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Saturday, May 18, 2013

Review: Paul Hertzog's Freeing The Waters

Paul Hertzog, an 80's film composer, known for films such as Bloodsport and Kickboxer, has released a new album.  Never underestimate the power of a great film score or the music of a genius.  The score of a movie brings the film to life, an often crucially important element in cinema that is overlooked.  A great music soundtrack helps to tell the story in a cinematic picture.  Paul's music has influenced an entire genre of martial art film music.  I still listen to the brilliant film scores of both Kickboxer and Bloodsport.  They inspire me to do great things - GREAT THINGS!  Hertzog has released a collection of tracks he recorded back in the 80's never before heard by the public.  He was doing synth way back when it all began ... and when it was a lot more difficult than it is these days.  Syth composers got it made in this millennium, thanks to those who paved the road before them ... people like Paul Hertzog. 

If you are a die-hard film fan of Bloodsport or Kickboxer (featuring Jean-Claude Van Damme), Freeing The Waters is a must-have.  In fact, you may want to read this article later and run out and purchase a CD.  They are limited to 1000 so you will want to hurry.  The first 100 CDs will be autographed by the composer.  Visit Perseverance Records.

Freeing the Waters, a 10-track album, is a collection of previously unreleased tracks written during Paul Hertzog's years as a film composer.  The entire album is bubbling to the brim with mood and setting, immediately building atmosphere with layers of emotive sounds.  The work elicits such emotion, invoking a rich tapestry of life experiences, while managing to stay intense, meaningful and structured throughout.  Hertzog paints with sound.  His ability to captivate and add emotional resonance while relaying sensitivity and bounded restraint in fervent waves is amazing.  Freeing The Waters displays elaborate texture and vivid colors with a twist around every corner.  Some songs take you up, some take you down and some to places you never even knew you wanted to go ... until you are there and you can't help but play that track again and again.  


The album begins with twinkling, celestial sounds that transport the listener to another place and time, where there is magic, merit and starlight.  Track two, has a certain familiar quality about it, resembling some of the tracks from the Kickboxer score.  This song reminds me of the long road of life and how without courage and restriction, you may never make it through the gateway at the end of the Fool's Journey.  Track three is a little more mellow, yet deeply emotional, displaying many layers of the human heart and the suffering that occurs from the love that also gives us so much pleasure. 
 

Track 4 is one of my favorites, as it has a fun element yet pulls great strength and courage to the surface of my being ... making me question my motives and begging me to make the right choice.  It also has a quality about it that reminds me of some of the best role-playing (rpg) video games ... the kind that takes you on a spiritual quest.  The song itself is much like a journey, through the thick and thin of life and of the soul.  You have no choice but to stand up or stand down, because the invocation within this song demands it.  Mercy or Severity? - It is all up to you!  

Track 5 slows down the pace a little bit, with moments of magic dust that put you into a place of deep woods mediation.   Moving forward with track 6, the listener goes even deeper into an emotional trance, resonating with the waters of the great Sea while journeying into the depth of the watery and intuitive self.  Track 7 pulls the listener back out of the subconscious, into consciousness and ... well, ... dancing and bopping the head around.  Wow, this songs sexy!  Track 8 is a sparkly and magical, overflowing cup of love, laced with stardust from heaven.  The climatic and debut titled track, lucky number 9 is the opening of the damn ... where the waters finally find freedom, no longer stagnant, rather oceanic and filled with life.  I cannot express my love for this album enough. 

The inspirational music of Paul Hertzog is infused with the quality and characteristic of a musician who pains and obsesses over the details and design of the final product.  This album is completely remarkable and pleasurably intense.  I do hope some of these tracks find there way into a film score, as they would make an excellent musical film accompaniment.  The tracks on Freeing The Waters would compliment many great screenplays, easily crafting a film’s most memorable moments and helping to create a killer soundtrack. 

Highly recommend!!!

I hope to see more work from Paul in the future.  This guy is amazing.  For more information, or to order please visit Perseverance Records.

