“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s own courage.”
– Anais Nin
Weekly Focus: Abhaya (fearlessness)
Abhaya is the ability to face fear without hesitation, to pull from our inner strength and feel empowered to act. Abhaya expresses courage and hope!
Empowerment of the Self (that innermost part of ourselves, our spirit, our essence) is a beautiful expression of our confidence in our own authenticity. When abhaya or fearlessness is applied in our Self expression, we give ourselves permission to act in the truest accordance to our authentic nature. There is a radiance that abounds from individuals who feel confident, strong, and genuine – this is what we seek in our practice of abhaya.
Fear is natural. It is a self-sustaining mechanism that has evolved to keep us alive. Without fear, we would not have the hesitation necessary to protect ourselves and keep safe. However, fear also has the ability to control and manipulate uss and to build up walls when they are not needed. When our fear is out of balance, we may be withdrawn, isolated, misaligned or perhaps simply missing out. The courage needed to listen to your own heart is sometimes the hardest to tap into. This week, we focus on allowing our authentic nature to be our guiding force. When an action, a situation, or otherwise does not feel aligned with who we are, do we go along anyways? Do we say no? Do we give ourselves permission to speak out and to take action?
This can get a little overwhelming, so here are some small examples to consider:
- Fear of missing out: going out with your friends out of fear of being left out, judged, or missing out when really your body and mind is calling for rest and solitude.
- Fear of vulnerability: holding back from engaging in deeper relationships with those who may be calling to you because you are afraid of being hurt, let down or involved.
- Fear of speaking out: not speaking up at work when you are over-worked, maybe not asking for help, or perhaps when you disagree with another’s suggestion. This may come about as a fear of consequence, judgement or otherwise.
These are just a few examples. Where in your life do you find fear and how do you desire to conquer it? Are you ready to?
Passive Pose of the Week: Salamba Bhujangasana (sphinx pose)
Salamba bhujangasana allows you to softly look forward and straight ahead, with the heart open. A pose to gently bring you into your courage, as you are grounded by the earth beneath you.
- Begin lying on your belly.
- Prop yourself onto your elbows and forearms. Slide the elbows just forward of the shoulders so that you sit in a comfotable and stable position.
- Spread through the fingers softly, press into the floor and draw the shoulders back. Let the low ribs and chest lift away from the floor.
- Look forward with a soft gaze.
- Hold the pose for [7] breaths before lowering down to rest.
Pending your back and hip mobility, this pose could feel a little tight or pinchy in the low back. To alleviate any discomfort here, try taing the feet wide, towards the edges of your mat. Press down lightly through the tops of the feet. To further support the pose, we like to take a small blanket roll or bolster and rest it beneath the ankles. This helps with ankle mobility and may also aid in alleviating tightness in the back.
Active Pose of the Week: Simhasana (lion’s pose + breath)
Lion’s are a symbol of courage and strength! Let your ferocity radiate in this powerful posture and breath!
- Start on hands and knees in a tabletop pose.
- Tuck your toes and walk your hands closer to the knees.
- Turn your fingers back towards the knees pressing down through the palm, receiving a big stretch across the front of the forearm.
- Push your butt towards your heels, as if you were going to sit back.
- Close your eyes and take a big, full breath in, breathing all the way down into your belly.
- As you exhale, open the mouth wide, stick your tongue out, and maybe roll your eyes up and back, making a roaring sound as you breath out.
- Take this breath 2 – 3 times before resting, perhaps in a kneeling seat or child’s pose.
This posture and breath combination is fun, invigorating and energizing! While it may feel a little silly to practice, it can help tap into a sense of boldness and playfulness. When we let go of our inhibitions, when we care less about how we are perceived from the outside and more about what feels real and good, we gove ourselves permission to act in our best interest. Try this pose the next time you are feeling, tired, discouraged, or low on confidence. See what the effect is after!
Join us in class this week to practice tapping into your abhaya. See the full schedule HERE.
To get weekly updates from our parent brand, Myriad Fitness + Yoga, follow our weekly podcast “For Time.
