iAwake Technologies sent me this for review: Sattva: Energetically Encoded Music for Activating Shakti
What is it?
I think of it as Music Plus. On the surface it is some nice soothing music without lyrics. However, what you can't hear is the key. Using "neural and biofield entrainment technology" the music is designed to "evoke a pure, sattvic field of deep relaxation, peace, mental clarity, joy and somatic balance."
How did I use it?
I listened to the music in two situations. During my morning meditations and while riding the bus. I wanted to see what I thought of it in some different situations.
What did I think?
For starters, I'm not a background music type of person. I don't play music during my Yoga practice or during my meditation practice (unless it's mantra meditation). When I listen to music, it is my popular music playlist for specific scenarios (walking, boxing, etc). But, having said that, I enjoyed the general music.
During my meditation, I found the music mildly distracting (as I find any music); however, at the same time it gave me something to focus on if my mind did wander. It helped lead me back to my breath quicker than usual. However, in the long run, I don't really like having music on while I meditate.
On the bus, it wasn't my favorite. If I want to listen to music on the bus I tend to use my music for mantra meditation. The Sattva music wasn't objectionable, but it also wasn't really noticeable because of the noise of the bus.
So far I've talked about the music itself, because it is hard to review the actual intent of the music. In such a short time (1 week) it was hard to tell whether any more peace brought into my life was the result of the music or other practices (or more likely, a combination).
But, I believe in this technology. And I believe in the power of intention. And (also important), I think it's nice music. So, I am going to try and find somewhere to incorporate this into my day where it fits well. And I think that, in the long term, it will help me on my spiritual path.
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Review - Keen-Wah Decadence bars from YogaEarth
YogaEarth sent me their 3 flavors of Keen-Wah Decadence bars to review. These organic, vegan, gluten-free protein bars come in Coconut Almond, Cayenne Cinnamon and Chocolate Chia.
I will admit that I am an extremely picky eater and don't typically eat protein bars. I wasn't sure whether I would like any of these bars, so I decided to share each with others so that I would have multiple opinions.
Coconut Almond - I tried this bar first. I'm not the biggest coconut fan, so I wasn't sure what I'd think. I liked it! It had an almost cookie-type taste and texture to it. I didn't find the coconut overwhelming at all, and mostly tasted almonds and chocolate. As a protein bar, I felt this was top notch. As a cookie (which I ate the rest as a substitute for), it was a passable dessert. I shared this one with my mom and she thought it was fine but she would have liked more of a coconut flavor.
Cayenne Cinnamon - I love cayenne and cinnamon in my hot chocolate, so I was excited to try this. However, it just wasn't the right bar for me. The cinnamon was prominent, but so was the cayenne. I think, in the end, the cayenne bite was a bit too much for me. I shared this with two co-workers as a mid-afternoon snack. They both liked it. One said that the cayenne was what made this bar for her.
Chocolate Chia - My favorite bar! I loved this one. I thought it tasted more candy bar-ish and had a better dark chocolate type flavor (in the filling). I also shared this with my co-workers. The two that had tried the Cayenne Cinnamon both said it was fine but they definitely preferred the Cayenne Cinnamon.
One common theme with everyone I shared with: they thought it was milk chocolate, not dark chocolate, on the outside of the bar. It was more melty and less bitter than usual dark chocolate; I assume this is due to a higher cocoa butter content. However, since those people (and myself) are generally dark chocolate lovers, we would have prefered something a little harder and bitter.
The bars were definitely a winner in my books.
Just a note that I will be taking a break from blogging until Sat July 7. See you then!
I will admit that I am an extremely picky eater and don't typically eat protein bars. I wasn't sure whether I would like any of these bars, so I decided to share each with others so that I would have multiple opinions.
Coconut Almond - I tried this bar first. I'm not the biggest coconut fan, so I wasn't sure what I'd think. I liked it! It had an almost cookie-type taste and texture to it. I didn't find the coconut overwhelming at all, and mostly tasted almonds and chocolate. As a protein bar, I felt this was top notch. As a cookie (which I ate the rest as a substitute for), it was a passable dessert. I shared this one with my mom and she thought it was fine but she would have liked more of a coconut flavor.
Cayenne Cinnamon - I love cayenne and cinnamon in my hot chocolate, so I was excited to try this. However, it just wasn't the right bar for me. The cinnamon was prominent, but so was the cayenne. I think, in the end, the cayenne bite was a bit too much for me. I shared this with two co-workers as a mid-afternoon snack. They both liked it. One said that the cayenne was what made this bar for her.