Freeing The Waters Track List
  1.     The Violet Hour (2:46)
  2.     April Fools' Day (5:48)
  3.     Walk on Wide Water (5:01)
  4.     A Wicked Plot (3:50)
  5.     Kyoto Forest (5:49)
  6.     Sue Across the Sea (5:29)
  7.     Black Pearls (6:12)
  8.     Love in a Labyrinth (6:34)
  9.     Freeing the Waters (4:26)

Paul composed the music for the following films:

  • 1991 - Breathing Fire
  • 1989 - Kickboxer 
  • 1988 - Dangerous Love
  • 1988 - Bloodsport
  • 1987 - Street Justice
  • 1986 - Hollywood Zap
  • 1986 - My Chauffeur


 

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Review: The Sound Healing Collection (Six CD Set)

Did you know that our cells and molecules are tiny radio transmitters and receivers? Sound can be a powerful healer ...

The therapeutic power of sound, more specifically of music can be miraculous. Get Six sound engineers together who know this and we could quite literally move mountains. The power of music is something that musicians and ancient mystics have always known. With this Aquarian-age and universal frequency shift, the scientific community is now "waking up". It is an extremely exciting time in our world because it is changing. Many believe that a new "awareness" will allow this transformation to be one of positive change, planetary alignment, atonement and brotherly love. A new day when our beautiful planet is in harmony - an image that fills my heart and connects my consciousness to the core of our world that is clearly seeking balance.

As our earth seeks resonance, let us all do the same. It is our divine right to re-align in harmony, allowing health, wellness and joyfulness to take place.

The healing power of sound has never been easier to experience. Sounds True has put the best of the best together with this collection. Before exploring these six sound engineers a part of this set, let's look a little deeper into Sound & Vibration Therapy ...

Universal Law: Light, Sound and Vibration

Sound therapy can be simply be described as a noninvasive, energy-based, alternative health approach to wellness.Vibration is a primary force in the Universe and the basis of sound therapy. Vibrational healing is nothing new and revolutionary, as it has been practiced in many forms all over the world for thousands of years.

To begin, everything has frequency and vibration - everything. Everything in the universe is energy. Nothing is really solid, although it may appear so. Rather everything in our world is made up of microscopic particles vibrating at such a fast rate that they appear solid. This is true for living and non-living items alike. Everything is alive with tiny particles of life that are in a constant moving state, creating vibration. This is the Law of Vibration, a law of nature that states that nothing rests, everything moves; everything vibrates.

If there is a vibration, you can be sure that it is creating its own unique sound. The very core of the being is a vibration. Even our thoughts have a vibration. When we think we are sending out a sound. It is possible to increase the speed at which the molecules in our bodies vibrate, through our thoughts of love, joy and gratitude.

Our emotions actually effect the shape of our DNA. We can also think our self into an illness. When we think, which is a sound, it resonates the frequency around us to our "thinking" sound. The mind is a tool of the soul. Do not get the two confused. Another aspect of dis-ease (meaning disharmony in the body or illness) occurs when the mind and the soul are in conflict with one another.

Sound has the power to heal. Sound can transform physical matter. Sound can raise vibrations and therefore bring the body back into a healthy harmony. Interesting, isn't it? We are all powerful co-creators of our reality. Healing is possible, but you first must welcome it. In order to heal you must allow yourself to do so. So give yourself permission right now to do so. Repeat and affirm the following statement three times, "I love and respect myself. I welcome healing to take place".

The Collection

The Sound Healing Collection brings together leading musicians in the field of sound and frequency healing: Dr. Jeffrey Thompson, David, Ison, Steven Halpren, Ph.D., Dr. Joseph Nagler, Sylvia Nakkach, and Life in Balance. Listening to healing sounds, vibrations and music can have dramatic results, and all you have to do is listen. An intention of healing with the energy of love helps the process along. This six CD set has a style that will resonate with everyone, six hours of inspiring, relaxing and healing music. Each CD offering its own special blend of healing magic.

Music For Brainwave Massage

The first CD is entitled "Music For Brainwave Massage", by Dr. Jeffrey D. Thompson, D.C., B.F.A.. This album is actually intended to to alter brainwave function and states of consciousness. Embedded sound frequency patterns, altering right and left signals and primordial sounds of nature work in harmony with a talented musician and composer. He is recognized as a worldwide expert in the field of brainwave entrainment frequencies incorporated into musical sound tracks. Mr Thompson has established a method for using modulated sound-pulses for Brainwave Entrainment intent with changing states of consciousness for healing the mind, body and spirit.

