Dance Of Shiva
21 09 2008
Having a relationship with spirituality is indeed fascinating, often surprising, and at times very very weird. It is true (for me, at least) that once you’ve taken the first step towards Light, you will find it almost impossible to turn back. It’s like going to school, and then trying to unlearn all that’s been taught and absorbed - very hard. So even when your vibrations shift you out of your comfort zone, or when your changing energies drive you absolutely berserk, you just keep on going. Sometimes, change will keep happening until you get the message of growth its trying to deliver to you.
Since my last episode of mini epiphanies, I’ve been pondering quite a bit. I realized I got hooked on epiphanies, and to my horror, my psyche has decided I need more of that weird stuff. And so I (the psyche) set out to find more ways that could trigger more of those “a-ha!” moments (with my physical body screaming in tow). Interestingly, I found one that came with a serious warning label. I’m a curious cat and I love warning labels, in a twisted way. This little packet of epiphanies came in the form of a not-so-common type of yoga … it’s called Shiva Nata, a.k.a Dance of Shiva.
At one glance, it all sounds workable. You can do this in the comfort of your own home via a DVD (and I’m perfectly the home-study sort), without having to announce to the world just how clumsy you are. The instruction covers some - actually, many - graceful hand and leg movements, breathing and meditation techniques … you just need to learn how to coordinate them at your own pace. No dangerous back-breaking moves nor stretches that threaten to snap you into half, so that’s cool. This practice will not only give you more flexible and toned muscles, it will also train your brain. I don’t know about you, but the part about training the brain appealed to me, BIG time.
And so I ordered the package, and it arrived swiftly. I even got my kids excited about doing the Dance of Shiva! So when I first popped the DVD into the player, three of us (me and my daughters) were standing right in front of the TV, eager to do the impossible. The first few steps went well - the very very basics, loads of fun there. And then came the challenging part - limb and mind coordination! I have to admit that I’ve never felt so clumsy in my life. The moves are not that physically challenging, really, but boy trying to catch the sequence of the moves sure does burn the brain! Since I’m not exactly doing an official product review here, I will skip the juicy parts on the instructions, but I will sum up my brief experience. I felt like a big fat eight-legged Tarantula with 4 legs crippled, doing a sloppy job weaving my web and getting myself entangled in it at the same time. And my two baby Tarantulas were coming out with their own kung-fu moves. Gosh, this dance is hard! I was sweating and trembling after 15 minutes, and I haven’t even started on the leg work!
So what’s the point of this? What do I like about Dance of Shiva that sparked off this post? This yoga practice works the left brain SO HARD. With all that ridiculous limb coordinations, you can’t afford slack in the left hemisphere, not one bit! By the end of 10 minutes, your left brain is ready to give up, and that’s when you sit down, center yourself, breathe and allow your right brain to come in and say, ”Hello, remember me?”. That’s the time to focus on areas in your life where you feel you’re not progressing or getting enough “a-ha’s”, and allow your right brain to chirp away while the left brain goes for a drink of water. It was a really weird experience for me, but it felt really GOOD! My arms were aching a little the next day … I love that achy feeling after a workout, makes me feel I’ve done something good to my lazy body. Another plus point (well, I see this as a positive thing) is that the Dance of Shiva is something that will take me years and years to master (if ever), so I guess I won’t be getting bored anytime soon! 
Just so that you know … I will never recommend anything that I haven’t personally tried before. So if this post brings out the masochistic side of you that’s yearning for some epiphanies and toned muscles, check out Havi Brook’s beautiful and funny site. Or you can click on the nice blue spider-woman image on the right hand side, under “Recommended Links” for more information.
Wishing you loads of fun, “struggle” (well, that’s how Dance of Shiva works) and epiphanies! 
Blessings,
Irene
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Your description of the Dance of Shiva sounds exciting and dangerous…LOL!! I’m wondering how different it is from the Kundalini Yoga, that I am currently doing. We’ll have to trade notes, the next time we meet.
Chat soon,
Evelyn
Thanks for the information, Irene - I’ve been thinking about getting the DVD, and it was interesting (and funny!) hearing about your experiences with it. It does sound worthwhile, even though I know I’ll probably look a bit goofy while I learn the moves (I’m not always the most graceful person!)
That was quite amusing
I personally have to say that this DVD program doesnt appeal to me at all, but this is just me. I have other things such as for instance the Holosync Program. But I enjoyed this post very much 
I love the tarantula and baby tarantula images with limbs tangled. It had me laughing out loud. That is how I feel sometimes trying to keep up with exercise DVD’s. My 56-year-old body just doesn’t stretch and move as quickly as it did in my 20’s. Have a glorious day.
Wow, that sounds challenging indeed, but glad you found something to pull you forward. The same left brain and right brain shift is necessary to “get” the martial arts — both the survival part and the artistic part.
Irene, ya gotta love those epiphanies
It’s wonderful to see you stretch yourself like this. I applaud your desire to embrace your Shakti energy to be an energetic match for Shiva.
This is the first time I’ve heard of Shiva Nata. I’d love to hear more about your experience with it in the weeks and months ahead.
And the way you’re flowing with these transformative energies come hell or high water? Totally awesome. You’re an inspiration to me!
Christopher
Gee, this is by far the best product review I’ve ever read. And I didn’t know Havi sells this stuff — she is my local and even thought I haven’t met her in person yet, I’ve talked with her.
