2nd Chakra Meditation to Empower Your Imagination and Aspirations

Sitting in the Svadhisthana, Sacral Chakra Yantra (geometric diagram)

   
     
        Below is a variation of a meditation I shared during the Svadhisthana, 2nd Chakra teaching at Birchwood Center in Nyack, NY. If you are interested in learning more about your energy body please join us on Wednesday evenings until March 25th from 6:30pm-8:30pm where each week there's a focused teaching about the chakra of the week. Please see birchwoodcenter.com for more details and to register.


       During this meditation we will explore and expand on your relationship to your creativity and passions.

       Take a comfortable seat.

       Notice how you feel in this moment.

       Locate your 2nd Chakra in your lower abdomen area. This area is where we create and bring ideas into life.

       Close your mouth and take a deep inhale and exhale through your nose.

       Repeat 3 more deep breaths as you visualize your breath as water cleansing and strengthening you.

       Acknowledge what you are passionate about.

       Visualize what you wish to create.

       Use your imagination to expand on this image.

       Deepen your next inhale and when you exhale sense a mist of orange spinning light in your lower abdomen area.

       Take another inhale and deep exhale visualizing this orange mist of light moving beyond your pelvic body and moving throughout your whole being, cleansing and strengthening you.

       Allow this energy to flow through you and through the things you aspire to create.

       See your passions growing and expanding without limits as you move deeper into your meditation.

       Sit for a while.

       Take a few deep breaths while making gentle movement to come out of your meditation.

       Before moving on with your day repeat the affirmations "I am creative." "I am passionate." "I am limitless."


        

Yoga's Subtle Body, an exploration of the Chakras/a 7 week course at Birchwood Center in Nyack, NY

I'm seated in Malasana/Garland Pose with a variation of the 2nd Chakra's Yantra/Geometric Diagram

    Yoga's Subtle Body, an exploration of the Chakras is a special 7 week course because it will offer you plenty of knowledge about the 7 Chakras. It will expand your consciousness and strengthen you in certain parts of your body that maybe neglected in a more regular yoga practice. Each class will focus on one of the seven chakras. The classes will consist of a description and discussion about the chakra of the evening. There will be an asana practice rich in postures, meditation, and pranayama dedicated to that chakra plus a special reflection at the end of the session to deepen your understanding of the chakra.

    We will meet at Birchwood Center in Nyack, NY for 7 Wednesdays from 6:30pm-8:30pm starting February 12th-March 25th. Each class will be led by a different teacher. I will be teaching the 2nd session Wednesday Feb. 19th. This class is dedicated to the 2nd Chakra, Svadhisthana Chakra which is found within the hips and sacral part of the body. During the physical portion of this class we will work towards a peak posture that correlates to the 2nd Chakra. Practicing this way will help you understand where the chakra is located and how it moves within the body. You will also be moving through different expressions of the poses that will help to open and balance the chakra.

    Opening and strengthening the hips can be challenging so I will be offering variations and modifications of the poses throughout the practice. I will also demonstrate and encourage the use of yoga props like blankets and blocks. 

    This 7 week course is Open to everyone! Yoga Teachers can receive 14 CEU's from the Yoga Alliance for completing the full 7 week course. You are welcome to join us for one or more sessions. 

    Please visit www.birchwoodcenter.com  for more information and to register.

Valentine's Day Couple's Yoga ages 10 and up at Birchwood Center

     Valentine's Day is coming soon. Are you looking for something special to do with a loved one? The Couple's Yoga event I'm leading Saturday February 15th at Birchwood Center in Nyack, NY will be both a peaceful and playful experience the two of you can treasure in your hearts forever.

      This Couple's Yoga event is designed for couples and partners ages 10 and up. It is for all levels and will be perfect for someone who is brand new to yoga. Also if you are a yoga teacher and you want to learn how to teach partner yoga this event will be a nice example.

      In this heart opening class you will ground, center and warm up alongside your partner, followed by easy partner yoga poses that will relax your neck and shoulders and strengthen and stretch your back body. We will conclude our practice with a nurturing restorative pose and final relaxation. Participants are invited to stay for refreshments and community after class.

     
Please visit www.birchwoodcenter.com for more information and to register.

February's Special Events- Couple's Yoga and the 2nd Chakra at Birchwood Center in Nyack, NY

     Valentine's Day is coming soon. Are you looking for something special to do with a loved one? The Couple's Yoga event I'm leading Saturday February 15th at Birchwood Center in Nyack, NY will be both a peaceful and playful experience the two of you can treasure in your hearts forever.

      This Couple's Yoga event is designed for couples and partners ages 10 and up. It is for all levels and will be perfect for someone who is brand new to yoga. In this heart opening class you will ground, center and warm up alongside your partner, followed by easy partner yoga poses that will relax your neck and shoulders and strengthen and stretch your back body. We will conclude our practice with a nurturing restorative pose and final relaxation. Participants are invited to stay for refreshments and community after class.

     
Please visit www.birchwoodcenter.com for more information and to register.


     The 2nd special teaching I'm offering this February is part of a series of classes called Yoga's Subtle Body, an Exploration of the Chakras. This is a seven week course takes place on Wednesdays from 6:30pm-8:30pm at Birchwood Center in Nyack, NY. Here we will travel the upward path of light as we explore the seven chakras in seven classes. Come learn about the seven vital energy centers that align with the spine and be inspired to examine yourself on a multidimensional level. Each evening will investigate a single chakra with readings, discussion, a full asana class and other thought provoking experiences. These teachings are open to anyone who's interested in learning more. Yoga teachers can receive 14 CEUs from the Yoga Alliance for the full seven week course.

