Yoga Musings - Mudra

Jnana Mudra, one of the most common mudras of hatha yoga. Simple but powerful. The circle of the index finger and thumb is a symbol of union and wholeness. This mudra has a calming effect, brings clarity and improves concentration. A perfect mudra for a moment of seated stillness... 

Today's Practice

A restorative practice...
"Let your body love what it loves, and what it loves are gentle yet powerful things, same as the way you must care for it. Subtle habits and small daily rituals. Roots and sweet solitude. The call, connection and resonance. Beauty and the elements. Full fledged feeling, and wilderness and walking home, and the fiery freedom to sometimes surrender." words by Victoria Erickson

Path to your innermost self

“The first creative task is to free the body to experience the power of being. Your body is the ground metaphor of your life, the expression of your existence. It is your Bible, your encyclopedia, your life story. Only when you truly inhabit your body can you begin the healing journey.”

~Gabrielle Roth, Maps to Ecstasy

More and more I feel called to let go of how a yoga practice “should look like.” I move, listen, exploring new pathways. Sometimes I just combine it all into a dancing “asana” flow ending with stillness, which I have come to realize is the most direct path to my innermost self. 

What is YOUR most direct path to your innermost self?

Yoga Musings ~ Mudra

Shivalinga Mudra. 

Mudra means seal. Mudras are healing mysterious gestures that anyone can enjoy and benefit from. I use the shivalinga mudra quite often in my own practice. This mudra gives me an uplifting sensation throughout my whole body, it makes me feel calm, clear and recharged.

Take a comfortable seat. Place your left hands at the level of your navel, palm facing up. Extend your thumb up and curl in the other four fingers of your right hand. Place your right hand on top of your left palm.

Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Imagine cleansing water flowing throughout your whole body, helping your clear out and release what’s no longer serving you. When you are ready let it all dissolve into the earth, release it and let it go. Use your breath as a way of releasing and letting go. Take your time and when you’re done with that process feel the stillness within. Silently begin to repeat; healing light illuminates every part of my body. Sit for as long as you feel comfortable. 

I hope you find this mudra-meditation-visualization as helpful as I have. 

Namaste, Helén

If you wish to explore more about mudras I can recommend the book; Mudras, Yoga in your hands by Gertrud Hirschi

Surrender...

"Let your practice be a refuge from the need to control." words by Rolf Gates
This is such an important reminder. An invitation to surrender to the flow and let go of the outcome. This way we can be more open to the healing powers the practice has to offer us. 
~ I surrender to the magical journey ~

Soul-care Sunday

Connecting to nature. Movement. Stillness. Balance. 

How can you care for your soul today? 

Love & Namaste, Helén

Reflection Friday

Aparigraha - non-attachment, non-possessiveness

Yoga Sutra, ch 2, v 39: One who is not attached or possessive is secure.

We can also think of this as not holding on or letting go. First we need to recognize what it is that we are holding on to, what we are attached to, what we are afraid of loosing. Take a moment for an inner inventory; what are you attached to? what are you holding on to? Allow your feelings and thoughts to rise to the surface and tune into your breathing. Just sit with the sensations for a moment and breathe deeply into them. As you breathe allow yourself to release and let go of these old thoughts, attachments and judgements. Notice how your body feels when you let go. 

Love & Namaste, Helén

A Sacred Space

The beauty in having a sacred space... "You must have a room or a place where you can simply experience and bring forth what you are, and what you might be... At first you may find nothing's happening... But if you have a sacred place and use it, take advantage of it, something will happen. Words by Joseph Campbell

Do you have a sacred space?

December Theme - Letting Go

Hello & Happy December!

This month’s theme is Letting Go. I thought that this theme could be good for the last month of the year. We need to release and let go to be able to bring in new things in our life. 

What is no longer serving your highest good?

Letting go of unhealthy habits, regrets, negative stories, shame, anger and maybe even some material things can be a very liberating feeling. 

Letting go is about releasing, transmuting and transforming energy, thoughts and actions. By letting go we free ourselves from what is blocking us and holding us back so we can experience a change in the future.

We use our practice; breath, movement, asanas, intention setting, nurturing rituals to release and letting go. 

What are you ready to let go of?

