Shivanata Sessions

Insight to Flight Sessions - in Brighton or via Skype -

Dance of Shiva is a form of yoga-based pattern-shifting dance that re-wires your brain in order to make new connections, break down patterns and allow you change your habits. It’s also a good work out for your physical body, building up muscle tone and because it builds up the communicative channels between your left and right hemispheres, it aids learning.

Shiva Nata can tell us why the pattern is; so that we can shift it.

If you’d like more information on the science behind the process, the benefits I feel, a picture of me practising with rubber ducks and information on where you can get the Starter Kit for an amazing price, please visit this post. To find out how I got started, take a look at my post on shivanata.com or if you’d like to join me, take a look at my upcoming classes.

“As Shiva is all and omnipresent,
Everywhere is Shiva‘s gracious dance made manifest.
His five-fold dances are temporal and timeless…

…The eight quarters are His eight arms,
The three lights are His three eyes,
Thus becoming, He dances in our body as the congregation…

…Shiva is a destroyer and loves the burning ground. But what does He destroy? Not merely the heavens and earth at the close of a world-cycle, but the fetters that bind each separate soul.”

Tirumular’s Tirumantram,  Ananda K Coomaraswamy

Why Shiva Nata?

Shivanata sessions are difficult.

Shivanata sessions are difficult; even when you get it right, you look like you’re flailing your arms around madly. However, there are four key factors I think you should know about before you decide if it’s for you or not:

Permission to Fail
- You are meant to, allowed to and expected to get it WRONG. Yes. If you get it wrong, your brain has to begin the process again, which strengthens the neurons. Failing at flailing helps your brain. And constant practise does increase your co-ordination, balance and rhythm; but you do not need these to begin with (in fact it’s easier if you don’t).

Accessible
- It can be utilised no matter where your strengths lie or how you best learn. It’s adaptable and it makes your mind malleable; so you may be able to learn things in new ways from practising. Whether learn best using colours, space, movement, visually, auditory or even via smell – you can learn this via your own personal style. It’s really that accessible.

Infinite
- You can never finish learning Shivanata; as your brain can always be improved, make new neurons and certain levels utilise more or less of certain aspects. By doing level 4, you forget how to do bits of Level 2. This makes it inexpensive considering how long you can keep gaining its benefits. The Shivanata starter kit DVD guides you through levels 1 & 2, and one of the 6 main sequences of level 3. I am able to guide you through the theory and practical aspects from levels 1 to level 5 [currently].
- This is an investment on something that will continue to enhance your brain connections for the rest of your life. You will never reach a point where you’ve mastered it and can no longer learn from it.

Versatile
Despite limiting myself to three points, here’s a forth:
- You can do this practise anywhere, any time, for any time. That 60 seconds as the kettle boils is the perfect time to do 8 moves. 5 minutes is a good, meaningful amount of practise. Sitting on the bus? There are mental aspects involving no outer movement; so you won’t look like an oddball in public spaces but can stay connected to the flow it brings.

How It Works – A Simplified Version

When you first learn to tie your shoelaces; it’s difficult. Which one goes under the other? How can I get one lace longer than the other? This is so confusing and fiddly. Yet with consistent use, your brain has strengthened the connections from mind to hands. The same is true of all learning.

The brain learns via doing. The more you practise something the easier it becomes.

When I began learning my times tables, I had trouble remembering all that information. I had to go 3 times 2 is 3 lots of 2 which is 2 + 2 + 2 which is 6.
If that pathway of logic looked like A-B-C-D; it now looks like A-D.

I’ve created a bridge; a times-tables neuronal pathway. What if we could create a bridge for every bit of knowledge and thought and action we had?

I before E except after C. A is for Apple. The Sign for ‘Belief’ in ASL is a “thought” that you’re “married to”.

