Breathe Life into Your Being

Day Four in Bali
Morning Meditation
Breakfast
Ayurvedic Teachings & Asana Practice

Ganesha: Overcomes Obstacles 

Day Four began with rain that had plagued us the last two days. By now we came to expect it at least once during the day. But, this did not stop the group from our daily routine. The sound of the rain falling during our meditation seemed to wash away the tension I was feeling in my body. The air was fresh and with each breath I brought in that freshness. With each breath I felt renewed. My cold, with the help of a Chinese herbal medicine from Andrea, was subsiding; which meant that I was not struggling trying to breath in and out through my nose. I began to believe that Ganesha: a Hindu deity who removes obstacles and whom I had passed everyday as I came from the Mumbai Station (where the statue was placed) was aiding me in my quest to overcome the cold that was hindering my ability to enjoy the retreat. I wanted to be able to take a wonderful inhale and exhale with out blockage. Inside all of us we have a force called Prana and "when prana (life force) is prevented from flowing naturally, either becoming blocked or overactive at a certain point, it can create disharmony on both a physical and emotional level." 

I could tell that I was out of balance, physically and emotionally. Physically, when doing asana practice I would fall over while trying to balance. When going into a forward fold my head felt like it was going to explode. Emotionally, I was sad and depressed. I wanted to get past the negativity. By the end of our time together; meditation and asana practice the heaviness that I felt inside of me had diminished. I felt as though I had turned the page and the next one was going to be much more exciting. 

Before going into Savasana Andrea introduced a pranayama breathing technique called, Nadhi Shodhana;  or alternate nostril breathing. Pranayama Breathing is a key component of yoga. Prana: "Sanskrit word which translates as, 'vital life force,' less tangible, but no less real, is the energy that exists within and around the physical body." I was a bit hesitant to try this technique because I knew that I would be able to breath properly. But, with Ganesha in mind, I brought myself in to a seated Sukhasana and prepared myself for the technique. 

RETREAT SEQUENCE IV

OPENING

Grounding/Meditation

BACK

Bridge

Dead Bug-V out & in-Straight Leg up & down

STANDING
Sumo Squat

Arms Raises- Internal & External Raises

WALL

Arm up high/keep hand on wall-spin (3x’s)

Hand at wall/open side body

SUN SALUTATIONS

Sun A:cobra & locust

STANDING
Warrior I/heel up/heel down

Warrior II/up & down

Side Angle

Wide Legged: ½ Squats/Fold

Triangle

Pyramid

Revolved Triangle

DD/Plank

BACK

Supine Leg Work w/strap

PRANAYAMA BREATHING
Nadi Shodhana

SAVASANA

Metta Chant: (teacher states & students re-state together)

May all beings be happy

May all beings be healthy

May all beings be safe & free from danger

May all beings be free from their ancient & twisted karma

May all beings be free from all forms of suffering

Namaste

Travels in Bali:

Explaining the process of a painting. 

Painting School trains future generations

Keliki Painting School 

Artist works with a student 

Laura's Natural Life
Natural Products: Laura's Natural Life

Balance Your Hormones, Balance Your Life 
Dr. Claudia Welch

Prana: https://www.doyouyoga.com/what-is-prana/