Adho Merudanda Mudra

"“Adho” means downward and “Merudanda” is the axis of energy. In this mudra, the thumbs, which
represent the fire element, are extended, but they are turned downward. As a general principle, mudras that are turned downward represent the lunar principle, which is cooling, while those that are
turned upward represent the solar element, which is heating. This mudra is therefore a combination of heating and cooling elements, which stimulates the abdominal and navel areas as well as the second chakra. Its physiological focus is on the reproductive and digestive systems." - Joseph Le Page

I practiced Adho Merudanda Mudra for 10 –20 breaths as a tool to bring awareness to the lower abdominal and navel segment of my body.  I noticed the lack of tone in my stomach that is making my back work to hard.  I also noticed my tendency to lean forward and that I have a hard time sitting up straight.  My stomach felt empty and healthy besides the lack of strength.  Maybe this strength - a solar plexus issue - extends beyond my stomach to all avenues in my life where I need to develop my strength.  I have a tendency not too chew food enough and eat to fast which is hard on my stomach.  I think my stomach is asking for strength, support and care as we age together.  I have been doing some barre classes to work on this area.  Yoga Barre really shows me how weak I am in my core.  I will also go back to LaGree when I start working next week.  I promise to take care of my stomach and not ignore it like I have more so many years.

Reflect on the chakra you feel least aware of in your being

My first chakra is always talking to me with knee problems and foot pain.  I am extremely emotional and creative which I place in my 2nd chakra.  I am in love with love in my 4th and my shoulders always hurt and my chest in collapsing in.  I talk to much in my 5th.  I think about my 6th and 7th a lot with yoga, meditation and yoga nidra, but I forget about my 3rd.

I have chosen my 3rd chakra to explore today as the one I am least aware of using Anodea Judith's Book, Eastern Body, Western Mind.In Yoga I will push myself in about anything except my core and my arms.  My core is the weakest part of my body.  So

According to Andoea Judith"the third chakra is located in the softest part of the torso (yes mine is too soft)...The chakra is not full enough to support the upper body.  ,,,It is helpful when developping the will to do exercises such as sit-ups that strengthen the stomach muscles and support this vulnerable part of the torso."  (I know, I know, some day)

BASIC ISSUES OF THE 3rd CHAKRA
- Energy
- Activity
- Autonomy
- Individuation
- Will
- Self-Esteem
- Shame
- Proactivity
- Power


I often notice the more stressed I get at work the more I lose my personality.  People who don't know my don't even know I am funny or can be fun.  I come off as very rigid. But that is not how I see myself or those who know me in other contexts see me.

....We lose our spontaneity and playfulness.  Unable to trust our own basic impulses and needing to constantly monitor what comes from within, the personality becomes divided against itself.  It takes energy to maintain this division, a loss that robs us of our basic vitality and wholeness." p.173

AUTONOMY
"Without autonomy, we cannot get to the heart, for our love comes from need rather than strength..." This rings very true to me in my love relationships.


INVIDUATION
",,,overcoming unconscious habits that allow us to be defined by others."p.173

I have never felt good enough.  I think I never have recovered from being thrown out of the house at 16 because I wanted to be an artist.

"It is about daring to be unique, risking disapproval for the integrity of your own truth." p.173

I feel like I did that and it turned out badly and lately I have been afraid to take big risks.

OBEDIENCE/PUNISHMENT

"We are trained to be obedient" p. 179

I wasn't very obedient as a child and I was spanked and beaten a lot.  My father would tell me that this hurts him more than it hurts me.  (I didn't believe him because it hurt a lot). He told me he was trying to get my attention (I always thought this was a pretty stupid way to get my attention)

"Punishment is used by authority for controlling behavior and robbing us of our free will."

"Punishment can shame or control, deprive or invade.  It can physical or emotional, literal or symbolic." p.194

We can respond to punishment by: complying, rebelling, withdrawing or manipulating.

