| | 
 Daily practice styles and sequencing are created in conjunction with Vedic astrology,
the astrology of ancient India. The origins of Vedic astrology can be
traced back to the Rig Veda, one of the most sacred scriptures of India
and may also be known as Jyotish, which means "the science of light" in
Sanskrit. The daily planetary chart suggests that each day is ruled by
a planet and that that planet evokes a certain energy within the
universe and in each of us. To better connect ourselves on a universal level, this astrological chart, its
ruling planets, dieties and energies are incorporated into our yoga practices.
.....................
Monday - Moon Flow or Chandra Namaskara (salute to the moon)
A
Deep stretch with respect to the energies of the Moon, evoking the
power of refuge, surrender, peace and delight. This practice will move
slow, and challenge the depth of ones practice through breath. An
opportunity to slow down, look within, open up and let go. It will
definitley try your patience as we may hold asanas for 3 to 5 minutes.
This "surrender" in postures allows breath, like light, to remove the
shadows of darkness within. (great for beginners)
Tuesday - Mars Flow, the Spiritual Warrior evoking the power of action, work, motivation and transformation.
Tap
into your warrior spirit in this ashtanga influenced practice. With
respect to the active energy of Mars, we will work. Synchronizing
breath with a continous flow of movements will produce an internal heat
that detoxifies the muscles and organs. Focuses on breath, movement,
Core and Strength. ( better for continuing practices)
Wednesday
- Mercurys Flow, Budha is the Vedic name for Mercury reflecting divine
intelligence (buddhi) and with it comes the power of articulation.
When
I think of articulation in relation to yogasana, I think of the body
mechanics and alignment of each asana. The funny thing is when I looked
articulation up in the dictionary, one of the definitions was to "unite
by joints". How perfect. In yogasana we absolutely want to unite our
joints...but activate muscle energy. These practices may take one or
many of the asanas and break them down. Start to finish or versa to
vice, you will get a complete understanding of foundations, polarities,
alignment, and the breath in which to bring it all together for a
strong, yet calm and comfortable asana. (great for beginning practices,
open to all beginner minds)
Thursday - Jupiters Flow, or the Guru Flow. Guru is the Vedic name for the great beneific, Jupiter. Ganesh, the "remover of obstacles" is paralleled with the planet Jupiter, evoking an energy of blossoming and evolving.
We
will definitley "remove obstacles" in this fun, yet challenging
practice. Building stamina to create internal heat will allow
tremendous opening in more advanced postures, including arm balances,
backward bending postures, hand stands, forearm stands and headstands,
all with variations. Challenging, but fun!
Friday - Venus
Flow. Evokes the energies of Love and Comapssion for all Beings. May we
all be free from suffering. May all beings be happy and free.
Yep
you guessed it, Venus evokes the power of love in all of us. Lakshmi,
the main female deity associated with Venus in Hindu mythology
represents earth, the creation, one with all females, abundance, luxury
and pleasure that is healing and revitalizing. A Gentle Flow including
back bends and inversions will leave you feeling refresheded and
revitalized for the weekend.
Saturday - Saturns Flow. In
Sanskrit he is called Shani or Shanaishchara (the slow mover), because
it takes about two and a half years or so to pass through each
constellation of the sidereal zodiac...evoking a feeling of discipline.
A
strong, yet slow moving practice teachs us to use the duration, the
full length of the breath to move through the vinyasa. Feelings of
discipline may be evoked or tapped into through balance, strength,
flexibility and patience, in order to hold the poses. Afterall, asana,
in sanskrit translates to "a CALM and STEADY posture".
|