Chocolate Chia - My favorite bar! I loved this one. I thought it tasted more candy bar-ish and had a better dark chocolate type flavor (in the filling). I also shared this with my co-workers. The two that had tried the Cayenne Cinnamon both said it was fine but they definitely preferred the Cayenne Cinnamon.
One common theme with everyone I shared with: they thought it was milk chocolate, not dark chocolate, on the outside of the bar. It was more melty and less bitter than usual dark chocolate; I assume this is due to a higher cocoa butter content. However, since those people (and myself) are generally dark chocolate lovers, we would have prefered something a little harder and bitter.
The bars were definitely a winner in my books.
Just a note that I will be taking a break from blogging until Sat July 7. See you then!
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Book Review - Yoga Cures
I received a copy of Yoga Cures by Tara Stiles for review, courtesy of Crown Publishing Group.
What I Liked
In general, I agree with much of what Tara Stiles has to say. I'm already picking out readings for my classes. I like how she's taken some really important key things in Yoga and made them more approachable.
I like that the routines for various ailments are short. It's much easier to "lure" people into Yoga with a few poses than an 1.5 long routine.
I love the section on Retreats and can't wait to practice them with some at-home retreats this summer.
I like the look and feel of this book. That may seem superficial; but I use a good Yoga book over and over for reference so that can become a pretty big factor over time.
Where I Thought the Book Missed
I teach a lot of full-figured students and am a full-figured Yogini myself. I think that Tara's book has a lot of good poses and there are good reasons behind the poses she picks. However, in many cases I think she might have forgotten that we're not all her size. I am blessed with great flexibility, but not all of my students have been. This is where the downfall comes of only have a small number of poses in each routine. In the routine for Sugar Cravings, there are 4 poses and 3 of them would not be possible for many of my students. In the routine for Diabetes, there are 2 poses (Plow and Shoulderstand) and most of my students would walk out of the room if I tried to start them there. Without modifications, newcomers might be intimidated by many of the poses in this book.
I feel like final relaxation (Savasana) gets sort of missed in this book. I understand how hard it would be to fit in since there are so many mini-routines and you might not need relaxation after only a few poses, but for me it's a critical piece of the puzzle. I often tell students that if they are doing Asanas without doing a relaxation at the end, I would consider them to be doing Yoga-based stretching (not Yoga). That might be overstating it but I think the importance of relaxation is often missed by new students.
The One Thing I'd Buy the Book For
At the back of the book is a Yoga Pose Library. I'd buy this book for that alone. It is such a great visual reference of poses along with some of the key benefits of each. I already use it as a quick reference since it's laid out in a much more concise manner than some of my more detailed volumes.
Overall Impression
I do like this book. It's a definite keeper. I would recommend it to any average-sized, flexible friends without hesitation. For my less-flexible or fuller-figured friends, I'd recommend it as long as you look at the book knowing not every pose in it is for you. It's probably more ideal for someone with a bit of Yoga experience (who has an idea how to modify poses and knows to include a relaxation) than for beginners.
What I Liked
In general, I agree with much of what Tara Stiles has to say. I'm already picking out readings for my classes. I like how she's taken some really important key things in Yoga and made them more approachable.
I like that the routines for various ailments are short. It's much easier to "lure" people into Yoga with a few poses than an 1.5 long routine.
I love the section on Retreats and can't wait to practice them with some at-home retreats this summer.
I like the look and feel of this book. That may seem superficial; but I use a good Yoga book over and over for reference so that can become a pretty big factor over time.
Where I Thought the Book Missed
I teach a lot of full-figured students and am a full-figured Yogini myself. I think that Tara's book has a lot of good poses and there are good reasons behind the poses she picks. However, in many cases I think she might have forgotten that we're not all her size. I am blessed with great flexibility, but not all of my students have been. This is where the downfall comes of only have a small number of poses in each routine. In the routine for Sugar Cravings, there are 4 poses and 3 of them would not be possible for many of my students. In the routine for Diabetes, there are 2 poses (Plow and Shoulderstand) and most of my students would walk out of the room if I tried to start them there. Without modifications, newcomers might be intimidated by many of the poses in this book.
I feel like final relaxation (Savasana) gets sort of missed in this book. I understand how hard it would be to fit in since there are so many mini-routines and you might not need relaxation after only a few poses, but for me it's a critical piece of the puzzle. I often tell students that if they are doing Asanas without doing a relaxation at the end, I would consider them to be doing Yoga-based stretching (not Yoga). That might be overstating it but I think the importance of relaxation is often missed by new students.
