Kia Reviews

As a beginner in Yoga, with little time for a regular weekly session, I bought two books for beginners. Dynamic Yoga and also Power Yoga for Beginners. Both books are excellent but if I was only buying one I would choose Dynamic Yoga. The main reason being that it is better at describing the flow of movements from one pose to another. It also is better at describing the breathing sequences when doing the Sun Salutations. The only quibile is that it would be of great advantage if it was spiral bound.

This is a really good book to refer to each day as you go about learning Ashtanga/power yoga. It's just page after page of very detailed photography of each pose, and most importantly "transitional moves"!! I finally learned the key to jumping back safely in and out of the vinyasa/flow sequence. For someone mid-30s, average health, average flexibility, this book makes a daunting type of yoga practice much more attainable.

There is little here about yoga philosophy, but what is there is straightforward. Good help with pronunciation and learning the Sanskrit versions of the asana names.

Good book overall. I now use it every day.

I would highly recommend this great book for any level of yoga study.
This is the best book on the subject I have ever seen.
It is easy to follow.
It also has diagrams not only for the different poses,
but a guide that easily shows the proper breathing techiques.

Go for it. It's the best value around.

In the first chapter, "Kongo Cosmology in Graphics", Mr. Bunseki utilizes an ingenious series of geometric figures/diagrams to outline the cosmological/linguistic underpinnings of Bantu-Kongo society in the villages where he grew up and has lived for over 40 years. As in other African societies, so-called societal and ritual categories often overlap in many different ways - things aren't always as they seem, but this is why things work so well and are expressive of so much vitality. Everything interpenetrates with everything else, in numerous ways, and on numerous levels, and from numberless standpoints. Much is made in a few short sentences here and there of interactions of forms/fronts/loci of energy.

The figures aren't referenced directly in the text, so you have to intuit your way through. Though annoying at first, this ends up being the best way to grasp the concepts at a fundamental level. You tend to "hear" what he's telling you as you're scanning the images, more akin to oral traditional ways of gaining knowledge, even though ostensibly it's being done to you via a printed medium. He uses native Kongo words to illustrate his lead concepts, even offering entire sentences, which he then translates and/or offers commentary on, at times creatively bending and distorting the English language rather than offering up a weak-kneed or water-down version.

The chapter begins as an exposition of the origin of the elemental earth/cosmos, and proceeds to illuminate different general stages of planetary life. It then illustrates beautifully the living, breathing relationship between this macrocosmic vision and the comings and goings of individual humans in the cyclic dynamics and inter-meshing forces of family, clan, and society. This includes of course the world before birth and after death (that of the ancestors) as theirs is a [reincarnational] version of reality, every aspect full of dynamism, and of communication.

The book, though slim, packs more and more potency the more you study it, even in fits and starts, rather than just reading it straight through. Even when you are trying to skim the text, you feel the forces symbolized therein grabbing at you, seeking to draw you into the world being portrayed. Yes, this book is rather alive.

Next chapter: "The African Concept of Law and Crime"- there are no law books in traditional society. In large sections of Africa, all legal, political and societal matters are ensconced in a plethora of expressive proverbs which all members of the village have access to, depending on the extent of their memorization skills. So when a legal matter comes before the village, all those present act as 'lawyers', not for and against, but rather to flesh out the problem and to seek resolution. Any metaphor(s) enshrined in this or that proverb or folktale may be cited in order to get a glimpse of the energy of the moment and/or a grasp of the situation at hand.

In the following chapter, "Historical Background of the Kongo Cultural Zone", Mr. Bunseki utilizes a large number of such proverbs to give a sense of the outlines of how Kongo society works. One ends up with a vision of a society that is/was probably pure democracy and pure communalism at the same time, prior to their eventual divergence. For instance: all land was held in common by the community . . . no one could become too rich, as that threatens the stability of the overall community . . . all important decisions are made in common. And leaders act as servants of the community, not as its rulers.

Of course, none of this was known by the European colonizers of Africa, mainly because they never spoke any of the native languages, all the better to ignore Africans' humanity in order to exploit the continent's many resources. Thus Africans were portrayed as ignorant savages; their languages and customs were characterized as mumbo-jumbo.

Bunseki's grasp of the subject matter is powerful, his delivery even more so - both very expressive, and full of truthfulness. He is rhetorically/poetically very sensitive to the needs of African society to find a way back to its roots, in order that the usual political excesses seen in recent years will hopefully be turned around, and the ancient order be allowed to re-establish itself.

At the end of this chapter he outlines and (provides another diagram for) how perception (via sound,, sight, etc.) propagates in space; but expands/confounds the customary "scientific" conception by postulating/explaining how such things as dreams propagate as well.

The final chapter ["The 'V': Basis of All Realities"] is even more astounding than what's come before . . . here is where the esoteric nature of Bunseki's training is showered upon the reader. There are several more figures/diagrams by which Bunseki opens up the inner heart of the matter . . . you'll emerged cleansed, somewhat more enlightened (depending on previous training/experience and the temporary condition of your mind and nervous system, of course). Your view of our universe will have been clarified, and amplified.

Here, one diagram shows the seven cosmic directions, in an almost identical fashion to what many of us studying Native American traditions have come to know. But then the teacher opens up the seventh direction and uses a series of diagrams to really initiate the great work, provided the reader has followed along up to this point. The way he maps it out and describes it is exquisite, inspired, intuitive and wholeheartedly alive. Give this guy all of the stars you can find for this work . . . he's worth at least that much.

