Elemental Awareness: As Above, So Below

My wife, son and I are preparing to relocate to an old country home outside of town in Sandford, Nova Scotia. We have been doing our research in an experiential sense. We have spent time in the woods outside the home, on the ancient rocky beach and in the fields (Yes, the local ticks have introduced themselves to us). Spending time outside as a family has been amazing, it really feels as though Spring has sprung. Getting close to nature may be the best reminder of the simplicity of life that escapes us in our busy days. Most ancient cultures tend to observe life as an interplay of fundamental elements: earth, water, fire, air and ether. In the yogic system we have centers for each element in the body. I have been considering the action or non-action of each of these elements:

EARTH is STABLE like the ROCK

WATER FLOWS DOWNWARD like the RIVER

FIRE RISES UPWARD like the CANDLE FLAME

AIR EXPANDS in all directions (like filling a jar)

ETHER PERVADES all and is the most subtle

As we go through our day today let's notice the interplay of the elements, the natural world is the greatest teacher offering tremendous insight into ourselves as individuals and our relatedness with others. Remember those potent words that come to us from a variety of sources but known as Hermetic Law, "As Above, So Below". By understanding the process of life that we witness in the natural world we will gain insight into our own interiority, into who we are.

Namaste,

Steve
Yogi Jayanta

Look for the Hook: Build Strength and Stability

Hello All,

As the new season unfolds itself and the earth's creative potential transforms into new green growth it is a perfect time to bring our attention down to the earth. Too often we spend our days moving from the neck up as though our entirety is contained in the head. By bringing our attention down to the feet, legs and core we access a strength and stability that flows to every part of our life. One way to do this in our yoga practice is through something my Teacher called hooking. This is where we actively hook one part of the body into the earth exerting a force that is directed into the floor and towards the core.

A simple way to understand hooking is to place your hands on your knees or thighs while sitting in a chair and press the palms downward and simultaneously pull back towards the center of the body. You will feel your core muscles engage and even some heat generated. For me, this is a central practice of yoga postures and can be applied to any yoga style. You may remind yourself from time to time during the day to "hook-in" to the earth gripping the ground with your feet and legs. No show need be made but your attention will be brought to the earth and the qualities of strength and stability will be realized.

We will practice hooking in our postures this evening at the Milo Boathouse in Yarmouth and then we will work on the mental equivalent in our meditation practice afterwards. Bring this powerful concept into your yoga practice wherever you may be and observe the deepening that occurs. Let me know how it goes.

Namaste,

Steve

Yogi Jayanta

Posture from the Ground Up

Being a "yoga teacher" is tricky business because when your role is to help guide people into a more intimate relationship with their bodies you quickly realize that your own process is one that never ends. In my own practice I am getting back to some basics in terms of alignment and structure. We often forget as we move into a posture trying to replicate what we see the teacher doing to begin with our feet. As a student you tend to watch the posture from the top down but as practitioners we must build the posture FEET FIRST. During your day today and during yoga try to pay special attention to your foot placement. Engage with the earth through the souls of your feet.

As I was playing with my son I noticed some tension in my lower back. I adjusted my posture and began applying force through my feet so that my leg muscles (start with thighs then add calves and hamstrings) were strong and active. I immediately noticed two things happen; my abdominal muscles became active and the tension in my lower back disappeared. Whether walking to the water cooler or chasing a toddler try to do it FEET FIRST and notice the difference.

Walk with gratitude today and be aware of the earth beneath you feet.

Namaste,

Steve
Yogi Jayanta

Messages from Mother Earth: Awaken Your Intuition

We have become disconnected from our intuition because we have become disconnected from the earth. The vast deep wisdom that is our intuition has often been described as the voice of the Great Mother Earth. Anything we can do to restore our connection to the earth will improve our intuitive abilities. As we improve our ability to listen closely with mind, body and heart our intuitive faculty will develop. Practice reconnecting to the earth at these three level and watch your life change for the better.

Thinking as One

By thinking about the fact that our bodies are composed from the earth it may help us recognize that we are not separate from nature but an integral part of nature. Contemplating a philosophy of unity will help uncover your intuition. Namaste is more than just a greeting we use at the beginning and the end of our yoga class. It is the active awareness that the essence within me is the same essence within you. It is a subtle acknowledgement of the interconnection of all beings. You can mentally greet life with this beautiful word, Namaste as you pass people, animals, trees and all manner of beings. Each time recognizing that you all arise from the same Source.

Feeling Grateful

From a heart perspective we can tune ourselves to a deep sense of gratitude for these bodies and for life itself. Spending time in gratitude every day releases tension and the residue of stress in the mind and body. These subtle (and not so subtle) stresses keep us separate severing the connection to our intuition. Deep feelings of gratitude always inspire a deep sense of relaxation in the body and both help restore your intuition.

Core Movement

A regular mind-body practice whether yoga, tai chi, dancing or some other form of movement that is done with an awareness of the breath and body helps to strengthen our connection to the earth through the body. In this day and age most of our attention is at the mind-level, this is evidenced by the fact that even our movements tend to originate from the head. It is very important for our physical health, alignment and ultimately for our intuitive faculty to begin moving from our core. The core is a set of muscles at the lower part of the abdomen and the pelvic floor. This 'navel' area deserves a great deal of attention and can be considered the center of power in the body. This is the location of the third chakra in the yoga system and the dan tien in Tai Chi and Chi Gong.

As you are moving through your day be aware of the soles of your feet and that base connection to the earth. Hold some attention at the core as you move feeling grateful for the earth beneath your feet. By strengthening your base connection to the earth you will be amazed at how your perspective can shift and the wisdom that can spontaneously arise within.

Intuition is not something that happens outside yourself but rather it is that subtle inner voice that speaks from a place of unconditional love. It is not a function of the intellect nor is it related to the instinct. It is subtle, ancient and an integral part of who you are. Practice reconnecting to the earth and you will discover you are reconnecting to your intuition.

Namaste,

Steve

Yogi Jayanta

Earth

Hello All,

Spent some beautiful time enjoying the outdoors today walking on the sacred Nova Scotia earth. Tonight we had decided to do some concentrated work on our lower body, strengthening legs and our connection to the earth. This class will concentrate on developing our connection to the earth and the fruits of that connection that manifest as feelings of safety and security. We will continue to develop our ability to be simultaneously engaged and relaxed. This skill may manifest in your moment as being aware of your interiority, body and sensation while also remaining present with external perception, senses and relationships. This is another interpretation of the balance that we achieve by harmonizing mind and body. Even now you can split your attention with 50% internally focussed and 50% concentrated on your external moment. Experiment with your awareness. You will be amazed at your abilities to concentrate and to remain present with whomever you are.

Hope to see you tonight at the Boathouse.

Namaste,

Jayanta