by Michael Reis | Feb 23, 2018 | Mudras
These two mudras help to balance WATER ELEMENT. They enhance circulation of energy-prana through the whole body, organs and joints as well as moisten, lubricate, and de-congest the joints. You may like to practice these mudras as a flow or individually. Hold for 5-10 natural breaths to start, increasing over time if you like. State the affirmations three times out loud, then silently.
Matsya Fish Mudra
“I am nourished by my inner healing waves.”
Left hand is under the right hand making a ‘fish’ shape. Matsya means fish and helps to activate Water Element to increase fluidity and hydration throughout the body. It is especially helpful for nourishing the joints and is therefor great for spinal alignment and arthritis.
- Enhances breath in the pelvic region
- Fosters cooling and soothing, providing relief from inflammation
- Relaxes muscles, especially in the jaw and head
- Feelings of self-nourishment arise as comfort, flow and lightness within
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Trimurti Mudra
“I flow through all transitions with ease and peace.”
Bring your hands to your navel lower than the bellybutton with thumbs together and index fingers together. Trimurti mudra helps to bring balance and harmony during times of change and duress, allowing a sense of flow in the natural order of things as life unfolds. Especially helpful for menopausal symptoms, reproductive system and may enhance fertility. More and more we can learn to embrace life’s transitions as opportunities.
- Supports all life’s transitions physically, energetically, mentally, & emotionally
- Instills equanimity and feeling of being centered
- Balances hormones and can be helpful for PMS and menses
- Cultivates a sense of feminine potency
These mudras and the information provided are modified from Mudras for Healing and Transformation by Joseph and Lilian LePage, Integrative Yoga Therapy.
by Michael Reis | Jan 2, 2018 | Five Element Yoga®, Food Nourishment
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 are feeling:
- creaky
- tight muscles and soft tissues
- aching joints or injuries
- constipated
- toxic
- fatigue
- weak
- foggy thinking
- unfocused mind
- dull or wrinkled skin
Water may be your answer! I talk to many people who when they ache, they reach for anti-inflammatory meds before trying to drink more water! Water can be your medicine, and it has no side effects, is free and calorie-free.
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.
HOW MUCH WATER TO DRINK DAILY
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.
Happy Water Drinking!
by Michael Reis | Nov 1, 2017 | Five Element Yoga®
Three ‘flows’ with two postures each:
Coordinate the movements of your body with breath in this flow designed to help you find your Inner Guide. You may like to state the affirmations aloud as you EXHALE, and silently repeat them inward as you INHALE. For all-levels. Modify as needed for your body.
1. INHALE “I reach out to find my Inner Guide…”
- Opposite arm and leg extends in Chakravakasana Sunbird pose.
- Stretch from toes to fingertips.
- Draw navel towards your spine.
- Lengthen and reach for your True Self!
EXHALE “And come back to my center.”
- Round and return inward.
- Allow yourself to be both taken care of and provided for.
- Trust in each moment.
Repeat three breath cycles on each side.
2. “I am grounded in my True Self.”
- Feel Earth’s grounding presence rooting your legs as you EXHALE and lift your hips, pressing your hands deep into the Earth.
- Extend your tail into Downward Dog.
- Feel your potency!
“From this source, my inner wisdom flows.”
- From Down Dog, INHALE step your Right foot forward and raise your arms into Anjanyasana.
- Reach upward as the Fountain of Life.
- Let your body be internally showered by the vital energy from your own wellspring.
- Sweep your arms forward to the ground and step back to Down Dog.
Repeat one to three repetitions with breath from Down Dog to Anjanyasana on each side.
3. EXHALE “Though at times I feel down, overwhelmed, and like I’ve lost my way.”
- Retreat and rest within in Garbasana Child’s pose.
- Go inward and allow yourself to feel any fear, grief, or feelings of being lost.
INHALE “My Inner Guide frees me from fear and shows me the way.”
- Smile and sweep your arms up overhead, waving away any doom and gloom in Fountain pose (I just made that name up! It works!).
- Repeat Child into Fountain one to three times.
4. BREATHE NATURALLY “In my True Self I rest deeply where I am filled with Pure Love and Acceptance.”
- Retreat into Savasana pose and allow the love of the Universal Heart to surround and relax you.
- Allow your mind and body to sink into peace and stillness.
- Rest for 8 minutes or more.
Always consult your physician before beginning any exercise or weight-loss program. The general information displayed here is not intended to substitute for or replace your healthcare professional.
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.
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®:
LIVE ONLINE Daily Classes, Workshops, and Retreats Five Element Yoga® Teacher Training (for EVERYONE! You do not need to be a yoga teacher) 
Recommended practice on CD or MP3: Five Element Yoga®: All Levels Guided Yoga Practice and Deep Relaxation: Divine Sleep Yoga Nidra®.
by Michael Reis | Jul 30, 2015 | Food Nourishment
Refresh and Keep Cool! 2 TBSPs Lime juice 2 TBSPs Apple Cider vinegar 2 TBSPs organic olive oil 2 Cups of watermelon cut into cubes 2 Cucumbers cut into cubes 1/4 Cup fresh mint leaves finely minced Seasalt to taste Toss together in a bowl and enjoy! Eating watermelon and cucumber is a great way to stay cool internally by ‘eating’ liquids in these fluid-filled fruits (cucumber is 90% water!). Mint is a cooling herb. Seasalt will help you stay more hydrated, rather than expelling too much fluid out. To me nothing tastes quite like watermelon and vinegar together – yum!
