Art of Technique, The: An Aesthetic Approach to Film and Video Production

Book Description

This book provides readers with a teaching tool not currently available. It fills a gap in the literature by going beyond simple discussions of hardware usage, basic technical knowledge, and descriptions of technique to in-depth discussions of how this knowledge can be applied in a coherent approach to production.

Customer Reviews:

A first-rate primer for the aspiring filmmaker.......2002-01-21

"The Art of Technique: An Aesthetic Approach to Film and Video Production," is more of a primer than it is a critique of cinema. Yes, there is a big difference between this volume by John S. Douglass and Gleen P. Harnden and "Film Art: An Introduction" by David Bordwell and Kristin Thompson. The latter utilizes literally hundreds of frames from both classic and relatively unknown films to demonstrate cinematic techniques. "The Art of Technique" does the same thing with student models. Whether this has to do with the cost of using copyrighted images and/or transforming them into individual frames for use in a book, this is a major difference between the two textbooks. When Douglass and Harnden discuss something, like Ingmar Bergman's use of Extreme Close-ups (ECU) in "Scenes from a Marriage," they can only talk about the extraordinary intimacy it gave the production, without offering visual evidence to support their claim. However, the authors do use their "homemade" examples to good use at time; for example, when exploring the concept of framing they provide examples of "bad" shots (filled with distracting clutter) before showing better choices for the cinematographer.

"The Art of Technique" is divided into two main sections. After an introductory chapter on "Interpretation and Treatment," there are six chapters focusing on the various ways a film can tell a story, essentially pre-production considerations. There is a nice little section detailing the basic types of stories Hollywood tells over and over again ("Jack the Giant Killer," "Fish Out of Water," etc.). Clearly the emphasis here is more on production than criticism, which makes the orientation of this textbook more towards the filmmaker than the movie audience. This first section ends with a look at Mise en Scene and questions of design. In terms of concepts covered, separate from the issue of how those concepts are presented in the textbook, the authors provided a comprehensive, well-organized presentation.

The second half of the book covers "Techniques for Interpretation," which starts with a consideration of the trinity of how the camera, editing and lighting can be used for interpretation. Again, everything is here; I could not find a concept or technique that was an obviously glaring omission. The book concludes with a pair of chapters on Symbols and Significance, which get into the impact film can have on an audience. You might expect to find a glossary at the back of the book, but instead we have a pair of appendixes on Electricity and Measuring Light, which only serves to reaffirm that this book is geared towards the novice filmmaker. If you are looking for a textbook that because you are a budding film critic, then this is not going to be your first choice. I can even make the argument that by not saturating their textbook with frames from dozens of films, Douglass and Harden do their readers a favor, because instead of borrowing shots and techniques from the acknowledged masters of the art form, they are being asked to reinvent the wheel. Do not knock this, because that is basically how we think Orson Welles made "Citizen Kane."

An Excellent Overview.......2002-01-15

This book explores many aspects of filmmaking in a logical, easy-to-follow manner. A great find, albeit a bit pricy. I used it as my text for teaching a video class as it offers some aesthetic considerations for why techniques may or may not be used in a given situation. This approach helps to minimize the technique-euphoria beginners tend to have with techniques which are new to them (ala George Lucas in the new Star Wars...)

good intro for the novice filmmaker.......2000-04-21

this book works very well as an introduction to the creative use of techniques for filmmaking. it is quite clear and concise and is not bogged down by too much technical details or dicussions on film theory. a good starting point.

Stick to "Film Art" by Bordwell/Thomspon.......2000-04-17

I was shocked when I looked over this book. I had always relied on "Film Art" which is the standanrd intro to film but I wanted to branch out. I found this book to be a superficial approach to cinema, no probbing analysis or challenge to interpretaion of technique or narrative. Save your money and stick to the classics. No one seems to use this book in higher education film studies- ask your professor to suggest a book.

Best introduction to filmmaking I've found.......2000-02-16

I teach filmmaking, and needed a book that covers all the basics in a few meaty and meaningful pages. This is it. Most books on filmmaking technique either wax philosophical on the author's pet theories or get lost in gee-wiz-you-can-do-this-neat-trick-with-the-camera mania. There's little of either here; instead, you'll find a focused, highly readable series of lessons on what really matters most--how to communicate a meaningful message on film or video. Unlike some VERY annoying books that give examples of lighting and other techniques via badly drawn line-art, this book shows every technique with actual stills from video shoots so you can see how lighting, framing, lens use, etc. actually change the appearance and impact of a scene.

There are also numerous references to excellent classic and modern films with quite specific suggestions for examining the techniques that make those films work so well. Perhaps most important of all, the authors never lose sight of the fact that filmmaking is about interpreting and creating a reality that evokes a meaningful and powerful experience for the audience.

So if you want a book listing all the oh-so-tacky transitions and effects that your new NLE will do, or a thousand-page treatise on the history of film, THIS AIN'T IT. But if you want a book that will help you quickly learn to put cameras, lighting, and editing in the service of your creativity--buy this one first.

Average customer rating:

JuJuly

Misleading title and information

The World needs to listen to these CDs or read the book!!!!