      I will be guiding you through the 2nd Chakra Wednesday February 19th from 6:30pm-8:30pm.

Please visit www.birchwoodcenter.com for more information such as dates, times, price and of course the fantastic teachers who are contributing to this very special course.

When There's a Will, There's a Way-January's Yoga and Fitness Teaching Schedule plus a New Year's Flow Special Event at Bamboomoves Yoga

      When there's a will, there's a way is a saying that means if someone is determined to do something they will accomplish it regardless of the obstacles. It's been my current mantra and I find it to be perfect for accompanying my New Year's wishes as I take a fresh and updated approach to my self care practice and overall lifestyle.

       If you're looking to renew your yoga and fitness vows to yourself regardless of all the things that get in the way of you achieving them, I will be leading a very special New Year's Flow event at Bamboomoves Yoga in Englewood, NJ this coming Saturday Jan. 4th from 2pm-4pm called Ignite Your Light. In this class we will have a nice thorough wring out of the entire body with a little extra attention to our core body, our 3rd chakra, the energy center yoga philosophy suggests our will is born. We will have meditative pauses to move towards greater clarity, revisit our New Year's wishes, set our intentions and embody what we wish to attract in 2020. Please visit www.bamboomovesenglewood.com for more information and to register.

      If you're looking for morning and midday classes here's my Monday- Friday teaching schedule at Birchwood Center for Yoga and Massage in Nyack, NY and Bamboomoves Yoga in Englewood, NJ:


Mondays 10am Level 1 Creative Core Conditioning 1hr

An upbeat barefoot body sculpting class which focuses on strengthening your abdomen and lower back as well as toning your buttocks, chest and arms.

www.birchwoodcenter.com Nyack, NY



11:45am Easy Flow 1hr 15min

A step up from gentle yoga with easy to follow yoga flow sequences and meditative moments. 

www.birchwoodcenter.com Nyack, NY




Tuesdays 9:15am Level 2/3 Vinyasa Yoga 1hr 30min

Alignment Based Vinyasa Flow style yoga with Iyengar Yoga style peak pose breakdowns. 

www.birchwoodcenter.com Nyack, NY




12noon Gentle Warrior 1hr 30min 

Like a level 1 posture class with Sun Salute variations, restorative yoga, meditation, breath work and no inversions. 

www.bamboomovesenglewood.com Englewood, NJ




Wednesdays 11:45am Easy Flow 1hr 15min 

www.birchwoodcenter.com Nyack, NY




Thursdays 9:15am Level 2/3 Creative Core Conditioning 1hr 

www.birchwoodcenter.com Nyack, NY




12noon Gentle Warrior 1hr 30min 

www.bamboomovesenglewood.com Englewood, NJ




Fridays 9:30am Level 2/3 Vinyasa Yoga 1hr 30min 

www.birchwoodcenter.com Nyack, NY

Ignite Your Light-A Special New Year's Flow Workshop at Bamboomoves Yoga

     

    The New Year carries the light and promise of the year ahead. It's a perfect time to get clear, set intentions and embody what you wish to attract in 2020. Saturday January 4th from 2pm-4pm I will be leading a special event called Ignite Your Light-A Special New Year's Flow Workshop at Bamboomoves Yoga in Englewood, NJ.  

In this Workshop we will:

    Move through a yoga flow which is designed to physically strengthen and stretch our 3rd chakra. It is our sun energy center which is found within the belly, side waist and lower back. The third chakra is the energy center from which yoga suggests your knowing of yourself, your gut instinct and personal power is born. It is the area from which your New Year's dreams are realized.

    We will have meditative pauses to reflect on our New Year's wishes and envision our actions to receive them.

    Realize how a clear mind can nourish and maintain a healthy body.

    After the yoga flow rest in restorative postures and learn 5 techniques you can practice today to keep your dreams coming towards you while still living in the moment.

    This special class is designed to fit all levels.

Please join us Saturday January 4th from 2pm-4pm 

To register please visit www.bamboomovesenglewood.com

Winter Solstice Meditation

     During this longest night of the year consider getting to know the darkness as a meditation practice. Turn off all the lights, phones and unplug everything that's waiting on standby for you like your TV and computer. Our modern ways wants us connected and dialed into the program. It wants us to fear darkness, forget stillness and welcome everything the busy Holiday Season has to offer.

     Getting still and welcoming the season's darkest days can be healing. Feelings like cleaning the slate, returning to the womb or cave, and starting anew come to mind. I know I seek attuning to nature's quietude this time of year when I retreat with my family on holiday. Far away from city lights at night in the woods or at the beach I look towards that ink blue sky and embrace with awe, nature in its stillness.

     Tonight the darkest night of the year including the next few nights leading up into the New Year, sit in the dark with yourself. You can try an outdoor seated or standing meditation or keep it cozy and warm indoors. If indoors sit cross legged or go into a restorative yoga pose like legs up the wall or rest on your back in savasana, corpse pose. Consciously slow down your breathing by closing your mouth and take 3 long deep nose breaths and then let your breath be natural. Notice your heart rate responding and slowing down. Be aware of your eyes adjusting. As your pupils widen you will see more in the dark than moments before. Feel your surrender to the darkness create more spaciousness, strength and healing within you.