So it's January again! And as ever, we are all thinking up of our New Years Resolutions and goals. Both Aya and I write our usual list of a billion of things to do, goals to achieve, places to go, things to stop doing, things to start doing, our lists are endless. We can imagine we are not alone with this. So what if there was a way to work towards all of this at the same time in a simple and even relaxing way? Well there is. In the practice of Yoga Nidra. Yoga Nidra can be described as practice of deep relaxation or 'Yogic sleep' "You can say that the main purpose of Yoga nidra is to realise one’s sankalpa. Whether this is true or not, sankalpa has the potential to release tremendous power by clearly defining and focusing on a chosen goal. Its effect is to awaken the willpower within by uniting the conscious awareness with the unconscious forces lying dormant." (Satyananda) A Sankalpa is a Yogic resolution, in some way it is similar to our News Years Resolution. The difference is that this one is a life long affirmation, that will grow to improve all areas of your life. Sankalpa, described as a golden seed, is planted during Yoga Nidra, into the fertile soil of the subconscious mind. (This is when we are asked to repeat our sankalpa during Yoga Nidra/Relaxation). Our subconscious mind is most 'fertile' when we are in that almost asleep state. You can also use a sankalpa in your day to day life by repeating it in the mind, or setting it as an intention during your physical Yoga practice. So why not take some time to have a think about that one special sentence that could manifest joy, peace, abundance and love in all areas of your life. In fact if you had all these things wouldn't all your goals and dreams already be coming true? And if you already a sankalpa, stick with it, keep it with you and keep it in your practice. It is sure to grow and emerge into lots of wonderful things!
If you would like to practice more Yoga Nidra with us, we always do plenty on our Yoga retreats and workshops. We even have a very special New Years Workshop coming up this Sunday 8th Jan 5-7pm at Islington Arts Factory, checkout the link below to book your place!
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The sixth main chakra is know as Ajna, the third eye chakra. Anja is related to our ability to see things as they are without them being clouded by the ego. It is located in the space between the eyebrow and slightly in towards the brain. When the chakra is out of balance we may be judgmental to others, overly intellectual in our thinking and even delusional. Physical symptoms include frequent headaches and migraines. When balanced we able to express ourselves and make our dreams a reality. We feel the sense of connection with others and the world. How wonderful! When we do our Physical Yoga practice we can use our Drishti ( gazing point). We focus on a single point e.g.: gazing in towards the navel when we are in a downward dog or up at our fingertips in triangle. This helps to still the mind by reducing distraction from external objects, people and happenings. This could be from noticing someones colourful Yoga attire to a bird flying past the window. Over time as we practice using drishti we can come into deep concentration and help balance the Third Eye Chakra. Balancing postures in Yoga such as tree and dancers pose are also add an extra layer of focus an concentration. Here are a few more tips to help balance the Ajna Chakra.
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Loads of Love Hana & Aya |
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