NEWSLETTER - MARCH (2) 24

Dear one,

The effects of Equinox last Wednesday on our Yoga Day were powerful. In the afternoon’s pranayama I found I was talking to myself, as most of the T.T’s had gone to sleep or were about to. So, we changed the programme and had legs up the wall, shavasana, instead.

Why are we afraid of opening the heart? Or even to talk about love and to express our most inner feelings.

If our eyes water with emotions we try to hide the tears, thinking it's a sign of weakness.

Such expressions as "keep a stiff upper lip", "boys don't cry" or an experience where you have been thwarted in love can all close or harden the heart. We feel we have to protect our hearts from further hurt, avoid emotional situations which might touch our hearts.

Are we forgetting that we are love?

There may be a reluctance to physically opening the heart because of the emotional effect it could have. We try to protect our heart centre from further hurt. We sit with our arms folded over the chest, the shoulders rounded, and in some cases a bowed head as if we have been wounded.

“Our greatest strength is our vulnerability.” - Course in Miracles.

When we are in the right mind, usually after shavasana or when we first wake up, speak, hear, and see through our hearts, not our heads.

You know from experience, how you feel after shavasana head quiet and heart open, the heart can only open when this continual conversation in the head quietens the heart automatically opens. When it does, from this quiet place, you can hear from your heart.

Make that short but life changing journey (14”) from the head to heart.

If you really listen you can recognise if someone is speaking from their ego, or their love side. Just as you recognise parents or friends’ voices.

PRACTICE

Danurasana (back arching)

Always start with Mula Bandha (not the waist) to earth yourselves (feet pressing into the floor or feel your sit bones).

Exhale into the posture – pelvic tilt – shoulder girdle tilt. Collar bone rolling up towards the ears.

Exhale to come out.

If knees allow, malasana (squatting) is a good counterbalance or forward bends. Before your savasana. It’s important to enjoy the luxury of savasana, to allow these newly released energies to settle down.

So dear students, please use your back arch and practice your meditation and deep breathing.

Love,

Ruth