Sunday, August 15, 2021

Go with the Flow....


Are you the type of person that can go with the flow? 
Are you in tune with your emotions? 
Can you express yourself without feeling uncomfortable?
Do you know when to "stand your ground and when to back down?" 
Do you listen to your third eye; your intuition? 

 How you answer these questions might show if the water element within you is balanced or unbalanced. 
     Water is the element associated with the qualities such as flow, softness, and adaptability to  life constant changes. It is one of healing, calming and nourishment. In Ayurveda it states that, "we deserve nourishment from the water element.... the principle of cohesion." 
     In the body the water element comes forth as nourishment, growth & lubrication. It cools us moistens us, soothes & softens us as it spreads throughout our bodies. Much like a river as it flows, so to does the water element. 
Sacral Chakra 
The seat of our emotions is found in the sacral chakra located in our pelvis & hips. We choose poses/asanas which will bring us into the, "waters of our low bellies." (where the tops of the legs meet the torso).  It is here we cultivate fluidity & playfulness.... softness & sensitivity.
     When the Water Element is balanced we connect easily to others, we feel content and express ourselves calmly & smoothly. When we find ourselves unbalanced we may find our hips are very tight, we have digestive concerns and change causes anxiety. How often have you heard the teacher state that we hold so much of our emotions in our hips and so often we find ourselves struggling with tight hips.

 Props for sequence: Mat, strap, blanket, bolster
WATER ELEMENT MANDALA SEQUENCE
Associated with the Sacral Chakra.  Calm, passive, receptive, adaptive, feminine, yin.
Fluid & adaptive in nature. Able to “go with the flow.” OR Turbulent if unbalanced.
At times need a stronger current of water (challenges). 
Circular/Fluid Movements

OPENING
Sukhasana
Seated CNC

TABLETOP
CNC Hand Work
6 Pose Movement
FF/Twist 

SUN SALUTATIONS




STANDING/MOVEMENT
Wide Stand
Warrior II
Reverse Warrior 
Extend Angle
FLOW/REPEAT

STANDING/MOVEMENT
Squat w/Eagle Arms Movement
Wide Legged
Warrior II
Triangle 
Side Angle 
MOON SUN SALUTATION/REPEAT

BACK
Figure 4
Bridge
Leg work w/Strap 
Happy Baby  
Prevent Low Back Pain in Twists

SEATED/BLOCKS
Twist/Leg long/Foot to Bum
Baddha Konasana

SAVASANA
Four Blocks/Bolster/Blanket


SEATED MEDITATION
Pranayama/Nadi Shodanam

Twists: However, when done properly, twists have the potential to help your low back feel great. Twisting can activate the muscles around the lumbar spine and abdominal core, increasing stability as well as blood flow and oxygenation to the area. Twisting also appears to increase hydration of the inter-vertebral disks, which may help to counteract the changes caused by degenerative disk disease. 
To begin a twist, I like to cue my students to turn “on” their TA—also known as activating Uddiyana Bandha (Upward Abdominal Lock)—because this action should happen before any kind of twist. To do this, imagine drawing the point two inches above your navel in toward your lumbar spine. This should tighten the TA, which in turn tightens the all-important thoracolumbar fascia to keep your back safe.

Resources:
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