Outer Spiral

Last week as we examined in detail our inner spiral of the legs and pelvic area, you became more acquainted with the relationship of the inner spiral to the outer spiral.  We continue this exploration with emphasis on the technical aspects of the outer spiral and how we can appreciate its usefulness in our practice.  Just as an inner spiral opens you to the amazing creative energy that is you, an outer spiral confirms, acknowledges, supports and honors that energy.  The expanded bowl of energy we create with our inner spiral is lovingly brought to fullness with outer spiral. 

Imagine making a bowl with clay.  You open the bowl; expanding the center to create space and bring the bowl into its fullest shape.  The outer sides of the bowl now move toward that expanded interior to support the fullness that has been created.  The edges must contain the fullness.  This is the role of your outer spiral.  There is a beautiful relationship between these two principles.  They both want the same thing:  to remember your capacity for greatness.  Now, doesn’t that make you just want to jump in and learn more about them?  Come to Good Life Yoga this week for some spiral delight.

Inspired Inner Spiral

It’s September after all and time to head into the classroom to deepen our understanding of just what it means to ‘inner spiral’ the legs and hips and why it’s important for our practice. 

Many of you understand that in order to create an inner spiral you first need muscle energy.  Without that steady physical property to the pose, a widening of the back body doesn’t occur.  And that is exactly what an inner spiral does – it widens and integrates the back body into the Universal form of ourselves.  We choose to always remember the Universal, the Big Energy if you will in an Anusara yoga class.  We don’t go far without it.  An inner spiral is offering the body an opportunity to more deeply integrate with this energy.  You gain power, freedom and bliss as a result.  Your hips open.  Your hamstrings lengthen -   Life Is Good.

Last week, we explored inner spirals in the forms of Supta Padangusthasana and Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana among other poses – remember all the work on the floor with a strap and then standing?  Every time I implored you to ‘ground the bottom thigh – arch the lower back – widen your hip toward the orange wall’ and so forth I was inspiring your inner spiral.    We will continue inspiring ourselves to new levels of awareness.  And why?  Because every time we deepen our technical skill we give ourselves the possibility of reawakening to our energetic optimal body blueprint.  And when that happens, the body and spirit sing in recognition of our true nature.  Freedom, strength and bliss are our birthright.  Let’s grab some of that this week at Good Life Yoga.

Intention Plus Tapas Equals Success

Your intention for practice comes first so contemplate:  What does yoga do for you?   Do you practice because your flexibility increases and this creates more freedom of movement?  Do you practice because your body is becoming stronger and you are capable of doing more of everything in your life?  Or do you love the feeling of peace and stillness that occurs when you settle into a much deserved Savasana? 

Once you’ve settled on few solid reasons it’s time to place them securely into a fire of Tapas.  The Sanskrit word, Tapas, literally means ‘heat, fire or discipline’.  We meld the intention from the heart with the discipline of the mind and body and we get success.  Most people have difficulty with the discipline of a solid yoga practice.  They know they should do more yoga, but life somehow gets in the way.  This week we look at our intentions for practice, set a few solid goals and then establish a plan of discipline to keep us on track.  Come with your ideas for helping your mat mate stay on track for fall and winter.  I have a few of my own to share.

Of course, you may expect our practice this week to be steadfast, solid and perhaps full of heat….

Amazing Grace

At Good Life Yoga we practice being our amazing selves.  Over and over you hear the same messages about how wonderful you are; how powerful, gifted, talented, unique and beautiful.  And then one day, you actually know this to be true on a cellular or ‘soul’ular level.  It may be a moment of clarity on the mat when everything connects to the big whole and you literally understand the full concept of yoga – to yoke, union, to remember oneness.  In that moment of awe, you realize that this oneness is YOU.  You are amazing.   Your life is amazing.  Sweet recognition floods your bones, your breath, mind and your life.  Amazing Grace touches your heart and delights in being You.   You are Graceful,  powerful, gifted, talented, unique and beautiful.

Come to class this week and place your doubts aside.  Raise your arms, bend your legs, move your body with a fullness of recognition.  Step into the flow of Grace that lives in the Light filled center of your own heart.  We offer a gift to her this week:  A gift of our presence.