Interconnectedness: A Yoga Theme
A Yoga Theme for St. Patrick’s Day
Take a mindful seat as I share a poem with you to set our intention for this time together.
Beannacht / Blessing
by John O’Donohue (an Irish poet, author and philosopher)On the day when
the weight deadens
on your shoulders
and you stumble,
may the clay dance
to balance you.And when your eyes
freeze behind
the grey window
and the ghost of loss
gets into you,
may a flock of colors,
indigo, red, green
and azure blue,
come to awaken in you
a meadow of delight.When the canvas frays
in the currach of thought
and a stain of ocean
blackens beneath you,
may there come across the waters
a path of yellow moonlight
to bring you safely home.May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
may the clarity of light be yours,
may the fluency of the ocean be yours,
may the protection of the ancestors be yours.And so may a slow
wind work these words
of love around you,
an invisible cloak
to mind your life.
The energetic focus of the yoga class is interconnectedness: The interconnectedness among ourselves, other people and the universe. Nature is an essential part in this interconnectedness — it creates unity — it sustains and connects all life — water, light, earth, fire, space. Each individual’s existence is intertwined with others in a web of shared experiences and emotions. This is a way of feeling connected through this shared experience of yoga.
Physical focus of the yoga class: I will cue physical connectedness through touch. Physical touch helps us feel in sync with something greater than ourselves. You don’t need contact with another person to receive all of the benefits of physical touch. In fact, you can learn to “hug” and “hold” yourself, using your own hands. Just as we support and connect with others through physical touch, we can do the same for ourselves.
Cue interconnectedness through poses:
reclined butterfly — hand on heart and belly, feel breath moving in and out.
eagle pose — You may modify by crossing your arms around your chest in an x-shaped “hug.” On an inhalation, rise tall through your spine; on an exhalation, round your spine, touching your elbows to your knees.
reclined half pigeon — Reach your right hand between your legs (the eye of the needle) and interlace your fingers around the back of your right thigh or the front of your right shin.
yogi squat — With your hands in prayer position, press your elbows into your inner thighs to broaden your chest as the inner thighs squeeze back into your arms. Hug yourself and radiate the heart wide.
seated forward fold — full body hug
revolved crescent lunge — hands in prayer push palms together and connect elbow to knee.
palms to toes and fingers to toes forward fold - connect, feel your feet with your hands.
wide-leg forward fold — connect your hands around your ankles or calves.
camel — hands on lower back or do half camel — hand connects to ankle.
Personal share and invitation:
“May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
may the clarity of light be yours,
may the fluency of the ocean be yours,
may the protection of the ancestors be yours.”
I spent some time in nature away from the hustle and bustle this past week and the elements were so magnified. It was chilly so whether we were inside or outside we had a fire, I looked up without any light pollution and saw the expanse of space and the stars, we happened to be near a constant flowing stream of river — the never-ending flow and sound was the constant soundtrack, I was able to meditate out in a field and breath in the beautiful fresh air. Take everything away and we have the elements of nature still — we are all connected by these elements no matter where you are. This personally makes me feel grounded and connected when I start to feel far away and disconnected or overwhelmed.
I invite you to send your positive energy that has been created from your time today and dedicate it to someone, connect with someone — maybe someone in the room or someone that you know just needs it or maybe it is your own inner self.
Shavasana:
Connection can be an internal experience and our yoga practice is a great way to strengthen that experience. As you take your final resting pose, feel your body’s connection to the earth. Feel all the parts of the body that are touching the earth. The heels of your feet, the back of your head, your upper back, arms, buttocks, spine. Melt into the earth and feel the support and connection that is unwavering, shavasana.
Beautiful interview with John O’Donohue:
John O’Donohue — The Inner Landscape of Beauty | The On Being Project
