Soulful for the Holidays
Tuesday, November 16, 2010 at 4:57PM 
Every year, as the season shifts into the colder days of late fall I watch students transition into bundled bodies of boots, scarves, gloves, and hats. Fall gets pretty cool in most parts of the Utah and well, winter is down right cold. Gratefully students seek shelter to sweat, breathe, and connect, & the studio fills with students eager to heat the room.
I notice shoulders rounded, chins dropping forward, and hearts pulled back & in. We generally call this the "burr it's cold outside look". And it's not just the cold air that pulls up the armor of the heart, rounds the shoulders in preparation for the weight of the world, the holiday season is before us. With the holidays brings added stress of money, family, expectations, and cold/flu season. This is my cue as a teacher to offer heart openers.
Backbends are physically challenging, they expose us to our surroundings, while requiring a steady commitment to breath and surrender to something greater than our limiting thoughts. Yes they challenge what we "think we can do" encouraging us to open up, let go, and discover the warmth of the heart. I consider several postures, not just backbends as heart openers, but yes, backbends are at the top of the list.
Anatomically speaking, the muscles of the chest, shoulders, and neck, when constricted, limit the fullness of breath. These muscles assist breathing by lifting the ribs up & out, When the chest is constricted, these muscles begin to tighten and can even trigger a stress response. Breath becomes shallow, the body lacks sufficient prana, and the heart sinks into the worries of scarcity. Opening the heart, assists full diaphragmic breathing. The diraphragms' central tendon actually massages the heart during exhalation. The muscles around the heart are nourished, the shoulders give up their hold, and posture improves. Deep backbends massage the Kidneys & adrenal glands, which nourishes every cell and revitalizes the endocrine system.
Backbends are a most energetic remedy for the Holiday Blues. Just like a frustrating mother-in law, or a longer than expected line at the grocery store, backbends require practice, patience, and a willing heart. They expand from the most sweet of inner spaces, and open us up to our deepest wisdom. They create space, and the softness to release judgement, and let opinions go. They also require vulnerability and love.
The physical & pranic offerings of heart opening postures come in handy during the holiday season. Just about all of us have some level of emotional ups & downs. The holiday season can be particularly challenging for those who have lost family members, are away from family, struggling with finances, and so on. I get it- looking back at some of the challenging years I put my parents through as a cherished daughter gone-estranged-hippy-living-in-the-wilds-of-Idaho, who may or may not show up for Christmas.
Backbends open us to the beautiful present. They charge our prana & strengthen us to let go and forgive. Even every day letting go's that can add up during times of stress if we close ourselves off. So get inside, get warm, and open your heart!!
I'll be focusing on many levels of heart openers throughout November & December! If you can't make it to the studio as much as you had hoped, we will repeat these postures with the intention that you build confidence to pactice at home when needed!
And some of my favorite music to expand into:
Be the change (Bollywood Dub Omstrumental) by: Mc Yogi
Lokah Samastah (Sean Dinsmore's Happy Free Mix) by: Sharon Gannon
Unity by: Glen Velez
Memory Gospel by: Moby
Space Weaver by: Lisa Gerrard
shanti om.
Jami
Reader Comments (6)
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Your blog was wonderful to read and to be reminded of what our bodies, minds and souls need during a stressful time, or any time. Thank you Jami. I am hoping to come to a Tues nite class soon. Leanne
Your blog was wonderful to read and to be reminded of what our bodies, minds and souls need during a stressful time, or any time. Thank you Jami. I am hoping to come to a Tues nite class soon. Leanne
Your blog was wonderful to read and to be reminded of what our bodies, minds and souls need during a stressful time, or any time. Thank you Jami. I am hoping to come to a Tues nite class soon. Leanne
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