This is one of my favorite discs in the collection. I never "tire" of listening to it and can easily play it for weeks at a time, without intermission. It puts me in a good moon ... I mean mood ... and keeps me there, feeling warm, focused, calm, cool and collected. One of my favorite CD's of this collection, I never take it out of the ten disc player.

Relax

The second CD, "Relax", by David Ison is one of the more emotional moving pieces, for myself anyhow. It tends to trigger highs and lows, even exposing great sadness and sensitivities at times.
David Ison is internationally recognized as a pioneer in extending the healing effectiveness of sound, meditation and self realization. He is a musician, composer, mediation teacher, published author, the creator of the Musical Body, The Harmonizer and the Ison Method, along with dozens of other transformational musical programs.

After a serious car accident Ison was injured so bad that he broke his back and was unable to walk. Intent on healing himself, David refused pain killers and surgery, instead using an energy-based meditation technique to slow down his breathing to create a deep state of relaxation and then to direct his body’s vital force to the injured areas of his body. He walked out of the hospital, inspired to create transformational musical tools that would create the same kind of deep benefits he experienced while recovering.

Music For Healing MInd, Body & Spirit

Lucky number three is entitled, "Music For Healing MInd, Body & Spirit", by Steven Halpern, Ph.D. This CD takes me to distant galaxies, visions of dancing on keyboard synthesizers while waves of light are emitted from frequencies that sound almost too good for the human ear to hear. If the speakers are up high enough I can feel some of these notes in my teeth ...

Steven Halpern, Ph.D is an award-winning composer, speaker, recording artist, author and producer. He has been named by Keyboard magazine as "one of the 10 most influential keyboard artists of the past 50 years." Steven discovered secrets of combining ancient sound healing traditions with quantum biology and energy medicine to produce recordings that present the proper vibrations, supporting deep levels of healing by employing the mind and body's wisdom and genetically programmed ability to heal itself.

Music for Rejuvenation

Another emotional stirring CD in this collection, "Music for Rejuvenation", by Dr. Joseph Nagler is the fourth album of this "collection of the brightest six." This is actually one of my least favorite's of the set, and although it begins with a bit of an emotion kick, I find myself turning it off by the time track three rolls around. I certainly do not plan on listening to this album as much as the others, if at all. It is too "brassy" for my taste. It also has moments of uncomfortable sadness and emotional, whining piano and violin that pours from the speakers, making it difficult for me to listen to.

Joseph Nagler, D.A., C.M.T. received his doctorate in music therapy and is currently a Professor of Music at Queensborough Community College. He is an author, music therapist, musician and researcher. He is currently researching the use of music to promote language development with autistic children.

Inside

The fourth disc, "Inside", by Silvia Nakkach, has been a resident in my ten disc player for months now. I cannot get enough of it. It feels healing listening to the beautiful melodies, vocals and acoustic textures. This is by far my favorite of the entire collection. Shamanic and multi-cultural influences are woven together with the sacred voice of Silvia in the spotlight. This deeply healing, world music score is graceful, spiritual and heart touching. A penetrating album that encapsulates the essence of a true healer, a natural healer. Centered and relaxed, I immediately feel at peace with myself, my world and God. Silvia has a voice that is angelic, healing, elegant, soul-soothing and heart opening. Her heart pours with emotion, yet she sings with control, strength, poise and inner balance. Truly a work of art ...

Silvia Nakkach,M.A.,M.M.T. Is an award-winning composer, a former music psychotherapist, educator, singer, author, multi-instrumentalist and voice-culturist. She has been a pioneer in the field of sound and transformation of consciousness and is a recognized authority on the healing power of voice, music and sound. She is the founding director of The Vox Mundi School, an international project devoted to teaching and preserving indigenous musical traditions and combining service, spiritual practice and music.

