Hello darlings - Disclaimer: Yogi knowledge and dose of positivity and self love incoming.
This week in my studio classes at the fabulous 'The Hub' in Savannah I used a beautiful little piece of breath work and meditation (well I think it was beautiful) to open and close the classes.
My classes wouldn't be my classes without a sprinkling of Yogi gold dust in the form of breath work, mediation, visualisation. Because despite what Instagram tells us sometimes.. the purpose of Yoga is not to stand on your head (although it's pretty cool once you've mastered it). As I've said before, physical movement (Asana) is only a fraction of the fabric of Yoga - there are many - MANY more intricate threads that once woven together... make the most beautiful blanket of wonderfulness that you can wrap yourself up in to unify your mind, body and soul. Okay enough of the analogies.
Soham - I am/ I am that in Sankskrit.
I invited the Yogis in the class to think of a word that best describes who they are or who they would like to become. At the beginning of this new lunar year it's the PERFECT time for a little manifestation. I often talk about the 'tools' I use in life to help me to navigate this world and live my time here to the fullest. Manifestation is pure gold. In its simplest form... believe it and you will achieve it/ become it. More on that superpower energy another time.
So..... One word... can the essence of who we are or who we want to become be summarised into one teeny tiny little word - of course not.
But can we use this as a 'tool' in our Yoga practice or in our daily lives to return to our breath... tune out of the chatter of life and of our own minds and tune in to our stillness, peace and power. YEP!
So here I am... to share this with you. Why? Because it's beautiful and you - in case no one has told you recently - deserve that in your world.
Got your word ? - strong, capable, brave, worthy, peaceful, content, empowered.
Closing down the eyes and finding a comfortable position.
Take a nice long inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth.
Repeat 3 times making the exhale slightly longer than the inhale (calms nervous system)
On next inhale think of the word Soham - I am.
On next exhale think of your word and with a slow and steady breath - send that word into the universe.
Repeat 10 times.
Each breath longer, each with more meaning, each with more belief.
Feel the space you are creating internally and externally for this word.
Because when we realise we have the power to create space in our lives (on and off mat)
We know we have the power to decide what we will that space with.
When you can feel the peace and stillness settling within you we move to stage 2:
Maintaining a slow and steady breath imagine a little ball of white light
Warm, comforting, full of love, peace and friendship.
It hovers above the entrance to your nostrils.
The light is called - Soham (add your word).
With your next steady inhale you breathe in the light
It softens your forehead, eyebrows, eyelids, cheeks, jaw - maybe it makes you smile.
With each exhale you release whatever you were holding onto in that space before.
The light travels down your throat into your chest with the next inhale - expanding your heart space.
Exhale whatever was being held there before.
Inhale - your stomach, back, shoulders, elbows, fingers are full of beautiful white light
Your whole upper body.
Exhale release.
Inhale, into your hips, legs, knees, ankles and finally your toes.
Exhale release
Your whole body is full of beautiful, warm, comforting, loving white light.
Because - Soham - I am worthy .
Take this second part slow and steady. Feeling full before you move onto the next body part.
Mmmmmmmm.....
My delivery of this is slightly different each time but the message the same - you can be anything you want to be. You can fill your mind and body on and off your yoga mat with whatever you decide to open yourself up to.
"What you think, you become." — Buddha
