Daily Astrology - Yin Wood Ox Day!

Pacific Northwest

Today, the yin wood stem combines with the oxen branch. First off, the energy is a little softer today when it comes to delving into projects and spinning ideas for new business or anything else for that matter. Focus on placing things in right categories when it comes to work and organizing your environment. It's more about long-term stable developments rather than a quick fix today.

The wood stem combination to the earth ox makes the oxen a little less rigid and reacts faster than usual to situations. Integrity and ethics is a theme for this afternoon along with embracing new and progressive views. There is an unstoppable drive to reach full potential today in whatever you decide to take on. Work with a team for best results.

Mary Jane Kasliner
www.njfengshuitraining.com

Yang Wood Rat Day!

Oregon - Olympic National Park

Happy Monday morning! Today the yang wood stem combines with the yin water rat branch. The connection of elements (wood to water), may leave you feeling overwhelmed. The wood stem is in its yang form so you can expect to hit the ground running this morning. The element of wood is about expansion, growing and moving in an upward direction. Your list may grow unexpectedly of things you need to tend to. The water rat branch will continue to push energy into doing as many things as possible today. This combination (wood rat), is progressive and success oriented. Don't be surprised if you find yourself exploring everything and finding good use for almost anything you come across. It is easier to figure out the whys and wherefores today in order to figure out your future. Confidence is easily expressed today and this bodes well when marketing projects.

Take another look at the complete 2017 Fire Rooster Year Forecast right here!

Mary Jane Kasliner

www.njfengshuitraining.com

Urdhva Dhanurasana!

Andrea in Urdhva Dhanurasana Pose

Saturday morning yoga class at Thompson Park. Andrea expressing Urdhva Dhanurasana. This is the most important and fundamental backbend. Many times the armpits and groins can be tight and restrict this pose. If that is the case you can support either your hands or feet on a pair of blocks. This pose offers many benefits such as stretching the chest, strengthening the arms, wrists, legs and buttocks while increasing energy.

Mary Jane Kasliner

www.fengshuiyoganj.com

Astrology Forecast for February 2017

Earth Tiger Month!

February is the Yang Earth Tiger month. To find out more about the energy for February and the energy for the Yin Fire Rooster year click here!

Mary Jane Kasliner

www.njfengshuiyoganj.com

www.fengshuiyoganj.com

Does Judgment Serve Us?

Photo - Martha Geiger - De Maio

Throughout each day we make judgments; what to wear, what to eat, with whom we wish to engage with. We make decisions and judgments at our jobs and in every aspect of our personal life. This behavior can sometimes turn into negativity and criticism. While it is healthy and natural to make basic judgments, it is not healthy to create a pattern of critiquing others. We can be selective and say no to others without condemning or labeling. Today, watch for moments when your healthy personal judgments begin to shift into criticism. Simply remind yourself that such critical thoughts can be unnecessary. Choose to shift your attention to what you would like to dwell on rather than what you don't.

The aforementioned is a great intention for your yoga or meditation practice for today!

Om!

Mary Jane Kasliner

www.fengshuiyoganj.com

Pranamayakosha - Subtle/Breath Body

Arizona Airport - Breathing to Relax

Yesterday I talked about the first sheath or the physical body. Today, let's talk about the second layer or the breath body. This is the most important aspect of our yoga practice - the breath. The subtle body or the breath body is comprised of the following aspects:

• The electromagnetic field of the body - the etheric body extends approximately 2.5 inches from the physical body.
• It is the link between the energetic and physical levels of being.
• It is considered the vitality of life, prana, chi and organizes the body parts and provides movement for mental and physical expression.
• Herbs can rejuvenate the breath body.
• Prana (breath body) permeates the entire universe as impulse, pulsation of the atom. THe original wave of energy.
• There are 5 major pranas (vayus) that circulate within the body and perform different energy functions. More on that topic another day.

The importance of working the breath body speaks for itself. When practicing yoga remember the journey begins with the breath. The natural flow of prana is what will catapult the physical body, not the opposite.

Namaste,

Mary Jane Kasliner

www.fengshuiyoganj.com

Anamayakosha - The Physcial Layer

Olympic National Park

Rainy and cold but that didn't stop me!

I was surely feeling my physical body while hiking in Olympic National Park several years ago. So what exactly is that layer or Kosha all about? First off, the Koshas represent a more refined dimension of consciousness. The anamayakosha is specially referred to as the physical or food body.The following list covers the attributes to this sheath:

• Gross - physical body
• Skin, flesh and bones
• Nourishment or food
• Healthy diet and lifestyle choices to balance one's constitution
• Movements based on the physical body such as asanas, pilates, fitness training and massage
• Material of creation, gross manifestation of matter in different strengths and qualities

Today, tap into the sensations of your body - the anamaykosha. This will not only keep you in the present moment but bring awareness to the earthly plane or physical matter.

Mary Jane Kasliner

www.fengshuiyoganj.com

Building Heat!

Olympic National Park

When you are looking to make change in your life consider relying on your yoga practice. When you can meet resistance with mindfulness you are able to move forward and make changes in your life. Here is a series from Yoga Journal that I found to be very inspiring.

