April 25th brought us both a full moon and lunar eclipse. A powerful time.

Lunar eclipse symbolizes the ending of a chapter, a time of letting go, surrendering. This process can leave us feeling vulnerable. 

We've spent the past few weeks in my classes focusing on the anahata chakra, the heart chakra. Breaking it open as the snow melts and we find renewed creativity and growth. Then deep twists to cleanse, clear out, create a new space for us to move into where that renewed growth and creativity can thrive.

Now we will surrender to that opening and clearing to allow for deep transformation and reclaiming our power.

Tap into the manipura chakra, the third chakra, the "powerhouse". This chakra represents our sense of self in relation to the world. Find your strength and power here. This allows you to be vulnerable. To be present in your vulnerability, and through it find inner strength. 

With inner strength, we can allow ourselves to feel the full spectrum of our human experience.

In moments of personal upheaval, instead of closing in, sing it!
In moments of self-doubt, instead of keeping silent, tell it!
In moments of vulnerability, instead of feigning strength, let yourself be seen!

Let yourself be seen, truly seen.
Love with your whole heart.
Practice gratitude and joy,
And believe that YOU are enough.

 

http://open.spotify.com/user/1234385170/playlist/0USxS0OcYXsJr6Yasq8R0g
I am loving this new playlist...Aqualung, James Blake, John Martyn... some lovel

This poem found me on facebook the other day, and completely applies to the concept in our asana playground of creating space, a clearing, so that we can move into that space and remain fully present. It also poignantly applies to my feelings when inundated with so many tragic events close to home. I've used in my classes this week.

Clearing

Do not try to save the world or do anything grandiose
Instead, create a clearing in the dense forest of your life and wait there patiently, until the song that is your life falls     into your own cupped hand and you recognize and greet it.
Only then will you know how to give yourself to this world so worth the rescue.

~ Martha Postlethwaite

my heart goes out to Boston and all affected today. my mind wonders why such things continue to happen. my soul wants peace for all.

Three weeks of bursting open our hearts, it's time for some spring cleaning. In class, watch out for some fun, cleansing twists, which also require an open heart. Create that space, so you can move into it!

Spring is a time of rebirth, renewal, regrowth, and we, being connect with Nature as we are, feel that too. We may find a surge of creativity, a desire to try something new, an openness that we've not noticed there before. Follow that urge, it is time! Winter is the time of nurturing, protection, snuggling up by the fire. Now, let the spring rain and sunshine come through you and open up those stagnant spaces. The heart is where we feel this opening, as we expand and grow and face the world.

Along with this renew, it is a great time for spring cleaning. Cleansing, clearing out. In our physical practice, literally, twisting it out. After we've opened the heart spaces, we can allow ourselves to move into them, going deeper, compressing, rinsing. Imagine your body like your closet, where you've stored away all that you needed to get through the cold of winter. You don't need that anymore, so clear it out! Move it away! Create some space!

I LOVE WHAT I DO! ♥

Use a block in your next yoga class. 
That four-cornered friend can enhance your experience, and save your hammies and low back.
Besides, yoga is not all about touching your toes. If that's all it was, we're all missing the message.