yunning and roga

the ramblings of a twenty-something grad student trying to get back into shape and lose a couple lbs

[moveyourasana]

Surya Namaskar A. What happens when I’m supposed to be cleaning. I will nail that handstand transition…soonish…maybe…yes. 

[siriamardev]

My boyfriend gave Murphy and I a little photoshoot during our daily yoga practice :)

[roxyogi-deactivated20160915]

After class tonight :)

[tesssellated]

just hangin’ out ❁´◡`❁ / itunes visualizer is totally stealing my thunder

[allyveg]

ouu i want to make one :)

[getfitandsweat]

mad love by Meghan Currie

[stronghealthyconfidence]

what. oh my gosh 

[sitarabird]

Day 6 of #yogafools • I chose Supta Virasana // Reclined Hero Pose. I love this posture for stretching out my core & thighs. Don’t lay back though if it puts too much strain on your knees! #yoga2013 #yogalove #herospose #yogaspo #yogaeverywhere #yogaeverydamnday @laurasykora @masumi_g @gypsetgoddess 🙏✨ (at Gypsy Den)

[evepostapple]

The Chakras

Throughout our body we have main energy centers, which are connected to major organs or glands that govern other body parts. Each of these main energy centers are referred to as chakra–chakra is a Sanskrit word which means wheel. A chakra is a wheel-like spinning vortex that whirls in a circular motion forming a vacuum in the center that draws in anything it encounters on its particular vibratory level. It is said that our body contains hundred of chakras that are the key to the operation of our being. These “spinning wheels” draw-in coded information from our surroundings. Coded information can be anything from a color vibration to ultra-violet ray to a radio or micro wave to another person’s aura. In essence our chakras receive the health of our environment, including the people we are in contact with (that’s why other people’s moods have an affect on us!). As well our chakras also radiate an energy of vibration.  It is also believed that we have seven main chakra centers and that each main center is connected to our being on several different levels: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. On the physical level each chakra governs a main organ or gland, which is then connected to other body parts that resonate the same frequency. 

(source: chakraenergy.com)

Sahasara Chakra - Thousand Petal Lotus (Crown Chakra)

Element: thought Colours: violet/white Sense: empathy, unity Mantra: silence

Location: crown of the head

Deals with: intuitive knowing, connection to spirituality, duality, emotional feelings, integration of the whole, conscious awareness

Governs: top center of the head and midline above the ears, brain, nervous system, pineal gland

Physical Dysfunctions: chronic exhaustion, sensitivity to light and sound

Psychological and Emotional Issues: lack of purpose, loss of identity, disbelief in any spiritual realities, trust, selflessness, apathy, devotion, inspiration, values, ethics, sense of fear, materialism

Balanced Chakra: feeling at one with the universe, open-minded, intelligent, thoughtful, understand and learn information more easily

Postures that Balance Chakra: Balancing poses that bring awareness to the body and the consciousness like Tree and Eagle, also sitting in Yoga Mudra

Related Gemstones: Amber, Diamond, Moldavite

Related Essential Oils: Blilbanum or Lotus

Ajna Chakra - Center of Command (Third Eye Chakra)

Element: light Colours: indigo Sense: extra sensory perception Mantra: AUM or OM

Location: situated between the eyebrows (Third Eye)

Deals with: self-knowledge, wisdom, intellect, clairvoyance, action of ideas, detachment, insight, understanding, intuitive reasoning, visualization

Governs: brain, eyes, ears, nose, pituitary gland, pineal glands, neurological system

Physical Dysfunctions: headaches, nightmares, eyestrain, learning disabilities, panic, depression, blindness, deafness, seizures, spinal dysfunctions

Psychological and Emotional Issues: judgment, evaluation, concept of reality, confusion, fear of truth, discipline, lack of concentration

Balanced Chakra: ability to think reality into existence, imagination, intuition, concentration and focus

Postures that Balance Chakra: Meditation/guided visualization/sense withdrawal(Pratyahara) and Seated Yoga Mudra, Child’s Pose (Balasana) and palming the eyes and eye circles

Related Gemstones: Amethyst, Lapis Lazuli, Purple Fluorite, Sugalite, Quartz

Related Essential Oils: Mint, Jasmine

Vishuddha Chakra - Purification (Throat Chakra)

Element: sound or ether Colours: blue Sense: hearing Mantra: HAM

Location: situated on the level of the throat, the nerve plexus of the pharynx region

Deals with: communication, creativity, learning to take responsibility for one’s own needs, confession, faith, truthfulness, self-knowledge, intuition, synthesis, expression

Governs: throat, thyroid gland, parathyroid gland, trachea, cervical vertebrae, vocal cords, neck, shoulder, arms, hands, esophagus, mouth, teeth, gums