Work for World Peace - Read this book and heal yourself

Healing for your Wounded Soul

Codependence / The Dance of Wounded Souls
Robert Burney
Manufacturer: Joy to You & Me Enterprises
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Codependence / The Dance of Wounded Souls - An Audio Spiritual Experience

Breaking Free: A Recovery Workbook for Facing Codependence

Claiming Your Self Esteem: A Guide Out of Codependency, Addiction, and Other Useless Habits

Codependents' Guide to the Twelve Steps

Healing The Child Within: Discovery and Recovery for Adult Children of Dysfunctional Families

ASIN: 0964838311

Book Description

This joyously inspirational Spiritual book presents a set of beliefs about the meaning and purpose of life from a Cosmic Perspective that combines Twelve Step Recovery Principles with Ancient Metaphysical Truths. It explains why a New Age has dawned in human consciousness on planet Earth and explores the interrelationship between subjects that range from the Bible, Buddha, and Jesus to quantum physics, molecular biology, and AIDS. The belief system the book is based upon is exemplified by this quote from The Dance of Wounded Souls: "We are not sinful, shameful human creatures who have to somehow earn Spirituality. We are Spiritual Beings having a human experience. We are here to experience and learn, to Touch and to feel." The author, a therapist who specializes in codependence/inner child healing, not only explains the big picture of how we are all ONE, part of one Cosmic energy interaction that is unfolding perfectly, he also offers insights into how the individual being can lovingly change their relationship with self and life in order to transform their human experience into a much more enjoyable adventure. This is a life-changing, life-affirming book.

Customer Reviews:

JuJuly.......2007-08-07

Ifound this book very easy to read. The information helped me to make sense of some areas of my life. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about themself and how they are relating to people.

Misleading title and information.......2007-03-19

The Title and info about this book was totally misleading......as this is a book about a radical philosiphy that is of no psychological or cultural or spiritual value, and makes no real reference to "wounded souls" at all unless it lumps all of humanity into that category.

The World needs to listen to these CDs or read the book!!!!.......2006-11-02

I have listened to this incredible audio book. I know that my journey in recovery, will not be the same again. The information presented in Robert Burney's book, is what EVERY soul needs to hear - it is the Truth. It certainly awakens me to MY Truth. I highly recommend this to anyone, who is seeking to grow and heal; who is in trouble of any sort, or who is just seeking to explore their spiritual origins. If I had the money, I would buy this 3-CD set for everyone I love...

Best,
Rebecca E.
[...]

Work for World Peace - Read this book and heal yourself.......2006-04-26

Robert Burney is a pioneer. His message breaks through to the core of the human condition over, and over, and over again. I found Robert's message at a time in my life when I needed it the most. It put some very big pieces of my personal puzzle(ment) together for me in a single resource. His message gave me practical hope and began to establish a new and deeper perspective in my daily life. He is not a "guru." He is an emotionally honest man who is conveying his truth without pretense. I believe he's been given the gift of assembling some very important Truths into one practical spiritual message that addresses the human condition. Anyone, regardless of their particular belief system, who considers his message will walk away better equipped to Live their life. I highly recommend this book. I bought the tapes too.

Healing for your Wounded Soul.......2006-04-13

I've read the book and am now ordering the cassette version. I've read other books on codependence but this one has a softer, more wholistic approach that I found quite satisfying.

I'll also note that another reviewer stated that if you are a Christian to skip this book. I am a Christian and I found the author to be quite spiritual and inclusive of all faiths/beliefs.

I like that he discusses many relationships, not just romantic ones, and doesn't focus as highly on alcoholism as some other resources do.

If you've ever found yourself habitually giving more than you receive, or being drawn to needy people so you can take care of them, this little book will be a powerful tool as you rechannel your energy into healthier pursuits.

The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Goddess: 20th Anniversary Edition

Average customer rating:

Other Books
Let it be life-changing
A Great overview of Wiccan ideology
Very 60's
In the rivers and the mountains, in the forests and in you, the Goddess is alive and growing...

The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Goddess: 20th Anniversary Edition
Starhawk
Manufacturer: HarperOne
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0062516329
Release Date: 1999-09-22

Amazon.com

The original book that brought Goddess worship to the public eye has marked its 10th anniversary, yet it still remains an integral part of the Wiccan canon. The Spiral Dance leans heavily toward the feminist aspects of Wicca, but Starhawk's comments on the new edition make it clear that she is aware of the growing male presence in witchcraft. However, this edition is not some watered down, politically correct revision of the original. Very little is changed aside from the addition of Starhawk's observations on how the book has weathered its first decade, and what few changes she would make if she were writing it today. Readers interested in learning more about contemporary witchcraft, whether considering Wicca as a way of life or simply desiring to understand this earth-based religion, will find a wealth of information in The Spiral Dance, and will notice that it becomes one of the most frequently consulted books in their Wicca libraries. --Brian Patterson

Book Description

The twentieth anniversary edition of The Spiral Dance celebrates the pivotal role the book has had in bringing Goddess worship to the religious forefront. This bestselling classic is both an unparalleled reference on the practices and philosophies of Witchcraft and a guide to the life–affirming ways in which readers can turn to the Goddess to deepen their sense of personal pride, develop their inner power, and integrate mind, body, and spirit. Starhawk's brilliant, comprehensive overview of the growth, suppression, and modern–day re–emergence of Wicca as a Goddess–worshipping religion has left an indelible mark on the feminist spiritual consciousness.

In a new introduction, Starhawk reveals the ways in which Goddess religion and the practice of ritual have adapted and developed over the last twenty years, and she reflects on the ways in which these changes have influenced and enhanced her original ideas. In the face of an ever–changing world, this invaluable spiritual guidebook is more relevant than ever.

Customer Reviews:

Other Books.......2007-09-03

An interesting look at wicca and neopaganism, with some advice. Despite her superhero name, this is not full of crazy talk and weirdness. It is worth a read of you are interested in that movement, and want to discover what makes them tick, even if you have no interest in being a religious practictioner, or having a religion at all.

