As soon as the winds whipped across my face on the first of June the excitement for warm lunches, blustery dog walks, cuddly couch stories with my children, long slow cooking dinner aromas filling the house, and sneaky early-to-bed snuggles with the man of my dreams. Winter brings wishes. One in particular - that I am supported by my #handfulofdevoted yogis through the colder months in our spacious hall.
No one ever said starting over was easy. Setting up and waiting for word to spread...leaning on my patience. I'm trusting the philosophy of my much beloved yoga sages.
The word Guru means shredder of darkness. {perfect for winter} According to yoga philosophy the guru comes when you are ready, not when you want. The philosophy does not say it has to be man woman young old black white red or yellow.
I am at peace with the pace at which this is unfolding. Saying that {because I do actually say it over n over, it's been my meditation mantra} it's working both ways. The lesson is somehow all mine. This tiny little community is teaching me the sweet sacred shift of self love and acceptance first hand.
A true teacher is someone who will appear when you need and are open to them. They won't always say what you want to hear but WILL help you on your path as a yogi and as a human. We all need good teachers/mentors/guides to support us and show us the path to 'ourselves' and to the potential residing within us. Unbound & unashamed - each and everyone of us.
So in true yogic spirit lets practice and know it shall all be revealed.
ANJANEYASANA {low lunge}
it is a beautiful exploration of cultivating neutrality, creating steady balance all while reaching within your boundaries. Energetically a gloriously playful pose ... Grab some floor space and from standing : step your right foot back and release your knee to the floor. Emphasis is on maintaining the length of the spine and openness of the heart centre. It's nice to double up a mat or blanket under the grounded knee.
Now to find that illusive neutrality - partially straighten the front leg, hands on hips and create a slight posterior pelvic tilt to source neutrality in the pelvis. Slowly bend the front knee to deepen the lunge and stretch of the hip flexors while continuing to cultivate that pelvic neutrality.
Play here with slowly moving in and out of the full depth of the lunge, gradually releasing into a deeper stretch in the hips and groin. YUM!
Once fully into your lunge, release your arms down to your sides to turn your palms (Externally rotating your arms) to then reach them up overhead. Look down for a moment and soften your lower front ribs inward - maintaining that pelvic neutrality - then try to reach arms father back without letting your lower front ribs protrude out. Arms can be held shoulder width distance and the head held level.
If your elbows are straight, you might like to play with pressing your palms together overhead while lifting through your sides,chest,back,arms and fingertips. Possibly even gazing at the thumbs if it's ok with your neck.
Now, I spent years learning yoga from a book, my bible 'A Light on Yoga'
So I know how hard it is to get all the cues in one and try to ignite a fluid progression from one to the next. So maybe you could ask someone to read this out to you as you explore your lunge.
Hoping you gain enjoyment from finding freedom in low lunges. It's so nice to warm our centres during these colder months.
Don't forget to balance out both sides and maybe even swap with your reader if you had one 😉
I am yet to secure the Williamtown Hall for Monday nights. I project July..for a MOMO session what's a MOMO you ask? Moments Of Mindful Order. It will be a deeply Delush session coordinating your breath inside slow and restorative poses held in lengthy mindfulness.
The heaters will be on in the Community Centre but some socks & a blanket will be pure bliss for your savasana.
Until next time yogis & avid blog readers remember to
DO LITTLE THINGS EVERY DAY FOR OTHERS.
Sometimes those little things occupy the biggest part of their hearts. You can't be everything to everyone, but you can be everything to a few people. Decide who these people are in your life and treat them like royalty.
Peace & Shapes
Lisette
Follow
https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=167811353241767&__user=100001481131102or Subscribe to this blog.
No comments:
Post a Comment