Introduction
Happy belated New Year! For those of you that have practiced yoga with me, I am happy to report that my 6-year study in yoga therapy has come to fruition and I am now a Certified Yoga Therapist with the International Association of Yoga Therapists. Hooray! Through the last several years, I’ve worked slowly but diligently on improving my skills in Ayurveda, yoga asana, guided meditation, breath work, somatic therapeutic process, and personal and professional growth. This blog is intended to be a resource and simple reference for yoga practitioners who wish to advance their personal practice of health and wellness. While the information I share here is merely a reflection of my own understanding of yoga and other spiritual methodologies familiar to me, I encourage all readers to explore their own personal journey into the world of yoga and yoga therapy. See you on the mat!
Oh, dear February. How you remind us all of what it means to endure. For those of us living at altitude, February feels much longer than the shortest month of the year! This is the time of year of being “in-between” – The winter solstice is in our rear view mirror now, yet the spring equinox still feels just out of reach.
This time between December and March is the Kapha season. (a reference on the Ayurveda dosha types) Think cold, dense, wet and slow. The sun is low and probably so is our body’s vitamin D stock. For many people, this is the time of year when depression, illness, lethargy and the klesha of attachment sinks in. (a reference on the 5 kleshas) But, this is also prime time for deepening a self-awareness practice. Below are some suggested yoga therapy practices you can do for the month of February.
Take Stock in the Essentials of Life
Like nature, this is the time of year to conserve energy and identify what is most meaningful and important to you. Reflect on what creature comforts you need to support yourself in feeling stable and engaged in life. How does your body want to be supported? Your emotional wellbeing? What are some simple pleasures that you can identify and appreciate right now?
Contemplate Attachments
Nothing is wasted in the winter months. Everything in nature is used, or degrades and goes back to the earth in a cycle of transformation into something new again. February is a great time for identifying the things in your life which no longer serve a purpose. Start by identifying material objects you are ready to use up (that can of pumpkin pureé in the pantry, perhaps?), or items you may be ready to part with. Practice value identification; explore what meaning your personal items may have for you (or not). If you’re feeling brave, take the next step: identify any areas in your life where you feel a need to make a larger transformation. No need to make any big changes right now, unless you feel strongly compelled. Just practice identifying what value these items or experiences have in your life.
Create a Seasonal Ceremony
Create a personalized ceremony that supports your emotional wellbeing. There are many references in eastern traditions to the “yogi in the cave”. A simple ceremony you can try is “The Sacred Cave” for meditation practice. Take 10 to 20 minutes in a dark room lit only by one candle. Use a drum, rattle or chime to a beat as a means of transcendental experience. Focus on the spirit of the single candle flame. Reflect on the spirit of your own inner flame. In the yoga sutras, this is similar to the practice of dharana (focus) and dhyana (meditation).
A February Yoga Practice
During the month of February, focus your yoga practice on going slow through your warm up, maintaining stability within each posture and breathing deep and steady.
Child’s Pose / Balasana
Take a moment to reflect and feel your body. Micro-movements are welcome.
Cobra / Bhujangasana
Gradually strengthen your spine. Once your spine feels ready, combine a gentle flow between Child’s Pose and Cobra to stimulate movement of lymph, a common need during the winter months.
Mountain Pose / Tadasana
Take another moment to reflect and feel your body. You can also explore some of your own movement here, if you wish.
Chair / Utkatasana
Identify the parts of your body that feel strong, stable and connected to Earth. Breathe.
Warrior 2 / Virabhadrasana 2
Continue to build on the strength and stability that you identified in Chair/Utkatasana. Notice where that energy takes you as you stretch and engage more of your arms and legs.
Supported Corpse / Savasana
Rest. Use as many props as you need to feel supported. Reflect and feel your body and energy as you rest for as long as you need.
Yoga therapy is an excellent resource for those suffering from seasonal depression, lethargy or chronic illness. Please feel free to reach out if you’d like support in a private yoga therapy session in-person or online, or you just need help finding a wellness resource that fits your needs best in your area.