Glorious Autumn, a time to return and refresh

Autumn is a time of returning - we see this by the way nature starts to return to the earth at this time of year. We’ll consider this idea of ‘returning’ in class this week as we go back-to-basics and focus on poses that root us into the ground.

We’ll flow through both Surya Namaskara A and Surya Namaskara B, with refreshing attention to detail. We’ll take it slow to remember and highlight the differences between your urdhva mukha svanasana and your bujangasana and how to safely move through chaturanga. And of course we’ll connect our movement to breath with our ujjayi, oceanic breathing.

Surya Namaskara in all of its glorious variations is a great place to start a yoga home practice. So knowing this sequence of movements by heart will allow you to flow whenever you need to, where ever you are. I’m considering recording a short sequence, maybe 20-30 minutes that you can download to help guide you through your home practice. While nothing beats coming to class I honestly believe that a short session on your mat 3 or 4 times a weeks is a hugely beneficial complement to class. You’ll notice your strength, flexibility and groundedness improve. If you are interested in this please let me know in class or by clicking here.

Also in class this week we will focus on some wonderfully grounding hip openers, expect to see hanumanasana and a seated archer pose. Hanumansana not only grounds us to the earth but reminds us that we are all capable of more than we believe. The pose is named for Lord Hanuman the monkey god who took a giant leap from India to Sri Lanka to rescue Rama’s wife following her kidnap by a demon. What giant leaps might you need to take? How might you need to step out of your comfort zone? What inner strengths, talents and resources do you already have, that you may need to call on?

I look forward to seeing you in class on Tuesday at 8.15pm at ClaphamSpace, 1 Landor Road.

No Friday class this week sadly, but back to Fridays on October 12.