it was hard not to take part and before I knew it I was doing the whole thing on my bed. I was unable to complete some of the exercises, but I'd say I got through about 85% of it. I got so into it, that I soon found myself on the floor in my room on all fours in I think what is called kat-kow position?! I actually look forward to exercising now. This is coming from someone who has had a pilates DVD sat by my bedside for the past 6 months gathering dust (I also have a Barbara Curry yoga DVD that has sat firmly on the shelf for the past 4/5 years). If I had only known of this DVD before purchasing my bike, I'd have a lot more space in my room and a bit more money in the bank.The thing about sickle cell is the limited ability of the red blood cells to mobilise oxygen throughout the body, so this kind of yoga is brilliant, as much of the focus is the breath and the exercises are gentle enough to strengthen and tone without crisis being an outcome. Thus far I'm on week four and I do Maya's DVD 3-4 times a week, but I now want to try adding a couple more days where I just do the warm up. I don't really have weight to lose, so I can't comment on that, but what is important is that I am dedicating time to my personal self developement. What I can say is, that I have much more energy and climbing the stairs no long has my legs screaming for mercy while I fight to get my breath back.Spirituality is an important aspect of my life; I had been wanting to strenghten my body and also give more focus to meditation and this covers both of those needs as well as nurtures my soul. Maya is a wonderful teacher, whose guidance is descriptive enough to follow with your eyes closed and yet doesn't drown the experience with constant talking. I love how her words of encouragement come at the right time and the reminders to 'smile' really make this the best ever exercise DVD I've ever owned. I now make a ritual of it by lighting a candle, burning incense and having some of my crystals in close proximity. I'd recommend anyone to buy and follow this DVD not just for the sake of adding a little more movement to your life, but because YOU are WORTH all the benefits that come with the journey it takes you on.------ Update ------Sooooo it's now about a year and 3months later and I've come back to update my review. There are other reviewers who commented on how one's fertility could be resurrected... well my reason for taking so long to write this is because a month after my initial review I fell pregnant! After having my last child 13 years ago, I was too damn stunned to do anything more than muddle through the first 3 months in a daze. I have since given birth, and for how difficult both the pregnancy and labour were, I was unable to continue with any form of exercise at all. After the birth of my son by last minute cesarean, I could barely get out of bed let alone walk anywhere and I fell into a depression. Fortunately, although I took such a big time out, my will was strong enough to have me finally put my foot down to stop myself falling any deeper into my personal abyss.I decided to get my life back on track and start exercising again, but my health had deteriorated to the point of no longer being able to take a walk around my house let alone down the street. Everything I tried made me feel like more of a failure until I remembered I owned this DVD! Why on earth I was trying to reinvent the wheel by looking for other forms of exercise, I really do not know, but I am glad that I came back to my senses eventually. Doing it again for the first time made me cry for how much my body needed this, and also for the fact I was actually able to complete it. I finally felt like I had accomplished something for me. My husband who had been over-protective about my trying so hard to get back into exercise, actually encourages me with this as he knows it is gentle and won't have me do myself an injury by ripping my stitches or provoking a sickle cell pain episode. I'm looking forward to losing my baby belly without feeling like I'm doing more harm than good, but more importantly, I feel like I have found 'me' again. I cannot recommend this DVD highly enough, but for any women out there who do not want any more children, please do take added precaution. I thought my baby making days were over, but was gravely mistaken.Obviously as with any course of exercise, the dedication to embark on the journey to fitness starts with you, but Maya's routine and pleasant disposition (in my opinion) make this yoga DVD a cut above the rest. Once you get started, the short and long term benefits are priceless. You owe yourself the opportunity to become a better you, and with dedication and minimal effort, this DVD will help get you there.

dvd kundalini yoga ist gut gemacht. einfach, verstaendliche uebung. man merkt nur dass die stimme nicht original ist, aber sonst zufrieden.

Un vrai moment de bien-être tout en faisant travailler son corps et en calmant son esprit. Chaque partie du corps travaille, mais en douceur. Une séance comme je les aime!