You teach your brain a new pattern with the Shivanata positions – from A-B-C. Then it gets used to them [they get easier] because the pathways in your brain that command your movements are efficient (thanks to high use). Thus, we change the pattern – missing parts out, adding new parts, new positions, or going backwards – and it has to make new pathways; linking new pieces (D) to old (B); creating bridges between existing paths: A-B-D. You then draw connections from old pattern to new.. and thus; you brain has lots of new, efficient shortcuts and minor pathways it didn’t have before you began practising, which it can now use more often to communicate better.

Progress
Each time you’ve made a bridge. Switch to a different A and connect it to it’s B or C instead of D. Connect B of one strand to the G of another.

If you make one new pathway efficient and always use it (i.e. dance the same four positions) – others will stagnate. The aim of the practise is to continually be making new pathways so your brain can use them to help you learn, communicate & generally function at its optimum. As soon as you master a pattern, it’s time to get the next one wrong.

A General Class

See the classes page for details of dates and times; and for the contact form if you want me to run a workshop or private session.

* Informal introductions. Experience of Shivanata theory and practise.

* The main positions and a sequence of putting them together, based on individual level – if you find one easy, we can move on to another, or spend the whole class on the bit you’re struggling with. You decide the pace. For beginners, this will always cover the main 8 arm positions and the first level number sequence (With work-sheets).

* Practise is done in little 10-15 minute segments and splattered with theory so you have an understanding of what you’re doing. We cover posture, fluidity and form.

* 20-minutes is given to any aspects which need clarification/questions answered/a chance to try a harder segment.

* You can take as long as you need to get each section. Everyone will learn at different speeds but every single person will find something easier and more difficult than everyone else at some point. We’re patient and passionate about helping you learn from where you are.

Why Me?

I’m studying for an MSc in Cognitive Neuroscience, focusing on how neurons affect our habits and patterns. Essentially, I’m doing a degree in the science behind Shivanata.

“Rose is approachable, relaxed, gentle and lovely! She has a great eye and capacity to gently correct any mistakes held in posture without making you feel like a plum! If, like me, your DVD has been gathering dust then this could well help to boost your practise and level of commitment. 

Our session was very much like having your best friend encourage or cheer you on, or perhaps more like working with a peer who is a little further along than you are but remembers the very real challenges that each movement provides.

I found this lesson really useful and a lovely way of easing me back to the Dance of Shiva. It enabled me to solidify some of the more basic sequence and movements taught on the DVD. So a nice boost and support to accompany the DVD or to get you started on your journey with the Dance of Shiva!” 

-          Leila Lloyd-Evelyn

What if I can’t get to Brighton?

If you’re in the South-East ofEnglandaround Woking, Basingstoke orLondon; we can meet up and do a session together; as long as you have a space available.
I plan to run short sessions over Skype [as soon as my internet is stable] though this is only possible if we can both see each other and I can direct you.

Summary

In short, it rewires your brain making you more efficient, it changes your habits so you can become who you want to be, gives you a good work-out and you will never stop gaining from it.

Here’s a link to the starter kit, but if like me you find it easier to learn and commit to practise, find a class to suit you and we’ll have a session together.

Havi’s Dance of Shiva Starter Kit

^ & if you buy directly from this link, I get a little bit of money to support my own practise. Thank you so much for that.

Interested? Come on over to my class list to sign up!

* * * Coming Soon * * *

Coming Soon ~ Skype Shivanata Sessions

What: Online sessions of Shivanata using web-cameras and microphones. This allows you to basically have a guide even if you live abroad/far from Brighton.

This option is not yet available; but should be ready around the End of 2011 [or whenever the internet company replace the wires so I have a stable connection].

Coming Soon ~ Worksheets

What: My collection of worksheets and lesson plans so that you can give yourself some structure, even if you don’t want to work with me specifically. This allows you to basically have the transcripts of my introductory class and the lessons I learned during my first year of practise.
This option is not yet available.

The Usual Disclaimer:

A Shivanata session is not a substitute for medical or psychological treatment. I do not diagnose conditions, prescribe or perform medical treatment. I also do not interfere with the treatment of licensed medical professionals. Please seek the help of a medical professional if you need medical assistance.

Email Me

Any questions?
a.celestial.rose[at]gmail[dot]com