Namaste, Helén

Self-care Sunday

Self-care Sunday… 

"Return your attention to the present and stay close to yourself." ~Elena Brower,

 Art of Attention  

What kind of nurturing attention can you give your body, mind and soul today?

Reflection Friday

 "The surest way to simplify your life is to focus on what matters most."

 Words by Danielle Laporte

What matters most? 

A Meditation Practice

Take a comfortable seat. Let your sitting bones root down and from that rootedness let your spine rise. Gently begin to deepen your breathing and bring your awareness within. Stay close to yourself and your breathing. When you loose your presence just gently return to yourself, again and again. As you sit here; 

"Become aware of the light emanating from within you. This inner light is love. Love is energy; don't hold it back, it's the catalyst for your enlightenment." ~Gabrielle Roth

Yoga Musings - Awareness

When we place our attention on the breath we become present. Close your eyes and breathe into your heart space. Inhale; visualize creating space and openness within yourself. Exhale; release and soften. Pay attention to your inner landscape. Just be. How does it feel? 

Reflection Friday

“For most of us the practice of ahimsa is shown in thousands of small actions and words throughout the day.” The Secret Power of Yoga, Nischala Joy Devi 

Through what actions and words can you show yourself some compassion and kindness?

Namaste, Helén

Yoga Musings

Ahimsa - the action of compassion and kindness to ourselves and other beings. 

"Love is not a thought, it is an action. And each loving action that we take infuses us with more energy for loving action in the future. -Rolf Gates, Meditations from the mat

Words of Wisdom

"Love for oneself is love for all. 

Listen to your own physical heart." 

From The Secret power of Yoga by Nischala Joy Devi 

Yoga Musings

ANAHATA - Heart Chakra

Anahata is the fourth chakra. It resides at the center of our chest, and connects the 3 first foundational chakras with the 3 upper spiritual chakras. Anahata is associated with the element air and it vibrates beautiful shades of green. The purpose of anahata is love, compassion, kindness, forgiveness and acceptance. When we invite and allow more of these qualities we align ourselves with an invisible powerful force.

Imbalances within the heart chakra may create feelings of being lonely, inability to forgive, extreme judgmental or critical, jealousy and a pessimistic outlook on life. Physical imbalances may manifest as high blood pressure, heart disease, poor circulation, shallow breathing, asthma or lung disease. 

  

Healing practices for anahata: 

~Focus on gratitude

~What makes you happy? What makes you heart soar? Carve out time for these things, make it a priority. And when you do these things; how do you feel in your body?

~Gentle kind thinking toward yourself and others. Choose loving thoughts. Choose acceptance. Choose kindness. Choose forgiveness.

~Deep breathing

~Stretch and open your chest. Back bending / heart openers. Move your arms and hands to open and expand.

Move Every Divine Day

"My body is the ultimate expression of myself." ~Marie-Agnés Gillot

Found this beautiful picture in an Anthropology magazine. Monday inspiration…

Reflection Friday

Yesterday a man in my yoga class asked me; what do you mean when you say: stay close to your breath? That's a good question. When I say that I mean: feel your breath, notice your breath, be aware of the texture of your breath, make your breath important, be close to it. There are so many moments, both on and off the yoga mat, where we loose connection to our breathing. 

How many times a day do you pause to notice your breath? 

Let your breath be your anchor, your tool, your friend, your connection to your inner spirit. 

Divine Mystery

"Each of us is a moving center, a space of divine mystery. And though we spend most of our time on the surface in the daily details of ordinary existence, most of us hunger to connect to this space within, to break through to bliss, to be swept away into something bigger than us." ~Gabrielle Roth 

Use your practice; yoga, movement, dance, whatever it might be, to connect to this space within. 

To the Love & Divine Mystery within us all, Namaste.

Yoga Musings

Lotus Mudra

Mudra = Seal

Mudras are healing mysterious gestures that anyone can enjoy and benefit from. The lotus mudra is a wonderful mudra for the heart chakra, anahata. It brings inner peace, calmness and harmonizes the energies within anahata. 

Place your hands together in front of your heart. Open up your palms but keep little fingers and thumbs together, spread the other fingers like a flower. Close your eyes and bring your awareness to your chest. Gently begin to deepen your breathing. As you breathe in invite space into your heart, as you breathe out allow yourself to soften. Listen. Feel. 

