This week, we’re preparing for a blissful year ahead. The sacred thing about yoga is it can reveal our true selves to us if we stay consistent and dedicated. But what is the true purpose for why we practice yoga? It would certainly depend on who you ask. Lucky for us, we’ve got an in-house, resident yoga philosopher, Julie Pasqual, and in this week’s class theme, she’s breaking down Samadhi — true, eternal bliss.
Samadhi is best understood as total absorption, meaning all of the elements of the yoga practice (Yamas, Niyamas, The Yoga Sutras, etc.) are weaved together to reach enlightenment, or total bliss. Julie describes it through the lens of Bhakti yoga as being fully devoted to the divine. All outer layers have been peeled back and melted away to reveal the soul or the true self. Nothing is clouded, there are no obstructions, the soul can see itself and is represented purely.
In this week’s class theme, we’ll tie a physical yoga asana practice to the theme of Samadhi by incorporating poses that invigorate the mind, body and that also support the stillness of the mind. When thinking of the concept of Samadhi, we can look at active, vigorous poses like handstand, heart opening poses like Urdhva Dhanurasana (Wheel Pose), and calming and quieting poses like Sarvangasana (Shoulderstand). Practicing all of these asanas in one class fully encompasses the true meaning of Samadhi (ultimate bliss) and will leave your students feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and clear.
Happy practicing!
Puttering:
- Virasana
- Sukhasana Twist
- Sukhasana Forward Fold
Standing Poses:
- Warrior II
- Extended Side Angle
- Peaceful Warrior
- Prasarita Padottanasana
Balance & Twists:
- Chair Pose
- Eagle Pose
- Warrior III
- Revolved Half Moon
- Pyramid Pose
Backbends & Inversions
- Handstand
- Wheel
- Shoulderstand
Wind Down:
- Supported Fish
- Supine Twist
- Happy Baby
Final absorption: Savasana