The One Thing I'd Buy the Book For
At the back of the book is a Yoga Pose Library. I'd buy this book for that alone. It is such a great visual reference of poses along with some of the key benefits of each. I already use it as a quick reference since it's laid out in a much more concise manner than some of my more detailed volumes.
Overall Impression
I do like this book. It's a definite keeper. I would recommend it to any average-sized, flexible friends without hesitation. For my less-flexible or fuller-figured friends, I'd recommend it as long as you look at the book knowing not every pose in it is for you. It's probably more ideal for someone with a bit of Yoga experience (who has an idea how to modify poses and knows to include a relaxation) than for beginners.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
YMX Shirt Review and Giveaway!
YMX clothing is built on tattoo art, offering wonderful athletic clothing with phenomenal style. Just check out their website for all the fantastic colours and designs.
My Review
For those that know me, this shirt is a lot "louder" than what I typically wear. So I was excited to try it and see what I thought. I wore this shirt for several Yoga classes, during my exercise and to the office.
What did I love:
- The fit - a fantastic snug fit that moved with me.
- The colour and design - I felt fierce in this shirt. I'm not sure I'd choose that everyday, but I loved it while I wore it.
- The material - a light synthetic. While I was a little too cool in late November wearing this, I know I'll love it come summer!
- The lining - the shirt has a white lining inside which means that when it stretches over parts of my body, the lining simply shows through (instead of me).
- A UPF of 50+ - since I'm usually slathered up with sunscreen all summer, this will be a great alternative.
Disclaimer: I was sent this product, free of charge, in exchange for my fair and honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Giveaway
Would you like to win a jersey? YMX will send a Winter Flower Tri-Pocket Jersey to one of my lucky readers. To enter:
- visit YMX and tell me what piece you love either in a comment on this posting below (preferred) or send an email to info@nadinesyoga.ca. Be sure I have both your name and email in whichever method you choose.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Review - Midnights with the Mystic
As previously posted in April, I am excited to share a review of Midnights with the Mystic by Cheryl Simone with Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev. I was sent it for review by the publicist.
I really enjoyed this book. Cheryl Simone has a great writing style and a way of welcoming you into the story. I felt as if I were sharing in the late night learnings. Cheryl's own story and her journey on her path are very inviting. Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev's wisdom is great.
I have read some books where I see myself in the author. This was not one of those books. I greatly respect Cheryl and her journey but for me it wasn't my journey. There is nothing wrong with that and I enjoy reading other people's journeys. And I enjoy reading about other gurus; because while I respect Sadhguru, he is not my guru.
However, as expected with such a great teacher, I certainly found some pearls of wisdom to take away. One of these:
I really enjoyed this book. Cheryl Simone has a great writing style and a way of welcoming you into the story. I felt as if I were sharing in the late night learnings. Cheryl's own story and her journey on her path are very inviting. Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev's wisdom is great.
I have read some books where I see myself in the author. This was not one of those books. I greatly respect Cheryl and her journey but for me it wasn't my journey. There is nothing wrong with that and I enjoy reading other people's journeys. And I enjoy reading about other gurus; because while I respect Sadhguru, he is not my guru.
However, as expected with such a great teacher, I certainly found some pearls of wisdom to take away. One of these:
- "I want you to understand that life around you will respond and create itself to match the way you are and not the way you and the people around you think you are. What you think about yourself is existentially irrelevant."
This book is a great glimpse of a spiritual journey. It is an easy read on some deep subjects. I highly recommend Midnights with the Mystic.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Book Teaser - Midnights with the Mystic
I am excited to start reading a new book. It is Midnights with the Mystic by Cheryl Simone with Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev. I was sent it for review. I have included an excerpt below from the publicist. During my previous conversations with the publicist, I had missed the tag line after the title, but it is the first thing that drew my attention when I received the book. Midnights with the Mystic: A Little Guide to Freedom and Bliss. That tag line definitely made me more curious to read about Cheryl's experiences learning at the feet of a great guru. I will share a review of this book when I'm done.
Excerpt - Midnights with the Mystic
By Cheryl Simone and Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev,
Authors of Midnights with the Mystic: A Little Guide to Freedom and Bliss
Then Sadhguru asked me if I had heard that some researchers in India had been scanning the brains of people who have been through Isha Yoga's Inner Engineering course and practicing the techniques for more than three months.
I had heard about that, so I nodded yes.
