CD review: Yoga Class with Chris Paris

In the DVD-heavy world of commercial yoga, it's good to see the arrival of a straightforward, informative yoga CD.

There are lots of great DVDs out there - the last few years have seen a host of new products by world-class teachers - including Sarah Powers and Simon Low.

Perhaps it's just me, but I find it difficult to watch, listen and stand upside down all at once - following someone's voice seems more intuitive in many ways.

Tone and practice

Chris Paris has a rounded Sivananda, Hatha and Ashtanga background; since June 2002 he has been teaching a mix of public classes and private students.

Chris has a good, deep yoga voice, but I sometimes found it difficult to make out exactly what he was saying. Mostly, though, he talks us through the postures - which, in this CD, are strongly based on the Sivananda sequence - clearly and calmly

He is careful to emphasise at first that this is not a 'teach yourself yoga' CD; and I would say it is firmly for intermediate students. This being Sivananda, there is a strong emphasis on the headstand and shoulderstand, and there is not much in the way of modification for those not suited to the full postures.

Giving alternatives to the stronger poses is also important for many intermediate students, some of whom chose not to go up into headstand (even a half headstand) or shoulder stand due to the risk of injury or strain. There are plenty of yoga teachers who don't teach either pose for the same reason.

I always prefer to focus on arm-strengthening dolphin pose in preparation for headstand - for women especially, upper body strength is sometimes lacking!

I think the absence of modifications for the inverted postures - which, to be fair, can also be a Sivananda trait - is my main criticism in what is otherwise a rewarding CD.

I especially enjoyed hearing some chanting, and Chris' focus on breathing and stillness. The CD is peppered with instructions to bring awareness to the sensations in the nostrils, and I put this down to a welcome Vipassana meditation influence in his teaching.

Overall impression

This is a good introduction to Sivananda yoga, likely to appeal to those new to the practice and intermediate Sivananda students alike.

It will also appeal to yogis savouring a meditative practice where postures are held for a long stretch of time, without any sense of hurry.

The CD is available priced £11 - email Chris at: mail@hatha.co.uk

Review by Lucia Cockcroft