NOTE: I received a free copy of this video to review for the web site iHanuman.com.

In this video, Donna Davidge Amrita offers a Kundalini yoga practice that she calls as the Flexibility and the Spine set. During her brief introduction, she describes Kundalini energy as being like a serpent moving up the spine, and recommends performing this type of yoga with your eyes closed. Throughout the routine, Amrita is shown practicing alone on a rocky outcrop alongside a picturesque lakeside setting. She starts the practice by tuning in with the classic chant of “ong namo guru dev namo.” She then leads the viewer through approximately 13 minutes of traditional Kundalini warm-up moves such as neck rolls, stomach grinds, spinal rolls, spinal twists, a sun salutation, and finally, sustained practice of Breath of Fire while holding several different postures. (Note: Amrita does not provide detailed instruction on how to perform Breath of Fire.)

From here Amrita moves into the Flexibility and the Spine set. For these movements, she utilizes long deep breathing (Breath of Fire is not used again during this practice). She begins standing for a bow and arrow warrior, then moves to the floor for a leg hold in a lying position and locus and bow poses. Coming back to standing, Amrita begins a series of several dynamic movements: windmill down side-to-side, upward reach to forward bend, and side bend side-to-side. This is followed by several dynamic series on the floor. First, Amrita performs side-to-side reaches in a wide angle seated forward bend; then, she does a full seated forward bend moving back-and-forth. The next challenging series begins in plow pose, moves to shoulderstand, comes back to wide plow, and then rolls between plow and full seated forward bend.

At this point, Amrita pauses for a brief relaxation followed by a seated sat kriya in which she chants “sat nam”; she then bows forward for a short “sa ta na ma” meditation. Amrita continues to remain seated for a pumping the air exercise with the arms. Next, she returns to standing for crow squats, and then (without cuing the transition) moves back down to hands and knees for cat/cow. To conclude the set, there is another brief relaxation and, in a standing position, a cycle of left nostril breathing. With about seven minutes left, the scene shifts to an indoor studio, where live guitar music is played by Amrita’s husband, Kent Bonham, while a group class follows along with the chant “guru guru wahe guru ram das guru” for approximately two minutes. As the music fades, the video returns to the lakeside setting, where Amrita concludes with a short final relaxation. She comes out of this relaxation with a few mobility movements, ending in a seated position with a final “sat nam.”

Overall, Flexibility and the Spine is a nice traditional Kundalini yoga practice. Because of it includes some challenging sequences, however (for example, the rolling between plow and seated forward bend), I would suggest this practice for experienced yoga students only. I would also caution anyone with back, neck, or shoulder injuries to take particular care. This routine might be appropriate for those new to Kundalini yoga provided that 1) as mentioned above, they are already are experienced with yoga asana, and 2) they already know how to perform the Breath of Fire, which is not taught here.

Instructor Comments:
I practice Kundalini yoga only occasionally, and most with Ana Brett/Ravi Singh DVDs. In comparison, I have to admit I found Amrita a bit lacking--although there are some nice elements to this practice, her cuing often falls short, and the production values are not the best. Furthermore, as mentioned above, Amrita includes some sequences that are fairly challenging, and I believe that working with this video tweaked a nagging lower back injury of mine. However, those looking for an alternative to Raviana might enjoy Amrita.

Beth C (aka toaster)