My curious maso self is jumping and waving her arms wildly to click . . .
Evelyn - yes it does sound kinda crazy doesn’t it? I like dangerous … muahahaha! I’m not sure how different Shiva Nata is compared to Kundalini yoga though. My limited understanding of yoga tells me that Kundalini yoga works on opening the chakras from root to crown, and it’s physically more challenging (is it?) while Shiva Nata works on the brain and extreme coordination of the limbs?!? I’m assuming that since Shiva Nata comes with epiphanies, it’ll probably work the 6th and 7th chakras into a frenzy? Hehe, just kidding - seriously I don’t know, but I’d love to exchange notes with you the next time we meet.
But seriously, it’s actually quite fun.
Mags - it is worthwhile, and I’m a big fat Tarantula, how graceful! See, the thing about Dance of Shiva is to keep it challenging, else the epiphanies won’t come (yeah, I went “Huh?” when I discovered that too). That’s why I said there’s got to be a masochistic streak in you to embrace Dance of Shiva.
Myrko - thanks for stopping by! I know, not everyone is as crazy as I am.
Ah … the famous Holosync! A dear friend of mine recommend that to me, and I’ve tried the demo CD. Pretty cool stuff there.
Patricia - I’m glad you had a good laugh.
That’s exactly the reason why I prefer to do these crazy stuff at home … and my mom is rather convinced that I’ve gone nuts by now, LOL! One thing I love about Shiva Nata - it actually eased my chronic neck and shoulder pains, and I’ve only done this for a week. I’ve had these pains for years! That’s gotta be cool.
SpaceAgeSage - oh yeah, it’s challenging alright. Isn’t it interesting how the brain works? I’m still working on getting the survival part and the artistic part to work together, but for now it’s fun to watch how each side performs on its own.
Wow, I didn’t think I was actually embracing my Shakti energies to be an energetic match for Shiva, that’s so cool! Although at the clumsy rate that I’m performing, I wonder if I’m putting my Shakti energies to shame … my Shiva energies must be wondering, “Huh?” … LOL!
Chris - thank you.
Akemi - it’s funny how we sometimes discover good things that are so close to us, but had to go one big round the globe to find it. Havi is a lovely person to work with! And when your maso self decides this is too tough to go on, email Havi … she’ll probably teach you how to sprinkle fairy dust on yourself and you’ll be inspired to scramble like a spider again.
Sounds interesting, the vivid image of you and your daughters made me laugh.
Just so that you know … I will never recommend anything that I haven’t personally tried before.
Good, one of the things I respect most about bloggers
8 legged tarantula with 4 legs broken..that was too funny. I think I’ll start by getting back into my running routine. That’s enough of a challenge for me, but I will definitely keep this in mind for when the roads all pile in with snow.
Glen - imagine if you’d actually seen us in action … you could be laughing your teeth off!
Yes, writing from personal experience is something I’ve chosen to stick with, so this will apply to anything I’d recommend as well.
Urban Panther - now I know how a crippled Tarantula feels, LOL. Hey I used to run quite a bit when I was younger, and I remember it felt really good. Now I’m just kinda attracted to goofy stuff, trying out new things.
Yes I suppose Dance of Shiva could provide some good entertainment in winter.
Thank you for the warning. I can honestly say that I will never attempt such a dance. Yoga has given me all of the mind-body challenges that I’ll ever need.
Tom - you’re welcome!
Different strokes for different folks.
I’m with Tom on this one… it WAS a fascinating read, though. Much like Evelyn, you are allowing me a glimpse into spirituality that I don’t think I will ever experience - that (right now) I don’t think I want to experience… but it’s fascinating nonetheless.
Evelyn understands… I hope you will too.
Vered - actually, I do understand and I love your honesty and support nonetheless.
I need to marinate on this one a little bit and read some more to fully understand it. Like they say, “you’re never to old to learn something new.”
Chris - yup, I agree. That’s exactly what I was thinking when I took on Shiva Nata.
Hi Irene: I came across a brain gym video on YouTube where you close your right fist and out up your right thumb, and you close your left fist and put out your left pinky. Then you switch really fast (left hand close pinky put up thumb, right hand stick out pinky and close thumb). The first few times you try you have no control over your fingers. So I can imagine what it must be like to try and do that dance. What I really want to do is get a video that teaches you to dance to rhythmic drumming
@Myrko: I do holosync too, I love it.
Marelisa - oooh, I LOVE drums, so you gotta send me that video! I’ve tried and mastered the thumb-pinky exercise, so I guess Dance of Shiva is the next natural step for me.
Hi Irene - I love this story. The Dance of Shiva sounds like a real workout. You’ll have to keep us posted as you progress.
Barbara - it was a moderate and fun workout for the limbs, but a massive workout for the brain! I’m sure I’ll be sharing my adventures of being a Shivanaut (as Havi would put it) soon enough.
Hi Irene
I clicked on over here from Havi’s site. I just started doing Dance of Shiva too and enjoyed reading your post about your experience of it, kind of nice to find someone else new to it :). I too have experienced some relief from chronic neck and shoulder tightness (too much computer work) since starting and am curious to see where it takes me. I’ll be checking back here to see how you are making out!
Eveline - thanks for stopping by! Wow, it’s nice to meet a fellow Shivanaut.
I haven’t been doing this diligently everyday, but whenever I feel my shoulders tighten I will do the horizontal and vertical hand movements. It works!