Each month we offer ways to focus your practices of Yoga.
Our teachers, and students feel the sense of community when we gather around a common goal. Using a different lens each month to view our practices gives meaning and focus to our individual practice and connects us to each other through sharing that focus. Within that central theme, there are many ways to organize a daily practice. We invite you to join us in the experience of finding new and fresh ways to inspire yourself and others.

Healing Relaxation

Traditionally, people in hot climates take an afternoon nap (a siesta). This practice allows the body to rest and rejuvenate during the heat of the afternoon.  If we try to push through the heat we only end up hotter and more fatigued.  Our fire element (Pitta) is sensitive to the heat and can become unbalanced if we don't respect the natural limitations it offers. While taking a nap during the lunch hours may not prove practical at work or with children, we can learn relaxation techniques that can be practiced in a relatively short time and provide many of the same benefits as a siesta. Rather than fight the heat, let go and practice relaxing. (You may want to set a timer so you can let go without worrying about the time)

Practice

- Take a moment to lie on the floor or sit comfortably in a chair
- Close your eyes and take 3 long slow deep breaths
- Let your body settle and notice any areas of tension that may be calling out to you
- Send your exhale breath to those areas one at a time and notice as they begin to unwind
- After attending to those areas, systematically take your attention to the facial muscles and allow them to relax (don't forget the jaw)
- Relax the neck and shoulders
- Relax the arms and hands
- Now let your attention move to the chest  and deeply let go
- Relax the upper back and shoulder blades
- Relax the naval and stomach
- Soften the abdomen and organs of the abdomen
- Relax the lower back and hips
- Now relax the legs and feet
- Allow yourself to let go from top to toe
- As the body settles into the floor or chair, let the mind settle into the rhythm of breath
- Follow the breath for several minutes
- Deeply let go

When ready, become aware of the body, and slowly transition back to movement. Let that feeling of peace and stillness be part of your natural state of being.

Peace, peace and only peace.