The Holiday Season is upon us! Time for celebration. In addition to your usual holiday festivities, take some time to celebrate yourself this season. How does one celebrate oneself? Yoga, of course! According to Anusara Yoga founder John Friend, yoga is a "celebration of the heart" that looks for the good in all people and all things. Before studying Anusara yoga, I never would have thought of yoga as a celebration. Yet, it makes total sense. Each posture is an outward expression of an internal state, a physical manifestation of the goodness/the light/the beauty of our own hearts. This philosophy of basic goodness simply reminds us of our natural state, the loveliness that is always there no matter how often we forget or how much we try to mask it with identity. And when we are reminded, we get a glimpse of the pure joy within us; this is what is revealed and celebrated with the physical body.
I will be celebrating myself and guiding others in their own self-celebrations this month by teaching Urdhva Dhanurasa (full backbend). Backbends are a powerful way to tap into the goodness of our own hearts. By opening the chest and shoulders and decongesting the space around the heart, the light inside has a chance to shine out. These invigorating postures also help to fight the winter blues (backbends are commonly recommended as a counter for fatigue, depression and seasonal affective disorder). You may notice that light is a big part of all the upcoming holidays (e.g., Christmas lights on houses and trees, Hannukah candles and New Year's Eve fireworks). We celebrate with light. And whether it is a holiday season or any season, we can celebrate our own light through the practice of yoga.
I invite you to join me this month for some big and beautiful backbends or try some simple backbending poses on your own. Either way, let your light shine and celebrate you!
Happy Holidays,
Erin
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