Reading this book is nourishment, food for the soul, food for thought, and rare information about the kongo spiritual worldview with many quotes including traditional proverbs in Kongolese language from a living initiate in the secret spiritual traditions of kongolese society. If you are interested in the authentic African traditions, this book is for you. I love it, and sincerely hope that Dr. Bunseki keeps on writing. He speaks to the whole world.

In Making Music With Your Child, Kia Portafekas and Karen Marlow effectively collaborate to offer parents practical and innovative suggestions for teaching their children how to make and appreciate all manner of music. Here are effective suggestions for imaginative music lessons and practice times, stimulating a child's desire for music, and unconventional but successful ways of teaching music with colors, movements, sound, and imagination. Making Music With Your Child is a "must" for all parents seeking to instill in their children a love of music, an appreciation for the making of music, and an encouragement into acquiring the skills for the creation of music.

As a play therapist, I work with children who struggle with many different emotional issues. I'm always looking for new ways to nurture their creativity and self-expression. This book overflows with many original and fun ideas to help parents and children explore the world of sound through musical play. The value of these type of parent-child interactions cannot be underestimated. Fostering creativity builds high self esteem and a positive self image. One of my favorite exercises in the book is the one where you imagine yourself playing your favorite musical instrument underwater. A wonderful resource! Elany Mueller,M.A. MFT Marriage and Family Therapist

I found a copy of this a while back at this little comics store near where I lived, and read it. I liked it so much that I started to search for one of the autographed copies, which I just recently purchased. Kia Asamiya's art is incredibly detailed, the story is rich, and this makes a wonderful addition to anyone's collection of manga. Dark is formidible while being adorable at the same time (I identify with the lack of directional skills!), and all of the other characters manifest traits that make them just as interesting. Buy this book!

I really liked this series it will make an excellent addition to any manga fan's collection! It's a great fantasy/action series. Dark (the main character) is a young swordsman in training who ends up becoming the phantom-saint of the red phoenix, but in order to be accepted as a true phantom saint he must arrive in Oukoku in a short amount of time, being helped by his spirit-guide Kyo. Too bad Dark has no sense of direction, and he keeps running into dangerous people on the way! It's a great story, with great artwork, and keeps getting better! Plus this is the original version! If you liked Lodoss War, you'll luv this too!=)

In the coming years, the role of the social worker in the treatment of the mentally ill will continue to grow. Books such as this help social workers to define their roles, which are critical ones. The mentally ill deserve the very best that the social work profession has to offer. Kia Bentley and Joseph Walsh do a great job in compiling the information needed to ensure that the collaboration between the social worker and patient is an informed one. This book is a fitting start to a new century of more effective treatment of some of our most vulnerable citizens.

This book is a wonderful product of the Decade of the Brain. Written by two concerned professionals in the social work field, it emphasizes that the medication of patients is a true partnership between the patient and professional. Only then will many patients truly comply with the medication that they would be better off taking.

I first read this book seven years ago as part of an African Literature class in college. I came to Amazon today to order it for a business associate who expressed beautiful memories of hearing stories and legends as a child. Each story in this book represents a moral lesson, often about trust and the nature of people. Like the American Indian stories about the adventures of "Coyote" these stories feature a mischievous spider and all the trouble he gets into by being lazy and greedy .

The graphic novel/comic genius of Asamiya has earned him fans of previous Dark Angel manga fantasy graphic novels, and this, covering Leen's Destiny, continues the story. Familiarity with the prior novels will lend to an appreciation of this ongoing story of Leen, the Phantom saint of the Blue Dragon who battles evil. The comics are in black and white, the action is unrelenting.

I don't think authors ought to review their books -- but can I, at least, get you to correct the severe misspelling of my name? It is Raffel, not Baffel! (And while I'm making corrections: How did Zola get into the listing of my BEOWULF translation???)

It's the little details that make you want to follow the lives of her characters; what Ms. Cochrane leaves out as well as what she decides to tell us. It's quirky details like the name she gives to an (imagined?) angel that let you know that reading this book will yield unexpected insights and delights along the way.

It's obvious that she's done a lot of research to create an authentic world for her story to take place in, and the ranch depicted in this novel is a welcome place to get away to as you watch her characters strive to overcome the obstacles that fate has placed in their way. She tells you enough about the characters so that you care about them and need to find out what happens to them, but not so much that you think you know already.

An enjoyable effort by an accomplished author who we'll be hearing more about in the future.

You can extreme X-men, new X-men, ultimate X-men, and yuppie all you want but the real X-men are, were, and always will be the original guys like Angel and Iceman. Of course having Juggernaut in the story with potential to finally be an X-man makes it a 5 star. Remember the Juggernaut is in the Hulk and Thor's league. He's traded punches with both and done more than hold his own. With Colossus gone they need a heavyweight. Great multiple storylines going. Sqiud boy is cool too. He saves Juggernauts hide. So does Angel. O.K. so juggie isn't at full power anymore but he still packs a major punch. it's great to see a human side to him after all these years. Maybe he and Xavier will eventually make up. All in all it's great seeing the old guys with new potentials like Husk. Of course Wolverine is in it as well. Not one of his finer moments. his overconfidence gets him knocked for a loop. All the more reason for juggy to join. It's great to see the Angel looking like the original Angel. The metal wings are long gone. The blue face as well. He has a new Wolverine like power. You'll have to read to find out. Can't give it all away. Highly recommended. Glad marvel is giving the X-men title back to the X-men. It's about time.