Sometimes the more spiritual aspects of yoga can be lost in the physicality of many yoga teachers' approach. Yoga practitioner and trainee journalist, Deborah Nicholson, reviews Maya Fiennes' DVD on the chakras - Wisdom and Bliss.
Maya Fiennes, a classically trained pianist, learned Kundalini yoga under Shiv Charan Singh at the Karam Kriya School in London. She went on to train as a teacher and now runs workshops and classes all over the world. 
Kundalini yoga combines breathing (pranayama), postures (asanas), and chanting (mantra) to create a union between self and the universal self through raising of a person's Kundalini.
Kundalini means 'the curl of a lock of hair' and describes the flow of a person's energies and consciousness through the seven chakras of the body.
This rather esoteric form of yoga was brought from India to California by Yogi Bhajan in 1969.
DVDs six and seven - Wisdom and Bliss
These two DVD's Wisdom and Bliss cover the sixth and seventh chakras Ajna and Sahasrara; the last two in the series of seven DVD's which Maya Fiennes has recorded.
They concentrate on the seven main Chakras of the body. Chakras are energy centres which start at the base of the spine and end at the top of the head.
The sixth chakra, the third eye, is the centre for wisdom, vision and intuition. The exercises for this DVD focus on the pituary gland which will help achieve integrity, determination, power of projection and understanding your purpose.
The seventh chakra is located on the top of the head and is the seat of the soul and the centre of perception.
The practice concentrates on the pineal gland which is located at this point. It is also associated with cosmic sound and when activated through sound, will give the body, mind and spirit the chance to merge.
The Practice
Both DVDS are just under one hour long and have an identical format with an introduction to Kundalini and the chakras, followed by the practice itself.
Each practice, which is about 50 minutes long, is demonstrated and narrated by Maya. She has also composed and sung the tracks that accompany the practice.
She uses gentle asanas like cat/cow, which are repeated for minutes at a time, to activate the chakras. The main part of the practice uses slow and controlled movements, whereas the pace changes dramatically in the final meditation, when it becomes faster.
In Summary
In my experience, Kundalini yoga is very different to a traditional yoga session. The practice takes a more holistic approach as it works on energy flows and creating a more spiritual experience through using sound.
From a physical standpoint it will build stamina and strength through the repetition of movements, as well as building flexibility.
But to absorb the spiritual message, and aim, of the Kundalini approach, may require suspending judgement for those used to focusing mainly on the physical aspects of yoga.
This glossy DVD will no doubt be loved by Maya fans, while others may be left a little bemused - for many, it will be a step away from the traditional yoga experience.
Maya Fiennes' Wisdom and Bliss DVD is available from Body in Balance TV, priced £21.99. Click here.
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