Session 4- Everyone & Everything
Contemplations:
We are in an intricate relationship with everyone and everything; working toward uncovering our true nature brings us into union with all beings thus decreasing our suffering - Michelle Cassandra Johnson
It is a spiritual imperative for us to bring the sacred back into our lives now. Bringing the sacred into our lives and the collective might be the skill we need to deepen now and the salve we have all been searching for.
Michelle Cassandra Johnson
Reflection:
How does breath, prana, and your practice nourish your connection to everyone and everything or increase ease in your life?
Is there a simple way to bring a sense of sacredness to your pranayama practice or anywhere else in you life that feels valuable?
Session 3- Divine Love at Center
Contemplation:
Living life in touch with divine spirit lets us see the light of love in all living beings. That light is a resurrecting life force. - bell hooks, all about love
Reflection:
Create a short asana sequence to prepare your body for pranayama, you will use it in session 4. Shoot for 5-7 minutes, which is likely 3-4 poses or so. Refer to the “Asana for Pranayama” page in the guidebook, points 2-4 for categories of asana to include. Choose asanas that you and your body love.
Session 2
Contemplation:
If you observe nature, there are no hard stops or starts to the transitions of death of birth. Things go fallow; there is a progression to life, an unfolding of beauty that we must learn to become awake to in every moment...Each ritual or practice we devote ourselves to allows us to observe the slow progression of releasing, letting go, composting what is dying, and welcoming what wants to be born. When we are awake to these cycles, we can be purposeful about the seeds we are planting and the energy we give to what is trying to emerge. - Tracee Stanley, The Luminous Self
Reflection:
What is one simple, purposeful way you can plant or tend to seeds?
What is emerging for you now through your relationship to prana?
Session 1 - A Simple Start
Contemplation:
"Start in a simple way, it will take you all the way." - Swami Tattvavidānanda
Reflection:
Where in your daily routine could you add or expand or appreciate a short and simple moment of checking in with your breath, body, and prana?
Think 3 breaths upon waking or after a meal or before you tidy or sit for couch time. Connecting this to a current habit or routing can make it easier.
Especially, if you’ve answered this question before on your in PPG, reflect on what has shifted in and what has remained constant in your “answer” and within yourself since then and now.
Lil’ Extras
Q+A: Blocked Nostrils.
Here’s a quick demo of how one could gently widen their nasal passage during Nadi Shodhana. Some folks in the yogic tradition suggest a practice known as Jala Neti. Here is helpful video from my teacher Arundhati from Aham Yoga explaning the process. Do use distilled or recently boiled, but cooled water. Please know this is not medical advise.
