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Nadia Toraman instructor in "Maui Yoga"

‘Maui Yoga’ not
for the meek

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Nadine Kam
Star-Bulletin

Maui Yoga for Flexibility & Energy: With Nadia Toraman; VHS; 59 minutes; $24.95

The activity trend du jour is yoga, and the "Maui Yoga" videotape brings instructor Nadia Toraman into the living rooms of those too shy to flex in public.

Toraman, owner of the Body, Mind and Soul studio in Paia, Maui, features Ashtanga Yoga. "Ashta" means "eight" and "anga" means "limbs," which are said to come together to form a whole.

There are many reasons to practice yoga. An increase in flexibility has been shown to improve muscle tone and strength, reduce tension and stimulate circulation. Such physical benefits are secondary to yoga's original purpose of purifying the spirit. Of the two the body is probably easier to mold than the mind.

Although Toraman welcomes beginning students,anyone not familiar with stretching exercises employed by dancers and athletes would do well to find a real-life teacher or risk injury attempting to mimic the supple creatures on the video. A teacher will be better able to correct your alignment and introduce you to proper breathing techniques.

Torman reminds students to breathe and stretch slowly, but the pace of her exercises are more akin to an aerobics class. Percussion music in the background is also more likely to speed than relax your breathing. And while your mind should be focused on your muscles and limbs, her constant chattering makes it difficult to concentrate.

The video might be better employed by advanced students aiming to expand their repertoire. For instance, try doing a pushup on your tiptoes with the entire length of your body 2 inches above the ground, making like a low coffee table. Hold that pose for 2 minutes, or more!

The advanced can also measure their form against Toraman and the eight hardbodies who appear with her. If nothing else, the sight of their toned, muscular physiques may rouse the sedentary from their couches. Yoga is possibly the least painful path to physical, if not spiritual, perfection.

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