Radiant Heart Yoga has Shiva Rea back on the desert sands at dawn under little fluffy clouds.  It is a short DVD at 32 minutes, and most of the workout is gentle.  It is split into three sections: an 8-minute Prayer Wheel, a 20 minute Heart Salutation, and a 3 minutes Heart Movement Meditation.  Rea includes some chanting of "Om" and some rather subtle movements.  The style of direction by James Wvinner is similar to that in Shiva Rea's DVD Fluid Power Yoga, but where in the earlier DVD the constant fading in and out between different angles and overlaying of images made it hard to follow, the movements are simpler here so it is easier to know what Rea is doing.  Although Rea states that the aim of the DVD is to work on the heart, it is not an aerobic workout at all, and actually focuses more on the hips and thigh muscles.  I found some of the middle section quite hard on the knees, so it might be worth using extra cushioning or a thicker Pilates mat.  Those looking for a more meditative yoga workout who are already fans of Shiva Rea should enjoy this DVD.  It comes with short extracts from two of her other recent DVDs, Fluid Power Yoga and Yoga Trance Dance.

© 2007 Christian Perring

Christian Perring, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Dowling College, New York.

Categories: Wellness, Movies