Hanumanasana

In the Hindu tradition, the monkey god, Hanuman, is remarkable for his selfless devotion to Lord Rama.  His faith leads him to incredible feats of courage and strength.  He moves  mountains and leaps over oceans in devotion to a purpose larger than himself.  Like Hanuman, I, too, am a devotee.  I don't find myself worshiping exclusively one god or religious point of view, but my devotion is fueled by all that gives me a sense of my place within the universe:  yoga & religious texts, Rumi poems, Pema Chodron, Tom Robbins; desert festivals, exquisite performances, my yoga practice, lighting Shabbat candles; friends, family, all living beings.  These, and more, ignite the divine spark that connects me with the source.  And it is in these moments of connection that I am able to transcend my own ego and fears, and locate the strength and courage that come with knowing that I am part of something larger than myself.

This June at Flow, our focus of the month is Hanaman and poses dedicated to this monkey god.  Throughout the month, we enourage you to reflect on that which fuels devotion in your practice and in your life.   What ignites your divine spark, what makes you feel alive, and connected and empowered?  If you are in a place of feeling disconnected, or jaded, or even angry and tired, that's ok, too.  We'll offer ways for you to get into something you love doing, because that is what makes each of us feel alive.  From this place aliveness, we encourage you ask yourself what you believe in, what you are devoted to, or what makes you feel connected.

Please join us this month at Flow as we celebrate the power of devotion and all things which fuel the divine within ourselves.
Read more about Hanumanasana at:  http://www.yogajournal.com/practice/889_1.cfm

Off the mat exploration with Julie Schwartz

Courage & Flexibility - Hunumanasana

I am just getting back into my yoga practice after taking it easy during 9 months of pregnancy and a month with a newborn. It is humbling to be back on the mat. I barely recognize my body. I look and feel different. Every time I put on my yoga clothes and step on the mat my Gremlins flood my head with negative and defeating messages. Most moments it takes all of my courage and flexibility to push them aside and to be open to whatever comes. When I do this, I experience rich and delicious living, on and off the mat, no matter how my body looks or feels.

Letting go of our negative self-talk and rigid visions of how we or the world should be, frees our energy to focus on what is true right now. It takes courage to “be present”. It takes courage to be flexible and to let go of the painful past or rigid beliefs that we hold in our minds and bodies. This month, as we focus on Hunumanasana (Monkey Pose), I invite you to go deep into the experience of the pose and of your life. This means go right to your edge, wherever that is for you, and breathe deeply. Have the courage to breathe into and to release the layers of sensations and emotions that you hold in your body. Focus on being flexible about your expectations, not just flexible in your body. 

1. Leave your Gremlins at the door. Before class recognize what self-limiting or defeating messages are running through your mind/body. 
2. Practice breathing deeply by expanding both sides of your rib cage. Use your deep ujjayi breath to support you in each pose. 
3. Notice the parts of your body that feel numb or breathless. Practice feeding your breath into these areas that your breath doesn’t always reach. 
4. As you open up your hips, see what emotions or past experiences you are holding there. Let them go with your breath. We hold so much of our lives in our hips.

Our Previous Monthly Focuses

The Core
Twists
Ahimsa
Relax and Renew
Gods and Goddesses
Meditation
Agni (Fire)
The Yamas
Bakasana
Chaturanga
Bhandas
Saucha
Backbends
Inversions
Chanting
Meditation
Compassion
Impermanence
Chakras
Blissful Hips
Sun Salutations
Warrior Poses
Tadasana (Mountain Pose)
The Breath & Prana
Balancing Poses
Jumpings and Gravity Surfing