Gratitude
I've been writing thank you notes to my friends and family for birthday gifts and well wishes. It is such a lovely practice to sit, center, and handwrite notes from your heart, individually thanking each one person. I was noticing how when I was writing the notes I felt so calm, centered and my ever-worrying mind was laid to rest and for an hour or so. I was sitting right at the center of my heart.
When we cultivate gratitude ("krtajñata") we are brought into our inner radiance, right here, right now.
I taught class yesterday with them theme of gratitude, supported by the First Principle: Open to Grace. I was reminded of something Sianna Sherman once said about how the First Principle of Anusara is the one principle that you can never do enough of. We moved slowly yet deliberately, every asana becoming a window which opened to the radiance inside.
Sequence:
AMS
Lunge
Parsvakonasana
Virabhadrasana 1
Virabhadrasana 2, Trikonasana, Ardha Chandrasana, Chapasana,
Handstand
Pigeon #1 with thigh stretch
Virasana
Supta Virasana
Triangmukhaipada Pashimottanasana
Krounchasana
Bharadvajasana #2
Ustrasana
Urdhva Dhanurasana
Janu Sirsasana
Agnistambasana
Savasana
One more thing:
We were blessed to have Carrie Reeves assisting us in class. I noticed that having an assistant made me slow down and be more deliberate in my teachings. It was so delicious for Carrie and I to give everyone such yummy adjustments through the whole class, not just in one pose. Several students afterwards said that class was "just what they needed." One said that she was feeling discouraged lately for her body was dealing with injuries and every class she was going to, was too fiery and she felt discouraged. She said that although class was hard it was heartfelt and she felt like she belonged.
Anusara Poster Project Pose: Ardha Chandrasana
Going through the poseter one pose at a time!
Comments