As a teen I rebelled and withdrawing with drugs. As adult I am withdrawing by numbing myself and manipulating.

SELF_ESTEEM

My self-esteem is so low although I know it shouldn't be.  I have had a lot of accomplishments.

"In the many years of my practice.  I have seldom found much correlation between high seld-esteem and accomplishment." p. 180 (Thank god it's not just me,


PRO_ACTIVITY
I don't think this is one of my problems

POWER
"We have power when we dare to live authentically, when we reach inside ourselves and tell the naked truth."  (I am not there yet.  Still a lot of lies.)


SHAME

"Shame creates a block between the mind and the body that splits one off from the core self."

I was ashamed of being black, mixed, Jewish,  big footed, knock kneed, not fast enough swimmer, so many things''

"We are held in our places within a culture where the personal loss of power is so epidemic that no one hears the cries of loss and outrage." p.190

My father liked to embarrass me in public.

"Shame collapses the third chakra and as a result the whole torso collapses at the middle."

The pain, confusion and shame of being raped at 16 was one of the most crushing things that has happened in my life.  I handled it all by myself.  I told no one.   What a weight to carry for such a young girl, me!'
And thus maybe I am also the ENDURER

ENDURER

"To heal, The Endurer needs to express both the angry and the tender feelings."

I need to overcome these feelings of "helplessness, abandonment, neglect and abuse."

PARENTIFIED CHILD

This was definitely me.  Cooking dinner for my brother and father when my mom was working late.

"Sometimes the situation within a family requires that the child grow up too quickly and take on responsibilities that are beyond the maturity of her age." p. 195

EXCESS

Human Ding - bolstering the ego with accomplishments, engagements, and busy-ness (This is me)

"Such a person will be in constant motion, excitation, and stress that goes with it..."

"Balance between listening to the body's messages and channeling those impulses into productive acivity is the integration we seek."

"..excessive thircd chakras need to relax, sit still and let go of control." p.216


DEFICIENCY

The one a relate to is feeling victimized and depression


GIVE UP BEING SAFE

"The first thing i tell my clients or group members when they wish to develop their third chakra is to give up the attachment to being safe.  This involves giving up wanting everything assured ahead of time and accepting that there might be criticism, challenge, misunderstanding, rejection, or a possibility of failure...,We need to face the fact that the world is not safe" p.216


WORK WITH ANGER
- 3rd chakra anger is an assertive fiery anger which is me
Blocked anger is often a factor in weight gain.  I struggle with my weight.

"I have found that releasing blocked anger often improves metabolism and helps stabilize weight problems, sometimes with little or no change in diet." p.217


CONCLUSION
- Need to build ego strength to work on 3rd chakra
- Develop contact with authentic self
- Raise self-esteem by attacking shame demons
- Vitality
- Ability to laugh at one's self

THE FIRE ELEMENT

(from Nya and Jennifer's - 40 Days to Optimal Health)

“Everything becomes fire, and from fire everything is born.”
- Herakleitos 

The domestication of fire is one of the most pivotal events in human history. For hundreds of thousands of years, familial and/or tribal bonding have taken place by the fire. Across varied cultures, torches, bonfires, burning embers and ashes are symbolic of transformation, growth and well being.

There are both internal and external fires in the human experience.  Flames and fire are symbols of passion, anger, excitement, vitality, and inspiration. But they are more than symbolic because we feel heat and energy traveling through our body when fiery emotions are accessed. Sometimes our emotions get so hot that others need to stand back in order not to be burned.

Fire can bring transformation, purification and destruction. Fire of transformation can be seen when we cook our food to aid digestion. Fire of purification is expressed by a fever which is a sign that the body is burning toxins and bacteria to purify itself. Fire of destruction, as seen in wildfires in California, that destroy everything in their path.