Let it be life-changing.......2007-07-14

This book can change your life and empower you to be in direct contact with Spirit. You don't need to buy or join anything, and it's all about how Goddess and God are immanent, directly and immediately present in heart, mind, soul and body. If you've always wanted to be a genuine lover of God/dess, this book can give you some ideas for how to really do it and feel it deeply at all levels. It helped me to find some doorways to spiritual bliss. And it's so free of the "power-over" trip of so many religions. It can really be a blessing.

A Great overview of Wiccan ideology.......2007-06-05

Starhawk's The Spiral Dance ranks among what come closest to "classic wiccan tests". After nearly 30 years it's still relevant, insightful, and full of wisdom (even if it does date itself at a few points.)

The first thing that really struck me about the book was how up-front she was about the ideology of Goddess worship and how it related to modern western ideology. She doesn't try to water it down to make it appeal to more people, she writes what she believes and what her readers need to know. Do her proclamations about saving the environment and liberating people from cultural oppression seem a bit ambitious? Yes, definitely. But that ambition shines throughout the book, though the rituals and spells that have been re-printed and re-interpreted a million times, and makes the book unique and far more than just another book on the same old stuff.

The rituals, visualizations, and other exercises are simple, easy to follow, and printed in a different font so they will stand out if you are trying to reference them later. Everything is explained well and designed to be added upon and customized as practitioners become more experienced.

The 20th anniversary edition includes commentary from the 10th anniversary edition, as well as updated 20th anniversary commentary. The commentary is interesting and has much to offer, but it is my one complaint: the two set of commentary at the back of the book make reading the commentary very disruptive to reading the text. It almost requires reading the book 3 times to get it all as a whole (once for the original, and once for each commentary.) It can be difficult to figure out the best way to take advantage of the commentary without getting too removed from the context.

Overall, it is an excellent book and definitely belongs on the bookshelf of any wiccan or new-age Goddess-worshipper.

Very 60's.......2007-03-22

I found this a very informative book on the craft.It has a very 60's feel to it and I found having to go to the back chapters in the book for a more updated opinion on Starhawk's writings to be a tad annoying hence the 4 star score opposed to a 5 star mark.It is more for the Coven orientated student,however as a solitary I still found some invaluable information as a whole.And it also gave me some interesting insight to coven behavior.I would recommend this to other like minded or curious persons.blessed be

In the rivers and the mountains, in the forests and in you, the Goddess is alive and growing..........2006-09-17

Contrary to what other Pagans may have written on this site, I LOVE "The Spiral Dance" precisely because of its political overtones. As an anticapitalist, ecofeminist gay man, I am deeply moved by Starhawk's vision of an earth-based spirituality that honors women, community, the earth, sexuality and the body. Frankly, I am shocked by the outright sexist reviews some people have given of this book, not to mention the widespread denial of the burning times as a patriarchal holocaust against women, gays, and non-Christian people. The eagerness of certain Pagans to minimize the suffering of this period is, to me, a disturbing reflection of the larger culture's willingness to silence the histories and voices of feminist women and other marginalized groups. Furthermore, in at least one review of this book, I detect anti-Semitism, implying that Starhawk can't fully be a Witch if she retains her Jewishness. Such a narrow definition of what constitutes a Pagan denies us the complexities, nuances, individual choices and ancestries that enrich our lives. Need I remind the reader of the many Hebrew Goddesses of the Middle East or the ecological undercurrents, feminism, and social consciousness that informs Jewish tradition (the contradictions of right-wing Zionism aside). Without a doubt, what seperates Starhawk's writings on the Craft from many other Pagan authors is her passion for social justice, ecological sustainability and peace. Personally, I believe that spirituality devoid of concern for other human beings and the earth is nothing more than right-wing, reactionary navel-gazing. Unfortunately, I have met far too many witches who are much more interested in fluffy, woo-woo nonsense like astral projection and past live regression than they are in restoring the land (the living body of the Ancient Mother we supposedly worship). Moreover, as someone who strongly values participatory democracy, egalitarianism and consensus, I really appreciate Starhawk's insights on coven structure and group dynamics. (Coven hierarchies, like corporate hierarchies, do not appeal to me in the least!) Simply put, if you are looking for another New Age book on channeling spirits or casting hexes, then this book is not for you. However, if your idea of magic involves planting seeds in a community garden or marching for peace, then read this book immediately. It just may change your life forever.
Blessed be and tikkun olam.

The Dance: Moving to the Rhythms of Your True Self

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Mastering the beauty of words
Soul Desires
Poetic and Practical
Accepting the invitation to dance
The big lesson no one listens to!

The Dance: Moving to the Rhythms of Your True Self
Oriah Mountain Dreamer
Manufacturer: HarperOne
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0062516930
Release Date: 2001-08-21

Amazon.com's Best of 2001

"What if the question is not why am I so infrequently the person I really want to be, but why do I so infrequently want to be the person I really am?" This is the opening question to The Dance. And like a thematic melody, this is the thread that holds Oriah Mountain Dreamer's book together, as she encourages readers to stop trying to change who you are and simply remember that "who you are is really enough." There are many reasons Mountain Dreamer is such a popular author (her debut book, The Invitation, was a soaring success), the main one being she doesn't pretend to have all the answers. Instead her warm, conversational writing shows us how to "live the questions," as the poet Rainer Maria Rilke once beckoned us to do. When Mountain Dreamer yells at her 19-year-old son, even after vowing to be patient, she asks herself, "Why [do] I repeatedly fail to live the intentions that matter to me? I want to know how to narrow the gap between the sincerest desires of my soul and my daily actions." Living these questions isn't easy, but it is the only way Mountain Dreamer wants to dance. Her chapters explore topics such as greed and money, creating love relationships, overscheduling, and solitude. At the end of each chapter she suggests a fitting mediation or exercise. --Gail Hudson