Physical Dysfunctions: thyroid dysfunctions, sore throat, stiff neck, mouth ulcers, swollen glands, gum or tooth problems, teeth grinding, scoliosis, laryngitis, hearing problems

Psychological and Emotional Issues: faith, decision making, will, personal expression, creativity, criticism, addiction

Balanced Chakra: Creative and expressive, constructive communication, contentment, centered, conscious listening, positive self expression

Postures that Balance Chakra: Fish (Matysasana), Lion and neck stretches and shoulder openers like Supported Shoulderstand (Salamba Sarvangasana), Camel (Ustrasana), Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana) and Plow Pose (Halasana)

Related Gemstones: Angelite, Aquamarine, Azurite, Blue Opal, Blue Quartz, Chryoscolla, Lapis, Turquoise

Related Essential Oils: Eucalyptus, Frankincense, SageLink

Anahata Chakra - Unbeaten (Heart Chakra)

Element: air Colours: green or pink Sense: touch Mantra: YAM

Location: situated on the cardiac plexus in the region of the heart

Deals with: social identity, trust, forgiveness, unconditional love, wisdom, stability, mental patience, compassion, emotional empowerment, issues of the soul

Governs: heart, rib cage, blood, circulatory system, lungs and diaphragm, thymus gland, breasts, esophagus, shoulders, arms, hands

Physical Dysfunctions: thoracic spine, upper back and shoulder problems, asthma, heart conditions, shallow breathing, lung disease like pneumonia

Psychological and Emotional Issues: difficulty with love, lack of hope, compassion, confidence, despair, moody, envy, fear, jealousy, anger, anxiety

Balanced Chakra: feeling of completeness and wholeness, compassionate, empathic, friendly, optimistic, motivated, nurturing, outgoing

Postures that Balance Chakra: Chest openers like Camel (Ustrasana), Cobra(Bhujangasana), Fish (Matsyasana). Also Pranayama (breathing exercises) like Deep Breathing, Kapalabati, Alternate Nostril Breathing (Analoma Veloma)

Related Gemstones: Emerald, Green Jade, Green Tourmaline, Malachite, Rose Quartz

Related Essential Oils: Lavender, Jasmine, Marjoram

Manipura - Brilliant as a Gem (Solar Plexus Chakra)

Element: fire Colours: yellow Sense: sight, form and colour Mantra: RAM

Location: situated at the level of the umbilicus corresponding to the gastric or solar plexus

Deals with: sense of belonging, mental understanding of emotions, defines self-esteem, personal power, stamina, thought, will, success, ego

Governs: upper abdomen, gallbladder, liver, middle spine, kidney, adrenals, small intestines, stomach

Physical Dysfunctions: diabetes, pancreatitis, adrenal imbalances, arthritis, colon diseases, stomach ulcers, intestinal tumors, anorexia/bulimia, low blood pressure

Psychological and Emotional Issues: lack of self-esteem, timid, depression, issues with self image and fear of rejection, inability to make decisions, judgmental, perfectionism, anger, rage, hostility

Balanced Chakra: energetic, confident, intelligent, decisive, productive, good digestion, mental focus

Postures that Balance Chakra: Heat building poses like Sun Salutation (Suryanamaskar) and Warrior (Virabhadrasana), backbends like Bow (Dhanurasana), twists like Half Twist (Ardha Matsyendhrasana), and abdominal strengtheners like Boat Pose (Navasana)

Related Gemstones: Amber, Citrine, Jasper, Golden Topaz, Yellow Tourmaline

Related Essential Oils: Bergamot, Chamomile, Lavender , Golden Yarrow, Peppermint, Rosemary

Svadhishthana - Vital Force (Creativity Chakra)

Element: water Colours: orange Sense: taste Mantra: VAM

Location: situated at the base of the pubis between the genitals and the sacral nerve plexus

Deals with: emotional identity, creativity, desire, pleasure and self-gratification, procreation, and personal relationships

Governs: sexual organs, stomach, upper intestines, liver, gallbladder, kidney, pancreas, adrenal glands, spleen, middle spine, auto immune system

Physical Dysfunctions: lower back pain, sciatica, decreased libido, pelvic pain, urinary problems, poor digestion, low resistance to infection and viruses, tiredness, hormonal imbalances, menstrual problems

Psychological and Emotional Issues: irritability, shyness, guilt, blame, sexual obsession, power, money, control, lack of creativity, morality

Balanced Chakra: feeling compassionate, friendly, intuitive, vital, sexual, satisfied, prosperous, having a sense of belonging and humour

Postures that Balance Chakra: Hip opening poses like Standing Wide Forward Bend (Prasarita Padottanasana), Sitting Wide Forward Bend (Upavista Konasana), Bound Angle Pose (Baddha Konasana), Supine Bound Angle Pose (Supta Baddha Konasana)