The Fire Element is associated with the solar plexus chakra which is depicted as a sun between the navel and the heart. Each of us have are our personal sun burning at the core of our body. The solar plexus is where we find our confidence, self esteem, will power. self discipline and personal warmth. When the solar plexus chakra is overactive, we can have emotional outbursts and feel stressed out. If the chakra is blocked or deficient, we become passive and inactive. When the solar plexus chakra is healthy and strong, we have the ability to move forward in life with confidence and power.

The ram is the animal associated with the air element. The ram is a symbol of determination, action, initiative, and leadership. It’s horns represent our need to keep our mind stimulated. The ram reminds us to be assertive, act without hesitation, find our personal strength and be independent.

The Zodiac fire signs are Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. Fire signers are passionate,  enthusiastic, creative, energetic and combustible.The trendsetters of the zodiac, fire signers are born leaders, because, others are drawn to their personal heat and natural sparkle. Like any fire, fire signers are usually the center of attention.

Take this week on the fire element to work on transformation and purification, as well as an opportunity to observe and cool off any destructive tendencies. A successful relationship with the Fire element means knowing when to add kindling to make it stronger, when to let it fizzle out, and when to get out of its way.  This week remember  to tend your personal personal embers, enjoy the warmth of your internal sun, and celebrate your inner sparkle.


Journaling Questions

What is your relationship to fire.  Do you have any pleasant memories of being around the fire with family or friends?
Are there any behaviors or attitudes that you need to transform, purify or burn?
Are there any people in your life that trigger fiery emotions in you? Do you experience these emotions as warm?  Where do you feel them in the body?
How would you describe the state of your solar plexus chakra? Overactive? Blocked? Healthy? Why? Expand on this question.
The ram is symbolic of our personal determination?  What are you determined to do this week? Is there anything that your are feeling hesitant about?
If you didn’t look last week.  What element is your zodiac sign?

FIRE ELEMENT MEDITATION

I saw this on the internet and loved it

Set up for meditation by lying on your back on the floor in savasana, sitting in a chair, sitting cross legged or in hero pose, or sitting with your back against the wall.

Try to get as aligned and symmetrical as possible.

Take a deep breath in and on the exhale say to yourself mentally "letting go."

Imagine that you have gathered a little stack of sticks.

On each stick, write a word or phrase representing something in your life that is no longer serving you, something that you are in the process of letting go of, or need to be.

Remember that some things must be let go of hundreds of times before we are free from them, maybe thousands.

Forgive yourself this process, for letting go is one of the hardest things to engage with…
Now, place each stick into your flame.

Watch it catch fire. And burn. And as each stick is completely burned, imagine that a gust of wind travels into your hands and carries the ash away from you, far far away.

Ask yourself: Do you have the energy to do the things you want to do?

Do you have the confidence to do the things you want to do?

What gets in the way?

Oftentimes our energy is drained in one area of our life, and we are left lifeless before the mountain of wonderful, enriching experience that could have been.

Inhale Deeply and on the exhale say again "Letting Go"

Feel all the points out contact between the body and the floor.

Come back to the breath

Notice the rise and fall of the breath from the stomach where we keep our inner fire.

Inhale deeply and exhale fully

Start to remember your surrounding

Remember your place in the room.

Remember the walls  . . . the ceilings . . . the floor

Come back to the breath

Gently blink the eyes open

Meditation on the Color Yellow - Solar Plexus Chakra

Begin by making yourself as comfortable as possible by sitting in a chair, cross legged on the floor, in hero pose, or with your back against the wall.  

You can also lie down in savasana.

Notice how the body feels at this very moment. Pay attention to the state of the body right now.

Do not try to change anything, simple notice how the body feels.

Begin to Relax the body.

Relax the feet, relax the legs, relax the abdomen, let the shoulders drop and relax, relax the hands, relax the jaw, relax the face, re;ax the eyelids and let them become heavy, relax the mind

Take a deep breath in . . . Hold it . . . And then slowly breathe out

Become aware of the breath. Notice the breathing. Deliberately try to slow it down.

