January 7 Restore and More

Land in this mess, get dirty, notice the places that are not dirty, get them dirty, lay in the muck, and when it is time to rise, shine your bright self forward dirt and all….

I absolutely love the acronym that my teacher, Jillian Pransky, gave to landing.

LARLAR

It sounds either Norwegian or Icelandic to my ears.  This is the process of landing, of being grounded.  And a perfect reminder as we are a few weeks into winter.

L – Land

A – Arrive

R – Relax

L – Listen

A – Allow

R – Repeat

Carmen and I are headed to Kripalu for a weekend long retreat with Jillian.  I am anticipating putting the above process into practice.  I know that we are both going to suck up as much retreat life as possible to reset ourselves and to share with our communities of students, clients, family and friends.

Poses

Childs Pose

Props: bolster, two blocks, 2-3 blankets

Place the two blocks at either the lowest or medium height, equidistant from each other bolster lengthwise on top of blocks. A s-fold or triple fold blanket on top of bolster.  It may be more comfortable without blocks.  Legs straddle the props at one end, and lengthen body over them. Head will rest on props.  Additional blanket(s) may be used behind knees. Ideally props should extend all the way to the pelvis area but this may not be the case with your body structure.   Stay here for 10 minutes to begin with, rotating head side to side.

Modify as needed with a chair or in a straddle position.

Reclined Goddess

Props: 2 blocks, 2 blankets, neck roll

Benefits: opens the hips and groin facilitating blood and energy flow to the urinary tract and reproductive organs. Opens the chest and abdomen benefiting breathing problems. Shoulders release their tension.

Bring blocks to lowest height, place rolled up blanket on top of blocks, smooth any wrinkles.  Two longer blankets folded in half go lengthwise on mat. Fold top blanket down for head pillow.  Sit between blocks and long blankets and put legs over blocks, soles of the feet together.