matsyasana
Just as nature needs the right balance of water and earth to flourish, so we need for the elements in our bodies to work together harmoniously. Yoga can help us recognize when we have lost our elemental equilibrium. When we’re too fluid, we lose our sense of stability. When we’re too earthbound, our creativity suffers. In fact, these two elements—water and earth—
Matsyasana
The Sanskrit name for Fish Pose refers to Matsya, who was an incarnation of the Hindu deity Vishnu. The story goes that, long ago, the earth had become corrupt and was going to be overtaken by a flood. Vishnu, who was charged with preserving the universe, turned himself into a fish called Matsya. He carried the great Hindu sages to safety in a boat, which ensured the preservation of all of their wisdom and of mankind itself. Just as Matsya rebalanced earth and ocean, so practicing Fish Pose can be a way of reestablishing your focus and giving you resiliency when you feel gravity laden. You’ll feel this when you burrow into the earth through the strong activity of your legs, which, in turn, buoys your chest like a wave and deepens your breath. Fish Pose also strengthens your back and your abdominals, and yogis believe that the deep neck curve benefits the thyroid. Like all backward-bending poses, Matsyasana lifts your heart and lightens your mood.
Benefits:
• Strengthens the back
• Opens the heart
• Stretches the abdomen and the intercostal muscles in the ribs
• Stimulates the thyroid
Contraindications:
• Neck injury
• Low-back injury
• Headache
DO NOT PRACTICE IN PREGNANCY
Matsyasana is better than a coffee break—it will wake you up, ground you, and leave you feeling refreshed. In fact, you could even do it under your desk in the middle of the afternoon! If you spend a lot of time sitting at a desk or in a car, you’ve probably noticed that your spine typically rounds forward and your chest sinks. You can begin to reverse that physical pattern by creating new movement imprints that are similar to those of Matsyasana.
The asana is a backbend, where the practitioner lies on his or her back and lifts the heart (anahata) chakra by rising up on the elbows and drawing the shoulders back. The neck is lengthened, and the crown of the head Sahasrarachakra is "pointed" toward the 'wall' behind the practitioner. As the arch of the back deepens with practice, and the heart and throat open further, the top of the head may brush the ground, but no weight should rest upon it.
• The legs can kept straight on the ground with toes pointed.
• The legs again straight can be lifted about 6 inches off the ground with toes pointed.
• The hands may also be placed before the heart in Añjali Mudrā.[6]
Fluid and Stable
To finish, place your feet on the floor and let your knees fall gently side to side. Finally, roll over and sit up on a blanket, with your legs crossed. Quietly observe the effects of your practice. Can you feel, even now, how your connection to the earth helps support the lift of your spine and the deepening of your breath? Maybe you feel a deeper sense of elemental integration than before your practice. Perhaps you can carry that feeling into your day, with every step on the earth giving you the fluidity to be spontaneous, open, and connected with all that you meet.
Yoga Romance
Yoga is like all other relationships: The more good-hearted effort you commit, the more you get back. In fact, commitment is one of the essential guidelines of the complete yogic path. Patanjali‘s Yoga Sutra teaches that to be a true yogi, one must have a burning devotion to daily practices of asana, Pranayama (breathing techniques), and meditation as well as disciplined lifestyle choices about eating, drinking, and socializing. Practicing regularly can be quite a tall order, especially if you are new to yoga. You may already be feeling a sense of well-being, increased flexibility, and a spring in your step. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that you feel motivated to get up an hour earlier to sit in meditation every day, or choose an asana class over dinner with friends.
The Sanskrit name for the commitment to yoga practice is tapas, which is often translated as “discipline.” But it’s a discipline of choice—not something to force on yourself at an unnaturally fast pace. Your relationship to yoga can be like a romance that first sparks a flame in your heart, then becomes all-consuming for a while (even making you feel downright giddy), but eventually settles into the role of lifelong companion. You come to trust your practice, even when it surprises you.
Retreat : Potash Barns
Third visit to this wonderful place and it seems to get better every time.
The dynamic of the group as always, was FANTASTIC. We all seemed to have fitted in beautiful. Some had been before and others ,their first time . We left threading another layer of this wonderful community.
Classes where we explored pranayama , mantra , asana, The Gong, relaxation, food and even a glass of wine. Walks and massages , just added more to this wonderful weekend.
I am sure that I speak for everyone that has joined me on retreat.... It is a fantastic opportunity ,to spend time with yourself. yoga, fun like minded people and to JUST BE.
April 2017 - is already full
September 2017 - information will be sent out at the end of October.
Because the retreat have been so welcoming , I am looking at doing a day retreat which I will call RETREATING next year
Namaste
Maxine
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