Book Description

Welcome to The Dance, the wise and practical book that expands on Oriah Mountain Dreamer's new moving prose poem. In this compelling book the acclaimed author of The Invitation challenges readers to live with passion, energy, and honesty. The key, says Oriah, is to savour the everyday world of family, friends, love, and work with clear minds and open hearts. When we are physically and emotionally stressed and our spirits are depleted, we must realise that happiness has not vanished but is buried beneath the clutter of our harried lives. With rare courage and honesty, Oriah unveils the challenge of her inspiring poem through compelling stories from her own experience, offering us tools to become fully the person we already are –– not ways to change."To dance –– to live in a way that is consistent with our longing" –– is to discover a gift that we can give ourselves again and again over a lifetime. To dance, alone or with others, is to be who we truly are as we fulfill our soul's desires. To do this, we must learn how to let go and slow down, returning to the sacred emptiness where we encounter our true self. Practical, inspiring, and profoundly illuminating, The Dance is an invitation to discover a place of connection, serenity, and joy that is uniquely our own."

Customer Reviews:

Mastering the beauty of words.......2005-07-03

The Dance is a great book. I enjoyed it from the first page to the last. Oriah is not just a writer; she is an artist, with a new perspective on life, and on events. Her thoughts flow smoothly, as if you were reading something you wrote, or something you already knew to be true. I am going to say it again, she is an artist.

Some parts of the book, you won't help but read out loud to someone you care for. I did that with my mother, and some other times with a friend of mine. Both of them want to borrow the book.

This book will help you dream, and here I will quote something from the author, as she wrote "To dream is to create the stories of how we live our lives, and these are the stories our children's children will remember. I write with as much honesty and frankness as I can, because I want to offer stories of being present with what is. I recite poetry when I speak, because I want offer beauty and the power of art to remind us of who and what we are. I share personal stories, because I want to cocreate a story of intimacy and cultivate our capacity for compassion in dealing with out human failings. I tell love stories because I want to learn how to love well." (p151)

I will buy The Call, and I know it will be as good as the Invitation and The Dance. And hopefully one day in the future I will make it to one of Oriah's retreats.

Soul Desires.......2005-06-01

Words themselves can become acts of beauty that awaken and strengthen our commitment to living our soul's desires. ~Oriah Mountain Dreamer

Oriah Mountain Dreamer blends daily existence with spiritual insight. She survived a violent marriage, chronic fatigue and living almost next door to her ex husband when he remarried. Her life is a study in patience, emotional turmoil resolved and survival of the most open heart.

The start of the book contains a poem and then each chapter is an expanded vision of the elements contained in a part of the poem. After the poem, Oriah dives right into a retelling of her life, the conflicts she has experienced and how as a spiritual teacher, she too struggles to maintain emotional equilibrium. There is a subtle comfort in knowing that if Oriah can survive her life, then we can too.

This is the beauty mingled with the various stunning insights Oriah has while trying to unburden her heart and pull us out on the dance floor of life. She loves to read and a number of the books she mentioned where books I had just recently read. She quotes Rainer Maria Rilke and Rumi. She discusses Daniel Ladinsky's translations of Hafiz. Her "headed for home" comments made me think of Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet.

Throughout this work Oriah focuses on connecting, serenity, joy, an authentic lifestyle, living with passion, retaining energy and focus, being honest and finding happiness within the complex. She also provides meditations on worthiness, surrender, slowing down and letting go.

This is not a five-step or a ten-step program, it is more an unfolding of experience through an exploration of Oriah's life experience. She has struggled, she has survived. She also knows there are no quick fixes and that many self-help programs are no match for real-life situations. Sometimes there is no easy way out of the pain and you have to endure heartache to learn your greatest lessons.

"Take me to the places on the earth that teach you how to dance,
the places where you can risk letting the world break your heart,
and I will take you to the places where the earth beneath my feet
and the stars overhead make my heart whole again and again."
~ Oriah Mountain Dreamer

What did I love most about this book? The section where she talks about her ultimate fantasy of reading in bed with the man she loves. Yes, this book is mostly about Oriah, or the people she has met throughout her life, but the way she draws on her inner wisdom is by experiencing life and dancing with difficulty.

~TheRebeccaReview.com

Poetic and Practical.......2005-05-05

Several years ago I listened to the audio version of this book and I thought at the time that it was a nice diversion, but just typical New-Age feel-good stuff. Now in my 50s, when I listened to it again recently I was stunned by how powerfully honest the author is and how her poetic honesty brought strength and character to her message. This is not a "how to . . ." book. It is more likely to impact the reader who is a mature spiritual seeker (Christian or otherwise) who feels bogged down by mundane daily living and, like many spiritual seekers, tripped up by trying to DO before really knowing how to BE. That is no small distinction. This book addresses real issues like chronic illness, divorce, raising children, mid-life love, finances and regret all from a practical perspective that helps the reader assess where she is and where she hopes, someday, to be. Mountain Dreamer doesn't give formulas or pat answers--she even amusingly describes hearing a motivational speaker who's message sounds good, but doesn't ring true in any lasting, practical sense. The book is about both inner and outer balance, cutting yourself some slack while still holding yourself to standards of character that have meaning for you personally, and about offering the reader an opportunity to stop for a time and check his own spiritual development against his dreams. Her passage describing meeting a "significant other" thirty years after a teenage crush, and the clarity he was able to bring to her regarding how essentially true to her young self she had remained is priceless. The reader can find peace and hope merely by acknowledging having faced the issues discussed, and being willing to ask how they mattered.

