My latest yoga inspiration

I haven't been doing as much yoga lately as I should / want to be and a lot of it has to do with the fact that I don't like the first two chakra DVDs by Maya Fiennes. (It was her detox and de-stress DVD that got me hooked so I've also bought 'A journey through the chakras' on seven DVDs.)

It's not fair to dismiss the second one so quickly, actually, because I've only done the first section. This consists of the Five Tibetans. I start off thinking, "Ha ha, this is so easy" but by the time I've reached the fourth or fifth exercise I'm feeling slightly nauseous. Does this ever happen to you?

I don't want a difficult DVD to put me off yoga, though, so I've turned to another one for now: Yoga for stress relief. This made a magazine's top ten of the best fitness DVDs and it has lots of positive reviews on amazon.




You can choose from 20 routines, depending on your 'issues' and how much time you have (very useful info!). For example: exercises for insomnia issues (35 mins), tension headaches (45 mins), mood uplift (30 mins), anxiety relief (40 mins), indigestion (25 mins)...





The setting couldn't be prettier. In the background you can see white sand, turquoise water and palm trees swaying in the wind (Antigua, apparently).





I wish they had turned up the volume on the music, though - it is far too faint and I can hardly hear it. I also wish it would let us know when a routine has come to an end. I tried out the 20-minute "deep rest" and fell asleep. I don't like to sleep during the day without setting an alarm because... consider my nightmare scenario: I'm snoring away on the floor in front of the TV, whilst my son sits all alone in a dark, empty kindergarten because I forgot to pick him up! 


Can you recommend any other yoga DVDs? 
Source URL: http://plasticsurgerycelebrities.blogspot.com/search/label/Yoga
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Relax on 8820 spikes?!

When you first come across this curious thing, you're likely to touch it with your fingers or hand. Ouch!


But the yantra mat promises better sleep, more energy, stress and pain relief. Sold!


Anything, I thought, that will improve blood circulation and reduce backaches. Even if it means lying down on 8,820 spikes!





Apparently this is based on the ancient healing art of acupressure and improves blood flow by stimulating various parts of the body.


After 10-20 minutes of lying on the mat, I have a pretty pattern of 'holes' in my back. But it feels great. Since starting this, my chronic shoulder-arm-back pains have almost completely disappeared. I have had these pains for YEARS! And I have never been able to get rid of them.

Sometimes I even fall asleep on this thing!


It's not just for the back, though. I roll the mat with the spikes on the outside and prop my legs on it. I sit on it. I even stand on it. I also put my head on it to massage the scalp. 

I have become so dependent on this - I use it every day! - that I was happy to read that it travels well, too. All you have to do is take out the foam mat and just pack the spiky cover in your suitcase.


Do be careful when handling the mat. If you accidentally brush your hand or foot against the spikes, you'll get nasty scratches and some bleeding even! (excuse: "It was my cat.")

A very similar mat was featured in the May issue of Tatler:




It's worth trying out! Let me know how you get on. 
Source URL: http://plasticsurgerycelebrities.blogspot.com/search/label/Yoga
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Who knows Yogalosophy?

I read recently that Jennifer Aniston and Victoria Beckham keep in shape with Yogalosophy. As far as I understand, it's sort of yoga (not taken seriously) + toning exercises.




It sounds interesting but the DVD gets mixed reviews... like there's too much talking, there's no flow, the workouts are not diverse enough.

Is it worth getting? Has anyone tried it out yet?Source URL: http://plasticsurgerycelebrities.blogspot.com/search/label/Yoga
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Listen to Long Time Sun

I heard this in my yoga class and was so moved that I downloaded it from iTunes that same day.

It's a mantra that you sing at the end of a Kundalini yoga session. It's great for relaxing - just lie down, close your eyes and listen.

I felt a bit uncomfortable buying 'new age' music... a first for me... it sounds so freaky! But actually it is a beautiful piece of music in a genre that I had never explored before. Her voice sounds so 'pure' and sincere.

Check it out:
Long Time Sun by Snatam Kaur.Source URL: http://plasticsurgerycelebrities.blogspot.com/search/label/Yoga
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How to use all (eight) of Maya Fiennes' DVDs

Maya Fiennes has made eight yoga DVDs so far. Seven of these DVDs specifically address the chakras, which (as far as I could tell) should be stimulated from the spine to the head. So my question was: how are we supposed to use them? Is there a particular order we should do them in? And where does the Detox and De-stress DVD fit in?

I decided to ask them directly and was amazed at how quickly I got a response (same day). I wanted to share the information:

1. Start with the Detox and De-stress DVD. 
Work on these exercises first. When comfortable and familiar with them, move onto the Chakra set.

2. The Chakra series should be tackled in order from the lower (Chakra 1) to the upper (Chakra 7).
Important: make sure you "clear" each chakra before moving onto the next one. What does that mean? A chakra is "cleared" when you feel "light-headed and slightly elevated". How long will that take? That depends on you.