Sadhguru went on to say that the scientists had found that the coherence between the practitioners' right and left brain were phenomenally high. "That means, Cheryl, that you will get to use a little more of your brain than before. Generally they say that people are only using 12 percent of their brain, but from my experience of people, I don't believe they are using even that," he said and let our a hoot of infectious laughter.
Then he went on, "Yoga is the path of becoming limitless. Yoga transforms and liberates human beings so that they can reach this unbounded state. Humans, unlike animals, do not merely exist. They are becoming. 'Human' is not an established quality; one has to grow into it. One has to become that. To evolve as a human being is to become aware of one's limitations, to strive, with intense passion, toward the transcendence for which we all have the potential. Yoga is a way of finding your ultimate potential. In a specific context, yoga had come to mean spiritual union with the absolute. Liberation while living is the goal of yoga, the highest experience, a fusion of the individual with the universal."
Although his words seemed both inspiring and filled with possibility, I caught myself again wondering if such transcendence really could be possible for me. Even though many remarkable things had happened to me, I continued to wonder if I would truly be able to become self-realized in this lifetime. Part of me wondered how much the yoga, the practices, had to do with it. It's a technology that affects not only your body, mind, and energy, but that also somehow makes you receptive. I know it's a big part of it, but I also know that it's not the whole thing. Some of the practices Sadhguru teaches are similar to those I was exposed to in the past, but he puts them together in a completely different way. Even with all the yoga, Sadhguru did in previous lifetimes, and with all that he accomplished, he said that he did not become enlightened. The reason why is shrouded in mystery. I knew the practices were working, but perhaps this process is more than something I can do myself. Something seems to have to happen that I'm not doing. I have often heard Sadhguru say that "you have to put yourself aside."
Perhaps the answer to this question could be found in Sadhguru's own story. . .
The above is an excerpt from the book Midnights with the Mystic: A Little Guide to Freedom and Bliss by Cheryl Simone and Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev. The above excerpt is a digitally scanned reproduction of text from print. Although this excerpt has been proofread, occasional errors may appear due to the scanning process. Please refer to the finished book for accuracy.
Copyright © 2011 Cheryl Simone and Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, authors of Midnights with the Mystic: A Little Guide to Freedom and Bliss
Author Bios
Cheryl Simone, author of Midnights with the Mystic: A Little Guide to Freedom and Bliss, is a lifelong student of human potential, a spiritual seeker, an entrepreneur, a wife a mother, the CEO of several businesses. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
Sadhguru Vasudev, co-author of Midnights with the Mystic: A Little Guide to Freedom and Bliss, is a yogi, mystic, and visionary. He is a spiritual master with a difference. An arresting blend of profundity and pragmatism, his life and work serve as a reminder that inner sciences are not an esoteric discipline from an outdated past, but a contemporary science, vitally relevant to our times. Probing, passionate, and provocative, deeply insightful, devastatingly logical, and unfailingly witty, Sadhguru's talks have earned him the reputation of a speaker and opinion-maker of international renown.
Excerpt - Midnights with the Mystic
By Cheryl Simone and Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev,
Authors of Midnights with the Mystic: A Little Guide to Freedom and Bliss
Then Sadhguru asked me if I had heard that some researchers in India had been scanning the brains of people who have been through Isha Yoga's Inner Engineering course and practicing the techniques for more than three months.
I had heard about that, so I nodded yes.
Sadhguru went on to say that the scientists had found that the coherence between the practitioners' right and left brain were phenomenally high. "That means, Cheryl, that you will get to use a little more of your brain than before. Generally they say that people are only using 12 percent of their brain, but from my experience of people, I don't believe they are using even that," he said and let our a hoot of infectious laughter.
Then he went on, "Yoga is the path of becoming limitless. Yoga transforms and liberates human beings so that they can reach this unbounded state. Humans, unlike animals, do not merely exist. They are becoming. 'Human' is not an established quality; one has to grow into it. One has to become that. To evolve as a human being is to become aware of one's limitations, to strive, with intense passion, toward the transcendence for which we all have the potential. Yoga is a way of finding your ultimate potential. In a specific context, yoga had come to mean spiritual union with the absolute. Liberation while living is the goal of yoga, the highest experience, a fusion of the individual with the universal."
Although his words seemed both inspiring and filled with possibility, I caught myself again wondering if such transcendence really could be possible for me. Even though many remarkable things had happened to me, I continued to wonder if I would truly be able to become self-realized in this lifetime. Part of me wondered how much the yoga, the practices, had to do with it. It's a technology that affects not only your body, mind, and energy, but that also somehow makes you receptive. I know it's a big part of it, but I also know that it's not the whole thing. Some of the practices Sadhguru teaches are similar to those I was exposed to in the past, but he puts them together in a completely different way. Even with all the yoga, Sadhguru did in previous lifetimes, and with all that he accomplished, he said that he did not become enlightened. The reason why is shrouded in mystery. I knew the practices were working, but perhaps this process is more than something I can do myself. Something seems to have to happen that I'm not doing. I have often heard Sadhguru say that "you have to put yourself aside."
