Hemalayaa - Yoga for Everyone

Ruth Volley finds her preconceptions are tested with Yoga For Everyone - a DVD from Canadian-based yogini, Hemalayaa, that subtly, and joyfully, merges aspects of Indian dance with yoga.

I will be honest: I would not naturally gravitate towards this DVD, should I be browsing the shelves for some yoga inspiration.

However, first impressions can be deceiving and I would be the first to hold my hands high and admit I misjudged it.

As someone who is fairly open to all styles of yoga, I gave it a go and came away from Hemalayaa's yoga feeling energised and vibrant.

This is thanks to her ability to bring together her love for dance and yoga and engage the practitioner with a playful and light-hearted approach.

As well as studying yoga philosophy, meditation and asanas, Hemalayaa is greatly influenced by classical Indian dance and this is subtly portrayed throughout the DVD.

There is no doubt that Hemalayaa loves what she does and her smile and free-spirited approach is very contagious and made me feel happy and at ease every time I stepped onto the mat to practice with her. She proves that you don't have to be serious to be effective.

Hermalayaa is very mindful of the time pressures on everyday lives and, in common with most teachers, believes that a 20-minute daily yoga session is more beneficial than a once-a-week class.

Clear lay-out

This DVD is clearly split into two sessions, which can be done together or separately. If you're anything like me, finding a spare hour every day for yoga is just about impossible. So this DVD is the perfect solution - little and often is the secret!

This DVD is advertised as 'Yoga for Everyone'. She believes that whether you're new to yoga or have years of experience, you'll enjoy this programme.

I think she has done a good job in putting together a DVD that appeals to a wide audience and not just serious yoga followers. In fact it may be that the more serious yoga followers who are presented with a challenge. 

In parts it could also be quite disconcerting for those who feel awkward with the facial movements (sticking out your tongue), bursts of exhalation and chanting!

An explanation may have been useful here, outlining the benefits of this type of practice. That said, it is important for everyone who practices yoga to experience different types and styles of practice.

Setting and ambience

Filmed in a very relaxed setting with soft curtains and candles, Hermalayaa doesn't fail to draw you in to her fun approach to yoga.

The room is decorated with candles, pillows and flowing curtains with her voiceover and a delicate, subtle instrumental background music.

The choreography transitions from sitting cross legged on the floor, working on spinal flexibility (which reminded very much of some of the warm up movements in Maya Fiennes' Kundalini Yoga), to standing postures.

It ends on the floor lying on a bolster in relaxation position. Hemalayaa's aim is to focus on our core and strengthen our bodies whilst focusing on the importance of the breath.

Some of the dynamic movements include hip openers, spine flexibility postures, twists and standing poses to strengthen the legs.

The relaxation position at the end of both practices in a relaxed supported back bend is heavenly and a very rejuvenative posture. I could have stayed there for hours!

I also enjoyed the time given for dynamic stretching without the pressure of constantly moving onto the next posture - ideal for people coming back into yoga after a break or an injury. Or simply for those who are interested in a more relaxed style of practice.

There are differences between the two practices although they are also very similar. If anything, I feel that Hemalayaa could have done more to distinguish between the practices by incorporating different postures rather than simply having a variation on a theme.

In conclusion...
Every time I finish the DVD I feel more energised and ready to face the world with my head held high; and this is essentially what I'm looking for in my 20 minutes of invaluable 'me time'.

Yoga for Everyone is available from Acacia, priced $14.99.

A word about the writer:

Ruth Volley lives in Scotland, and is an avid yoga practitioner.