Crystal Bowl Meditation

Sixth and final disc of this Ambient, healing collection is "Crystal Bowl Meditation" by Life In Balance. This is another favorite in the the collection. The Life In Balance pair are pioneers in ambient and trance-inducing electro-acoustic music. This touring duo, husband and wife team - Amin and Steve Sciulli, create a hypnotic, textured sound that is easy to relax and meditate to. The music has a magical sound, blending golden sparkling, pixie dust as it touches our dimension, alchemy, crystals and bells. The vibrational force causes my speakers to rattle at times. The work of Life In Balance is impressive, as they use ten crystal bowls in this album to create the sacred healing sounds. I enjoyed watching them on you tube, as I have never witnessed crystal bowls being played with such beauty. The music touches me different, after seeing them in action.

Life In Balance merging sacred instruments and modern instruments. Ami and Steve Sciulli are sacred sound healing musicians who use quartz crystal bowls and electronically enhanced world flutes to create an environment for healing, expansion, and relaxation. A national touring duo, Steve Sciulli and Ami Sciulli have played with Deepak Chopra, Krishna Das, Rusted Root and the Drepung Gomang Tibetan Monks.

Closing

If I had to pack light for a weekend trip ... or even a year, this collection would be traveling with me. I know I cannot go wrong with it, everyone loves it - everyone. Out of the entire six hours of music, there are only a few songs that I did not care for. It helps trigger the response of love and relaxation - a winning combo for an alchemical miracle to take place.

I love this CD set and my clients do too! It's great music for bodywork, meditation and relaxation. I highly recommend it. Remarkable experiences have been reported with the use of sound. You won't regret adding this set to your collection. For more information, please visit Sounds True.

Details
    1. Music for Brainwave Massage, by Dr. Jeffrey Thompson, Brainwave entrainment to induce healing states of mind.
    2. Relax, by David Ison, A musical method used by over 500,000 patients at the National Institutes of Health.
    3. Music for Healing Mind, Body, and Spirit, by Steven Halpern, PhD, A musical prescription for balancing your mind, body, and spirit.
    4. Music for Rejuvenation, by Dr. Joseph Nagler, Revitalize every cell by balancing the rhythms in your body.
    5. Inside, by Silvia Nakkach, Ethereal vocals to awaken the spirit of healing.
    6. Crystal Bowl Meditation, by Life In Balance, A unique vibratory journey to deeply meditative states.

    Review: Songs of Tara, Devotional Music to the Goddess of Liberation

    An album review ... Songs include "Green Tara Mantra", by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and "Om Tare", by Wah!

    Devotional Music to the Goddess of Liberation is a collection of various artists that celebrates the bodhisattva Tara. Tara is known in Tibet as 'She Who Liberates'. Her Indian name is "star". Legend says that she has vowed to remain in cyclic existence, always in female form, until all beings are liberated from suffering. Tara is known to offer guidance, advice, protection and help to anyone who asks, quickly and practically. She has the power to dissipate fears of all forms, freeing and liberating from the bondage they cause. The negative states that accompany fears are known in Tibet as Dolma.

    A beautiful sound scape of exotic instruments and hypnotic textures that transforms any space into a sacred and healing environment. Spiritual leaders and devotional artists come together in celebration of the beloved Tara, a compassionate bodhisattva who delivers us from fear and protects us from harm. This album pays homage to Tara, in all her forms with modern and traditional renditions of her mantras from both Tibetans and Western artists. This is collection of previous released songs that invoke a compassionate and comforting presence. His Holiness the Dalai Lama is even involved, contributing to track ten, "Green Tara Mountain".

    Eleven tracks showing love to the Tibetan savior and protector, Songs of Tara, Devotional Music to the Goddess of Liberation joins talent from all over the world. Chloe Goodchild, Dechen Shak-Dagsay, Jetsun Kacho Wangmo, Wah!, Nawang Khechog, HARC, His Holiness the Dali Lama, Her Eminence Jamyang Sakya, Bhakta and Darpan, Deva Premal and the Gyuto Monks are now united with the commonality of being a part of this exceptional spiritual, new age album.

