contact us
feedback
calendar
mobile
our links
Healthy New Year
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Soul & Spirit Magazine, November 2011
Yoga Master Column by Maya Fiennes
This month, our yoga columnist shows you how to harness the
winter solstice, plan ahead, and energise yourself by saluting
the rising Sun
"Revolve your life around summer and winter solstices, and
everything will be taken care of," said Yogi Bhajan. And, as the
latter marks a rebirth, it is a great time to make way for the
coming year. The days surrounding the solstice are also good for
doing 'elevating' work, and I often like to look back over the
12 months past, figure out what needs to be completed, and then
do it to create space for growth.
As the days lengthen, try some Sun salutations - a dynamic asana
sequence to help you use your body as an instrument of higher
awareness. After doing them, I feel grounded, cleansed and
stronger.
The Sanskrit name for them is Surya Namaskar, stemming from
namas, meaning 'to bow to' or 'to honour', and Surya, referring
to the Sun. Namaste, said at the end of most yoga classes, has
the same root, and means 'The Divine in me honours the Divind in
you'.
Balancing body and mind
Sun salutations should be performed in a single, graceful flow.
The sequence is said to remove bodily and mental tensions,
improve circulation, stimulate the nervous system, loosen and
lubricate joints, raise body heat, aid digestion, and exercise
the lungs, thereby oxygenating the blood. The practice offers
great flexibility to your spine as it is stretched and bent. The
muscles of the abdomen, pelvis and spine are also toned and
strengthened, and the inner organs are massaged. Each movement
is coordinated with the breath; if practiced slowly, it has a
calming effect; done briskly, it energises.
In my classes, Sun salutations are done as a warm up to ground
us before we lift and raise the Kundalini energy. When practiced
with awareness, the sequence improves your ability to maximise
performance and enjoy all yoga asanas - poses - as well as life
in general. On days when you think you have no time, try to do
at least one tor two rounds of Sun salutations - you'll feel the
difference!
|
|
|
|
site map
Mens womens health beauty
lower back exercises
Peace love and happiness
Health wellness, stress relief management
mantras and Buddha necklace
(c) 2010 copyright mayaspace.com. All rights reserved.
|
|
|
|