Accepting the invitation to dance.......2005-03-09

Oriah Mountain Dreamer invokes the question of how to dance with life. Often we are asked to dance. But how often do we accept the invitation to move to the tune of our own hearts? Let this poem stir you to new vibrations.

The big lesson no one listens to!.......2005-01-15

Hurray for Oriah! This book tells the simple but seldom lived truth! It is not until we learn to follow the thought that"GOD doesn't make junk,and I am great just as I am"do we reach our potential.Oriah's writings are like fresh air after a rainstorm!

Self-Healing With Guided Imagery: How to Use the Power of Your Mind to Heal Your Body

Average customer rating:

Excellent tool for guided imagery
A Masterpiece!
BORING AGAIN
Helps to heal
Not very impressive and redundant....

Self-Healing With Guided Imagery: How to Use the Power of Your Mind to Heal Your Body
Andrew Weil , and Martin L., M.D. Rossman
Manufacturer: Sounds True
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

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Accessories:

ASIN: 1591791324

Book Description

Join America's favorite doctor, Andrew Weil, M.D., and fellow-physician Martin Rossman on an introduction to the far-reaching effects of imagery and visualization on one's physical, mental, and emotional health. Dr. Weil introduces the topic, shares his own experience with visualization, and reveals the results of current research on how the practice of imagery directly influences one's well-being. Dr. Rossman guides listeners through a complete series of practical exercises that provide an immediate experience of the healing benefits of visualization.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent tool for guided imagery .......2007-06-10

I got this CD a while ago every single time I use it I feel better after I finish the excercise. It guides you to relax first and then to focuss on meditation and healing and it gives you four different excesices.
It is a great start for anyone who wants to explore the mind and body connection and its good effect on health. I highly recomend it if you have a chronic illness. It is a great complement to any medical treatment. It even helps me fall asleep after a hectic day when I'm ussually wired and it is hard to fall sleep. Although, the main purpose to use this CD is to meditate and be "fully aware" while you do it, so when you use it for that purpose, it is better to sit on an easy pose or lotus pose and imagine your body heal. Also, Dr Rosman's voice is very soothing which I think it is a plus.

A Masterpiece!.......2007-05-24

I've been listening to Dr Weil and Dr Rossman's Self Healing with Guided Imagery for the past three nights... What a masterpiece! The information on the first CD is excellent... I learned so much about how guided imagery works and for the first time felt a connection with every part of my body. The concept that each part of our body has an intelligence had a profound impact on me. I've been going through some very stressful life changes and this was exactly what I needed to hear. The guided imagery sessions are so relaxing so much so that I haven't been able to get through all three sessions because I usually fall asleep and that's ok with me. Dr Rossman's voice is very soothing and relaxing... I felt so safe and comforted listening to such a gentle voice.

BORING AGAIN.......2006-08-22

I know exactly what another reader means here, but it seems to be the norm of using the same words for the relaxion, but throwing in a few words for whatever the title of the CD claims to be. It doesn't do guided imagery justice, which works very well with some other authors.

Helps to heal.......2006-08-01

I used these CDs for healing after a surgery and they were very useful to me. I didn't know if they would actually work, but I felt that they did. They made me more aware of what was going on in my body (and soul) and so made me more aware of how I could heal. I recommend them.

Not very impressive and redundant...........2006-04-11

I didn't think this CD set was a good value. There are a lot of other products in this genre and I don't think this particular one is up to snuff.

The lecture part is decent and for people who aren't familiar with guided imagery, it's a nice introduction. Unfortunately, it also consumes a lot of the total time.

The guided imagery exercises are almost identical. When I heard this the first time, I couldn't quite believe it. I would like to see someone of Dr. Weil's credibility put out something better or else not collaborate with the individual.

I guess the purchasing decision around this CD should focus on your level of experience with guided visualization. If you don't know much about it and have never been exposed to other similar products, then you might find it very useful. If you have done other things in this area, you will most likely be disappointed.

Average customer rating:

Ghost Dancing Sacred Medicine and the Art of JD Challenger
Art for the Soul
Beautiful Visual Experience
Excellent reproduction of JD's paintings.

Ghost Dancing: JD Challenger
E. Daniels
Manufacturer: Stewart, Tabori and Chang
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1556708246

Customer Reviews:

Ghost Dancing Sacred Medicine and the Art of JD Challenger.......2001-04-27

Descriptive words of Ghost Dancing, joined with the timeless wisdom contained in the words of Native America. Couple this with the paintings of JD Challenger and you have an opportunity to not read about but really feel. This is not a book just narrating the past but speaks volumes to the future. This book called to me from the library shelf and I have ordered to place in a prominent place on my shelf. This is a book to share with others and come back to often.

Art for the Soul.......1999-10-07

JD challengers work was the first original art that I have purchased. When I saw his work in a gallery in Santa Fe, I was mesmorized by the character of his subjects. Ghost Dancing provides a good overview of many of his prints that are available.

Beautiful Visual Experience.......1999-02-28

The text of this book is extremely informative on the Ghost Dance Religion of Native Americans. It covers the origins of the religion, its climax and the results thereof. Adding to this educational context is the Beautifully compelling work of artist JD Challenger. His riviting paintings jump from the pages virtually reaching out from the book and pulling you in. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about Native Americans and most assuredly to anyone who loves art that emits emtional impact. I constantly go back to this book as a source of inspiration and to gain understanding of Native American's plight.

Excellent reproduction of JD's paintings........1998-07-10

The book is of the finest quality in printing and binding. The content is very educational and the reproductrion of JD's paintings is superb.

