YOGA IN APRIL

Week beginning Monday 7th April

Namaste all,

Classes in Greasby Centre during April:

Monday 7th, Monday 14th (I will be away on the 14th but the very lovely Kris Devereaux will be covering and working the Chandra Namaskar (Moon Salute) to contrast the Surya Namaskar.

NO YOGA - Monday 21st April and Monday 28th April as it is the Easter Holidays.

Yoga will return after the Easter Holiday on MONDAY 5TH MAY (this is a Bank Holiday but many have said they would like to go ahead with the class as usual!)

April is the coming of spring and light nights and hopefully lots more sunshine!

With that in mind, we will work with the 12 Mantra Surya Namaskar this week and next to deepen the practice of moving with the breath and continuing our practice of Tarka - deep inquiry into the whole of our being.

'Om Surya Namaha' means 'Dispeller of darkness. ' In essence, it means that we give salutations to the sun for giving us light and energy.

Surya Namaskar (Salute to the Sun) focuses on the 12 poses used in the flow sequence. The practice not only enhances the physical energy of each individual but also the mental and the spiritual aspects of being.

The practice becomes more effective moving to the Sanskrit mantras which not only describe the movements of the practice but also assist in connecting to the vibrational energies of the mantra in addition to gently warming up the spine while generating internal body heat. Surya Namaskar physically strengthens the whole body, builds muscle, boosts metabolism and stimulates the respiratory, reproductive and circulatory systems.

The mantras and their meaning are:

1. Om mitraya namah: Raising my arms upward, I take in the abundance and well-being of friendship

2. Om ravaye namah: Stretching into a backbend, Salutations to the shining one.

3. Om suryaya namah: forward bend, I give thanks and enjoy the balancing effect of being in contact with the ground.

4. Om bhanave namah: sink into the lunge, chest open wide to receive the prana of every inhalation, the mind pervaded with the brightness and beauty of perception and knowledge

5. Om khagaya namah: Pressing up with my arms into adho mukha svanasana, I am aware of the energy moving through my body,

6. Om pusne namah: Sweeping along the mat, as I lower first my knees and then my chest, salutations to the giver of strength.

7. Om hiranyagarbhaya namah: Stretching up into bhujangasana, the cobra, salutations to the cosmic self.

8. Om marichaye namah: Pressing into adho mukha svanasana again, salutations to the dawn.

9. Om adityaya namah: Body arched once more into a lunge, salutations to the cosmic mother.

10. Om savitre namah: Stretching forward and down, the female aspect of the sun, goddess of both the dawn and the winter solstice

11. Om arkaya namah: As I return to the upright position and stretch my arms overhead and back, I open to the light, warmth, and healing power of the sun’s rays,

12. Om bhaskaraya namah: As I lower my arms, palms together, my body and mind reflect the sun’s light and enlightenment.

12 mantra Surya Namaskar both click link to see both the standing version of the practice and the chair version.

12 mantra Surya Namaskar standing version click link for the standing version.

NOTE - both videos cover only ONE side, the right side and will need to be repeated to the left side to complete one round of the practice.

Enjoy!

Shanti Om

Sue 🙏