• Utkatasana - chair pose. Hold this pose for a minimum of 10 breaths to eventually trying to hold this pose up to 5 minutes.
• Plank pose - Staying strong in this pose for up to 3 minutes.
• Warrior 2 - Engage the lower bandhas as you aim to hold this pose for at least 1 minute.
• Paschimottanasana - focus on moving slowly as you deepen the pose.
• Supported Headstand - wait for the internal dialog and sit with it. Hold up to 3 minutes.
• Virasana - hero pose - stay erect in this pose with arms over head and fingers interlaced. Stay for 3 - 5 minutes.
• Hanumansana - Try to stay for 20 breaths and avid gripping. Allow yourself to ease into the release.
• Wheel Pose - If this pose is not available to you then enter bridge pose instead. Take at lease 20 breaths before releasing to the earth.
• Corpse Pose - release into the earth and let go of all resistance for at least 5 minutes.
• Siddhasana - Remain physically still and simply follow the breath. Stay as long as you can until quietude transcends you.

Mary Jane Kasliner

www.fengshuiyoganj.com

Inauguration Day - Yin Fire Sheep Plus President Trump Birth Chart!

Today, Donald J. Trump will be swore into office as the 45th President of this great nation. Let's take a look at the energy for today (Yin Fire Sheep). In addition, for all those who may not have seen my analysis of President Elect Trump's birth chart, I have included the link below.

January 20, 2017: Yin Fire Sheep Day

The Sheep is the eighth sign of the lunar cycle.

I am nature's special child.

I trust and am rewarded by trust.

Fortune smiles upon my countenance.

All things blossom

in the gentleness of my love.

I strive to find beauty in all I behold.

I am fair of face

and full of grace.

I AM THE SHEEP   - The Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes - Theodora Lau

*Just to note President Elect Trump has the sign of the Sheep in his Day pillar - or inner constitution of self.

Fire Sheep Energy for Today:

The fire-sheep is sure footed and very courageous about following intuition and taking the initiative in work. Creativity is strong along with the ability to highlight strong points and play down weaknesses. The fire sheep has the ability to produce peaceful situations and overall pleasant outcome.

The sheep energy has the knack of turning every weakness into strength. There is an underlying ability to get what is needed by insinuation and subtle hints. The sheep archetype energy is a master of the soft-sell technique and should never be underestimated.

The fire stem fuels the earth sheep today, or heaven nourishing earth. This is a balanced cycle of the elements with parent or leader (fire stem) giving to child or the people of this nation. This can be draining for parent or leader. As luck would have it, there is a hidden wood and fire stem located in the sheep branch to help fuel and assist the energy of fire. Furthermore, as President Elect Trump has an earth stem in his day pillar, the fire stem of today fuels his energy while the sheep branch today assists his sheep branch in his chart. To go a step further, the sheep branch today is part of President Elect Trump's Triangle of Affinity to his day sheep branch (Sheep to Sheep). This affinity does bring forth diplomatic and compassionate energy that is dependent on others for stimulation and leadership. This affinity extols the virtues of peaceful co-existence with their fellow man.

The hidden elements within the sheep of wood, fire and earth build a strong cycle of energy whereby wood represents growth, vitality and momentum for goal achievement; fire with a take charge energy to lead, and earth representing the great transformer.

To read about our 45th President's birth chart click here.

God Bless America!

Mary Jane Kasliner

www.njfengshuitraining.com

Building a Strong Back the Yoga Way!

Everything you do depends on the strength and flexibility of your spine. In order to move through a wide range of motion on a daily basis your spine needs to be strong and flexible. Here are a few yoga poses that will do just that:

• Seated Spinal Twists
• Windshield Wiper Twists
• Plank Pose
• Down Dog
• High Lunge
• Plank Pose with a Twist
• Goddess Pose with a Twist
• Wide-Legged Standing Forward Bend
• Pyramid Pose
• Twisting Triangle
• Happy Baby Pose
• Reclining Spinal Twist
• Corpse Pose

Practicing anyone of these poses or string them in a sequence and you'll find it to be beneficial. Make sure you breathe deeply while performing each pose especially those that include twisting motion.

Here's to a strong and flexible spine!

Mary Jane Kasliner

www.fengshuiyoganj.com

Trust Yourself in Heron Pose!

Heron pose can seem a bit daunting when you see the final pose. However, it's all about the journey and trusting your instincts.

• Sit with your legs extended and bend your left leg back and rest your ankle by the side of your hip. Press your hands into the floor and root your sits bone down as you lengthen your spine.

• Bend your right knee and hold your with foot with both hands. Think to draw your lower back in an up.

• Exhale and straighten your right leg up. Draw from your hands back through your arms to your shoulders. Bring your shoulder blades onto your back.

• Maintain the position of the pose for a few breaths. Continue to press your right thigh away from your belly, exhale and draw your right shin in toward your body while moving your torso and head forward. Release the pose and repeat on the opposite side.

Heron pose is great for strengthening the shoulders, improve live and kidney function and calm the mind.

Trust yourself as you move into Heron pose!

Mary Jane Kasliner

www.fengshuiyoganj.com