shiva nata

[Note: I posted a very similar entry on my photo blog a while back because it suited the photo. My apologies if you read both.]

A few weeks ago, I stumbled across a blog about something called Shiva Nata. It's a form of movement that apparently restructures the neural connections in your brain. The reason I was intrigued (besides the promise of near-constant epiphanies - I do love epiphanies) was because it's not meant to be mastered. Ever. You always want it to be hard (otherwise the epiphanies go away!).

I am a recovering perfectionist. Confession: the idea of something being hard forever and ever sounds horrible. Just horrible. If I can't figure something out quickly, I get extremely frustrated and tend to give up (occasionally I even cry or whine, just ask my sister). So, I decided that clearly I needed this practice to help break my pattern (or at least make peace with it) and ordered the DVD.

I've been practicing for ten to fifteen minutes a day for maybe two weeks now. I am still waiting for my epiphanies (well, I've had a few little ones) but I just love it.

First, it is wacky. The mental image of me practicing would make me chuckle if I weren't concentrating so hard.

Second, it is shaping my arms like nothing I've ever seen. What can I say, I am easily motivated by the superficial.

Third, I can absolutely feel the energy moving in my body afterwards so I know it's doing something. When I sit in mediation afterwards (ok, so mostly I just lie in savasana pose; ok, on my bed; same idea) the colors and shapes and movements behind my eyes are fantastic - like they get when I'm giving myself a reiki treatment and it's really working to unblock something.

Fourth, it is hard! And I know it's supposed to be hard. Just for fun, I tried to do the leg movements and I nearly fell over. And sometimes when I'm trying to follow the DVD, I feel like I'm just flailing my arms in the air with no resemblance to the actual moves at all.

Anyway, if you're intrigued, check it out!

Comments

[Toni]

You've been busy while I've been away, E. I've missed some wonderful posts, introspective and thought provoking, honest and sincere. Just like you. =)

This post has me intrigued, so I'll have to check out your links.

[elizabeth @ the blue lotus]

there are some good stories/accounts of the benefits of it on her blog. if you try it, let me know what you think!