This week we'll transition to a new book of yoga and meditation inspired poetry by the absolutely exquisite writer and teacher Dana Faulds. This text is entitled From Root to Bloom, and was published in 2006. Below is the first poem in the book, and in keeping with Sanskrit texts where the most important point comes first, it sums up the entire essence of the practice. We could probably read and practice this one invitation for the rest of our lives, but we'll use it as our focus for the next two weeks...
For the next few weeks, we'll explore pelvis, hips and shoulders physically, and non-separation philosophically and experientially.
From Dana Faulds: I return to where I never left, reconnect with that from which I was never separate, remember what has always been true. When I stop the struggle, I expand into unbearable awareness. There is nothing to say, no "You" to thank, nor "me" to be grateful, no altar or supplicant, sinner or confessional. When one of us sings, we all recall the music. The next few weeks, we'll explore Vishuddha - the throat - chakra. This energetic centre relates to the area from lungs through upper palate, and is energetically and physiologically connected to the sacral area. Associated with the element of space (sometimes called ether), when balanced, Vishuddha assists us in speaking our creative essence into the world freely, openly, honestly and compassionately. At the same time, it invites us into the spacious vastness that we are, in which there is nothing missing, and no words need to be spoken.
Welcome to our second session of 2024. For the next few weeks, we'll be exploring the heart chakra - anahata. This energetic plexus in the centre of the chest - associated with the element of air - is connected with our emotions, passion and compassion, and is known as the home of our deepest self.
Our classes for these first two weeks are dedicated to the memory of the wise, beautiful Dr Paula Fayerman, my yoga colleague and compatriot, who died February 15th, just shy of her 60th birthday. From Danna Faulds One Within us lie the answers to our deepest questions and the antidote for all our fears. The divine is not an abstraction - it's as clear and intimate as a heartbeat or a whisper. We are penetrated, suffused, caressed, cell by cell and synapse by synapse, with the same love that set the galaxies to spinning. No matter how identified we've become with mind and body, we can release the thoughts that blind us to the truth. Seek the still point where the words "you" and "I" lose meaning, where we meet and merge as One. For the next few weeks, we'll be exploring Manipura chakra, the navel or solar plexus energy wheel, landmarked 3-4 finger widths above the belly button. This energy centre corresponds to the fire element. If imbalanced, it is associated with rigidity, over-attachment to ego, digestive challenges or self-doubt. When balanced, it improves our ability to digest - food, emotions, and our experiences - and connects us with our vitality, stamina, capability, confidence, and inner power to act and transform.
From Danna Faulds: Metamorphosis Called by the confines of this chrysalis by a force I cannot see or name, I am compelled by pain and something bigger than myself to leave the protection of all that I have known. There is struggle, doubt, an awkward setting forth. Finally I break free of the cocoon and find myself surrounded by air and light. I dare to act, still not knowing what I am: instinct, or maybe faith bids me move forward, make the leap, explore this mystery of change and flight. I find myself with wings that dwarf my former world. Unfurled, they dry quickly in the sun. I, who expected to spend my days crawling, now teach myself to soar. Such a rush of wings and freedom - that first flight teaches me more than I had learned in a lifetime of crawling. Hello all - for the next two classes, we'll rise up to the second chakra - svadhisthana, the sacral chakra. This energy wheel lies in the deep belly, about 4 finger widths below the navel, and just above and in front of the sacral rim. The energy centre is associated with the water element, fluidity, flow, self worth, healthy connection to our desires, and creativity.
From Danna Faulds' beautiful compilation, Go In and In (2002): Sun Kissed The blown conch sounds its low note. In the warm air, the fragrance of musk and lilac mingle. A wooden flute wraps its melody around me like silk. The time for dry austerities is past. I cast my robe aside, throw bare arms wide and let the sunlight have its way with me. Curves, softness, breath, beauty, movement, breast seeks the sun's embrace. A lifetime of shame lifts, burning away like morning mist. Adrift, the rising tide of passion takes me, and I do not wish to find the shore. For the next session, we return to an exploration of our lived experience of our chakra (pronounced like chuck-ruh), the "energy wheels" living within our subtle or energetic body. Each week we'll move upwards through these energy centres, engaging asana, pranayama, mudra and perhaps affirmations to explore and nourish each area. We'll begin at the root, muladhara chakra at the front base of the spine; because several students must miss the first class, we'll continue this foundational theme for two weeks...
For our inspiration, we'll continue reading from Go In and In: poems from the heart of yoga by Danna Faulds (2002). The first poem is perfect for the grey of winter - it invites a connection to ground and earth as well as our ground of being, even as it points us towards the returning light. Remember This Vast and changeless, the ground of being is not rocked by ripples on the pond. The firmament from which we spring, the divinity at the heart of things doesn't wax or wane with mind states, or wither in the wind. We come from stronger stuff than feelings. Essence does not fail or fade, diminish or trade reality for illusion. We are wordless, wide and wise beyond time. Within us is a flame that never dies. Let that be the focal point of life. Let that be the light that guides us from the shadows. Greetings everyone and welcome to our final week of classes for 2023. Remember that questions and requests are welcome.
Our reading is from Danna Faulds from her book Go In and In: poems from the heart of yoga, and is a reminder of the essence of the practice - not just the moving of the body into shapes, but a reconnection with Who/What we are... The Soul of Yoga What is the soul of yoga? Follow your heart into the centre of the pose, and find in the midst of detail and precision, in breath, alignment, balance, bliss, fear and sadness - at the very core of all this is love. Touch upon your truest nature even once and the experience of what you really are sears the psyche like the surface of the sun. The soul of yoga, the gift within the pose is the moment of communion, resting in pure essence, the awakening as if from sleep to the face of unmistakable divinity; the ineffable wonder and living reality of spirit - oh, yes - the soul of yoga is love. Wishing you all nourishment, rest, joy, courage, and compassion over the holiday season, and looking forward to reconnecting in 2024. Classes will recommence the week of January 8thon the same schedule. This week we'll return to the yogic poetry of Danna Faulds, with an invitation to slow down and breathe in the moment and the Mystery
Walk Slowly It only takes a reminder to breathe, a moment to be still, and just like that, something in me settles, softens, makes space for imperfection. The harsh voice of judgment drops to a whisper and I remember that life isn't a relay race: that we will all cross the finish line; that waking up to life is what we were born for. As many times as I forget, catching myself charging forward without even knowing where I'm going, that many times I can make the choice to stop, to breathe, and be, and walk slowly into the Mystery. This week, I had a request for 'uncaused joy'. Those of you who have participated in yoga nidra meditation may remember this practice.
Given the distressing state of the world - let's take some time to connect with our inner nature as not only presence/consciousness, but also as the deep and abiding joy of Life. In taking these moments away from our screens, and out of our busy and perhaps troubled minds, we can return to the world refreshed. We can step back into the world more connected to our common humanity; more able to respond to the demands of the moment with compassion, skilfulness, and an intention for equity and justice for all. We'll explore a hand seal (mudra) for connecting to our inner joy layer (anandamaya kosha) and learn a tree variation from Swiss yoga teacher Gertrud Herschi for grounding ourselves, and accessing the courage to connect with and demonstrate the goodness of our hearts. Our reading tonight is a chant, Atma hrdaye (the heart as true nature) Atma hrdaye hrydayam mayi aham amrte amrtam anadam brahmani My true nature is the heart The heart is my true nature I am the bliss of the heart The heart that I Am is the unending bliss of Oneness [Not-two-ness] |
AuthorMisha Butot RCSW, ERYT 500 is a longtime clinical social worker and senior yoga teacher living in Victoria, BC Archives
April 2024
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