Featured Pose: Uttana Shishosana, Puppy Pose

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Featured Pose: Uttana Shishosana, Puppy Pose

//Uttana Shishosana: Puppy Pose or Melting Heart Pose

Hello again, Gratitude. You’re the friend I’m reminded of this time of year, and the one I try never to forget.  You seep into my practice daily, working your magic through each posture to yoke me to the Creator.  Gratitude reminds me that my practice is enough, that my breath is enough, and that I am enough.  More than enough: worthy of wild, unadulterated praise.

Uttana Shishosana (puppy pose) is a simple, feel good motion that stretches the shoulders and spine, invigorates the mind, and relieves stress, tension, and insomnia.  Also referred to as melting heart pose, this mild inversion invites the opening of your heart to the earth and the humbling of your being to the heavens.  In this reorientation of the body, we are able to recognize an imperative notion to believing in gratitude, that we are all connected and bound together by something greater than ourselves. With our heart open to the earth, we receive all of its bounty, we acknowledge that we are not alone and that our existence and breath is nourished by all creatures great and small.  In this I am humbled and grateful.

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Featured Pose: Tadasana, Mountain Pose

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Featured Pose: Tadasana, Mountain Pose

// Tadasana: Mountain Pose

The autumn equinox has passed, and slowly the days grow shorter. The mornings are cold, the wind blows the colored leaves from their homes high above the street, and we find ourselves moving inward. It is a time for introspection and reflection. In our Yoga practice, we work on the art of letting go. We let go of what no longer serves us; we release attachments to things, beliefs, and visions that keep us from being present, finding peace, loving, and letting ourselves be loved. In the time of year when the night overtakes the day we work in the dark places to clear away the old destructive behaviors and manifest an open space that can be filled, a vessel that can be used.

Tadasana, mountain pose, is the foundation for all standing positions in Yoga.  Physically, it creates space, making it an appropriate feature for this month. The space created by the strengthening of the legs and abdomen and the lengthening of the spine encourages good posture, steadies breath, improves circulation, and promotes healthy digestion. In turn, the subtle sense of dullness begins to fade, leaving only enthusiasm, energy, and increased awareness of the unity of mind and body.

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Breathe

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// Pranayama: the formal practice of controlling the breath, the prana, the life-force.

“The practice of pranayama removes the veil of ignorance covering the light of intelligence and makes the mind a fit instrument to embark on meditation for the vision of the soul. This is a spiritual quest. “- B.K.S. Iyengar, Light on the Yoga Sutras,

Pranayama falls at the heart of our yoga practice.  It is the 4th limb of the 8 limbs of yoga. Preceded by asana (postures) and followed by pratyahara (withdrawal from the senses).  It is the bridge between the outward expressions of yoga and the inward manifestations.

The practice of breath control is the experience of the now. In the rhythm of our breath we are able to calm our mind and rejuvenate our spirit.  It is through our breath that we can understand the subtle qualities of the elements (sound, touch, shape, taste, smell) and move our consciousness into stillness. The heat of the breath moves through our body exhaling out our past attachments and beliefs, creating a space that is ready to be filled with the new. It is this space that we approach the core of our being and become internally cleansed in thoughts, words, and actions.  This is the beginning of a meditation practice. Breathe in and breath out.

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Featured Pose: Balasana, Child's Pose

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Featured Pose: Balasana, Child's Pose

//Balasana (bah-LAHS-anna): Child’s Pose

We have found ourselves, yet again, in a new year. What a delight! The air is crisp and fresh, and feelings of rebirth and new beginnings are all around.  Whether you are new or familiar with the practice of Yoga, start this year off in balasana to help you find the courage and relief to align with your path.

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Featured Pose: Sukhasana, Easy Pose

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Featured Pose: Sukhasana, Easy Pose

The translation of sukhasana to “easy pose” is a cruel joke played on us by the Yogis of the past.  It is anything but easy: I find it very humbling.  I think that it is more accurate to say that this is a posture that we strive to one day, maybe, find ease in through the challenge it offers.  This is true of all Yoga positions, but sukhasana is unique in the sense that we will typically hold it for a more extended period of time as we practice breathing exercises and meditation.

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