I have been a yoga practitioner for most of my 61 years. I have never found a fitness program as effective as this one for detoxing and de-stressing.As an author and a web developer, my lifestyle had gotten very sedentary in recent years. I allowed deadlines to push exercise to the sidelines and developed work habits that led eventually to an increasingly debilitating autoimmune disorder. I badly needed to get back into shape, so I returned to my tried and true Hatha Yoga, but to no avail. Bikram did not do the job. Raquel's demanding routine helped but went only so far. Shiva Rea was a treat for the eyes, but the yoga style was not so effective for me. A handful of other DVDs were purchased but soon passed on to friends.Nothing moved my rapidly aging body back toward wellness until I found this DVD. Within days of its arrival, my body was singingly happy and had started to shed unwanted pounds. In less than a month of daily practice, I had lost over 6 pounds and several inches, my blood tests had improved, and my energy level had reached heights I'd assumed were long gone. I felt 10 years younger. I quickly ordered the other Maya Fiennes DVDs and am still waiting eagerly for the two sets from the UK to arrive.Despite my years of yoga experience, Kundalini yoga was totally new to me. Thank goodness, Maya Fiennes is an extraordinary teacher. This DVD is challenging in the beginning but even a total beginner or someone in poor health can catch the moves readily with Maya's instruction. The DVD contains a most amazing set of postures, and Maya's pacing is wonderful and intimate, as if she can see right into one's being and accurately gauge one's level of fitness. The music is exhilarating, to say the least. My husband joined me on the first viewing and is totally hooked. These days, he is usually the one to get me off my computer and back to work on my yoga mat. In fact, I think he's a little bit in love with Maya. She's genuinely inspiring, sincere and just so darn cute!This DVD is perfect in every regard. I encourage every yoga lover I know to order a copy and have probably hand-sold at least a dozen copies in the last month. It gets my highest recommendation.

I really like this Kundalini yoga set. The music is done by Maya and works well with each exercise. Workouts are so much easier when you love the soundtrack. I like that she holds each exercise for longer durations than other kundalini yoga dvd's I have tried. This to me activates your mind and willpower more and provides tremendous benefits. This workout is very doable for anyone including beginners, but still enjoyable to those who have done kundalini yoga for awhile. I like that the length of the workout is just under 60 minutes as well.

Diese Kundalini Yoga DVD von Maya Fiennes ist die zweite, die ich von ihr gekauft habe. Und wieder bin ich begeistert!Das schöne daran: diese DVD ist definitiv auch für Anfänger geeignet. Die Aufwärm-Übungen sind alle klassische Übungen des Kundalini Yoga und die zum eigentlichen Stress-Abbau sind ebenfalls gut nachzumachen.Kundalini Yoga ist eine dynamische Form des Yogas. Es gibt keine starren Haltungen, sondern alle Übungen werden im Fluss gemacht. Die Gefahr von Zerrungen oder Überbeanspruchung ist gering. Wenn man noch nicht so fit ist, macht man alles einfach ein bisschen langsamer. Die Kundalini Yoga Übungen haben nichts mit Wettbewerb zu tun, sondern sind für Körper und Geist wohltuende Bewegungen. Trotzdem sind sie sportlich, es wird einem warm und man fühlt sich nachher sehr wohl und entspannt. Wer Kundalini Yoga noch nicht kennt: man muss sich darauf einlassen. Es sind nicht einfach nur gymnastische Übungen, sondern sie haben zu tun mit dem ganzen Menschen: Körper, Seele, Geist.Die DVD beginnt mit einer Einführung über Kundalini Yoga. Der Yoga-Unterricht schließt an mit Aufwärmübungen und danach Übungen gegen Stress, konkret für den Abbau von Adrenalin, das bei Stress in den Nieren und Nebennieren produziert wird. Der Ablauf endet mit einer Entspannung und dem anschließenden Zusammenholen der entstandenen Energien durch das Reiben von Fußsohlen und Händen. Beginn und Ende sind jeweils das Chanten eines Mantras, so wie es im Kundalini Yoga üblich ist.Besonders schön finde ich die wiederholte Aufforderung, doch zu lächeln, denn "Yoga soll Spaß machen". Das liebe ich am Kundalini Yoga. Anders als in anderen Yoga Formen geht es hier um das Wohlfühlen, um die Liebe, um die Freude am Tun und am Leben.Die Aufnahmen sind vor weißem Hintergrund gedreht, so dass keine Landschafts- oder andere Bilder einen ablenken. Ich finde das sehr sympathisch, da ich ohnehin meist die Augen geschlossen habe.Die Sprache dieser DVD ist Deutsch und man kann auch nicht die Original-Sprache (Englisch) wählen, was ich schade finde. Dennoch: die Synchronisation ist wirklich gut, die Stimme sympathisch und angenehm.Die Musik setzt sich aus modernen Yogaklängen zusammen: nicht typischerweise ruhige Töne, sondern durchaus peppige. Sie passen sehr gut zu den Übungen und ich bin zufrieden damit.Ich gebe dieser DVD 5 Sterne. Wer konkret Übungen sucht, um für sich und gegen den Stress und die damit einhergehenden chemischen Prozesse im Körper etwas zu tun, ohne dafür erst ausführliche Studien betreiben zu wollen, für den ist diese DVD absolut empfehlenswert.