Happy Autumn, Dear One!
We just transitioned through the late summer, the fifth season, not typically recognized in our western culture, but late August and early September are integral in Yoga's sister science, Ayurveda, and in Traditional Chinese Medicine. During the transitional seasons, we are asked to be particularly conscious of our well being as this can be a time when our defenses are low and dis-ease can creep in.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the six weeks or so after the peak of the summer season and the official start of fall are characterized by the Earth Element. Late summer is the season of the harvest, the gathering in of all that has been produced the rest of the year. It is correlated with nourishment and abundance. It is a time of contentment, of basking in the glow of our achievements. The energy of Earth is rich in ripe stillness.
The Earth Energy in our body governs our ability to nourish ourselves through the foods we eat. It also governs all the cycles and rhythms of life - our sleeping, eating and breathing cycles. Any disruption in these cycles or any difficulty with eating or digestion points to an imbalance in the Earth Element.
Mentally, Earth energy allows us to "digest" new ideas and to process our experiences and form thoughts. An imbalance can manifest as obsessive thinking and an inability to move forward.
Emotionally, the Earth element gives us the ability to feel empathy and compassion for other beings and the ability to care for and serve others without depleting ourselves.
Spiritually, Earth energy allows us to be grounded, stable and balanced in the world around us, whatever arises. In some ways, it is the ultimate expression of our yoga practice giving us the ability to be at peace.
Before we settle into Fall, enjoy some of the final expressions of the Earth Element in our current Newsletter.
With Love and Compassion,
Sara Agelasto
Co-Founder, iHanuman
A Prayer for the Earth "We are nourished by our Mother the Earth from whom all life springs. We must understand her dependence, and protect her with our love, respect and ceremonies. The faces of our future generations are looking up to us from the earth, and we step with great care not to disturb our grandchildren. We are a part of the great cycle of life with four seasons and endless renewal as long as we abide by this absolute law. When we disturb this cycle by interfering with elements, changing or destroying species of life, the effects may be immediate or may fall upon our children who will suffer and pay for our ignorance and greed." - The Traditional Circle of Elders, Navajo-Hopi Joint Council, from their 1982 letter to the United Nations General Assembly.
Latest Downloads:Summer Intensive 2016 Now Available from Lois Steinberg! Listen to the latest downloads available from Lois Steinberg: Recorded Live at the Iyengar Yoga Institute of Champaign Urbana, this week-long intensive includes over 20 hours of instruction including over 15 hours of asana with Lois Steinberg and 3 bonus philosophy recordings with Vanderbilt University Professor and Iyengar Yoga Instructor, Gary Jaeger! Download The Summer Intensive now!
September is National Yoga Month! What are you doing in your community to celebrate National Yoga Month? Take advantage of the focus on yoga this month to reinvigorate your yoga practice or introduce someone you love to the practice of yoga! There are free and reduced price classes at many of your local yoga studios this month. Or consider sharing some of the Features, Downloads, Asana Sequences and FREE information on Yoga available on iHanuman! Let us know how you are celebrating this special month dedicated to yoga! We LOVE To hear from you!
Latest iHanuman Yoga Teacher: Randy Just is the director of the BKS Iyengar Yoga Studio of Dallas and is a Senior Intermediate I Certified Iyengar Yoga Instructor. His study of yoga began in the 70′s and during the mid-80′s, he became a devoted student of Iyengar Yoga. Learn More About Randy Now! Interested in becoming an iHanuman Yoga Teacher and reaching a wider audience? Join iHanuman Now!
Did You Hear that the Practice of Yoga Is Booming?! A Recent Yoga Alliance and Yoga Journal Study shows that the number of U.S. yoga practitioners has increased to over 36 million, up from 20.4 million in 2012, and practitioner spending on yoga classes, clothing, equipment and accessories, rose to $16 billion a year up from $10 billion over the past four years! Learn More about This and Other Interesting Stories on Yoga and Health by Staying Tuned to iHanuman Via Social Media! Like Us on Facebook and Pinterest, Subscribe to Us on YouTube , Follow us Twitter! And Please Tell Your Friends! Thank you!
Latest Asana Image: Vrkschikasana or Scorpion pose is a challenging arm balance and back bend, but one of our latest teachers, Yogi Madhav, makes it look extremely easy and graceful. Want to share one of your yoga poses with Us? It's easy! Join the Community and Contribute Now!
Latest Yoga Studio: Your Life Energy Holistic Center provides total mindfulness and body work in each class. Paying close attention to each student, assisting them gently with yoga positions and helping them to reach their potential. Learn More About Your Life Energy Holistic Center Now! List Your Studio in our Yoga Studio Directory for FREE Now! And Reach a Broader Audience!
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