Yoga: Altar of the Heart

Tilak Pyle
Year Released: 2005

Categories: Yoga


I've only done this video once, and I already love it! It was exactly what I was looking for: an intermediate flow series to help me take my home practice to the next level. The DVD is not chaptered per se, but the "scene selection" feature allows you to begin the practice at 12 different points. I'm not going to list every pose included; rather, I'll provide a general overview to help you get a feel for the practice.

Tilak Pyle instructs via voiceover, and he and his 4 assistants are each filmed in different outdoor location. The practice begins on the floor--which I found to be a nice change of pace--starting with a meditation and simple seated forward bends. You then move to standing, but instead of going right into sun salutations (not my favorite thing), Tilak leads you through several balance postures (tree, eagle) as well as half sun salutes (very reminiscent of Yoga Mind and Body). You will then move into some lunges, including a moving "liquid" lunge and one with the forearms on the floor (similar to in Ana Forrest's Strength and Spirit).

The first standing series consists of warrior 1, 2, triangle, and side angle; short vinyasas are performed between each series, but not between every posture. After plank/side plank, there is a second standing series focused more on balance postures: pyramid, warrior 3, and half moon. Next, you'll move into dog pose, open your hips, and then continue with pigeon. This is followed by a short child's pose series which includes several shoulder stretches and then a brief savasana. This is about the 45 minute mark, so if you don't have time for the entire practice, this is a great place to stop.

The second half of the practice begins with a spread leg standing quad stretch and then moves into standing wide-legged forward bend. Next you'll lie on your back for reclined leg stretches, including hand to foot and thread the needle. From a seated position, you'll perform rock the baby and a forward fold with cat/dog tilt. Next comes headstand, which Tilak and co. perform unsupported but which I did against the wall. I rarely practice headstand on my own, so I was surprised when I was able to kick up fairly easily and hold for the duration of Tilak's soothing voice (not a long hold; probably <1 minute). Another child's pose and a brief pause follow.

The final segment of the practice begins with seated forward bends and moves into shoulderstand, lying and seated twists, yoga mudra, and finally, relaxation pose. The asana practice ends here at about 1 hour, 15 minutes, but Tilak allows an additional 10 minutes for a long savasana, pranayama (alternate nostril breathing and retention), and final meditation.

The DVD offers several options for customizing your practice: you can select minimal or more detailed instruction, and both choices allow you to turn the DVD music off and substitute your own. Other DVD bonuses include a detailed asana list--offered in both Sanskrit and English--and "deleted scenes" or outtakes. Don't miss this last section--Tilak and crew are hilarious as they struggle with uneven surfaces, wind, bugs, external noise, and the like.

I really can't think of anything negative about this DVD, but if I had to offer constructive criticism, I would offer two very minor points: 1) additional arm balances would have been nice (crow is shown in the deleted scenes but is not included in the practice), and 2) I would have liked the music to continue through the final savasana--there was just silence, and I keep looking up at the screen to see if the DVD had ended or not (which I'll obviously know not to do in the future). Overall, however, I loved this practice and found that it was just perfect for my level, which I consider to be low-to-mid intermediate--hopefully this practice will help put me in more solid intermediate territory, and I know that I will use it often. Highly recommended!

Instructor Comments:
Tilak is a young, soothing, calming presence throughout the DVD. His voiceover instruction is excellent (only occasionally moving slightly out of sync with the screen), and while his instruction is not overly detailed (this is an intermediate practice, after all), I found his form pointers to be helpful. His style reminds me very much of Erich Schiffman in Yoga Mind and Body; in fact, this entire practice had a very similar "feel" to me to YM&B, which is also one of my favorites.

Beth C (aka toaster)

08/25/2005