Shiva Nata:
A Review of Havi Brooks' Mind-Twisting Yoga Practice Which I May or May Not Forgive Her For Introducing Me To...... and where I try to put into words what I think about this practice, how it's shaken up my brain and therefore, life, and why I think this might be a good thing for you, too.
A small explanation. Shiva Nata: Dance of Shiva. Reference to dance of destruction by multi-armed Hindu god. The upside being "he destroys in order to create, tearing down to build again". Get the idea?
Second, it gets the creative juices flowing. Whether you consider yourself a creative type or not (and let me just say, if you're a human, then you create in some form or other) Shiva Nata opens the channels to new possibilities, alternative options, ideas, and precious aha! moments.
Third, Shiva Nata will very clearly illuminate your stuckness patterns (whether you like it or not). Do you necessarily want to see those? No, but when you really understand them (and hopefully, laugh at/with yourself as a result) you can break them down and move into the great beyond.
Fourth, it's about reclaiming your space. What does this mean? I'm still trying to articulate the subtleties of that experience. But for me, when I get overwhelmed by too many things claiming my attention, which is a frequent occurance, I feel like pieces of myself, my psychic energy, are all over the map. And then I'm left with little focus, energy or interest for the task in front of me. Frustration, irritation and sometimes depression ensue over yet another wasted day.
Take 10 minutes out for a little dose of arm and leg flailing, and wow. Back in my body, and with this very interesting highly-charged space around my immediate person. It's like I've not only pulled myself back in to center, but I've created this little vortex of power and presence around me that is PALPABLE!
Fifth. Challenging yourself to try something new. Beginner's mind. Keeping yourself youthful.
I'm 42, and while I'm proud to still be able to get into a backbend, it starts to get mighty easy blowing off trying new things, accepting new ideas, because, you know, I'm too old for that. (Read: lazy)
It takes courage to put yourself in a situation where you're totally inept, and will most definitely make you appear unattractive, even if you're all alone. You really gotta learn to laugh at yourself with this stuff. Because you *will* look and feel like an idiot. Not always easy, or great for your ego, but definitely liberating. And interestingly, fumbling through this stuff will help you to fumble a little less through learning other new stuff.
So, this is what I figured out so far and I haven't even gotten through Level One of this thing yet (of which there are eight...)!
Have I either convinced you that this is something you either cannot live another day without, or sent you clicking away from this page with due haste? Because (believe me, I know), who, other than a masochistic crazy person, would try this?
(Although, it must be said, the promise of fabulously toned arms and legs were, admittedly, part of the selling point for me. Maybe that's your thing too.)
Ready to try? Click me!
Shiva Nata. Change your life. Or at least your sucky day.