As a self-proclaimed Baron-o-phile, I like an athletic, robust practice.  In the past when I’ve been away from the mat, it’s Baron who’s brought me back, whether with his Bootcamp in a Box, or my own practice that I’ve designed and memorized, mind and muscle, around his books.  Like I said, a Baron-o-phile.  His was the first practice that resonated with me, that worked for my body and my expectations for a practice.  Athleticism combined with flexibility and a little spiritual thrown in for good measure… it worked for me.

But lately I’ve been looking for something else in a practice to bring me back on a regular basis and here in the sticks, I rely on books, DVD’s and CD’s to do it.  There are programs around, but I have to drive a distance and some days… well, I just don’t trust my reliability… to throw down a mat in my living room, let alone get it together to get in my car and to town… in the dead of winter.  Ahem.

So, as mentioned in a previous post, I decided to go in a new direction.  To Shiva… and her Fluid Power.

From athleticism to flexibility and grace.  And it’s a lovely turn.  Shiva brings out the dancer in me.  It’s yoga, but it’s movement, free and flowing, bringing a dynamic beauty to the postures.  I am hooked.  Certainly to get the most out of her program it’s best to have some yoga under your belt.  I have to stop to see what she’s doing as she does add some variations on what I am accustomed to even during Sun Salutations.  Her Serpentine Cobra, a lovely example.  I can see, though, once I’ve familiarized myself with her technique and her variations, it will be a tremendous way to augment and enhance my own practice, bringing in some much needed grace to an otherwise athletically vigourous program.

In addition, today, before I programmed the customizable matrix program for myself, I called my three maniacs, boys aged 10 and 6 and princess, 4 to join me for the Prana Flow Meditation.  It may not be for everybody, but I enjoy the liberation of the free movement and consciousness on the breath.  It proved to be a tremendous experience for the kids in coordinating their movement with their breath, as well as encouraging their bodies to move freely, without pretense or particular purpose.

Despite my having to drag them out to do it, they all enjoyed it and participated with open minds… and closed mouths!