Lotus Mudra

A lotus flower represents heart opening according to Buddhist philosophy. Lotus Mudra is a heart chakra mudra, ignites the fire element in the body, and is and a symbol of purity. The roots of a lotus flower are planted in the mud below the surface of the water it blossoms above, symbolizing light and beauty emerging from the darkness.
To practice Lotus Mudra, place both hands infront of the chest so the edges of the hands and pads of the fingers touch- this is the bud of the lotus flower. Open the hands and maintain contanct between the tips of the little fingers and the outter edge of the thumbs. Spread the other fingers as wide as possible opening the lotus flower.

Cosmic Dancer

this link shows you what's REALLY GOING ON in the picture: http://girija.info/girija/Portals/0/Shiva%20Yoga/EXPSHIVAGANESH2.gif

Mystic Healing Frequencies

We are all in a constant state of vibration, and so is everything around us. There is an optimum range of vibration in everything called resonance. Being in balance is the same thing as being in resonance. To heal the body with sound, we must understand that every organ and cell in our body emits a sound and corresponds to a particular frequency. The body and mind can attune itself to a particular frequency when exposed to it for a period of time because emotional and mental states also have a certain frequency. Sound healing realigns off balance or out of sync frequencies in the body/mind by listening to the frequency that corresponds to the balance you are seeking. These frequencies are called Solfeggio Frequencies and were used in ancient Gregorian Chants.
There are six main frequencies: 
UT – 396 Hz – Liberating Guilt and Fear 
RE – 417 Hz – Undoing Situations and Facilitating Change
MI – 528 Hz – Transformation and Miracles (DNA Repair)
FA – 639 Hz – Connecting/Relationships
SOL – 741 Hz – Awakening Intuition
LA – 852 Hz – Returning to Spiritual Orde




"Quantum physics has found that there is no empty space in the human cell, but it is a teeming, electric-magnetic field of possibility or potential." - Deepak Chopra

Bring on the Balance

New Moon in Libra Today!

Libra energy in the new moon enables you to be bold in pursuite of harmony. A main focus of this new moon is on making peace with your surrounding environment, yourself, and existing relationships. The new moon in Libra has a strong focus on  one-on-one relationships, finding more balance and equality in them. It will require you to be vulnerable and heart centered. This new moon is also a time to call out to the universe for your soul mate. Use the Libra energy to clear out old psychic debris, take the actions your ideas inspire, and embrace your essence- doing so allows for a clear path to balance and harmony.

I brought this energy into my yoga practice by focusing on my heart, allowing it to guide me from asana to asana. Using the time I hold an asana to send my true heart's essence out into the universe- (especially in balancing poses) finding equality in my body and breath. 

Drowsy, awake to everything, out 
of myself, inside you, the work of
your wine vat where the grapes are 
invisible all one sees is stained
feet tromping about, making a juice
different from ordinary grapes. This 
wine gives no hangover. But don't
condemn yourself for loving in left-
over stupor. Someone built and set
the hangover trap you find yourself
in! It's the bottom of Joseph's pit,
where he becomes medicine, a clean
tent, a field of stubble and shine.
Shams in winter daylight. I more
resemble the long night coming after.
-Rumi

You ask, "Why do you cry with such 

sweetness all around?" I weep as I

make the honey, wearing the shirt

of a bee, and I refuse to share this

suffering, I play the sky's harp. I

curl around my treasure like a snake.

You say, "What is this 'I' business?"

Friend, I've been a long time away

from that. What you see here is

your own reflection. I am still raw,

and at the same time well-cooked, 

and burnt to a crisp! No one can tell if

I'm laughing or weeping. I wonder myself,

How can I be separated and yet in union?

-Rumi

Hamstrings Holding You Back?

The Hamstrings are a group of three muscles: bicep femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus- located on the backside of the thigh. They attach at the ischial tuberosity (sitting bones)- except the short head of the bicep femoris which attaches to the femur (thigh bone), the bellies of the muscles extend down the thigh and their tendons cross over the posterior (back) side of the knee and attach to the leg bones (tibia and fibula).  As a group, the main job of the hamstrings is to flex the knee, rotate the knee, and extend the hip. When the hamstrings are tight, low back pain, knee issues, and tightness in the hip can occur. 

Flexibility in our hamstrings enables us to advance forward in asana practice and in life. The back body acts as our personal guard. It’s where we hold tension from grief, fear, and issues from the past. Issues from the past are especially relevant to the hamstrings since they are the main muscle group in the back of the body we use to extend forward. Paschimottanasana and Parsvottanasana are examples of asanas where tight hamstrings keep us from extending forward.  Once the hamstrings are open we can begin to approach poses like full Hanumanasana, Kurmasna, and Visvamitrasana. In life, it’s often fear of what is to come or what has already happened that keeps us from moving forward. Openness in the hamstrings helps us to let go of those feelings and extend further toward our full potential.

To release tension in the hamstrings, try poses like: Marichyasana 1, Malasana, Paschimottanasana, Parsvottanasana, Trikonasana, Virabhadrasana 2, Janu Sirsasana A, Prasarita Padottanasana, Supta Padangusthasana, Ardha Matsyendrasana and various lunges.