Shiva Rea Yoga in Greece

For yoga enthusiasts Shiva Rea’s DVD Yoga in Greece, which is a Vinyasa flow yoga programme, is well worth viewing and practising. The setting is idyllic on the beautiful, Greek volcanic island of Santorini. The location is on the rim of the volcano and for many of the exercises, the backdrop is the clear water of the Aegean Sea, which has filled the volcano because of eruptions over the years. 

It is easy to move from screen to screen with a remote control on a DVD player or with the cursor on a PC, Mac or laptop. From the Main Menu one can select the following options:

• Introduction – Here Shiva Rea, a world-renowned instructor, sets the scene and explains how the location is charged by the solar and lunar energy, which is the subject of the DVD.  She explains about the life enhancing benefits of meditation and how the programme is dedicated to the creative power in all of us.
• Yoga Matrix – This provides the main body of the DVD and I particularly like the way this is organised, as the three hours of yoga and meditations is broken down into smaller segments. You simply preselect how many sections you want to practice at a given time, which enables you to set up yoga sessions to suit your preference and time schedule. The only recommendation given is that each session, no matter what the length, should be finished with the Shavasana, which is a relaxation technique.
• Audio Options – This gives you the option to select music and instruction or music only.
• Bonus Material – As well as the Shiva Rea biography and credits, this section includes an interview with Shiva Rea, in which she enlightens us in more depth about the benefits of the solar and lunar practices of Vinyasa yoga.  There is also a further section on meditations.

As well as the recommendations already mentioned, I would recommend this DVD to all those keen to practise Vinyasa yoga, as it is very clearly explained, which would be important for a yoga novice. There is the option however to deselect the instructions and merely listen to the relaxing and calming music whilst carrying out the routines, particularly as one becomes more confident and proficient in the different movements.     

PWT rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 

Acacia's Shiva Rea in Greece [DVD] is available from Amazon.