Saturday, January 31, 2009

Fusion of the Five Element


Fusion of the five elements is a Chi Gong practice that uses breath, sound and visualization to transform the emotions, and connect with nature and the animals in a shamanistic - modern and ancient dance.   I taught myself this practice out of a book by Mantak Chia.  Minke de Vos  came to town last weekend and taught a group here in Seattle at Home Yoga Seattle, and filled in the gaps, she offers a wonderful presentation of the material,and her deep thinking into all the subtleties  of Tao and life and practicing these ancient forms as a movement artist.  I taught part of the workshop inviting the concepts of bone breathing and he five healing sounds, into the asana practice.  I find it gives a place for the emotions, so much is released in yoga asana the sounds can be incorporated into the breath and be reflected inwards as a vibration.   The breath and the intention and the image of light does rejuvenate, and make me new.  I will be working on this practice more.              

Saturday, January 3, 2009

BodyPrayer Workshop


Yoga means Union.
Through our practice we harmonize our body with our mind, our intentions with our actions, and our individual self with the universal energy moving through and around us.  This desire for union connects us to what is most meaningful, lighting a fire to warm ourselves by.
Physical movement can connect us to body mind spirit wholeness.  In Yoga practice, reaching out through our arms and down through our legs connects us with the earth and strengthens us for our life work.  Reaching up, into the flow of the sun salutation symbolically connects us to the universal life force, awakening internal warmth which moves as energy, opening and clearing the body and mind.  Turning inward with renewed clarity through forward bends, this energy turns inward toward personal transformation of our perceptions and attitudes.  Inverted postures center us on releasing fear and attachments.   Now ready to surrender into reclining postures, and the present moment we discover our true nature is joy.  By consciously  connecting, through our yoga practice to our own creativity, we can re-establish our connection to spirit and the world around us, to welcome a complete range of self expression into our lives.