Elements of Embodiment Through Yoga

Intention

As I begin my practice, I begin by connecting to my breath and silently stating my intention. An intention comes in the form of a type of dedication to a particular person, cause, myself, the universe, or whatever calls into my awareness and heart space. In doing this I am making the practice more meaningful, beyond just physical exercise. There is an added power by setting an intention.

As a Prayer

One of my most influential teachers, Mary Jarvis, told me, “Susan, you must demonstrate yoga as a moving prayer for God.” This was one of the biggest ah-ha moments in my yoga life! Before she shared this with me, I had never considered this, yet I must have had this innate wisdom inside me because I felt the undeniable truth of this statement in my whole body. With awareness, yoga is a moving prayer.

As a Dance

A friend and teacher of mine, Rochelle Schieck, reminded me that yoga can be a dance. When I allow myself to connect into the flowing movements from asana to asana, the practice is a dance. Yes, there is form and technique involved, and then there comes a point of letting go of any thinking, and trusting your body to move in a rhythm that feels right.

Cultivate Empowerment

The feeling of empowerment is a natural affect for anyone who has a continuous yoga practice. The ability to move my body in sometimes challenging positions, weather I actually have the full expression of the asana or not, I am empowering myself through my efforts. Also, the sense of accomplishment I feel by simply making the time for my overall wellness is an important piece.

Physical Strength, Flexibility, and Endurance

Of course through a consistent yoga practice everyone will develop, and feel tremendous physical benefits. Feeling good in my body is an important key to my overall wellness. When I feel good physically, my energy body responds with complimentary goodness.

Gratitude in the Freedom of Movement

The freedom we have to move in any way that we can is a miracle! Our bodies are the temple for our soul, and we have an opportunity to express our soulful selves through movement in the body. When I move in a mindful yoga practice it feels instinctually appropriate to give gratitude for the ability to move, as well as connect to the gratitude I feel in my heart for various people, places, things, etc., which feed my life.

Connect with Your Intuitive Voice

I experience this usually at the end of a yoga practice in that posture we all know and love, savasana. Moving through a particular asana sequence allows me to move through lingering thoughts and unnecessary chatter in my mind. By the end of the practice, at the arrival of the rest pose, it is here that I feel clarity in the mind, and a stronger connection to my intuitive voice of knowingness.

Movements That Fuel Our Spirit

Qoya

Qoya is a brilliant sequence created by Rochelle Schieck. Qoya is a movement practice for women honoring that through intuitive movements we remember our essence as a being who is wise, wild and free! In each practice we create and share sacred space with other women, set intentions, connect with ourselves through breath and movement- a little bit of yoga and a little bit of dance. This movement ritual is powered by the fuel and medicine of great music!

Aerial Yoga

Using the aerial fabrics adds playfulness to any yoga practice. Certainly it can bring out the inner child within our adult self. Other therapeutic benefits include enhanced stretching, movement to lubricate the joints, gentle pressure to work through muscle tension, and a unique form of strength building. Swinging through the air offers a sense of freedom, which you just can’t help to smilie about!

Contact Susan

Susan@PresenceOfEssence.com

Ph : 512-964-4554