Kundalini Yoga to Detox & De-stress

Maya Fiennes
Year Released: 2007

Categories: Yoga


I have done lots of Hatha and Ashtanga, but this was my first experience with Kundalini and I love it. Kundalini is very different than the yoga you are most likely used to. The poses are different and they tend to be dynamic rather than static. There was more chanting, which may be common in traditional yoga but tends to be rare in the Western variety. There is some talk from Maya about the Aquarian Age coming in 2012 (I guess it passed us by. That sucks.) I can unpredictably go either way on new agey type stuff, but I find Maya's patter quite endearing at best and harmless at worst. There is one asana you do for two minutes and I have no idea what happens, but I go through a phase where my arms start to get tired and then all of a sudden I feel a wave of giddiness and start laughing. It happens nearly every time-it's so strange, but I dig it. Maya wears all white and is in a white studio. Since Ravi and Ana workouts are the same, I'm guessing this is a Kundalini "thing." The moves aren't real complicated, so you can still make out what she's doing well enough despite that. The music, which Maya composed, really adds to the workout. I really like this workout, and wish I wasn't such a cardio/resistance freak so I would do it more often. Definitely don't be put off by this and give it a try. It's a unique, relaxing, joy-filled experience. It's not a very strenuous workout either; there's more emphasis on the mind/spirit side despite the physicality. However, do approach with caution if you have back issues. There is lots of spinal movement (a key supposedly to stimulating your kundalini energy.)

Instructor Comments:
Maya is a fabulous instructor, one of my favorites. Her demeanor is calm and encouraging, her voice soothing. She is Macedonian, and has a cute accent. I had no trouble understanding her. I really like and appreciate the thoughtful touches she brings, such as when she tells the viewer to take a moment to stretch out their legs if they need to, she does it. The Savasana at the end is also Maya doing Savasana, not the workout suddenly cutting off to loud credits music or a title card accompanied by generic yoga music that says "Relaxation" (I have DVD's that do both of these things.) I have several of her workouts, but this one is my favorite.

vanessakm

02/14/2014