"Pie in the Sky" Yogini - Samskara

In Eastern meditative traditions, there exists a word called samskara, which roughly translates to mean “impression.” From the meditative perspective, every event we have in our lives leaves an invisible, indelible impression on our psyche. As we age, more and more impressions are accumulated. These samskaras are almost like patches of crystallization where there was once free flow of energy. This is why people sometimes seem like they’re becoming hard, dry, and constricted as they age. Their impressions are catching up to them, and they are losing the suppleness and juiciness of their younger and less rigid selves.

Fortunately, meditation teaches us that this process can be reversed.

Sit silently, take a few deep breaths, and redirect your focus inside. Notice the subtleties of how you’re breathing; notice what you’re feeling. After some moments in stillness, you will likely begin to feel places of pain, holding, or stagnation. It may or may not be associated with a physical location in the body; it can be more vague and decentralized. Gently, bring your awareness into that area of restriction and then take a deep breath into it and invite your prana (or life-force associated with the breath) to break it down. And then do that over and over. Breathe into the tightness and ask it to let go.

~Mary Jane

www.fengshuiyoganj.com

Illustrator: www.anncurchgaglianoillustrator.com

Creating a Sacred Space ~

It’s pretty incredible how our environment affects us. But I think most of us do feel better when our house or office is clean and organized.

This is particularly true for where we choose to not only spend our time working, but doing nothing. That is to say meditating. Everywhere I have lived, no matter how little space I had, I set aside a space specifically for meditation. Bare in mind, the best portent for meditation is the northeast. When we set a a specific area for quietude, it reminds us not only to meditate, but it inspires us to create a safe place of peace in an often chaotic world.

Perhaps the main reason to create a sacred space is that it trains our mind to go into a new state when we enter our meditation room. It helps to break us out of our daily patterns. Studies show that over 90 percent of what we do each day is unconscious. The good news is that taking just 15 minutes a day to practice being more conscious can make a huge difference in our lives.

So how do you get started?

1. Find the area in your environment where you can set up your meditation cushion. If you are lucky enough to have an entire room, good for you. However, even the smallest of areas will do.

2. Add fire and earth elements: These are perfect elements for harmony especially in the northeast direction for the entire home or the northeast direction within a room. So what constitutes fire and earth elements? For the purpose of meditation, I would stick with candles and incense (fire), and perhaps a spiritual image. For earth elements, I would stick with your favorite stones, especially ones that are know to ground such as black tourmaline or Brazilian quartz.

3. Now, just DO IT! Make the effort to take time out of your busy day and sit quietly. You'll be amazed how productive you can be when your mind gets quiet!

~Mary Jane

www.fengshuiyoganj.com

"Pie in the Sky" Yogini Says... Salamba Baddha Konasana

This is such a relaxing way to release tension from the hips, inner thighs and lower back. Salamba Baddha Konasana (supported reclining bound angle pose). Find two bolsters or a folded blanket. Lie down and bend your knees, bringing the soles of your feet together. Slide a bolster or blanket under each leg to support the knees, shins, and feet. Rest with your hands on your lower belly and place your elbows on the ground. Stay here with eyes closed for at least 5 minutes.

Om - Mary Jane - www.fengshuiyoganj.com

"Pie in the Sky" Yogini: Revolved Half Moon

Illustration: www.anncurchgaglianoillustrator.com

Revolved half moon is an excellent pose to tone the abdominal muscles while it strengthens the ankles, knees and thighs. Here are some simple steps to entering and finding the pose:

• Start in a lunge position with left foot forward and right leg straight.
• Inhale and lift up to balancing on your right leg and fingertips of both hands.
• Bring right hand to your hip, inhale and shrug your right shoulder to your right ear and roll it back twisting to open your chest to the right.
• Extend your right arm directly above your right shoulder.
• Exhale and extend from your pelvis and through your feet. Inhale and extend your lower belly up through your head and through your arms.
• Hold for several breaths then look down and place both hands on the floor. Exhale and lower your right leg down. 
• Place your hands on your hips, root through your feet to the floor, inhale and come up to standing.
• Repeat other side.

Om - Mary Jane - www.fengshuiyoganj.com