Jai Ma or Hail to the Divine Mother is the theme at the yoga studio this month. I unexpectedly taught to a room full of men except for one woman last night, quite an amazing and welcoming demographic switch from the normal yoga class! So to make the theme a bit more universal I invited everyone to balance their masculine and feminine energies by nurturing their body and soul with a slower and softer practice. Another method available to everyone at anytime is a breathing technique called Alternating Nostril Breathing or in Sanskrit Nadi Sodhana Pranayama. This breathing technique balances out the left and right sides of the body bringing harmony and relaxation to the body, mind and soul. In Hatha Yoga the left side of the body or the masculine, sun side exhibits traits of power, fire, creativity, and strength; while the right side of the body or feminine, moon side exudes energies that are receptive, cool, gentle, and subtle.
To begin find a comfortable seat either where you are or on the ground in easy pose (cross-legged position). After reading the instructions below, close your eyes and begin the following breathing exercise:
Place the right hand in Vishnu Mudra (first finger and middle finger bent towards the palm; thumb, ring, and pinkie in the air). To do one round: close off right nostril with the thumb and inhale into the left nostril; close left nostril with ring and pinkie fingers, open the right nostril and exhale through the right, then inhale into the right nostril; close the right nostril, open the left, and exhale through the left nostril. Continue, doing 5-20 rounds or until you feel calm and relaxed. Lower your hand down and sit with your eyes closed for a few minutes breathing calmly to soak in the benefits of the exercise.
Until next Wednesday,
Namaste~
Chica
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