Namaste, Helén

November Theme ~ Inspire Love

LBY’s November theme is Inspire Love. When we invite and allow more love we align ourselves with compassion, kindness, acceptance and an invisible powerful force. 
“What you do for yourself–any gesture of kindness, any gesture of gentleness, any gesture of honesty and clear seeing toward yourself–will affect how you experience your world. In fact, it will transform how you experience the world.” ~Pema Chodron
When we are able to open our heart, accept ourselves, and get out of our head and into our body and heart; magic happens.

INSPIRE more LOVE toward yourself.

How can you bring in more love into your life and practice? 

“Each of us is a moving center, a space of divine mystery. And though we spend most of our time on the surface in the daily details of ordinary existence, most of us hunger to connect to this space within, to break through to bliss, to be swept away into something bigger than us.” ~ Gabrielle Roth

Use your practice to connect to this space within... Our practice is a way to connect to something greater than ourselves. 

To the love and light within us all. Namaste, Helén

Yoga for Your Chakras

Yoga for Your Chakras

Wednesdays 7-8PM, October 14, 21, 28 & 

November 4, 11, 18 

6-class package $120, Drop-in $25 

Chakras are energy centers within our body. We have 7 chakras and each chakra represents a core human need. Through our intention and attention we can bring balance into the chakra system and restore health, vitality and harmony in our body, mind and spirit. In each class we will use asanas (postures), mudras (yoga in your hands), mantras, movements, and visualization-meditations to harmonize the chakras.

Brookville Healing Arts

7019 Brookville Rd, Chevy Chase, MD

 Space is limited. Register and pay ahead 

to receive 6-class package discount: 

livingblissyoga@gmail.com

Personal Attention ~ Small Classes ~ 

Calming & Relaxing Atmosphere

I hope to see you there.

Namaste, Helén

October Theme

Happy Monday! 

This month’s theme is the earth chakra and fire chakra. The muladhara (earth) chakra is about grounding, finding a deeper connection to the earth, trusting, feeling safe, nourishment, building a strong stable foundation. The manipura (fire) chakra is about personal power and confidence, manifesting our desires, de-stress and release anxiety, find clarity and fierceness. 

Combining these two chakra energies is quite interesting. Perhaps you feel a deep desire to nourish yourself ? To feel more safe? Ground yourself into a steady meditation and asana practice? De-stress and release anxiety through long walks and yoga? Root yourself into your personal power?

Simple ways to harmonize the muladhara chakra is walking, connecting to nature, stretching and opening your legs.

Simple ways to harmonize the manipura chakra is vigorous exercise, deep relaxation and stress release.

What could you do this week to begin harmonizing your chakras? 
Namaste, Helén 

Nourishment & Attention

What's in need of nourishment? Is there anything that seems out of balance that might need some attention and healing? Set an intention before you begin your yoga practice and let the intention vibrate with every breath, with every movement. 
Love & Light, Helén

SEPTEMBER ROUTINES & DEVOTION IN MOTION

September has arrived and for me this month has always been about establishing new healthy routines, and releasing and breaking free from the old to give room for new beginnings. These things are never easy tasks, but I find it more natural and organic to do this now after “lazy” summer days then in January. 

My first new routine is to set aside time for reading yoga inspired books with yoga philosophy and spiritual texts to learn, grow and stay inspired. I already started getting into a routine reading in my new book; Meditations from the Mat by Rolf Gates and Katrina Kenison. This book has been a “game changer” for me, I LOVE it. It’s practical, spiritual and down to earth, and I have learned some really good lessons from it.  

My second new routine is to make a daily gratitude list. I’ve always had a tendency to see the “problem” in situations and trying to solve problems before they even come up, like I have a need to be prepared for the worst always. I need to “rewire” my mind in thinking in more positive ways and free myself from worry and fear. I believe a daily gratitude list can be a good start. To take a moment to become aware of all the good things and bring myself into a higher vibration through being grateful for all that I am, all the beauty around me, and this amazing life. 

My third new routine is not really new but I’m going to do it with a different attitude. Meditate. I’m going to meditate with a more gentle and soft attitude towards myself. Instead of telling myself all the things I’m not doing right I will sit with a gentle and loving quality. Instead of letting judgment leaking out I will practicing locating my inner light.

