in preparation for our “Get to know your Flow” workshop this Sunday at 5pm for $7! Really can you resist such a name? We will walk through different variations of the flow step by step to help you find the variations that best suit you and try to answer any burning questions. Because we do the flow so frequently during class it is really important that we learn how to experience it fully and correctly. We hope the workshop will help correct individual bad habits and point to subtle things to work on during your vinyasa. It’s a great workshop for total beginners or for people who have been practicing for a while and want to refresh and refocus.
Literally translated, “vinyasa” means “to arrange” or “to place in a special way”. But often, it is simply translated as “flow.” In our practice the vinyasa or “flow” is a sequence that is done a number of times to warm up our body and improve cardiovascular fitness. It encourages us to link our physical postures to our breath. The sequence is also practiced to alleviate depression. It is said to bring health and vitality to the body and sunlight to the spirit. It’s a great way to start the day.
The flow consists of a series of four poses that are actually a part of a larger sequence called Surya Namaskara; Surya meaning “sun” and Namaskara meaning “salutation.”
Excerpt from Surya Namaskara by Swami Satyananda Saraswati:
“Surya namaskara is a practice [or series] which has been handed down from the sages of vedic times. Surya means “sun” and namaskara means “salutation.” In ancient times the sun was worshipped as a daily routine because it is a powerful symbol of spiritual consciousness. Worship of the outer and inner sun was a religio-social ritual which attempted to placate those forces of nature beyond man’s control.
Surya Namaskara is a well known and vital technique within the yogic repertoire. Its versitality and application make it one of the most useful methods to induce a healthy vigorous, active life and at the same time prepare for spiritual awakening and the resultant expansion of awareness… Surya namaskara is almost a complete sadhana in itself, containing asana, pranayama and meditational techniques within the main structure of the practice… It can be easily integrated into our daily lives as it requires only five to fifteen minutes of practice daily to obtain beneficial results remarkably quickly.
The rhythmic sequence reflects the rhythms of the universe, such as the twenty four hours of the day, the twelve zodiac phases of the year and the biorhythms of our own body. The rhythmic superimposition of this form and energy on our present body-mind complex is the transforming force which generates the nucleus of a fuller and more active life and a greater appreciation of the richness of the world we live in.”
We hope to see you on Sunday at 5pm!
If you have any questions or know you’re coming please email us: info at hoshyoga.org
Kyle & Becca