    The album begins with track one by Wah!, "Om Tare", sets the mood to one of tranquility and bliss with mystical melodies and sultry vocals. Track two, "White Tara", by the Deva Premal and the Gyuto Monks is a deeply moving, hypnotic mantra-chant that is over eleven minutes long. Track 3, "Om Tare Tam Svaha", is a song traditionally known as Tara's "heart song", sung with the passion and power the Tibetan nun - Jetsun Kacho Wangmo.

    Track four, "The Great Arya Tara", by Nawang Khechog is a tranquil, Shamanic sounding flute composition that is deeply relaxing, magical and earthy. "Om Tare", by Maneesh de Moor and Sudha is a fourteen minute angelic chant with hypnotic melodies. Track six, "Om Tara", by Bhakta and Darpan is is a relaxing and refreshing ambient mantra. The seventh track is simply titled, "Tara", by teacher, composer, and performer - Chloe Goodchild, has a beautiful and elegant healing sound and vocals. This is one of my favorites on this disc, the vocals are clear and easy to understand.

    Track 8, "White Tara Mantra", also a favorite, by founder and teacher of the Mother Tara Sakya Center - Her Eminence Jamyang Sakya, is a heart touching prayer of devotion, charged with innocence and love. "Om Tare Tuttare Ture Soha", track 9, is an emotional journey, navigated by drum beats and guided by flutes and then ... the vocals kick in, with stringed instruments ... possibly a violin. This is one of those songs that is moving, shifting your resonance and putting you on higher planes of the ethers.

    Track 10, "Green Tara Mantra", is by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The track begins with mystical sounds and bells. Then His Holiness begins to chant in the distant background, his voice echoing and getting louder as and closer as the song moves forward. The last track of this album, track 11 once again titled, "Tara", by Dechen Shak-Dagsay has bird and nature sounds within female chanting, synthesizer sounds and piano. Peaceful and uplifting, this was the perfect end to an album with so much soul and spirit.

    This inspirational, heart-awakening album is filled with exotic instruments and angelic, spiritual vocals. A small booklet is included with this CD. Get a taste before you buy at Sounds True. You won't be disappointed.

    Track Listings
    1. Om Tare (Wah!)
    2. White Tara (Deva Premal)
    3. Om Tare Tam Svaha (Jetsun Kacho Wangmo)
    4. The Great Arya Tara (Nawang Khechog)
    5. Om Tare (Maneesh de Moor)
    6. Om Tara (Bhakta)
    7. Tara (Chloe Goodchild)
    8. White Tara Mantra (Her Eminence Jamyang Sakya)
    9. Om Tare Tuttare Ture Soha (HARC)
    10. Green Tara Mantra (His Holiness the Dalai Lama)
    11. Tara (Dechen Shag-Dagsay)
    Total running time: 69:58

    Review: Desert Chill - DJ Nader

    Desert Chill is a delicious and decadent ... an invigorating musical explosion with non-stop intensity all the way to the end.  This in not our ancestors snake charming music.  Oh no, this is a whole new breed of Arabian grooviness ... straight out of the future.  Welcome to the sexy and savvy spinning grooves of DJ Nader.

    This album is sure to enliven any atmosphere ... like magical dust from your pixie friends.  Classic Arabian sounds fused with chill-out grooves, brilliantly mixed into a smooth and delightful party.  This music takes you on an exotic and rich trip across the Middle East, with flavors of Baghdad, Marrakech and everywhere in-between.  You better not try to sleep with this bad boy playin'.

    Perfect for parties, belly dancing or simply to expose your genuine coolness!  For more information or to order, please visit bellydance.com.

    Track Listing

    1. Lush Oasis: Giacomo Bondi
    2. Arabian Soul: Roger Abboud
    3. Al Masreya: Vartan & Raffi
    4. Desert Voyage: vibraPHile
    5. Pharaoh's Pleasures: Giacomo Bondi
    6. Along the Nile: Roger Abboud
    7. Bedouin's Journey: Mazachigno
    8. Bint Al Balad: Petrol Bomb Samosa
    9. The Baghdad Groove: Petrol Bomb Samosa
    10. Damascus Bazaar: Charlie Abboud
    11. Al Houbi Koullo: Roger Abboud
    12. The Winds Descended: Giacomo Bondi
    13. I Loved a Rose: vibraPHile
    14. Nomad's Wish: Mazachigno
    15. Baghdad Dub Mix: Drumspyder
    16. Halawt Al Dounya: Charlie Abboud

    Review: R. Carlos Nakai & Will Clipman - Awakening the Fire

    Making Canyon Records proud, grammy-nominees Native American flutist R. Carlos Nakai’s and percussionist Will Clipman's, Awakening the Fire has the purity only a flame can bring.  