This month I decided to focus on Sun Salutations. I love sun salutations - surya namaskars.  When we practice a sun salutation we plant the seeds of strength, vitality, stamina, connection and devotion.  On Living Bliss Yoga membership site sun salutations will be our main focus in September. Members will receive a new sun salutation variation every week to practice and explore. 

A sun salutation is a form of prayer to the sun.

Are you going to establish some new healthy routines for yourself this fall? If so, what will it be? Is there something you can release and break free from to create space for something new?

Happy September!
Love & Light, Helén

September Yoga

Join me for a 4-week yoga series at Brookville Healing Arts in Chevy Chase, MD.

Wednesdays 7-8pm, September 9, 16, 23, 30

4-class package discount $80, Drop-in $25 

During these 4 weeks we will focus on BALANCE; to create stability, feel grounded, stronger, and more present. You will move in a steady rhythmic pace; where transitions, core connection and breath awareness are emphasized. 

Brookville Healing Arts, (the purple door)
7019 Brookville Rd, Chevy Chase

Space is limited. Register and pay ahead 

to receive 4-class package discount, please email me at: 

livingblissyoga@gmail.com

Namaste, Helén

Sacred

Sacred. “You are poised to create sacred space.” @elenabrower @jagoyoga

Create a sacred space for your yoga practice, a space where you can reconnect and come home to yourself.

My August altar of calmness and inspiration. A place to reflect and reconnect. Do you have an altar or inspiration table?

Happy Dreamy August!

August is a time to restore and rejuvenate. A time to be receptive and reflective. 

“Be easy.

Take your time.

You are coming home

to yourself.”

~the becoming/wing, hayyirah waheed

Make your home yoga practice a place for you to reconnect and come home to yourself. Move slowly, gently, and deeply. Listen. Feel. Seek stillness within the movement. It can be a challenge to slow down, listen and be receptive to what is. Our practice is a journey, not a destination. 

Try to not look for the “perfect” moment, the “perfect” state to do your practice. That way your practice might never happen. It is so easy to let it slip away, to tend to something else, someone else. Tend to yourself and your practice. Steal some moments of solitude, both on and off the yoga mat. It’s August, it’s time to rejuvenate yourself, it’s time to slow down in the heat and refill your reservoir.

Love, Helén

Simple Pleasures

What makes you feel calm, relaxed and at ease?

Daily acts of simple pleasures are tool towards more ease, calmness and relaxation. Tools like; savor a good cup of coffee or tea, lit a scented candle, roll out your yoga mat, take a seat on your meditation cushion, take a walk, slow down and breathe deeply, connect to spirit, wrap a blanket around you and lie down to look at the stars, read a good book...  

But these tools are like asanas, we need to practice them consistently and integrate them into our life to enjoy the longterm benefits. 

Love, Helén

Monday Morning Yoga Practice

Finding inspiration from many different sources. 

A constant source of inspiration for my yoga practice comes from nature, people, quotes, poems, animals, music, the beauty of everyday things. 

What inspires you?

Harmony; Art of Attention Healing Deck "Create harmony amongst all the parts and influences." ~Elena Brower

Book; Yoga med Malin ~Malin Berghagen

Words of Wisdom

“Nothing in the world can purify as powerfully as wisdom. Practiced in yoga you will find this wisdom within yourself.”
~Bhagavad Gita 4.38

Summer altar

A view of my summer altar. Simplicity and calmness.
Do you have a summer altar?
Love, Helén

Pause...

Pause. Take a deep breath and 

dive into the moment.

Bliss on the beach

I’m back in the city after a week at the beach. I gathered inspiration and strength. It was a week of total self-care. There are many beautiful ways we can practice self-care, it can be the smallest things, as long as we do them with the right intentions and mindfulness.

Yoga at the beach cottage. Make it simple and doable. A few asanas can make a huge difference.

Watching a sunrise

Morning bliss 

Keep true to the rare music in your heart, to the marvelous and unique form that is and shall always be nothing else but you. 

- Mark Z Danielewski

Movement meditation; creating a shell mandala

One form of nourishment for body, mind and spirit

Pause to enjoy summer's beauty

Pure bliss

Back in the city, dreaming of this…

Happy Summer! Love, Helén