Comments on: Dance of Shiva on the brain http://shivanata.com/blog/guest-posts/dance-of-shiva-on-the-brain/ Hot buttered epiphanies and unlikely insights with Shiva Nata. We're the Shivanauts. Whoo! Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:35:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.1 By: Mana Gement http://shivanata.com/blog/guest-posts/dance-of-shiva-on-the-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-1090 Mana Gement Thu, 10 Jun 2010 23:36:44 +0000 http://shivanata.com/?p=928#comment-1090 Thank you so much for this. I had looked and looked for reassurance on doing it without the DVD and without the traditional flailing, and you're describing my practice exactly. (I've been scared and discouraged by a lack of apparent epiphanies, but with your example I can soldier on until they turn up.) Thank you so much for this. I had looked and looked for reassurance on doing it without the DVD and without the traditional flailing, and you’re describing my practice exactly. (I’ve been scared and discouraged by a lack of apparent epiphanies, but with your example I can soldier on until they turn up.)

]]> By: Authenticity, Consciousness & Presence « Wings of Flight http://shivanata.com/blog/guest-posts/dance-of-shiva-on-the-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-892 Authenticity, Consciousness & Presence « Wings of Flight Mon, 08 Mar 2010 19:16:17 +0000 http://shivanata.com/?p=928#comment-892 [...] I would dance to the YMCA (Village People) and It’s Raining Men (Weather Girls), despite not being familiar [...] [...] I would dance to the YMCA (Village People) and It’s Raining Men (Weather Girls), despite not being familiar [...]

]]> By: Elizabeth B http://shivanata.com/blog/guest-posts/dance-of-shiva-on-the-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-875 Elizabeth B Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:45:41 +0000 http://shivanata.com/?p=928#comment-875 Wow. Bam. So you know how I ended that with "if only I had an extra well-rested half hour in the mornings"? I just realized that I do. My morning routine has changed slightly and now on most mornings I have that time. It wasn't even a Very Personal Add. Really! Of course, after reading everyone's comments and going on retreat I'm less concerned about doing it the "normal" way, but I just realized I now have that opportunity to make it a more regular practice. Wow.
Bam.
So you know how I ended that with “if only I had an extra well-rested half hour in the mornings”?

I just realized that I do. My morning routine has changed slightly and now on most mornings I have that time. It wasn’t even a Very Personal Add. Really! Of course, after reading everyone’s comments and going on retreat I’m less concerned about doing it the “normal” way, but I just realized I now have that opportunity to make it a more regular practice.

]]> By: Lynn @ human, being http://shivanata.com/blog/guest-posts/dance-of-shiva-on-the-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-824 Lynn @ human, being Mon, 15 Feb 2010 22:47:41 +0000 http://shivanata.com/?p=928#comment-824 I made a spreadsheet with the patterns. It made my brain happy to see the patterns all nice and neat, and it made the Dance not so scary to do. Because I don't have to boot up the DVD every day, I'm doing it more. I have a printout on my office bulletin board, and one on my dressing table. I love having it be portable until it becomes ultra-portable in my brain. Level 1 and proud--I realize that's where I'm failing. Not being where I am and being OK with it. I don't like being bad at anything. .-= Lynn @ human, being´s last blog ..<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/humanbeingblog/yplw/~3/LklsVTfU1Rs/" rel="nofollow">Days of Grace: 300/365</a> =-. I made a spreadsheet with the patterns. It made my brain happy to see the patterns all nice and neat, and it made the Dance not so scary to do. Because I don’t have to boot up the DVD every day, I’m doing it more. I have a printout on my office bulletin board, and one on my dressing table. I love having it be portable until it becomes ultra-portable in my brain.

