Restorative Yoga: Mahabhutas
Today in my restorative class at Still Yoga, I used the theme of the Mahabhutas, the five great elements. I was inspired because I've been helping my neighbors with gardening and it has been such a spiritual enriching experience. I weeded for several hours yesterday and today I planted my first lavender plants. I am blissed out surrounded by the rich soil, smelling the earth, getting my hands dirty and being in nature.
Today I spoke about how we have the five elements in us: earth, water, fire, air and space. And how every element corresponds to a quality as well as a chakra.I chose five different poses which to me embody such elements and spoke about them during class.
Here is the sequence:
Earth element: face down with a rolled blanket under the thighs.
I chose this one because it really helps to root the thigh bones back and in doing so, one feels so grounded and safe.
Water element: chose Mountain Brook Pose not just because of the name but because it sweetly helps create a sense of fluidity in the body by opening up simultaneously the throat, the heart and the groins.
Fire element: chose Restorative Bridge. Had the students bring their hands to their belly, to the area of digestion, where this chakra is located. All through class I would pose questions about these elements to help the students go deeper into their practice. I also offered mantras related to each element.
Air element: Viparita Karani (Legs up the Wall). This pose I think it's tricky to teach. Some people don't like a bolster underneath their hips. other's do. Some don't like anything... I don't enjoy teaching this one so much as the others. But I did wanted a pose where the legs were up in the air, and the students could feel airy, light. The air element is connected to the fourth chakra, the heart chakra and that's the energetic center of love.
Space element: Savasana. Here is the last pose and the last element which is the one that holds all the others. I reminded the students to create a safe space right here in their last pose and in their own lives.
Class was great today. I had my usual students: Carolyn, Christine, Heidi, Mary, Melinda and Elizabeth. These students love the class and it really feels finally that I have built with their help a solid and sweet class. They make it happen. They bring the best in me. And they are so appreciative of me and what I share.
They are my garden!
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