Energy Energy

I really enjoy this video. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking. It was filmed along the Maui seashore in 5 separate sessions the follow the cycle of the sun from sunrise to sunset. The intent of having these 5 separate practices is that you can pick a specific session based upon what your needs are and the type of benefit you are trying to achieve. Of course, you can always do the entire video. I often come home at lunch and do the centering and creativity sessions to revitalize me for the rest of the afternoon at the office.

Unlike the other Yoga Journal videos, there is no narrative. Instruction consists only of queues that give you the name of the pose. This enables you to concentrate on the pose and your breath. The only other sounds are the waves crashing against the shore, and the peaceful sounds of birds and wind chimes set against a soothing music background by Peter Davison.

The video moves quickly from pose to pose. For beginners who need to use props it makes it challenging to change so quickly, but it gets easier each time you do the video. You definitely need to watch this video once before doing it. At the very end of the video they show modifications for the more difficult moves that are included.

The five sessions are as follows:

Awakening - 10 minutes of quiet, slow and gentle stretches set against a brilliant red-orange sunrise and practiced on the sandy shore. This is a great session to do to relieve stiffness or to do first thing in the morning. Some of the poses included are: reclined mountain, bent leg to chest, knee to chest, leg stretch, leg stretch to the side, cross leg forward bend, reclining twist, head to knee, cat, table, lunge, upward and downward dog.

Centering - 8 minutes of flowing standing poses set against the shore at midmorning. You begin in mountain pose and then move from one pose to the next while alternating from left to right, and then repeat the sequence so you do each pose on both legs. Some of the poses included are: tree, triangle, side stretch, exalted warrior, proud warrior, half moon, brave warrior, revolved triangle, extended leg stretch, wide leg stretch and forward bend. This is a good section if you are tired and need to increase your energy.

Creativity - 14 minutes of standing poses, backbends and forward bends at high noon while waves crash along the rocky coast. This section will definitely wake you up and help you feel more alert. Although the sequences are repeated several times, it moves extremely quickly and takes a great deal of concentration and agility. The poses included are: forward bend, lunge, plank, upward dog, downward dog, chair, triangle, side stretch, exalted warrior, lunge with backbend, bow, camel, 3 upward bows, leg stretch, simple twist, twist, cross legged forward bend, cobbler and child's pose.

Reflection - 10 minutes of forward bends and hip openers in on a grassy hill overlooking the ocean in the late afternoon. These poses are relaxing and calming and include: cross legged forward bend, staff, one legged forward bend, 1/2 lotus forward bend with bent leg and then straight leg, forward bend, wide angle forward bend, and cobbler.

Surrender - 8 minutes of conscious relaxation on the beach at sunset. I usually am wishing that this section wasn't over yet when the credits start rolling.

This is a terrific video and I highly recommend it - if you are willing to practice and take the time to learn the more difficult sessions.

Laura Harper

08/29/1997