Level 1 and proud–I realize that’s where I’m failing. Not being where I am and being OK with it. I don’t like being bad at anything.
Lynn @ human, being´s last blog ..Days of Grace: 300/365

]]> By: Herb http://shivanata.com/blog/guest-posts/dance-of-shiva-on-the-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-816 Herb Thu, 11 Feb 2010 05:09:58 +0000 http://shivanata.com/?p=928#comment-816 A brief chance to show off one of my favorite TED talks: http://www.ted.com/talks/vs_ramachandran_the_neurons_that_shaped_civilization.html This might explain why writing the numbers or visualizing activates the same parts of the brain that doing it does. And the blog has me sold in terms of ordering the DVD and stuff as soon as I can, although I'm torn between it and Havi's yoga DVDs that don't suck set. A brief chance to show off one of my favorite TED talks:
http://www.ted.com/talks/vs_ramachandran_the_neurons_that_shaped_civilization.html

This might explain why writing the numbers or visualizing activates the same parts of the brain that doing it does.

And the blog has me sold in terms of ordering the DVD and stuff as soon as I can, although I’m torn between it and Havi’s yoga DVDs that don’t suck set.

]]> By: Beth http://shivanata.com/blog/guest-posts/dance-of-shiva-on-the-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-813 Beth Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:15:22 +0000 http://shivanata.com/?p=928#comment-813 I also do most of my shiva nata at work. It's become one of the things I rely on for energy and focus and flow. But without the DVD, I don't even know what to flail at. I'm just starting to learn Level 2 and it isn't in my head or body yet at all. So at work I stick to what I know, and try to flail extra on the weekends when I have time. Though I'd forgotten about Willie's chart! Maybe time to haul it out and flail a bit at work. I also do most of my shiva nata at work. It’s become one of the things I rely on for energy and focus and flow.

But without the DVD, I don’t even know what to flail at. I’m just starting to learn Level 2 and it isn’t in my head or body yet at all. So at work I stick to what I know, and try to flail extra on the weekends when I have time.

Though I’d forgotten about Willie’s chart! Maybe time to haul it out and flail a bit at work.

]]> By: Alison http://shivanata.com/blog/guest-posts/dance-of-shiva-on-the-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-812 Alison Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:40:00 +0000 http://shivanata.com/?p=928#comment-812 Thank you! I've been meaning/wanting to (re-)start my morning practise again, for weeks. Months? But not. After reading this, I went to the rest room at work, and remembered the positions. Then a few spirals. It is _so_ _much_ _more_ than nothing. .-= Alison´s last blog ..<a href="http://yarninmypocket.typepad.com/yarn_in_my_pocket/2010/02/16-getting-up-earlier.html" rel="nofollow">16) Getting up earlier</a> =-. Thank you!

I’ve been meaning/wanting to (re-)start my morning practise again, for weeks. Months? But not.

After reading this, I went to the rest room at work, and remembered the positions. Then a few spirals. It is _so_ _much_ _more_ than nothing.
Alison´s last blog ..16) Getting up earlier

]]> By: Pearl Mattenson http://shivanata.com/blog/guest-posts/dance-of-shiva-on-the-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-811 Pearl Mattenson Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:58:56 +0000 http://shivanata.com/?p=928#comment-811 Hi Elizabeth- this is actually so inspiring. I love the idea of sitting at my desk when I get the Shivanata itch and writing out the number patterns. I have used Willie Hewes awesome sheets several times now when travelling but the brain buziness of writing out the patterns feels cool. And "Level 1 and Proud" might have to become a T-shirt! Hi Elizabeth- this is actually so inspiring. I love the idea of sitting at my desk when I get the Shivanata itch and writing out the number patterns. I have used Willie Hewes awesome sheets several times now when travelling but the brain buziness of writing out the patterns feels cool.
And “Level 1 and Proud” might have to become a T-shirt!

]]> By: Inge http://shivanata.com/blog/guest-posts/dance-of-shiva-on-the-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-810 Inge Wed, 10 Feb 2010 10:51:30 +0000 http://shivanata.com/?p=928#comment-810 Great piece! I actually hardly ever use the DVD, just watch it to see what's next, figure out the logic behind it and go from there. It's not that I don't like the DVD, it's more that I don't like putting it on in the morning, too many acts to turn on the TV, DVD and find the right video. Sometimes I just check if the speed of my movements is remotely approaching Andrey's. When I'm not home, I also do the mental Shiva Nata or spend time playing with things that will make it harder. Like messing with the sequence, using alternatives to the numbers, messing with the speed, etc. I also suspect I don't f(l)ail enough. If the practice is too easy, I start making mistakes when my brain starts wandering, usually near the end of a sequence. That revealed a pattern for me though: I don't usually follow things through to the end. If I can see or even imagine the finish line, I just wander off or stop completely, then start thinking about the next new shiny thing on my way. Great piece!

