Kundalini Yoga with Maya Fiennes - Courage, Creativity & Willpower [DVD]

Background

I have never really done much in the way of yoga before and just decided one day to give it ago. I was drawn to kundalini yoga for some reason and I'm about to explain why. I've been doing the first DVD of this 3 DVD set for just over a week now and I'm feeling great. Prior to starting this set I was doing Maya's detox and destress DVD every day for three weeks and decided to expand my collection as I was so impressed.

DVD 1 - Courage

Before I go any further I would like to issue a slight warning with this DVD, the second day I started the DVD which focuses on the base chakra, I experienced terrible abdoninal pains. This turned out to be trapped wind! I feel my body basically went into turbo elimination mode which I wasn't physically quite ready for. I had to take two days off after to recover but missed the yoga so much I got straight back in as soon as I could. If you are looking for a yoga DVD that will improve your digestive system and unblock you so to speak, then this is the DVD for you!

I will be starting the second DVD in the set on Saturday so will report back after a couple of weeks using that daily. So far, I feel great despite the initial hiccup on day two which I intuitively felt was just my body's reaction to releasing the old energy etc! Just to be fair Maya does talk about how the yoga will effect your system but somehow I didn't really believe it would have such an effect on me.

DVD 2 - Creativity

I have just finished doing this DVD after 2 weeks and personally I found it the toughest workout so far. I honestly felt like giving up after day one as I found it really challenging. Thankfully I didn't give in and now I have got to the point where I would almost go so far as to say I find it easy! How do I feel after two weeks? Well in a nutshell, pretty darn good. I can't say I've noticed any additional physical changes or particular benefits other than my notorious sweet tooth has miraculously disappeared! I just don't crave anything sweet anymore which is most strange but it can only be a good thing that I have no desire to eat naughty things anymore. Another thing I have noticed is I'm feeling more myself and more able to be myself around all sorts of people. I'm naturally quite a shy person but I am finding an inner confidence and energy coming out which is very reassuring and quite surprising. I am more able to express myself. I will be starting the last DVD in this set tomorrow morning which I've had a sneaky peek at. Its all about releasing inner anger so that should be interesting! I'll keep you posted...

DVD 3 - Willpower

Two weeks after starting this DVD my life has really changed. Funnily enough I was concerned it would be even harder than 'Creativity' because of its name. Ironically I would say it was the easiest so far! Physically its very good for toning up the abdoninals (I have noticed a nice change there as has my husband) but just as you start to feel the burn Maya says take a deep breath and relax now. I think this DVD could be more challenging but after a couple of days I decided to really focus on each movement and made it more precise and therefore got a better work out. So rather than rush through this which is easy to do I recommend working at each of the movements so you get maximum benefit. You don't have to do them for long so you may as well do them properly I say. As for life changes, I have noticed my creativity has really begun to flow - this could be a delayed reaction to the previous DVD admittedly but I only noticed it a week into Willpower. I have also become a little more decisive and after months of faffing around, this week I finally launched my mobile energy healing service. This was partly triggered by the increase in energy I can feel coming from my hands since starting all the yoga which has given me more confidence in my own ability and the positive feedback I have been getting from my current clients. I also find it much easier to stay in my heart space and not get so flustered when things don't go to plan. All in all fantastic results! I am currently waiting for the Love & Truth DVD to arrive as it was supposed to be released on 17th and I preordered it but so far nothing has arrived. I think in the meantime I will go back to Maya's detox & detress DVD which is where I began with all this so hopefully it will remind me of how far I have come on this exciting journey. Sat Nam...

25/03/2010: I just want to add into this review that shortly after I started with these DVDs I fell pregnant after 5 months of trying for a baby. Interestingly working back to the actual date of conception, I discovered it was during the three weeks I was using the Creativity DVD (Sacral Chakra - which relates to the sexual organs) that it happened - an added benefit perhaps and one I felt worth mentioning to anyone who feels blocked in this area and/or is trying for a baby. Its now 9 months on since I started my daily yoga practice and I'm 33 weeks pregnant. I am still able to do the yoga (mainly focusing on the Throat Chakra DVD - Truth) as this isn't too vigorous given my current condition. I honestly feel amazing, not tired like so many people at this stage of pregnancy and have had no morning sickness. I am positively addicted to this daily practice now. If you are serious about mastering your mind and your body and changing your life for the better I seriously recommend you get stuck into all of Maya's DVDs!

This is a journey through the base chakras and each one is set in 3 segments - warm up, kriyas (main physical practice) and meditation/mantra. Kundalini Yoga is a good way to de-stress and leaves you feeling energised but calm at the same time. In a world of lycra clad instructors telling you to "go for the burn" and exotic locations sponsored by major conglomerates, this is a refreshing change. Indeed, these programmes are blissfully humble and lack vanity, in that Maya tells us to keep our eyes closed for the most part (to experience your inner world) and is set in a white room. Maya prompts you through the positioning intermittently. The kryias are either repetitive motions or fixed postures (and some are deceptively challenging). Breathing is also highlighted (including detoxifying breaths like the Breath of Fire) and is a good introduction to mantras and chants if you are new to these. One to try and enjoy.

Critics have, however, complained that a certain level of flexibility is required to do the kriyas and some of the fixed positions (e.g. the meditation/mantra section of the Root Chakra - the first one of the three, requires you to sit with legs spread apart throughout, which may be difficult for some). Rather than jump on the Health and Safety bandwagon, however, use common sense. Take breaks intermittently and only go as far as you can. If you cannot touch your toes in a seated position, then touch your ankles, shins or knees instead. Remember, yoga is supposed to be non-competitive. The problems sometimes faced by budding yogis is that it is difficult to get out of the Westernised competitive train of thought often applied to other types of exercise. Also remember that teachers who demonstrate, such as Maya Fiennes, have been doing yoga for many years, so DON'T BEAT YOURSELF UP and certainly avoid comparison, or you will just end up bitter. The range in yoga is endless, so you never really "get there".

Well now, I took my time choosing a kundalini yoga DVD and did my research on Maya first...but once you DO the DVD with her - it's better than any review anyone could give you! I did the 2nd of the DVD's today and Im absolutely amazed by the feeling of 'release' in the chakra...PHYSICALLY, I mean, I really am! And I have been searching forever to try and address the issues held in the 2nd chakra...but Im sticking with this-I feel great today! Honestly try it! Maya is beautiful inside and out and an amazingly inspiring guide who is so easy to listen to and her music on the DVD which she composed herself is FAB! Honestly, I couldn't give this enough of a glowing report...and Ive just this minute purchased her new DVD the 'love and truth one! WELL DONE Maya and HUGE THANKS TO YOU!