Create a picture in your mind of the color yellow

Picture the color yellow . . . Imagine the infinite shades of yellow

Visualize yellow objects like flowers, lemons, the sun

Enjoy the color yellow

Now picture whatever calming color your wish.  Do you have a favorite color?  Or is there a color that suits your mood right now.  Imagine whatever color you like.  Allow your find to be relaxed, focused and calm

Enjoy the feeling of relaxation you are experiencing

Now come back again to the breath and come back to the color yellow

Become more alert with each breath you take

Become aware of your surroundings

Gently open your eyes.

Chakra Series - Yin Yoga - Solar Plexus - Manipura Chakra

Start the Yin practice with the eyes closed and the palms at belly to connect with the Solar Plexus. Lie your back and relax completely. Breathe. Begin to focus on your solar plexus and use your intention to inhale extra prana directly to this area. Feel the warmth moving around between your navel and your solar plexus. Imagine there is a sun streaming warmth and energy into this entire area. When you exhale, imagine that the sun spreads its rays from the center of your body out to all parts of your body. Now, imagine that the warmth of the sun's rays in your center reaches out to touch every muscle, every cell, every fiber, every part of your entire body.Visualize energy  moving everywhere inside of you to calm you and strengthen your entire system.

SAVASANA palms on belly - 2 to 5 minutes
The Solar Plexus or located at the center of the physical body and balance lies on the spine directly behind the navel. It is the seat of our strength and will, our determination and ability to manifest, as well as our source of spiritual vitality.  The third chakra is all about our sense of worthiness and empowerment, courage. The negative attributes of the chakra  are insecurity, ego, and pridefulness.

Breathwork: Normal Breathing

SUPINE HALF MOON POSE aka BANANASANA - Both Sides - 2 to 5 minutes
The related organs are the central/solar plexus-based nerve plexus, digestive organs and system, muscles and immune and nervous systems. The solar plexus chakra represents how we present ourselves in the world.  The chakra influences how we conduct ourselves particularly in our career and our relationships.

Benefits: Stretches the whole side of the body.  Lateral flexes the spin. Stretches oblique stomache muscles and side intercostal muscles between the ribs.

Contra-indications: if you experience tingling in the hands place a bolster under the arms or bring the hands down,  If you have lower back issues be mindful and careful with this pose.

Breathwork: Ujjayi

Symbolism:The First Quarter Moon appears approximately a week after the New Moon.  We might call the First  Quarter Moon, as well as the Last Quarter Moon, “the half Moon,” because the Moon appears cut in half.  It is not a quarter of a Moon at all in appearance.At the First Quarter Moon, we might meet challenges we had not prepared for.  We may need to make on-the-spot decisions about how to proceed and then do what needs to be done in order for our intentions to 
manifest.  It is a time for action. Last quarter moon is the time to let go, release, and forgive anything and everyone that you may feel has hurt you in any way.  It is a time of emptying self and allowing the universe to take over or whomever you trust in your faith.  It is out of your hands and no more action is needed from you



SUPPORTED BRIDGE POSE- 3 to 5 minutes
The Solar Plexus also controls the health of our digestive system on a physical, mental, and emotional level, and helps us create and maintain healthy boundaries.  Literal and figurative indigestion and diseases of the stomach, gallbladder, or adrenals alert us to a need to strengthen our naval and tap into the infinite wellspring of energy available there.  Blocks in the third chakra are often expressed in the lymphatic and digestive systems.

Benefits: Stretches the chest, neck, and spine. Calms the brain and helps alleviate stress and mild depression. Stimulates abdominal organs, lungs, and thyroid. Rejuvenates tired legs
Improves digestion. Helps relieve the symptoms of menopause. Relieves menstrual discomfort when done supported. Reduces anxiety, fatigue, backache, headache, and insomnia. Therapeutic for asthma, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and sinus issues

Contra-indications:People with neck injuries should avoid this pose

Breathwork: Inhale and Exhale RAM

Symbolism: progress, connections, stability, overcoming obstacles, transtions


SUPINE SPINAL TWIST - 2 to 5 minutes each side
The third chakra can be manipulated more subtly through long twists.

