The hips, the emotions, the water element...
Everything in nature is made up of five basic elements: earth, water, fire, air, and space. The more we begin to understand the five elements, the more we begin to understand the laws of nature to cultivate greater health, connection, power, knowledge, wisdom and happiness. From a deep curiosity, arises a deep intuition of how the unseen universe operates.
Our entire being longs for nourishment derived from the water element, the principle of cohesion. The water element is cooling, calming, adhering, soothing, softening… In the body, the water element governs the hips. The hips are the body’s stabilizers, but they also store the energetic placement of emotional tension and blockages. When we have a stuck or blocked emotion, we tend to store it energetically in our hips and it manifests as a physical tension or tightness. By taking the time each and every day to focus ample attention on the hips, you’ll begin to see the release unconstructive emotions such as anxiety, fear, depression or sadness.
Focus on your breath. Your breath ignites Prana, your vital life force. Prana rides upon the breath, so when we breathe in, we take in prana. When we expand the breath and improve the quality of it, we are expanding and improving the quality of this vital life force within and around us.
Be gentle. Take time. Adopt a positive loving compassion towards your Self.
1. Supta Baddha Konasana
Lie on your mat with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
Bring soles of feet together and let knees fall out to sides.
Place one hand on your heart and one hand on your belly.
Close your eyes and breathe deeply. Hold for at least 30 seconds.
2. Bridge Pose
Lying on your back, bend your knees and place the soles of your feet flat on the floor about hip-width apart. Point your toes straight to the wall in front of you. Place your arms straight along your sides, palms down.
Gently press into your feet as you raise your hips to the sky. Allow the front of the body to slowly expand with each breath. Hold for five to 10 breaths. Repeat three times.
3. Thread The Needle
Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
Place left ankle right below right knee, creating a “four” shape with left leg. Thread left arm through the opening you created with left leg and clasp hands behind right knee.
Lift right foot off floor and pull right knee toward chest, flexing left foot.
Hold for 30 seconds, then repeat on opposite side.
4. Balasana - Childs Pose
Kneel on your knees being mindful of any pain or tension.
Bring your toes together and your knees slightly apart.
Take a deep breath in and raise your arms up to the sky, and exhale folding your upper body forward over your thighs.
Allow your head to relax on your mat and your heart to melt into your thighs.
Stay in this soothing forward bend for at least 30 seconds to 5 minutes.