First Class Free

March 14, 2010: Our physical focus was the shoulders today.  We applied the principles of alignment and concentrated on Shoulder Loop energy using a variety of techniques like unplugging and plugging in which we performed in a variety of poses.  I hope you enjoyed the sweaty fun and that it provided a great work out for you. Peaceful blessings, Silvia  

SHOULDER LOOP:  One of the seven energy loops within the body. This loop originates in the upper palate and flows backward to the base of the skull and down the back of the body to the bottom of the shoulder blades. When you engage Shoulder Loop, the head moves back slightly and the shoulder blades move down the back. At the bottom of the shoulder blades, the loop begins arcing forward and upward as it draws the bottom tips of the shoulder blades in and upward, toward the heart. The loop continues forward and up to the palate again as it lifts the chest and opens the throat. 

The Universal Principles of Alignment 

OPENING TO GRACE Having the intention to place oneself—body, mind, and heart—in alignment with the flow of supreme consciousness. This involves approaching asana practice with an attitude of softhearted devotion.

MUSCULAR ENERGY A drawing of energy from the periphery of the body into the Focal Point (see below), which increases stability, strength, and physical integration in the pose.

INNER SPIRAL An ever-expanding energy spiral that moves outward from the core; it runs from the feet up through the pelvis into the waistline area. Inner Spiral rotates the legs inward, moves the thighs backward, and widens the thighs and pelvis.

OUTER SPIRAL An ever-narrowing spiral that moves inward toward the core; it runs from the waistline area down through the tailbone and out through the legs and feet. Outer Spiral rotates the legs outward, moves the tailbone and thighs forward, and draws the pelvis and thighs closer together.

ORGANIC ENERGY An outward extension of energy from the Focal Point through the core lines of the body to the body's periphery, which increases expansion, flexibility, and freedom in the pose.

For our birthday, on the Ponte Vecchia in Florence, Italy (the Medieval bridge over the Arno River) as the bells from the famous Duomo (Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore) rang 11 times I made the following prayer: "Dear Goddess of Light, May the 11th year of Anusara be the most auspicious and magical yet. May each day be full of wondrous moments of good fortune and sparkling luck. May our ears always hear celestial music, our noses smell bouquets of the Beyond, our tongues taste the deliciousness of Delight, our eyes see the rainbows of Shri, and our skin feel the winds of Grace gently caressing us with Love".

Eleven is a master number in numerology and serves a magical channel between lower and higher frequencies, so look for this number showing up at times of synchronicity, creative flashes or good fortune. Try performing 11 Surya Namaskars or 11 backbends or saying a positive affirmation or blessing 11 times to invoke special magic. 

Light the Sky in celebration of Anusara Yoga!  --John”

You can tell how deeply he cares and his honesty in that it has not always been easy.  All I wish for each of you is that from this practice you are inspired to CARE MORE about LIFE (your life, the life of the planet, and the lives of all people everywhere).  This then stirs the desire to make positive changes for ourselves.  And when we decide that it’s time for big changes in our lives, it is wise to ease into them by starting small. Small changes allow us to grow into a new habit and make it a permanent part of our lives, whereas sudden changes may cause a sense of failure that makes it difficult to go on, and we are more likely to revert to our old ways.

Shoulder loop can be one of those monumental, life altering small changes.  With all my heart because I CARE A MILLION TIMES OVER, I hope to see you tonight.  Love, Silvia