Benefits: Twists rotate the spine and stretch the muscles of the back. This helps to restore and retain the spine’s natural range of motion. If we don’t employ our natural range of motion we run the risk of our joints hardening and fusing. The surrounding supportive soft tissue can also become short and dysfunctional. In twists you work with the spine and the action of ‘lengthening’ is to create space between the vertebrae. When there's a lack of space our spine tends to slump or get stuck and our energy levels drop. Through twisting we lengthen the spine and get space between the bones. Then our energy can flow better. Twists give us an instant energy lift and decompress the vertebrae in a safe healthy way. Twists are commonly known to aid digestion. It is important to realize what that actually means! Twists are great for creating movement in and around our organs (mobility and motility). So in terms of helping our food being moved along.. twists are great. 

Contra-indications: Shoulder issues

Visualization: Visualize the color of the sun, bright yellow at noon, streaming into your solar plexus and radiating out to your entire body with warmth and light.

MODIFIED BOAT POSE - 1 minute plus
Solar plexuses are activated by having a strong core. A strong third chakra and a strong core reflect the ability to move forward in life with confidence and power. It reflects the ability to make conscious choices to choose and to act.The message of the third chakra is: You have the power to choose.You can choose to achieve your life purpose or you can live out your karma or past experiences.What do you choose?Do you choose love, light and healing?Do you accept that you have the power to choose?Do you feel a sense of freedom when you make a choice?The best solar plexus chakra yoga poses are those that strengthen your core and help you to feel more powerful and confident

Benefits: Strengthens the abdomen, hip flexors, and spine. Stimulates the kidneys, thyroid and prostate glands, and intestines. Helps relieve stress. Improves digestion

Contra-indications:Asthma. Diarrhea. Headache. Heart Problems. Insomnia
Low blood pressure. Menstruation. Pregnancy. Neck injury: Sit with your back near a wall to perform this pose. As you tilt your torso back rest the back of your head on the wall.

Breathwork: In through nose out through mouth. Activate Uddiya Bandha.

Symbolism:  About navigation our lives: Where am I going?What do I consider my "True North" - my ultimate guide? Am I prepared for my journeying (spiritual and otherwise)?How am I navigating through life?How am I maneuvering through adverse conditions?

BOW POSE - One Leg at a Time - 1 + minutes
Manipura is the sanskrit name for the chakra and  is translated as “City of Gems.” Mani means jewel or gem and pura means Dwelling place.

BOW POSE Both Legs -  30 secs +

The symbol of the chakra is a ten petaled lotus surrounding a circle with a downward-pointing triangle with the word Ram written inside. The color of the chakra is yellow and the element associated with the chakra is fire. The animal that is associated with the chakra is the ram.  The ram represents strength, wisdom and bravery and carriers the seed sound.

Benefits: Stretches the entire front of the body, ankles, thighs and groins, abdomen and chest, and throat, and deep hip flexors (psoas). Strengthens the back muscles. Improves posture
Stimulates the organs of the abdomen and neck

Contra-indications:High or low blood pressure. Migraine. Insomnia. Serious lower-back or neck injury

Breathwork: Inhale and Exhale Ram

Symbolism:Doctrine of Truth. Kingship. Virility

SUPERIOR POSE - 3 + minutes
The ruling goddess of the chakra is Lakini Shakti. She provides inspiration and compassion.  She encourages us to set and achieve our goals. The ruling god is Rudra who represents destructive forces. He is the chariot rider of the sun whose arrow causes destruction and disease reminding us that some parts of us need to be “burned away.”

Benefits: It is a good relaxation pose for all spinal complaints, especially cervical spondylitis and stiff neck or upper back.

