When Is gentle yoga dynamic?
The morning is a good time for a dynamic practice. This is when we connect to the energy of the sun from sunrise to noon A dynamic practice is often warming and energising which is good when we are feeling low on energy. The aim of Hatha yoga is to balance and integrate the forces of Ida and Pingula. In the yogic body Pingula is the active radiant energy, symbolised by the sun and quiet inward reflection is symbolised by Ida, the moon. As these two energies come into balance, we find equilibrium and feel centred. Surya Namaskara or Sun Salutations is an invigorating Hatha yoga practice , helping us to live an active life.
With Chandra Namaskara our dynamic practice salutes the lunar cycle between the new moon and the full moon, which is a time of growth and activity. Chandra Namaskara is intricately linked to Surya Namaskara as the moon reflects the suns light, so the lunar cycle mirrors that of the daily and seasonal cycles of the sun. Moon salutations are best practiced in the evening when the moon is visible as it brings in the qualities of balance and reflection into the sequence. This is especially important for women whose menstrual cycle often waxes and wanes in tandem with the moon. Indeed seasonal yoga is the flow of connection throughout our life
At the start of our yoga journey we bring together, the elements of body, breath, and mind awareness into a single flow of attention. As we progress, there are up to seven different elements that come together to deepen our experience of meditation in motion.
1. attention
2. pranayama
3. mantra
4. mudra
5. visualisation
6. attitude
7. bandhas
.My Sun flow morning sessions offer a practice that integrates these seven elements, in a class that is both gentle and dynamic.
Dynamism flows once the body is free of tension and injury. Then we can playfully change the pace to explore different rhythms, and patterns of movement. This is a dance of folding and unfolding, lengthening, and releasing, sensing the connections within the body. Then interspersed throughout the session are moments of stillness where we let go of all activity to simply be.
We do not push or strain whilst practising, for example: with Pranayama it is not about controlling the mind, the breath, or the body, but rather applying a gentle effort throughout. This is because the main goal of all yoga practice is to remove , mental concepts that say: it should or must be done like this. Then we can fully and lovingly experience what is in the present. This requires a soft attention, of being open to what is happening in the moment , whether it is active and dynamic, or reflective and still. By befriending the mind, we aim to experience gentle strength, our equanimity in both motion and stillness.
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