Related Gemstones: Amber, Carnelian, Coral, Garnet, Moonstone, Orange Tourmaline

Related Essential Oils: Ylang-Ylang, Sandalwood

Muladhara Chakra - Root Support (Root Chakra)

Element: earth Colours: red Sense: smell Mantra: LAM

Location: base of the spine between anus and genitals

Deals with: physical identity, survival, stability, instinctual nature, ambition, and self-sufficiency

Governs: bones, teeth, nails, anus, prostate, adrenals, kidneys, lower digestive functions, excretory functions, and sexual activity

Physical Dysfunctions: tiredness, poor sleep, lower back pain, sciatica, waste elimination problems like constipation, depression, immune related disorders, obesity and eating disorders

Psychological and Emotional Issues: ungrounded, afraid, rage and anger, self esteem, survival, security, obsessed with comfort, alienated, possessive

Balanced Chakra: feeling grounded, centered, committed and independent, having energy and vitality, strength and stillness, able to digest foods well

Postures that Balance Chakra: Grounding into feet poses like Mountain Pose(Tadasana), Side-Angle Pose (Parsvakonasana), Warrior Pose (Virabhadrasana) and Standing Forward Bend (Uttanasana), Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana)

Related Gemstones: Agate, Black Tourmaline, Bloodstone, Garnet, Obsidian, Ruby, Smoky Quartz

Related Essential Oils: Cedar, Clove, Cypress, Marjoram, Myrrh

(source: myyogaonline.com)

[b-body]

[bohindia]

[berryhealthy]

tone it up | arm routine * recommend doing it 2-3 times per week * 3 rounds, 10 reps of each move

[storyofacollegeyogi-blog]

I have entered the deep, big (and apparently pink, not black) hole that is cyberspace this spring break and I seem to be making my way through the amazing Gala Darling’s inspirational, informative, and uplifting posts from bed in my exhausted post-yoga and yet utterly blissed out state. Enjoy!

[evepostapple]

Yoga To Balance Your Emotions

Yoga has the power to unlock, heal and balace your emotions.  For those of you who have a regular practice, you can probably attest to lying down in Savasana with tears streaming down your face or smiling so hard your face hurts.

2013 has been a pretty wild year so far.  It has been a year of change and momentum for many of us as well as a year where much of the bulls&*^ in our lives seems to either be removed completely by circumstances or we are learning to grow beyond it.

With change this intense, emotions are inevitable and what can be difficult is maintaining balance without letting yourself get swayed or uprooted.  If you experience anxiety, depression (even on a mild level), lack of confidence, worthlessness or any of the other yucky feelings that we humans get to feel, these yoga asanas will do wonders to help.

Here are some of my favourite poses and that will help balance your emotions:

1. Standing Forward Bend (Uttanasana) - Maintain the length in your arms, legs, torso and chest as you bend forward placing your hands in front of your feet on the mat.  Bend your knees as much as you need to or place your hands on blocks.

Allow any pressure or emotion to release and as you take 10-15 breaths in this pose, really root down with your hands and feet, drawing up healing energy from the ground. Be still.

2. Tree Pose (Vriksasana) - Shift your weight onto one leg and raise the other leg, foot facing inward and place it upon your calf, thigh or in half lotus. Raise your arms above your head in prayer or with arms separated, palms facing in.

Take 10-20 breaths and breath deeply into your heart space.  Feel your roots deep within the earth like a giant oak tree.  Feel stable.

3. Warrior II Pose (Virabadhrasana II) - Stand with your feet about 31/2 - 41/2 feet apart with your front toes pointed straight and your back foot in at a 45 degree angle. Bend your front knee until your leg reaches a 90 degree angle and extend your arms.  Lengthen your spine by tucking your tailbone in and down.

Breathe 20-25 breaths here, drawing energy and vitality from the earth.  Feel strong, powerful, confident and beautiful.  Shine out of your heart space.

4. Shoulder Stand (Salamba Sarvangasana) - *Note: This pose is for advanced practitioners only* if you do not have a regular yoga practice you can lie on your back and put your legs up in the air and breath here.

Lie on your back and elevate your legs bringing them over your head until your feet touch the floor or a block.  Place your hands up your back, lift your spine and elevate your legs. With spine straight and chin away from your chest, breathe here.

Take 25-50 breaths in this pose.  Inversions help to shift perception and rejuvenate the body as well as tonify and cleanse the endocrine system. You may also choose to place your feet to the floor after completing your breaths transitioning into Plough Pose (Halasana)

With regular practice of these yoga poses, you will notice yourself feeling much more balanced, joyful, confidence and less bound by your fears.

[coloursinmyheart]

[riseoftheyogi]

8 Limbs of Yoga

[oniropagida]

[purplebuddhaproject]

[lazyyogi]