Perhaps the answer to this question could be found in Sadhguru's own story. . .
The above is an excerpt from the book Midnights with the Mystic: A Little Guide to Freedom and Bliss by Cheryl Simone and Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev. The above excerpt is a digitally scanned reproduction of text from print. Although this excerpt has been proofread, occasional errors may appear due to the scanning process. Please refer to the finished book for accuracy.
Copyright © 2011 Cheryl Simone and Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, authors of Midnights with the Mystic: A Little Guide to Freedom and Bliss
Author Bios
Cheryl Simone, author of Midnights with the Mystic: A Little Guide to Freedom and Bliss, is a lifelong student of human potential, a spiritual seeker, an entrepreneur, a wife a mother, the CEO of several businesses. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia.
Sadhguru Vasudev, co-author of Midnights with the Mystic: A Little Guide to Freedom and Bliss, is a yogi, mystic, and visionary. He is a spiritual master with a difference. An arresting blend of profundity and pragmatism, his life and work serve as a reminder that inner sciences are not an esoteric discipline from an outdated past, but a contemporary science, vitally relevant to our times. Probing, passionate, and provocative, deeply insightful, devastatingly logical, and unfailingly witty, Sadhguru's talks have earned him the reputation of a speaker and opinion-maker of international renown.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Review - Yogasana Rug
Are you ready for a truly different Yoga mat? I thought I was, and here's my experience. I need to say: I wanted to LOVE this mat (Yogasana Rugs). And I still love parts of it, but in the end it wasn't the mat for me. What did I love? I love the idea of a cotton rug instead of a sticky plastic mat. It is just so much more natural and feels right under my feet. And this is the queen of cotton rugs. Hand-loomed in India - heck yeah! The craftsmanship is spectacular and comes with a 15 year warranty. This is a quality Yoga rug and beautiful to boot, coming in great element colors of Fire, Water and Earth. And machine washable - give me another heck yeah!
There are some things that might take a little time to get used to. Despite it's thickness, the rug is not cushy. When I first started Yoga on it, my hands and back took a little time to get used to the nubby, firm texture. It also took me some time to get used to the weight of this mat over my sticky mat. Not a big deal when I'm carrying one mat, but when I add it to all the ones I carry when I teach, it was a little daunting.
What don't I love? As any cotton mat will be, the Yogasana Rug is very slippery on hard floors. I can put a sticky mat under it to prevent sliding, but for me that defeats many of the reasons I wanted to use the cotton rug. For me this was the breaking point; every time I moved, so did the mat. I also found my feet slipping on the mat which is one of the reasons I generally avoid mats during standing poses.
I really wanted this to be my mat! But alas, that's not how I feel and I still find I prefer to go matless (and use the sticky mat during floor poses). But the Yogasana Rug is a beautiful mat and I look forward to trying it outside in the summer, where slipping won't be an issue.
Friday, November 19, 2010
CD Review - Adhara
What a treat! I've seen Nirinjan Kaur perform live and I have another CD (Aquarian) of hers. So my expectations were high when I was sent Adhara for review by Spirit Voyage ($17.99 US). And I wasn't disappointed.This is a CD full of beautiful music. It is a great listening CD to have on in the background, or just to enjoy a lazy afternoon with the stereo on. Both the music and the vocals are so smooth and easy to listen to.
My favorite tracks were "Aap Sahaaee Hoaa" and "Har Singh Nar Singh." They are mantra recitations, but they are so musical and so catchy. And, in addition to being great to listen to, they are beautiful mantras so I can use the CD when I do mantra recitation.
Typically I enjoy Sanskrit songs much more than English ones, and for most of the CD this remained true. And then I listened to "Heal Me". When it started I sort of shrugged, thought it was okay. But after several repetitions of the first verse, I felt so much better about myself. It was an instant spirit lifter.
The only song slow enough that I would use it in my classes is "Jai Tegang", but to me this isn't a CD to do Yoga to, but a CD to listen to and to use in your mantra practice.
If you like Nirinjan Kaur's music, you will definitely enjoy this CD. And if you haven't heard her music yet, what are you waiting for? Visit Spirit Voyage and check out Adhara.
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