“Be the moon and inspire people, even when you’re far from full.” – K. Tolnoe
Weekly Focus: Chandra (the moon)
Chandra is the moon – she is nurturing, empathetic, intuitive and creative. Chandra also helps to govern our relationships, and her cyclical nature, ever waxing ever waning, as she moves through phases, can remind us of the give and receive experienced in healthy, supportive relationships. As we look to the inspiration of the moon, we are reminded to kindly care for ourselves and to extend that same care to others, nourishing our body, mind and spirit through our relationships.
This week is a full moon – a physical symbol that we can look to for inspiration. In her fullest state, she is bright and illuminated. We often utilize the full moon to help us illuminate what it is we are seeking or missing in our life. Much like the light of the full moon, beautiful, loving relationships can help to illuminate ourselves, as friends support and lift you up! You also have the opportunity to shine your light on your friends and family, as your partake in the duet that is a relationship.
How do these qualities of the moon help you nourish the relationships in your life?
- Empathy — allows us to see the perspectives of those we interact with, opening ourselves up to more patience and understanding in our communications.
- Intuition — helps us to recognize and anticipate the needs of those around us. Perhaps someone’s energy is giving signals that they need space, or maybe you realize there is someone who may need a message from you. Observe and listen to those signals.
- Nurture — a relationship is a two-way street. This to nurture a relationship, we must put in as much effort as we hope to receive in return. The work cannot be one-sided.
Consider a relationship that you would like to pour more energy into this month. Let the act of sharing your love help to fill your cup.
Passive Pose of the Week: Supported Setu Bandha Sarvangasana
Nurture and nourish this full body posture by adding the support of props. Choose props that will allow you to fully relax and feel absolutely supported.
- Begin lying on the floor with the knees bent and your feet on the ground.
- Have a supportive prop nearby such as a firm bolster, a folded towel or blanket, or a block.
- Lift your hips and slide your prop underneath of your sacrum, the space at the top of the butt and the base of the low back.
- Ensure the low back feels comfortable, and adjust the prop beneath you to ensure you feel spacious behind the body.
- If comfortable, extend your legs long towards the front edge of your mat, and reach your arms up and overhead, stretching the body long.
- Take slow deep breaths and allow the body to get heavy, soft, and relaxed. Imagine yourself melting away from your center.
- Allow yourself 7 – 10 breaths here or rest for up to 5 minutes.
- Before coming out of the pose, bend the knees so that you may lift the hips and slide your prop away.
- Take a few breaths with your back neutral, perhaps hugging the knees into the chest.
Supported bridge is a wonderful posture to take after a rigorous practice or exercise. This posture allows the body to lengthen out and encourages a state of calm and relaxation. There are a number of ways to get fancy with your props! Each one offers a slightly different experience and may be the perfect fit for your day. If you have the availability of props around, check out the photos above and try some different variations. Pro-tip: a stack of folded bath towels makes a great substitute for a bolster, and a stack of hardcover books works well in place of blocks!
Active Pose of the Week: Anjaneyasana (low lunge)
This pose comes from the mythology around Anjana, the mother of Hanuman. The moon and all her energy is associated with the qualities of motherhood, nourishment, care and empathy. We can imagine holding the moon overhead in this abundant posture that provides strength and softness to the body.
- Begin in downward facing dog pose.
- Step your right foot forward to the top of your mat.
- Let the left knee drop to your mat.
- Lift the chest up, so the shoulders stack over the hips. Begin with your hands resting on the front thigh.
- Take a few breaths and focus on the pressure of your right foot moving forward. Imagine breathing into the front of your left thigh.
- Once you feel steady, reach your arms up and overhead. If it feels comfortable, lean into the right leg more, for a deeper stretch in the left thigh.
- Take 3 – 5 breaths and switch sides.
Anjaneyasana is commonly used in warm-up flows for sequences. While this pose works wonderfully to warm us up, and it can be a completely different experience utilized towards the end of your practice. The next time you practice anjaneyasana, try waiting until the end of your practice to add it in. Notice how it feels and reflect on the difference between and early anjaneyasana and one later in the practice time. There is not right or wrong time to practice this pose, but sometimes a fresh perspective and offer us exactly what the body is looking for!
Join us in class this week to honor and look to the moon for inspiration! See the full schedule HERE.
