Okay … I’m late.
Very late…
The weekend was so compressed, I really needed to take my own class tonight (the shuttle does not come; long lines everywhere; unplanned hike in the hills of Saratoga on an empty stomach; mad rush to get to a place …) drama, drama, drama … Luckily, as an eternal student of yoga, I have a toolbox to not let the drama hijack my intentions. In a way, because of that need to take my own class I felt, ironically, I was so much more able to empathize with the students who showed up. I really saw them with tender eyes …we were on the same boat, floating down the same river, on the same journey.
I had meant to read a passage on the New Moon vis-a-vis “us” but … time went by so fast (no worries – sharing at the end of this post), I cannot understand why there’s not enough time to do all intended as I have so much more to offer but then, that’s what it’s about. To know that there is actually more than enough time to do all – there is enough time. We have to stop replaying this feeling of “not enough” nagging at us. We create the scarcity sometimes – There’s not enough money; there’s not enough to share; there’s not enough energy; and, the most common, there’s not enough time … on and on with feelings of deprivation to the point of believing even this – I am not enough. That fear begins to take over sometimes – fear that perhaps it’s not the time or the money but maybe … I am not enough? Really? Make a shift in that mindset of scarcity … There’s enough. There is ENOUGH. In fact, we have so much, that’s more than enough. We have plenty. We are swimming in abundance – There is “abundance” if you tap into it. Time really is a weird concept – and we have enough. we are enough. You are enough. I am enough.
I like to approach a group class for all-levels as just that – for everyone … For special needs, I rather customize and gear the class to serve that particular group’s specific needs but of course all are welcome. In a general group class (unlike say, specifically directed to students suffering from cancer or autoimmune disease such as MS or chronic fatigue … then, the practice lead would be more keenly nuanced and delicate), I have to assume that each student is listening to their own body and I too am there to help modify and bring comfort. If Yin yoga is about training and dealing with discomforts to have breakthroughs; Restorative yoga is about … Bliss – How can I find Bliss – in a yoga pose, really letting go. It’s also part a meditation practice if you so choose it to be.
In a general group class, then, Restorative Yoga class as the name “restorative” suggests, is for (1) the healthy and the vibrant to use the practice as preventative measure to maintain that health and ideally, have even more of a surge to attain “optimal” health; (2) and on the opposite end of the spectrum, for the suffering, to find healing and restoration… a renewal through acceptance and receptivity for better things to come; (3) and everyone in-between to find their balance and the inborn natural vibe … that harmonious rhythm, the riff you strum within. In other words, as Judith illuminates:
Restorative Yoga is for Everyone !
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– New Moon tonight so plant your “seeds” of intentions … wherever you direct your desires to, wherever you direct your energy to, the seeds will germinate and flower… yes, they blossom…
There are different kinds of lunar salutations (just as there are different variety of sun salutations) and the one practiced tonight is not actually the one that I practice at home – that’s a secret – haha – no I will share one of these days – but more resembles this one so thought to do together. It’s the more familiar if you are used to doing sun salutations during the day… Here’s my coverage of it from a previous post… Click Here.
It’s best not to exercise 2-4 hours prior to bedtime especially on a New & Full Moon evenings not that yoga is supposed to be just an exercise. So don’t let Chandra Namaskar to be energizing … instead, let it be soothing and dreamy …kind of like you are one with the air, the ether …wafting like the scent that surrounds you. Delicious deep sleep is the most anti-aging, anti-inflammatory elixir that can remedy so much… I bid “Good night” & wish all sentient beings “Sweet Dreams”… Here I share an affirmation good for the whole week post-new moon as we are still in that phase. Namaste.