    This is one of the best albums I have heard all year.  It hasn't left my player since it arrived and I often keep it on repeat all day.  The music is transporting and transformation.


    Awakening The Fire allows the mind to travel to it's own sacred lands and find the places within that beckon a soul retrieval.   With each listen I am continually amazed at where I end up.  This is real music that echoes the heart and passionate flame of life.

    Awakening The Fire is an invocation of the soul, in its entirety - of the true self.  It urging the listener to take a soulful and inspiring journey with these two talented musicians, channeling the riches of the innermost depths of the genuine being.  You are invited.  You are welcome to jump into the flame of Clipman's purifying drums and percussion and Nakai mystical Native American flute.  

    The music takes you on an adventure.  Native American cedar flute initiates the album and then the soothing rhythms of Native American, African and Asian percussion capture the listener forever.   Awakening the Fire draws heavily upon the power of Clipman's percussive rhythm.  It is one delicious, earthy track after another, that is sure to awaken the fire within and connect the listener to their authenticity, the truth within themselves. 

    You can feel something special about this album ... something quite magical, laced with emotions and intention.  Clipman and Nakai are two of the most talented individuals in music today.  Getting them together was a really good idea. 

    An uplifting and inspirational album, I absolutely LOVE IT.  I really hope these two work together again.  They have a certain chemistry and harmony that is unmatched.  I cannot recommend this album enough.  

    For more information or to sample this music, please visit Canyon Records.




    Review: Radmilla Cody - Precious Friends

    The talented and beautiful award-winning Navajo singer Radmilla Cody has created a wonderful collection of songs for children, including many well-loved classics such as Bah, Bah Black Sheep and Mary Had A Little Lamb.  There are many original compositions as well, sure to become classics in due time.  Track 7 is quite original, as it is actually a rap - very interesting.  I can't keep the smile off my face when this track is playing.  My cheeks start to hurt.  I am especially fond of track 9 titled, Fry Bread Song

    Gorgeously sung in both English and Navajo, with lyrics provided in the booklet ... both full English and Navajo - the Precious Friends album is not only lovely, it serves as a learning tool to learn the beautiful Navajo language.  It would make a great gift, especially for the little ones in your life. 

    Radmilla Cody (vocals, drums, percussion); Radmilla Cody (drum); Herman Cody (drum); Tori Cody, Olin Tracy, R.J. Tsosie, Ty Honeyestewa, Benson Bahe (background vocals); Anthony Wakeman (Native American flute); Giuli Doyle (keyboards)

    For more information, please visit Canyon Records.

    Track Listing

    1. Little Horned Toad
    2. Wait For the Wagon
    3. Buy a Vehicle
    4. I Made Him/Her Cry
    5. My Relatives
    6. Bah, Bah Black Sheep/Mary Had a Little Lamb
    7. Old School Sheepherder's Rap
    8. Colors - Bee Na'achi'aahi
    9. Fry Bread Song
    10. Eensie Weensie Spider
    11. Little Donkey
    12. Lamb Lullaby
    13. Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
    14. Child's Prayer/Prayer for Children

    Sunday, May 12, 2013

    Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature bottles


    The Tommee Tippee Closer to Nature bottles are wonderful.  I 100% love these bottles. As a breast feeding mamma I wanted to make sure I could give my son a bottle without causing confusion.  These bottles made the transition from nipple to bottle easy and smooth.   The nipples are similar to the breast and easy for baby to use.  They are easy to clean and have held up well, very durable.   The nipple doesn't collapse as long as you keep the vent faced down and my baby hasn't had any problems with gas.  I've been using these for almost a month now and would definitely recommend them to others.
    • Mimics natural feel flex & movement of breastfeeding
    • Soft, natural-feel silicone nipple
    • Anti-colic, anti-gas easi-vent helps prevent air ingestion, which can lead to gas, colic and fussiness
    • BPA-free  
    • Unique, easy-latch-on nipple shape 
    • Easy to hold bottle for maximum comfort
    • Super-sensitive valve

    Thursday, May 9, 2013

    NEW MOON Solar ECLIPSE in Taurus, Happy Ring of Fire!