Dance of the Four Winds: Secrets of the Inca Medicine Wheel

Average customer rating:

Indiana Jones move aside
Now one of my favorite books
good book good seler
Reality or fiction?
reads well

Dance of the Four Winds: Secrets of the Inca Medicine Wheel
Alberto Villoldo , and Erik Jendresen
Manufacturer: Destiny Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0892815140
Release Date: 1994-12-01

Book Description

Dance of the Four Winds recounts the adventures of the American psychologist Alberto Villoldo as he journeys to Peru to explore the visionary ceremonies of the native shamans. Here Quecha masters use the jungle plant ayahuasca to further their spiritual progress along the four paths of the Medecine Wheel. Entering a magical realm of enigmatic sorcerers and powerful animal totems, Villoldo confronts the hidden powers of his own mind as he unlocks the secrets of the human psyche.

Customer Reviews:

Indiana Jones move aside.......2007-09-08

One of the best books I ever read. Great insights! A book one can always return to and learn from. I highly recommend this and Villoldo's other books.

Now one of my favorite books.......2007-07-05

I absolutely loved reading this story, and haven't read any story as stimulating since The Celestine Prophesy.... the difference, of course being - that this book recounts true life experiences. This was an engaging, enjoyable read with many eye opening insights into other ways and worlds. I have vivid memories of the images and experiences described in this book. Fascinating!

good book good seler.......2006-06-29

a great and by-now classic book on the theme of shamanism by an anthopologist and psychologist. I LIKE THIS BOOK BECAUSE HE TRIES IN IT TO DECRIBE HIS PERSONAL EXPERIENCES IN COMMON WORDS

Reality or fiction?.......2005-05-04

For those seeking more info about Dr. Villoldo's lack of detail and other concerns regarding truthfulness in contemporary shamanism, please see "The Selling of the Shaman and the Problem of Informant Legitimacy" which appears in the Summer 1990 issue of 'Anthropological Research', Volume 46, Number 2. Dr. Villoldo is prominently featured.

reads well.......2002-12-19

In this book Villoldo, perhaps one of the most well known teachers of Inca shamanism in the West, describes his initial encounters with the shamanic world. The book is devoted to Villoldo's experiences with two Peruvian healers - don Ramon Silva (an ayahuascero from the Peruvian Amazon) and don Antonio Morales, (a Qero style healer and philosophy professor!). Villoldo's recounting of Peruvian healing practices is gripping and the final chapter, in which he describes the death of his teacher's teacher in a little cottage on the Peruvian altiplano, is simply breath-taking. I also quite liked the description of the "operation" which allowed V. to see energy patterns and his animal allies.

If V. only recounted his experiences with the old shamans, the book would have been superb. Unfortunately, he decided to insert into the book his own personal issues and musings on the nature of reality (which tend to go on and on) and which to me seem to be rather cliche-y. this guy is a doer, not a thinker and all the theory just detracted me from the magic of his experiences. V. also seems to be unduly impressed by his newly acquired Ph.D. in psychology (from a little known local college) as if a degree means anything these days.

Book Description

A fascinating look into the history of the American sideshow and its performers. Learn what's real, what's fake, and what's just downright bizarre.

You've probably heard of Tom Thumb. The Elephant Man. Chang and Eng, the original Siamese twins. But what about Eli Bowen, the legless acrobat? Myrtle Corbin, the four-legged woman? Or Prince Randian, the human torso? All these and more were stars during the heyday of the American sideshow, from 1840 to 1950. American Sideshow chronicles the lives of truly amazing performers, examining these brave and extraordinary curiosities, not just as sideshow attractions, but as people, delving into the lives they led and how they were able to triumph over their abnormalities.

American Sideshow discusses the rise and fall of the original sideshows and their subsequent replacement by today's self-made freaks. With the progress of modern medicine, the physical abnormalities are disappearing, either through treatment or prevention; and, ironically, those same technological advancements now make it possible to change our bodies at will. It's amazing how easy it is to have your tongue forked, horns surgically implanted, or your earlobes removed. There are also modern-day giants, fire-eaters, fire-breathers, sword-swallowers, glass-eaters, human blockheads, and, oh, so much more.

These fascinating personalities are celebrated through intimate biographies paired with stunning photographs. Approximately 200 performers from the past 160 years are featured, giving readers a comprehensive and sometimes astonishing view of the history of the American sideshow.

Customer Reviews:

Go ahead and STARE!.......2007-08-28

In the Old days the "freaks" didn't have the talk show circuit, they had very few options given to them to make money. If you were born deformed you could either shut yourself up in your house, or join the circus. Back then there wasn't any political correctness, if you had giant growths on your face you were "the ugliest woman", if you weighed over 400 pounds you were the "jolliest fattest person alive" It was all about exploiting your abnormalities to the fullest. It is human nature to be curious about those among us that are different, even shocking in appearance. We try not to stare in public, so when these shows came around it was our opportunity to get an eyeful and not feel guilty. Many times these performers were sold as children by their parents, because it was good money and it got rid of the burden the sideshows became permanent homes for the "orphans". These days disorders and diseases like gigantism, Ichthyosis (alligator skin), even conjoined twins have treatments or solutions for recovery. A lot of the thalidomide babies are grown up and have moved onto normal lives, dwarfism has its own community and they want to be seen as more than an oddity.
This book gives us a rare insight to all the people, big or small, who put themselves on display for entertainment purposes. It's laid out in a certain timeline, with each performer getting a mini biography and a picture; it was fascinating to learn about their origins and what happened to them after the sideshow life. I thought it was interesting that men who were cross dressers were billed as hermaphrodites dressing up one half man one half women, and males who had parasitic twins were made to have that "twin" a female no matter what. Many owners hyped up their performers, blatantly lying to the public to give them more of an exotic feel. Two albino black men with dreadlocks were Albanian goat men. Even a famous "Chinese" dwarf, was rumored to be a Jewish guy dressed up.
The book is really informative; I was glued to it for days. The only thing I have to complain about has nothing to do with the book itself, but rather the state of "sideshows" today. Now it's mostly about "Human Marvels" or "self made freaks" and less about physical deformities. The Modern section was FULL of tattooed, sword swallowing, pierced, bug eaters. To me that's just not entertaining, if you go and choose to become a "freak" I really don't care about seeing you. I went and saw the Jim Rose Circus when it came through town in the early 90's, and I wasn't impressed by what I saw.