I actually hardly ever use the DVD, just watch it to see what’s next, figure out the logic behind it and go from there. It’s not that I don’t like the DVD, it’s more that I don’t like putting it on in the morning, too many acts to turn on the TV, DVD and find the right video. Sometimes I just check if the speed of my movements is remotely approaching Andrey’s. When I’m not home, I also do the mental Shiva Nata or spend time playing with things that will make it harder. Like messing with the sequence, using alternatives to the numbers, messing with the speed, etc.

I also suspect I don’t f(l)ail enough. If the practice is too easy, I start making mistakes when my brain starts wandering, usually near the end of a sequence. That revealed a pattern for me though: I don’t usually follow things through to the end. If I can see or even imagine the finish line, I just wander off or stop completely, then start thinking about the next new shiny thing on my way.

]]> By: Claudia http://shivanata.com/blog/guest-posts/dance-of-shiva-on-the-brain/comment-page-1/#comment-809 Claudia Wed, 10 Feb 2010 10:30:29 +0000 http://shivanata.com/?p=928#comment-809 Hi! Finally I get the chance (and the guts) to report my progress with Dance of Shiva. I started in the first week of January and practised nearly every day. That's quite unusual, because mostly I get all excited about something for a few days or weeks, and after that I don't touch it any more. Here's what triggered my attention: "So here’s my confession: I’ve spent more time practicing the Dance without the DVD than with it." Oh yes, that's so true for me, too. But I couldn't have done it without: "So I pulled out a pad of paper and started writing out the numbers." That's one of the first things I did - my brain just wanted to understand what's going on and it ordered "write down those damn numbers!" And I use them a lot - I often do Dance of Shiva "by numbers". I use the DVD regularly too - but since I love doing some Dance when I'm outside, walking along the river, the DVD isn't always the most convenient solution. The most remarkable thing (I wonder what pattern that may be) is, that I often forget Shivasana. And if I do it I have no clue what I'm doing it for. Or I get the feeling taht I do it completely wrong. Whatever. I had many small lightbulb moments since I started doing the Dance and a few bigger insights (some oft them embarrassingly obvious), but what's even more remarkable: Dance of Shiva makes me feel full of energy. Sometimes it is annoying, but most of the time I like it. I think it's the only possible thing to do for people like me: I easily get bored when I know "how to do it" and I hate it when I have to repeat something over and over again. The great thing is - once I know how to do it - I am supposed to not repeat it and move on instead. How brilliant is that? :o) Claudia from Austria Hi!

Finally I get the chance (and the guts) to report my progress with Dance of Shiva. I started in the first week of January and practised nearly every day. That’s quite unusual, because mostly I get all excited about something for a few days or weeks, and after that I don’t touch it any more.

Here’s what triggered my attention:

“So here’s my confession: I’ve spent more time practicing the Dance without the DVD than with it.”

Oh yes, that’s so true for me, too. But I couldn’t have done it without:

“So I pulled out a pad of paper and started writing out the numbers.”

That’s one of the first things I did – my brain just wanted to understand what’s going on and it ordered “write down those damn numbers!” And I use them a lot – I often do Dance of Shiva “by numbers”. I use the DVD regularly too – but since I love doing some Dance when I’m outside, walking along the river, the DVD isn’t always the most convenient solution.

The most remarkable thing (I wonder what pattern that may be) is, that I often forget Shivasana. And if I do it I have no clue what I’m doing it for. Or I get the feeling taht I do it completely wrong.

Whatever. I had many small lightbulb moments since I started doing the Dance and a few bigger insights (some oft them embarrassingly obvious), but what’s even more remarkable: Dance of Shiva makes me feel full of energy.

Sometimes it is annoying, but most of the time I like it. I think it’s the only possible thing to do for people like me: I easily get bored when I know “how to do it” and I hate it when I have to repeat something over and over again. The great thing is – once I know how to do it – I am supposed to not repeat it and move on instead.

How brilliant is that? :o)

Claudia from Austria

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