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This week marks the end of our ‘Journey through the chakras’.  Most of the class blocks end with the 7th chakra, crown, or sahasrara, chakra.  This 1000-petal lotus chakra is associated with spiritualism, self realization, bliss and enlightenment.

Lie on your back on the ground (Grass/Earth is best).

If you find that you need some neck support, you can fold a towel and place it under your neck.  Stretch your legs, spread them comfortably apart (whatever feels good for you) and relax your lower body.

Draw your shoulder blades underneath you, tilt your chin slightly towards your chest (to lengthen your neck) and relax.

Your arms should be by your side, palms facing up or down, whatever is most comfortable.

There should be no effort to maintain this position.  Breathe deeply and feel the connection of your body with the ground.  Visualize deep violet in your Crown chakra as it is pulsing – expanding and contracting, spinning and moving.  Observe the flow of energy and feel the stability that this pose provides you.

It’s ‘two for one’ this week 😉😍 , with Lions breath, a pose and a  pranayama or (breath control practice) combined.  We look to the 6th, Ajna or third eye chakra this week.  This chakra signifies insight, spiritual reflection, subconscious mind, higher knowledge and the subtler aspects of sight.  Ajna chakra is associated with the ‘element’ of light  (science teaching friends might not let me get away with calling it an element !? 😱 but that’s for another discussion).  We can think of it as illuminating everything without a filter of the past, expectations or judgment; beginning to see things as they actually are without the projection of light or colour of ego.

In Lion’s breath we can take drishti or gaze to the third eye.

Click here to find out more: http://www.yogajournal.com/pose/lion-pose/

In this week’s yoga practices.. In our ‘journey through the chakras’ the 7 week blocks reach chakra 5, vishuddha, or throat, chakra.  Located at the throat centre vishuddha chakra is  associated with communication, self expression, creativity, truthfulness, faith and taking responsibility for our own needs.  It’s associated with the colour blue (sky blue) and the ‘element’ ether/space/void.  Signs of a balanced vishuddha chakra manifest in a creative, expressive, content, centred individual who engages readily with positive expression.  To open and balance the chakra we might be using the throat / voice 😉and practising poses such as Ustrasana (Camel), Salamba Savangasana (Shoulder stand) and Matsyasana (fish pose).  It is thought that Matsyasana helps to stimulate the thyroid.

 

Included in other benefits reported for this pose:

• Stretches your deep hip flexors and intercostals (muscles between the ribs)
• Relieves tension in your neck, throat, and shoulders
• Stretches and tones the front of your neck and your abdominals
• Stretches and stimulates the organs of your belly and throat
• Strengthens your upper back and the back of your neck
• Relieves stress and irritation
• Improves posture
• Therapeutic for rounded-shoulders, asthma, spasms in the bronchial tubes, and other respiratory issues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source : yogabycandace.com

Week 4 of ‘Our Journey through the Chakras’ takes us to Camel or Ustrasana pose opens the heart centre ❤.  Other heart opening poses include Cobra and Open-forward folds.  This week we bring our awareness to the heart, or ‘Anahata’, chakra.  This fourth chakra is at the centre of the human energy system.  Associated with the colour green and element air, when blocked we may become possessive and codependent, forming dysfunctional relationships, staying isolated for fear of rejection. When you stimulate the Anahata chakra, you can heal past wounds by reopening the heart, learning to love unconditionally, and forming healthy relationships.

‘The way of the heart’ or ‘the path of the heart’ is living your life from this energy centre of love.  Through learning to live with loving kindness and compassion we can  inspire this in others. ❤💛💚💙💜

 

 

Well we are now into March.  It will soon be spring ⛅ 😉.  Yet, as I write, it feels suddenly very cold,❄ the sky is dark 🌑, and the rain pelts down on my window-pane. &#…

Source: Spotlight pose of the week, wc:06/03/17

http://yogabycandace.com/blog/2013/6/6/tips-for-navasana

 

 

 

 

Well we are now into March.  It will soon be spring ⛅ 😉.  Yet, as I write, it feels suddenly very cold,❄ the sky is dark 🌑, and the rain pelts down on my window pain.

‘You cannot always control what goes on outside.  But you can always control what goes on inside.’

Time then, to unblock energy as we look to’Manipura’ the chakra associated with fire 🔥 , the colour yellow, and the area around the navel or solar plexus.  When in balance, we feel alive.  We have the self-esteem and confidence to take action and be productive. When blocked, we lack courage, have low self-esteem.  We feel stagnant and inert.

By working on Manipura chakra, we can awaken our true personal inner power, our warrior energy, and work through our fear of taking risks.  Boat is an energizing pose that ignites your core muscles, creating power for transformation.

‘Ok Monday …Let’s do this !’…. Today sees the start of the new yoga courses and class blocks with a focus on the Chakras 🙏   Over half term it may be that you’ve…

Source: Spotlight pose of the week w.c. 20/02/17: Tree pose (Vrikshasana)