Good book.......2007-06-17

There were some good information and some pictures in this book, however, I felt they covered so many performers that there wasn't enough information about those who were covered. Still a good read.

Absolutely Fabulous & Entertaining!.......2007-05-25

"The dazzling real lives of the bearded ladies, the dog faced boys, the camel girl, the lobster boy, the frog boy, the lizard man and all the other strange carnival and sideshow performers."

American Sideshow.......2006-10-10

Great sideshow book!

This book covers more performers and has more photos than any of my
other sideshow books. Hartzman shows us who these performers are, not
just as freaks, but as people. He gets into their lives, their loves,
and their triumphs. Light humor and a casual style make the book very
readable and enjoyable. Turn to any page and you'll read something
amazing - something to tell people at work about the next day.

I read another reviewer's comment below who said Hartzman stated
too many sideshow claims as fact, but he clearly stated in the
beginning of the book that giants' and midgets' heights, fat peoples'
weights, and other "facts" were often exaggerated. This way he didn't
have to say it every time he mentions a height or weight, which
would've gotten repetitive. This reviewer also wished he cited his
sources, which he clearly did in his bibliography.

Get this book! It's American history at its most fascinating.

Compelling encyclopedia of fascinating people, more context would have been great.......2006-07-11

This book makes fascinating reading. It's mainly done in an encyclopedia style, with entries for many, many people who chose to exhibit their unusual features or talents. The author obviously feel strongly that they have a right to do so, and shows much caring and respect for them. I really liked how he followed their lives all the way through if he could find the information, so they were presented as people and not just shows.

However, I would have really liked a little more context with the listing---more information about sideshows in general and more perspective on the listings. I did like the sidebars here and there, but it would have been great to read more about life in general for all the performers--what it was like to travel with a sideshow, what the people watching the shows acted like, etc.

I also found the humor inserted in almost every listing a little forced, and not in keeping with the general respectful tone of the book. There were lots of little puns and silly jokes, which didn't add much and were a distraction.

I found the last section of the book, about present day shows and performers, to not really fit with the rest of the book. These performers almost all just do odd and bizarre things, as opposed to having odd and bizarre things thrust upon them. I think it's a very different thing to CHOOSE to be odd and bizarre as opposed to making the best of a life where you already are.

It sounds like I liked this book much less than I did. I really did find it an interesting and caring survey of a group of people political correctness often prefers not to talk about. It's ironic that this same attitude probably keeps many people on public assistance, instead of making them extremely rich as many of these performers became!

Average customer rating:

Tango is so worth the effort of learning and doing.
Tango dancers will smile with understanding
Dance Tango, Be Whole
It's About the Connection
Understanding the Power of Balance

The Tao of Tango
Johanna Siegmann
Manufacturer: Trafford Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 155212410X
Release Date: 2006-07-06

Product Description

How to achieve balance in your life through Tango .... even if you can't dance.

Customer Reviews:

Tango is so worth the effort of learning and doing........2007-02-03

Tango will change your life and this book tells you how and why.
This is one of the best of many books on the subject of life transformation experienced by a very large number of people outside of Buenos Aires.
Highly recommended.
However, it has even greater meaning when you have attempted the Argentine Tango.
So, hug a partner and dance with your heart.
Abrazos!

Tango dancers will smile with understanding.......2007-01-17

A quick read, packed with philosophical and insightful concepts. If you're a tango dancer, this book will speak to you as you compare what she is writing with what you already know. The Tao of Tango will have you nodding your head vigorously, agreeing that what she says is in fact true. Johanna Siegmann's
comparison of female/male energy to tango is a thought provoking, but compelling theory filled with accuracy. I couldn't put this book down .

Dance Tango, Be Whole.......2006-01-17

The Tao of Tango by Johanna Siegmann is a delightful chronicle of her discovery of the inner world of Argentine Tango - plus an insightful look at the application of Taoist philosophy to both Life and Tango.
On the surface, Tango is rooted in the sensuality and seduction that goes on between a man and a woman. But deeper things are going on. As Ms. Seigmann discovered, it is a conversation "in some language of the soul that resided in some part of me I never knew existed."
Drawing on key principles of Taoism, Ms. Siegmann shows how all people, whether men or women, are mixtures of characteristics that are either yang (masculine) or yin (feminine), and in order to be successful, in either Life or in Tango, each person must have these energies in balance within themselves. Yet in our post-Feminism world, this is rarely the case, for either gender. Johanna Siegmann discovered, as have many others, that learning to tango is much more than learning a new dance.
In order to dance tango properly, whether we are a man or a woman, we must be in touch with both our halves, both the confident masculine part, and the sensitive feminine part. Per Ms. Siegmann, "True happiness lies in the mutual embrace of both our [masculine and feminine] energies." Only when we can draw on both these qualities will our tango have the deep character for which it is so justly revered. In a real sense, it is a journey of self-discovery and healing. We find that, whether interacting on the dancefloor or in a Life relationship, having our energies in balance promises nothing less than a resolution of the age-old "battle of the sexes."