3. When you have worked your way through all of the Chakra DVDs in order, then you can use whichever DVD suits your needs or moods.

Visit her website: Maya SpaceSource URL: http://plasticsurgerycelebrities.blogspot.com/search/label/Yoga
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My yoga ritual

Yoga is something I want to enjoy and look forward to doing.... with a little help from these friends.

1. Brew some tea. 
It's always good to drink and I never drink enough. So I make a pot of Aveda's comforting tea.





If you make it right, it can taste really sweet, even though there's no sugar in it. It's still a matter of trial and error for me but it has to do with using the right amount of tea leaves - the more the sweeter. But it's quite an expensive tea so you don't want to use too much. Trying to get the right balance is not easy. Also, infuse for longer and it becomes sweeter.

2. Keep a scented room spray within reach.
I have another product from Aveda.






There are different scented sprays for each of the chakras. I only liked the smell of chakra 2.

There's so much breathing through the nose in Kundalini yoga that it's nice to spray it in the room. I do find that I have to re-spray it every now and then because the scent is quite light and doesn't linger.

3. Have a blanket ready.
I love the fleece blankets from Ikea. Even if you only do the short warm-up sequence, you should relax afterwards - lie on your back in Corpse Pose with eyes closed. My body cools down so I stay warm with a blanket.

4. Music.
Only if I'm not doing a full session (one whole DVD), I like to have my yoga music playlist ready for the relaxation part. It really helps me relax, unwind and not get bored. As Maya Fiennes says in her book, "(relaxation) is when the body processes the information it has received, rests and absorbs the changes and the healing."


All we have to do is make time... maybe that should be number one on this list.Source URL: http://plasticsurgerycelebrities.blogspot.com/search/label/Yoga
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Yawners in yoga class

I have been going to a Kundalini yoga class. I wouldn't say that these classes are much better than Maya Fiennes' DVDs - not at all. In fact, I think I prefer doing yoga by myself.

One of the reasons why I prefer to do it at home is because there is usually someone in the class who is annoying. Often it is a loud breather. Yes, the breathing is an integral part of yoga, but some people exaggerate so much that you can't even hear your own breathing. How is anyone else supposed to be able to concentrate on their own breathing (and go at their own pace) when there is someone practically snoring in the same room?

Luckily, the loud breather stopped attending this class after the first session.

But the yawner is still there.

I can understand why anyone would yawn. Some of the exercises are so relaxing that you just want to fall asleep. But there is an acceptable way of yawning - quietly - and an unacceptable way.

She yawns in every class. And she does it so loudly that I can hear her when she's sitting two rows behind me. It is incredibly irritating!

Please, if you are one of these people, be considerate and tone it down.Source URL: http://plasticsurgerycelebrities.blogspot.com/search/label/Yoga
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Chakra 1: Courage (Kundalini Yoga with Maya Fiennes)

I'm moving onto the next Kundalini Yoga DVD by Maya Fiennes. It doesn't mean I'm going to abandon the Detox and De-stress one. But I'm eager to learn more, and well, doing the same DVD every day threatens to become boring.

It is the first part ("Courage") in a series called "A Journey through the Chakras".




The explanation given sounds really promising. Apparently the first chakra is found at the base of the spine and is the centre of our regeneration, stimulating all the cells of the body. It addresses addictive behaviour (!), survival, security and courage. By survival, it means we need to work the first chakra in order to eliminate toxins (from pollution and chemicals).

Did that make sense?

To be honest, I'm still struggling with it because I'm not used to thinking of yoga as medicine (from the Universe) for our body - but that's what Maya says in this DVD. (What and where exactly is the Universe and how do we get life force from it?!)  

As for the exercises: the warm-up is exactly the same as in the Detox and De-stress DVD. Which I like, so I don't mind at all.

But the rest of the DVD is much more physical. There's a lot of alternating between lying down on your back and sitting up and bending over to touch your toes. And there's no mistaking the meditation for relaxation here, as this part is also all about bending over to touch the toes and twisting your torso (which is unbelievably hard!).

There's hardly a moment of rest after you get past the warm-up so I'm already not so keen on doing this every day...Source URL: http://plasticsurgerycelebrities.blogspot.com/search/label/Yoga
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Second review (4 weeks): Detox and de-stress with Maya Fiennes DVD

Roughly four weeks since I started this: I'm thinking this DVD is not as easy as I first thought. Strange!

Maybe I've just improved my 'technique' somewhat and I'm doing the exercises properly?

What I like most about this DVD is the warm-up. There are five sets of exercises - to do sitting down - that take about 20 minutes. It's gentle but the stretching is quite effective. It eases the tension in my lower back and I can feel some of the pain in my shoulder muscles go away.


