Abundance and Miracles with Karena Virginia

Please note that unlike 90% of the reviews posted when I wrote this review, I do not know Karena Virginia personally nor have I taken a live class with her. I am a long time avid exercise dvd purchaser who enjoys adding Kundalini Yoga to the mix. I have at least ten Ana/Ravi dvds plus some dvds by other kundalini teachers. I actually bought this dvd because I was frustrated by the reviews on here from all her friends and students and wanted to see first hand if the dvd was legitimate - - and it is.The instructor is Karena Virginia. The music is from various dvds by Snatam Kaur who is one of my favorites. The instruction is done in voice over with Ms. Virgina doing the demonstration. The production value is very high and Ms. Virgina is stunning. The dvd is broken down into six parts and alternates between each part with a teaching/spoken session which is filmed outside or in natural light. The "set" appears to be the living room of a grand mansion and it is gorgeous. Ms. Virgina wears the standard white clothing and does her yoga on the also standard white fur rug.She opens with a 7:30 talk where in she describes what the intentions of the dvd are and explains important concepts. Then we move into the standard tune-in which is a recorded song by Snatam Kaur. (Note the dvd is chaptered so you can skip this after you have listened to it once if you want to.)Part 1 - Warm-up = this is a standard 10 minutes warm-up with moves that will be familiar to anyone who has done a kundalini dvd or taken a class.Part 2 - Flowing Energy - this kryia or set is to open energy fields and alternates strenuous exercises like frogs with slower ones like standing hip circles to make this an invigorating set without being too difficult. this set is 12 minutes.Part 3 - Abundance - this is the classic Yogi Bhajan kriya for the Auric Field that is done on Mantra Girl's first dvd. This section is approximately 12 minutes. This is one of my favorite kriya's and I do it often in my private practice usually followed by 11 minutes of changing the "Har" mantra. Note: this kriya is push-ups in downward dog with one leg lifted and then follows a seated series where you move the arms.Part 4 - Miracles - This section is 15 minutes and it is done seated and it is similar to the "endurance" style kryia's that Ravi/Ana have had on their newer dvds where you do a series or repeated movements for a long time which are usually arm movements in seated position. Mr. Virginia states that the theme of this exercise is ANGELS. A - align. N - now. G - gratitude. E - embrace. L - love. S - surrender. This one is challenging especially after having done the Auric Field kryia which was also focused on the arms. I have always felt the point of these "endurance" exercises is to move past the pain and into a moving meditation. Ms. Virginia paces the movements well and her music and spoken words are very motivating and help in keeping your arms lifted even when you want to stop.Part 5 - Deep Relaxation - Corpse pose with guided relaxation for 10 minutesPart 6 - Gratitude - She describes a beautiful meditation but she talks the whole time and I would have preferred she just did the mediation in a guided form. However, I really liked the mediation and will do it in my private practice. She then ends the dvd telling a personal story about how kundalini yoga and mediation has helped her in hard times. This section is eight minutes and her story is very moving.This is a good dvd and should appeal to people who enjoy this style of turbanless kundalini yoga dvds made popular by husband and wife team, Ana and Ravi. The production is one of the best I have seen for this style of dvd. The music is beautiful although a slightly move driving or rock beat might have helped in the Miracles section. As for the instructor, she is everything all her friends and students claim her to be in their reviews. Her aura shines very brightly and she is indeed a poster child for radiance and a shining aura. Her technique is superb and she has good cueing. Her voice is kind and gentle while always being easy to understand - - - HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

I am someone who purchased this DVD after amazon.com suggested it. I haven't taken Karena Virginia's class, but I wanted to give it a try in DVD format.I am a bit disappointed with the format of the DVD.For most computer users, Microsoft Media Player is the norm for DVD playing.This DVD is not in an effective format for that program. I am not, for example, able to fast forward with the slider.Segments are separated by a picture of a large rose and a title screen, making the practice choppy using this player.I fixed the problem using VLC media player, but I thought other potential purchasers should know thatthey will likely need to be proactive.As for the content, the scene changes were a bit awkward. They went from a lovely natural setting to a mansion. The purpose of the set must have been to increase production value, but the background was distracting to me, having just switched from greenery.I really enjoyed the music used. It was a very effective choice. There is quite a bit of instructive talking, but I happen to like some background to my kundalini. The personal story at the end of the DVD was very touching.The majority of this DVD is approachable for complete beginners or those reasonably familiar with kundalini yoga. There are a few poses that would be difficult for some with body problems or the unfit. If downward facing dog with your leg lifted up sounds like a nightmare to you (even though it's only a very brief part of the DVD), perhaps a more gentle practice would be appropriate.

Kundalini Yoga for Abundance and Miracles is just that...Abundance and Miracles! Karena is a gifted, special person who shares all of her self with everyone. Karena's depth of spirituality takes you beyond what you can ever expect. Her guidance is full of love and as you follow along, you are amazed at how different and wonderful you feel. That feeling stays with you and you look so forward to the next time. In your day to day activities, you will notice how Karena's beautiful words will come to you, all on their own. It's not the kind of DVD where you need to follow along, step by step, it just happens and flows naturally with Karena's beautiful voice and teachings. I am thankful to Karena for sharing her knowledge, grace and love...a true blessing. Thank you Karena for making a difference.

It is so annoying to have to fast forward through so much talking!I don't get why more teachers don't think to limit the jabbering to a specific segment on the dvd. That way beginners can learn what they need to, and intermediates and advanced don't have to listen to relentless talking. She even chattered through shivasana! It was a guided relaxation, but really, who needs someone to guide you to relax? I thought about it afterwards and realized that if I practiced to this dvd frequently, I would go berserk.Ms. Virginia's prompts to alert you to the next pose are inconsistent and often unclear, so I spent a lot of time with one eye open because she'd all of a sudden change to another position or pose without any clear prompt. And she doesn't actually tune in and tune out. She just plays song excerpts with the opening and closing mantras in them. Why doesn't she just tune in and out properly for heaven sake?Kundalini Yoga is the yoga of awareness and I am fully aware that I will never practice this yoga set again.

The exercises on this DVD are amazing. It has only been a couple of weeks since I have begun (I do the exercises daily for 40 days) and I've already noticed a change. The only real problem that I have with this DVD is that Karena talks WAY TOO MUCH! I have to constantly skip over her incessant blathering. Very annoying! Why she felt the need to talk throughout the DVD is beyond me.

Beautiful, released many subconscious blocks with this, and feel spiritually uplifted, optimistic and happy with good things already starting to come my way. It said region 1 on listing and region 2 in description. This one is region 2 as description so plays in UK. Well worth the purchase, love how it has made me feel. Thank you Karena :)

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