Visualization:Visualize a golden sunflower or lotus, whichever is easiest for you. Watch it rise to the sun and feel that same sensation with your solar plexus as it rises to the sun and stretches your spine and torso up as high as possible. Inhale as you do this. Exhale and relax, and repeat.

SPHINX POSE or SEAL
Interestingly, the message of this chakra is often one of paradoxes: through humility, we find our power; through discipline, we find liberation; by cleansing the physical body, we become more mentally clear and attuned.

Benefits:  Deep compression and stimulation of sacral lumbar arch. Stimulates the door of lide. Tones the spine. In Seal stomache gets a great stretch.

Contra-indications: Bad back or tight sacrum problems. Pregnant use bolsters and don't put belly on floor

Breathwork: Ujjayi

Symbolism:Sphinx - Power, Watching Over. Seal - Being Comfortable in your own skin


PRONE TWIST - 2 to 5 minutes
Beings with excessive third chakra energy react to life circumstances, they have emotional outbursts and are often stressed out. Beings with blocked or deficient third chakra are passive and inactive - allowing life to pass by while they do nothing.

Benefits: Twists incorporate the center of our body, working the abdominal, obliques, the muscles that support the movement of our spine, our shoulders, pelvis, neck etc.

Breathwork: Ujjayi

Contra-indications: Pregnant Women

FLAPPING FISH - Both Sides - 1 + minutes
The third chakra is the center of your self-esteem. Every time you judge or criticize yourself, you deplete this chakra and weaken your willpower. Self love, self acceptance, and acknowledgement of your own worth are the building blocks of the third chakra.

Benefits: Stretches the spine, shoulders, and hips. Massages the abdominal organs. Relieves lower backache, neck pain, and sciatica. Helps relieve stress. Improves digestion. Especially good in the second trimester of pregnancy for strengthening the lower back. Therapeutic for carpal tunnel syndrome

Visualization: Visualize a candle flame. Now visualize that flame  in your solar plexus down to your navel and up again through the trunk of your body.

RECLINING TWIST WITH A BOLSTER - 2 to 5 minutes
A person with an open and balanced Manipura Chakra values herself and her work, is confident in her ability to do something well, loves and accepts herself, is willing to express herself in a powerful way, knows that she has the freedom to choose to be herself and direct her own life.

Benefits: BKS Iyengar said that twists are detoxifying because of the squeeze and soak action. The organs of detoxification and elimination are compressed pushing out old blood and so then when we release the twist fresh blood can flow in.

Breathwork: Ujjayi

CAMEL POSE - 30 plus seconds
The ruling planet is the Sun. The solar plexus chakra is like having a bright sun in the middle of our bodies.

Benefits: Deeply arches the sacral/lumbar spine and opens the top of the things.  Opens the ankles.  Stretches hip flexors and opens the shoulders.  Great for dropping shoulder or hunched backs

Contr-indications:  Those with weak backs should do gentle variation.  If you have neck issues don't drop the head back keep chin to chest.

Visualize: The sun at the middle of your body

Symbolism:Endurance.Transport. Protection. Survival. Conservation. Journeying. Stamina.

TWISTING DRAGON POSE - 2 to 5 minutes
Fire is the element of the Manipura; fire purifies the past and energizes progress towards mental awareness and spiritual development. This chakra is where we get our "gut instincts" that signal us what to do when we need guidance.

Benefits: Hip and Groin Opener. 

Contra-indications: Can be uncomfortable for kneecap or ankle

Symbolism:The most common message a Dragon totem carry to us is a need for strength, courage, and fortitude. Dragons are also messengers of balance, and magic - encouraging us to tap into our psychic nature and see the world through the eyes of mystery and wonder.More specifically, Dragons are the embodiment of primordial power - the ultimate ruler of all the elements. This is because the Dragon is the master of all the elements: Fire, Water, Earth, and Wind.

Breathwork: Start with an Upright Dragon and Do Breath of fire Before Completely getting in pose.
Ujjayi while in the twisting version.