    Video streaming by Ustream  The moon will block the sun in an annular solar eclipse, also known as a "ring of fire" solar eclipse.  This Taurus solar eclipse on May 9-10th marks a new beginning, an especially fertile new beginning as it takes place in the astrological sign of manifestation. 

    Kundalini Yoga: Green Energy of the Heart - All-In-One Workout (ALL LEVELS) by Ana Brett & Ravi Singh

    Nothing keeps me inspired to practice yoga quite like the Ana Brett and Ravi Singh DVDs.  The newest release from this husband and wife team is their best by far.  Ana is lovelier than ever.  As with their previous videos, Green Energy of the Heart features Ana practicing alone, this time against a plain white backdrop with only a mat adorned by butterflies for decoration.  Ana and Ravi take turns providing voice over instruction.  I really like the plain white backdrop, much better than the some of the other backgrounds in older DVDs.  The white provides less distraction.  

    This DVD puts me in such a nice place, feeling loving, kind, gracious and in harmony with myself and all of life.  Ana and Ravi's signature style of Kundalini Yoga is the best of both ancient technique, interlaced with a modern and fresh appeal.  The depth, beauty and power of yoga are presented in their finest attire in Green Energy of the Heart.  Ana is one of the great yoginis of our time and these DVD's have a timelessness to them.  I cannot say enough good things here.  The productions is excellent and the routine is amazing.  Lots of backbending this time round.  They have included the matrix, which allows you to create your own workout.  This is a great feature to the DVD because sometimes I only want to practice for a little bit and this makes it really easy to do so. 

    When I do this DVD in the morning I am smiling all day.   I have begun to practice in the evening too, which keeps me in this positive place until I am ready to practice again the next morning.  It is enjoyable and challenging, great for beginners and those who have been practicing for a long time.  This DVD has it all: stretching, ab work, a great cardio element, total body toning and of course Kundalini Yoga's dynamic blend of movement breathing and asana bliss.

    The Main Menu of the DVD offers the following options:
    *Play DVD
    *Chapter Selections
    *Design Your Own Workout -- Matrix Menu Options
    *Matrix Tutorial
    Choosing "Chapter Selections" brings up a full list, including times for each segment:
    *Tune In, 2:02
    *Warm-Up Set 1, 16:39
    *Warm-Up Set 2, 7:59
    *Green Energy Set 1, 20:16
    *Green Energy Set 2, 19:34
    *Deep Relaxation, 5:05
    *Love Saves the Day Mantra Chant, 4:10
    *Closing Prayer, 2:15
    *Breath Primer, 4:00
    *Cobra/Backbend Primer, 2:12

    For more information, please visit Ana & Ravi.

    The Magician Tarot Magnets

    The Magician Tarot Magnets are a beautiful assortment of magnets by U.S. Games Systems.  The Magician cards from six of the best tarot decks, both classic and contemporary are a part of this special collection of Tarot Magnets. Measuring 1.25” X 2.25” each.  I love the Magician and now I can show him off and remind myself of the powerful message within the secret symbolism of this card.  These colorful magnets are simply delightful, perfect for the frig or file cabinet ... willing to inspire you throughout the day to manifest your desires.  This pack of six magnets is less than $4.00 and well worth over $15.00.  These would make a fantastic gift! 

    The magician cards in this set are from the Joie de Vivre Tarot by Paulina Cassidy, Morgan-Greer Tarot by Bill F. Greer and Lloyd Morgan, Deviant Moon Tarot by Patrick Valenza, Connolly Tarot by Peter Paul Connolly and Eileen Connolly and the Halloween Tarot by Kipling West.



