Yogiños—Yoga for Youth: Vishnu's OHMazing Journeys

Presenting yoga instruction for children aged 5 to 11, Elizabeth Reese joins up with 11 kids at Dallas's Crow Collection of Asian Art museum. Proceeding to explain the meaning behind each movement—such as “honor ourselves” and “honor others”—Reese delivers her instruction in English combined with Sanskrit and Spanish words and phrases, like “toco el sol” (“touch the sun”), as she incorporates movements into the overarching narrative about Vishnu, a shape shifter, and Lakshmi, his paramour (the museum features sculptures of both characters). In terms of activity, the instruction includes stretching, breathing exercises, and chants designed to bond the students to their bodies, to each other, and to the Earth. Yogiños also features three musicians, an Indian dancer who tells the story of Krishna and Kaliya, and a pre-taped sequence in which another yogi works with one of the children on a particular pose. Reese's commentary makes clear that Yogiños is as much about spirituality as exercise. References to one's “compassionate fingertips” might seem pretty hippie-dippy, and the way Reese says “OHMazing” for “amazing” quickly grows old, but it's hard to quarrel with her good intentions. DVD extras include additional poses. A strong optional purchase. Aud: P. (K. Fennessy)