I’m amazed at the little world these four babies have created for their tribe! Lots of hugs going around in the midst of funny little expressive ‘cooings’ as they ‘talk’ to each other. They are in a whole other world of their own world – in beautiful connection and communication!
One of my all-time favorite mudras, Mandala helps to make me feel a settled feeling in both my belly and my mind. It brings me into the present moment, beautiful moment, to simply be – without needing or trying to do something or get somewhere! I feel whole and content… mmmmmmmm. It helps me to realize how much action and force I’m putting into my life and reminding me that its great to have moments of resting in ‘be-ing’.
Left hand rests underneath Right hand. Hands rest in the lap or are held in front of the navel.
Begin with 5-10 natural breaths and increase the number of breaths weekly to your practice. Mandala mudra can be used for extended seated meditation (5-30mins).
These mudras and the information provided are modified from Mudras for Healing and Transformation by Joseph and Lilian LePage, Integrative Yoga Therapy.
Begin by resting your hands on your belly and heart, breathing Dirgha Three Part Breath. Expand breath through belly, ribs, collarbones, exaggerating your breath to fully inflate. Take five breaths.
2. Kapota MudraINHALE: Draw your fingertips together. Feel the altar of your heart.
3. Tejas MudraEXHALE: Open your fingers up to Tejas Light Mudra. Allow your heart light to radiate out into your being and out into the world.
(Repeat both mudras two to three more repetitions with breath.)
4. Seated Heart ExpansionKneel on the floor or sit on a chair. INHALE: Expand your heart and chest by bending your elbow and turning the palms upward.
5. Uplift Your LightEXHALE: Send your light upward as you rise up to radiate outward.
(Repeat 4 & 5 three times or more)
6. Sun Breath Table TwistsPlace your hands in front of you on the floor and step your knees back into Table Pose. INHALE: Lift your Right arm up to the sun. EXHALE: Sweep your hand back down to the floor. INHALE: Lift Left EXHALE: Release down again.
(Repeat Right & Left lifts three or more times)
7. Energizing Crab LiftsINHALE: Lean back on your hands and place your feet hip distance apart in front of you. Lift your hips off the floor an inch.
8. HA! BreathEXHALE: Lift your hips upward and shout ‘HA!’ (like a karate kick sound).
(Repeat three times or more)
Place your hands on belly and heart once again. Go inward and notice your breath and radiant light energy. Continue with your day beaming light everywhere you go!
Five Element Yoga® is a vibrant and colorful flowing practice created by Jennifer Reis. This potent practice realigns you with the rhythms of nature as you explore your inner five elements drawing from Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, yoga and yoga therapy.
An all-levels yoga practice, Five Element Yoga® invites you to revitalize body with yoga postures, flow with yogic breathing, tune into your energy with mudras, detoxify with self-massage, deeply rest and rejuvenate in Divine Sleep® Yoga Nidra, and integrate your discoveries with creative expression and reflection. More Info
Join Jennifer for Five Element Yoga® Daily Classes and Workshops and Five Element Yoga® Teacher Training.
Recommended practice on CD or MP3 download: Five Element Yoga®: All Levels Guided Yoga Practice and Deep Relaxation: Divine Sleep® Yoga Nidra
Drinking more water daily is one of the easiest and best practices you can do to increase your health and comfort! Increasing WATER Element in your tissues helps them to do their jobs and to function even better.
If you have any pain or discomfort at all in your body, try drinking five times more water than you usually do for a few days, then see how your body feels.
Authorities usually recommend eight 8-ounce glasses (2 liters, or half a gallon). This is called the 8×8 rule and is very easy to remember. We have an easy trick to remember how much you are drinking throughout the day.
At my house we filter our water in the morning, filling 3 large mason jars each, and then throughout the day we drink from our own jars. We know we need to drink one+ in the morning, one+ in the afternoon, then the rest after dinner (1/2 jar or so in order to sleep without needing to arise to pee!). You’ll know how much you’ve drank and how much more you need to drink.
If you drink coffee or alcohol, increase the amount you drink as they both dehydrate and steal water from your body.
These folks can show us how its done! Dancing is one of my favorite practices, and its so incredibly inspiring to watch the beautiful expressions of joy shining through the sparking souls in this video. It’s amazingly edited to the exact beat of uplifting Uptown Funk.
