The Little Soul and the Sun
Neil Donald Walsch
Waking Up Media
The Little Soul and the Sun Neil: Donald Walsch
Neil Donald Walsch’s beloved and provocative book, Conversations with God, contains the parable of the Little Soul and the Sun, a tale brought to life with this animated film.
The Little Soul and the Sun follows Max, a young boy who is being bullied by Karl, one of his peers at school. Max’s mother consoles and advises him by relaying a story (of the Little Soul) about the eternal soul within us all. Her compassionate words allow Max to see that the soul’s mission on Earth is to understand its uniqueness through acts of being kind, gentle, helpful, patient, creative and most importantly – forgiving.
“We are all the light,” a God-like voice in the clouds proclaims during her account of the soul’s journey. In response, The Little Soul pleads, “How can one bright light like me shine brightly in nothing but light?” The answer is revealed as The Little Soul begins to see that in order for each soul to see its own bright light it must experience its opposite, in this case, darkness or the challenges of life on Earth.
This story shows Max that Karl’s soul is a manifestation of the light and equally special. The two boys then find themselves in a difficult situation that challenges them to cultivate and understand the value of friendship and forgiveness.
Walsch’s story provides possible answers to the big, boundless questions such as why bad things happen to good people and the true nature of the soul. In addition, the film gives a spiritual perspective behind some people’s actions and offers the idea that we can respond from a forgiving and understanding space. For children ages four through 95 (or beyond), this heart-warming story inspires chills and tears, and can inspire conversations between adults and children as we all try to negotiate relationships and forgiveness. In the end the message is clear, “remember who you really are.” –– Reviewed by Angela Orecchio
Dance and Be Fit Hip Hop Cardio
Sarita Lou
Acacia Fitness
Dance and Be Fit Hip Hop Cardio: Sarita Lou
The closest I usually find myself getting to hip-hop dance is a vinyasa flow class. So while I’m used to raising my heartbeat through sun salutations and other sequences, one session of Dance and Be Fit’s Hip Hop Cardio with Sarita Lou won me over and I immediately vowed to make some regular room in my physical practice for this exciting dance DVD.
The fifty-minute program is divided into four sections – the Warm-Up, Old School, Sexy Sculpt, and the Cool Down. Either of the middle twenty-minute sessions suffice as stand-alone quick workouts, but if you can, I recommend the whole DVD for a fun, total body blast. At the end of my first experience with Sarita, I was enjoying my newfound funk and I wanted more of the cabbage patch, hipswings and grapevines offered in the program. The seemingly feminine dances in the series have just enough urban-street edge to satisfy both men and women.
In most classes, the teacher adds to the student’s experience, and this is definitely the case here. Sarita Lou is so loveable and encouraging that you end up wishing that she could actually be in the room with you.
All in all, this dance workout is good for the everyday newcomer wanting to feel more fluid in their body; at the same time, the experienced dancer will reap benefits and find it a good practice regimen to keep up their moves. Yogis may also benefit from some cross-training with this, since the quick-paced workout contrasts the traditional yogic practice of holding deep postures, which makes it a good addition to an overall routine.
Dancers will feel a release of endorphins and newfound energy as groovin’ with Sarita raises shakti while working the core and hips. However, consider yourself warned: at the end of the fifty-minute DVD you may be ready for savasana (final relaxation).
acacialifestyle.com — Reviewed by Vanessa M. Harris
By Angela Orecchio & Vanessa M. Harris