DEER POSE - 2 to 5 minutes
SIGNS OF A BALANCED SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA: Feeling secure, Flexibility, Well Nourished, Healthy Weight, Feeling at ease, Strong Will Power, Discernment

Benefits: A balanced way to rotate hips. Improves digestion and eliminates gas. Helps with symptoms of menopause. Reduces swelling of legs during end of second trimester of pregnancy. good for high blood pressure and asthma.

Contra-indications: Knee  issues.

Affirmations: I make choices that benefit me.  Inhale: Beneficial  Exhale: Choices

Symbolism: Beauty, Delicacy and Grace. The deer is linked to the arts, specifically poetry and music. 


MODIFIED SIDE PLANK - 1 plus minutes
SYMPTOMS OF AN IMBALANCED SOLAR PLEXUS CHAKRA: Control issues,

Stomach ulcers, Diabetes, Pancreatitis, Indigestion, Anorexia, Bulimia, Colon diseases, Anger, Lack of self esteem, Insecurity, Lethargy, Feeling Threatened, Jaundice

Benefits: Strengthens the arms, abdomen and legs. Strengthens the wrists
Improves sense of balance. Tones and stregthens the core, with a focus on the oblique muscles

Affirmation: I am strong and courageous

Breathwork: Inhale Strength, Exhale Courage


HALF LORD OF THE FISHES or MARICHI ASANA - 2 to 5 minutes each side
Balance your Solar Plexus Chakra: Ways to strengthen your yellow energy: Awaken lost curiosities; develop your photographic memory, do puzzles, pick up an old hobby. Regenerate your sense of smell, use aromatherapic extract oils like rosemary, grapefruit and orange. Wear a gold bracelet or necklace, or carry with you yellow gemstones like Amber or Topaz.. Find the time to be outdoors and bask in the yellow energy of the sun.

Benefits: Stimulates the liver and kidneys. Stretches the shoulders, hips, and neck. Energizes the spine
Stimulates the digestive fire in the belly. Relieves menstrual discomfort, fatigue, sciatica, and backache
Therapeutic for asthma and infertility. Traditional texts say that Ardha Matsyendrasana increases appetite, destroys most deadly diseases, and awakens kundalini.

Contra-indications: Back or Spine Injury

Breathwork: Ujjayi

Symbolism: Being a great student and a great listener

Story:
"Shiva, the destroyer, came out of a ten thousand year meditation and decided to descend Mount Kailish to visit his beloved Parvati. Parvati had a way of knowing such things and knew that he would come on this day and put together a picnic lunch and started toward the river. Shiva arrived just after she set out.

Shiva began to tell Parvati about the miraculous discovery he’d made during his many years of meditation – yoga! He explained that this was the ultimate path to union between the individual self and the Divine. While he went on and on about yoga, Parvati fretted about lunch. Shiva was confused by her apparently flippant attitude and asked her why she wasn’t listening. He felt he’d made the discovery of a lifetime and that she was not interested in hearing about it. Parvati told him that of course she was interested and asked that he carry on. Shiva kept on with his discovery. What he didn’t know was that Parvati already knew about yoga and in fact had been practicing for as long as she could remember. She just assumed that Shiva knew about yoga as well. She was humble, though, and let him have his moment and listened to him describe the glories of yoga.

Meanwhile, in the river, Matsya, (sanskrit for fish) was swimming by and heard Shiva speaking. Having never heard Shiva lecture on the nature of life and the universe before, he decided to listen in. Shiva continued to speak and Matsya continued to listen. As he listened, he felt the techniques and theory of yoga take hold of his body and begin to live through him. Through his perfect listening Matsya became enlightened. It was at that moment that Shiva became the first Guru (teacher) and Matsya became the first chela (student). This is a relationship that has lived on throughout the years."

FINAL SAVASANA - as long as you wish
palms on abdomen
normal breathing