 

I have to admit that I'm not as keen on the rest of the exercises, especially the heavy breathing bits (breath of fire, canon breath etc) that make my throat go all dry. But if you manage to get through this, the meditation - or is it just called relaxation? - at the end is great. I usually find myself drifting off and don't want to get up.







There isn't too much chanting, which is a relief for me because it still makes me feel rather awkward. (It's not so bad if you're alone but I definitely can't get through the chants without giggling if I think my family can hear). There's a bit at the beginning of the warm-up (Ong namo) and another bit (Sat nam) at the end.

Fab news: Maya Fiennes mentions in her book (see related post) that the warm-up exercises are "a simple but effective daily exercise set". So it's better to do just the 20-minute warm-up every day than nothing at all... This keeps the whole integrating-yoga-into-daily-life thing realistic and it's especially handy for weekends (family time, in my case) and holidays.Source URL: http://plasticsurgerycelebrities.blogspot.com/search/label/Yoga
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Yoga for Real Life by Maya Fiennes: First thoughts

I finally have my copy of Maya Fiennes' new book, Yoga for Real Life. Yay!




It seems to be packed with tips on meditation, Kundalini yoga exercises and how to cope with life. Also included are several recipes for energy-enhancing smoothies. There are plenty of photos and colourful images, which make it pretty to look at and have lying around on a table (this is important!).

I've only read as far as the introduction and she's written something that made me feel better instantly:

"You don't need to understand it all to get the full benefit. You don't have to believe it at all."


What a relief - because I admit I don't understand it yet! But I want to.

This is what it looks like inside.


 

I'm sure it will enhance the basic understanding that I now have from watching her detox and de-stress DVD. I'll be back with a proper review!Source URL: http://plasticsurgerycelebrities.blogspot.com/search/label/Yoga
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What exactly is "my personal yoga challenge"?

I should probably explain.

One of my current and hopefully long-term obsessions is to become a yoga believer. A yogi, I think they're called.

That sounds sort of negative, like I'm trying too hard. For a lot of people, they seem to be converts after the first attempt.

That makes me a bit nervous because I don't think it's clicked yet. For the record, I am a complete beginner. I've only just started Kundalini Yoga and what I can say is that I like it so far.

But it hasn't changed me or my life YET.

From what I've heard and read, yoga can heal and strengthen the body and mind. It is exercise, it can calm you down and make you into a better person. It apparently becomes a lifestyle, if you want to embrace it as such. It sounds too good to be true.

There are so many believers out there that there must be some truth to it!

So here's my mantra.

Be open-minded.
Don't give up.Source URL: http://plasticsurgerycelebrities.blogspot.com/search/label/Yoga
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First review: Detox and de-stress with Maya Fiennes DVD

This is my first ever yoga DVD!

It's Kundalini Yoga to detox and de-stress with Maya Fiennes.




What a relief that she wears a loose white outfit and not a horrid neck-to-ankle leotard that accentuates all the most unattractive curves. The background is also white: so simple, so pure. 


My very first thoughts: it's easy! No funny poses. The chants are not too silly. And I like the music - it's her own. It is soothing and you also get a CD with the DVD, which is an added bonus.


What I like most about this DVD so far:
1. I can do this in whatever clothes I am wearing that day. I've even done it in jeans, although I admit it wasn't that comfortable.
2. My body warms up when I do this but I don't sweat so I don't need to shower afterwards.
3. Most of the exercises are done sitting down, which seems wonderfully lazy.


I will report back regularly on my progress... 
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Detox and De-stress with Maya Fiennes DVD: The best quote

Sit with your legs stretched out together in front of you. Now grab the toes. Stay in that position and breathe.

Arrgh, it hurts. Not the least bit comfortable for a beginner like me.

And she says: "This exercise is deeply relaxing."

Yeah, right!Source URL: http://plasticsurgerycelebrities.blogspot.com/search/label/Yoga
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Gym? No way, thank you

I hate working out. Gym memberships are a waste of money (my record: one year of non-attendance). I don't like being around (other) sweaty people. And oh, the hassle of leaving the house, especially in winter when it's freezing outside.


So last year I bought some cardio workout DVDs. I quite liked them. For a while. Until I realised what a pain it was to have to do the following in the middle of the day:
1. change into a sports bra
2. shower
3. re-do my hair and make-up.


Of course, I tried to do it first thing in the morning. But I just can't get up any earlier than I really have to. And I can't do it after taking my son to kindergarten because I've already got a full face of make-up on.


So I tried working out at night. But between 9pm and midnight is when I finally have my peace and quiet! I'd rather enjoy that than have to hop around in front of the TV.


But now I think I have found what I have always been looking for...


Kundalini yoga with Maya Fiennes!


I am trying out one of her DVDs and so far... I like it. I'll be doing a proper review soon.


Who is familiar with her yoga?
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