    Sloop Card Game

    Ages 8 and up
    For 2 to 6 players, or play as partnership

    My husband and I played a nice and friendly game of Sloop last night.  We had never played before and I had to read the directions a couple times to be sure we knew what we were doing.  Once we played a few rounds it felt like we were pros.  The game is played by trying to collect as many cards possible.  A game of strategy and math, the game is fun for all ages while being a great educational family game to play with the little ones.  This game is lots of fun.  It has an addictive quality to it and I cannot wait to play again.  For more information, please visit U.S. Games.

    Rupert's Tales: The Wheel of the Year

    An advocate of children's books with powerful and meaningful messages, Rupert's Tale certainly did not fall short from my hopes and high expectations.  Impressive and one-of-a-kind, the stories of Rupert the rabbit are timeless.  Storyteller Kyrja masterfully weaves traditional, sacred Pagan traditions throughout her stories with a fresh and contemporary style.  Her colorful personality lace the stories, books and energy surrounding this project with good vibes and positive, loving intentions.  No one else is doing what Kyrja is doing.  Check her out here - Friends of Rupert Videos.

    Rupert the rabbit takes many adventures through each of the eight sabbats that are a part of the pagan wheel of the year.  Rupert meets many wonderful friends along the way in this timeless tale that the little ones will want to hear again and again. The illustrations are as colorful and enchanting as the story itself, making it easier to fall into the life of Rupert.  The tales are told in rhyme, making it even more fun to read out loud.  There is also a coloring book available that creates an even richer experience with Rupert.  We have named a bunny that frequently visits our yard Rupert ... he is adorable!

    Be sure to check out the Friends of Rupert website for more information. 

    Sage Woman And Witches & Pagans Magazines



    SageWoman Magazine, International 96- page Goddess spirituality magazine published in both paper and PDF eZine formats. Founded in 1986 and now celebrating our 25th year.

    SageWoman is all about celebrating the goddess within.  This is by far one of my favorite magazines.  Every issue is wonderful, soulful and heart centered. The magazine focuses on Goddess based spirituality on all levels.  The articles are based on a theme per issue and seasonally appropriate. 

    Filled to the brim with great columns and poetry, the magazine stays fresh and is always interesting.  It attracts a lot of great advertisers too.  This magazine keeps me connected to a group of loving and wise woman.  Always a pleasure to read ...

    Witches&Pagans magazine brings together the people, places, and practice of the contemporary Pagan movement.  There are interviews with Pagan leaders, authors, activists, artists, and musicians, as well as great stories and loads of practical advise.  This magazine makes it easy to connect you with our ever-evolving Pagan culture.

    Lots of columns on interesting topics such as devotional practice, solitary spirituality, Pagan ethics and spellcasting.  


    Also lots of reviews of Pagan music and literature to keep you in the mainstream of this movement and connected with the talent of our time.  Always a pleasure to read, this magazine keeps you tuned in ...

    Kia Miller Radiant Body Yoga


    The lovely, charming and beautiful yoga teacher Kia Miller has created two DVD's that make her yoga classes available for everyone.  Kia blends Kundalini style yoga with a more basic Hatha style, creating a unique yoga routine and workout that she has named Radiant Body Yoga. These DVD's are wonderful.  The production is quality and the presentation of the asana postures is clear, easy to understand and follow.  These are the perfect DVDs for the beginner and the seasoned alike.  The music on both DVDs is soothing and meditative, making the yoga experience with Kia exceptionally pleasant.

    For more information, please visit Kia Miller.







    Tai Chi ... for busy people & 4 Minute Fitness, Dr. Keith Jeffery



    I am so impressed with the simplicity and effectiveness of both these DVDs.  The Tai Chi for busy people is presented in a way that is easy to understand and learn.  If you are serious about learning this ancient art, you can learn quickly and begin to practice on your own in a few weeks.  The Tai Chi for busy people CD is great to use after you have learned the moves.  The 4 Minute Fitness routine is a nice DVD for people who don't want to mess around, rather get in shape quickly and as effortlessly as possible.  It is like working with a doctor in your own home, who explains the moves, exercises and importance of each.

    For more information, please visit Easy Tai Chi and 4 Minute Fitness.