January. 2015 and its aches fell away. We were all just waiting for it, it seemed. A tough year for the human race. Optimistic for the 1-6, everyone seemed. Now it’s here, flying through to February. We’re riding the snowy dust of record blizzard, holding our breath for the sun. Our necks hurt from shrugging our scarves closer to our ears. Our fingers are sore from curling into coats. We are cold. But we are bright. There is a buzz beneath the skin…something special happening. A liveliness, a wakefulness, a presence.
This week’s classes have been dedicated to releasing the neck, shoulders, upper back, and jaw, while placing feet (and hands) firmly on the ground to experience the deep strength of your Self.
Here’s a practice to find this feeling:
Yoga Poem for New Newness
Stand tall on both feet. Soften your knees while lifting energy up through your spine.
Clasp your hands behind your back. Keep your arms straight and your elbows soft.
Release your chin to your chest. Feel a stretch reaching from the back of your skull down between the shoulder blades. Keep the shoulders drawing back as you gently roll your head side to side, dissolving tension from the neck. Stay, breathe, dissolve.
Now reach the right arm up and lean to your left, stretching the whole right side. Welcome in the breath, and everything it offers. Do the same on the other side.
Press palms together at your chest. Feel how ready you are.
[“yoga poem” is my term for a short and potent sequence that reflects a certain mood or state of mind]
And Other News
The universe heard my new year’s intentions, and has offered up three new local classes. Check out my updated class schedule here, which includes two new Restorative Yoga classes. (Curious about Restorative Yoga? Here are my 12 Signs You Need Restorative Yoga.)
Now you tell me: what’s new for you right now? Comment below and tell me one thing of newness, or new-newness, or news, for you. It can be a word, a sentence, or a story. It might just inspire next week’s yoga poem practice.
With love and snow,
Katie
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