It's About the Connection.......2005-12-20

This book is not so much about steps or sequences, so don't expect to learn cool moves from it. It's more about what lays beyond the movement. A balance between two energies: feminine and masculine that is what creates that strong unforgettable connection between people in dance or in life.

I recommend this book to anyone, either you are dancing tango or not; it's short and very easy to read. And if you don't find a nice dance technique suggestion in it, you might find something that would be applicable in your every day life in a relation with your significant one or friends, or colleagues at work.

Understanding the Power of Balance.......2005-05-16

The Tao of Tango is successful because it probes the right questions.
As the result of "feminism", we can enjoy a fairer balance of power with men, but what femininity is still remains a complete mystery to us. The book dares to praise passivity, surrendering and following, and reminds us that those words can still carry derogative connotations. At the same time it tells us about male and female energies present in each one of us and with that, it frees us of limiting patterns of behavior.

Dancing Tango is a beautiful way to play, rehearse and observe how we are as women and men. The Tao of Tango refers to it in a provocative, measured and grounded way.

Valeria Solomonoff
Tango performer, teacher and choreographer
Co-founder of TangoMujer
www.valetango.com

Sacred Woman, Sacred Dance: Awakening Spirituality Through Movement and Ritual

Average customer rating:

Quite superficial
more to Dance than meets the eye ...
Woman Dance a renewal of sacredness
Woman Dance!
Spiritual Dance

Sacred Woman, Sacred Dance: Awakening Spirituality Through Movement and Ritual
Iris J. Stewart
Manufacturer: Inner Traditions
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0892816058
Release Date: 2000-08-01

Book Description

Shows how dance, the highest expression of spirituality in cultures and traditions all over the world, is being integrated into the lives of women today

• The first book to explore women's spiritual expression--women's ways--through a study of dance

• Investigates how dance came to be excluded from worship, and reveals how dance is once again being brought into spiritual practices

• Includes resources for further instruction in sacred dance

Today we primarily think of dance as a form of entertainment or as a way to exercise or socialize. There was a time, however, when dance was considered the way to commune with the divine, a part of life's journey, celebrating the seasons and rhythms of the year and the rhythms of our lives. Dance is a language that reunites the body, mind, and soul. While the role of women's sacred dance was most valued in goddess-worshipping cultures where women served as priestesses and healers, dance was once an integral part of religious ritual and ceremonial expression in cultures all over the world, including Judaism and Christianity. In this book the author investigates how dance came to be excluded from worship and reveals how dance is once again being integrated into spiritual practices.

Sacred Woman, Sacred Dance is the first book to explore women's spiritual expression--women's ways--through a study of dance. It describes sacred circles, birth rituals, ecstatic dances, and dances of loss and grief (in groups and individually) that allow women to integrate the movements of faith, healing, and power into their daily life.

Customer Reviews:

Quite superficial.......2007-06-26

I do not want to talk about how the author handled all other "sacred dances", but, since I am well-familiar with the Indian classical dance, I do have a clear impression that the author, although apparently quite intellectual, has a very superficial (typical of a western rationalistic mind) idea of what the real classical Indian dance practices are about, and has no idea at all of what is Natya Yoga.

more to Dance than meets the eye ..........2006-05-26

This book offers deeply insightful information regarding the history and symbolism of dance (mostly folkloric and Oriental, not ballet) as it relates to femininity and by extension, feminism in the spiritual, nonpolitical sense of a free self-expression.

The entire book is exceptional and engrossing, but I particularly enjoyed the chapter about the history of percussion/drumming, not only musical history but spiritual, religious, and psychological history as well. The chapter about trance dancing is very informative also, even alluring in its descriptions.

The book's many pictures are stunning (as is the author herself), and certainly every picture enhances already intriguing text.

My favorite picture is a photograph of Russian dancer Vera Morova (who gave up ballet to pursue Oriental dance) in a pose from her Snake Dance - the most exotic costuming and form imaginable!

A generous resource guide, notes section, and bibliography conclude the book.

Woman Dance a renewal of sacredness.......2005-08-29

This book is very informative and wonderfully and intelligently written. I recommend it to any one that is interested in connecting with the ancient art of sacred movement. The illustrations are beautiful. It is wonderful to read books that are embracing the sacredness of the woman! Its time for women to unite and bring peace back into this world..This book is a great place to begin in understanding the importance of this!

Woman Dance!.......2004-01-07

This is a wonderful book for any woman who is searching to uncover her own hidden "feminine" gifts thorough dance, or for one who is searching out all woman history to re-build her own. Dance has been changed through out the centuries but the core is still present.
A book that will expand the beginners understanding of how dance is connected to the spiritual. Much substance.

Spiritual Dance.......2003-03-12

This book has an unusual approach to the history of dance. It has lovely photos/illustrations, and thorough notations throughout. I recommend ot for its unique approach to dance, but not for its (sometimes suspect) history. It's an interesting book, with a lot of information.

I can see using this book as a form of meditation I suppose that's as spiritual as you want it to be. There are interesting ideas here, and women who are exploring the meaning and origin of dance will probably find it a good read. As women's studies (which is one of the subjects this book falls into), it's a little lacking. She doesn't really provide enough hard evidence with some of her theories and interpretations to consider this a scholarly work. Women who are interested in the goddess will also find value in this book.

I recommend it as an interesting read, as long as the reader understands that much of what she writes is an interpretation of history, and cobbled together from whatever sources were available. Since much of women's history was never written, interpretation is necessary, of course, but I don't know how much is interpretation and how much is embellishment.

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