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Ripening- Grounding Down

Bringing the qualities of earth into our 3 bodies (Sat-Chit-Ananda) is a great starting point as we embark on balancing and ripening our Self.

The qualities of earth exist in our 1st Chakra, our Root Chakra called Muladhara. This is our survival center. The sound or Mantra associated with this Chakra is either LAM (based on Bija- seed sounds) or Ah as offered by Shiva Rea based on the study of Cymatics- the relationship between sound waves and our Chakra system. Check out the link below for more on Cymatics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtiSCBXbHAg

Regardless of which Mantra resonates with you, the 1st Chakra is located at the base of our pelvis and is related to our feet, legs, and pelvis. Movements within this Chakra are slow, deliberate, grounding, rooting, with gravity, of the earth. Affirmations such as, I am here now; I am at peace now; I feel safe; I am take care of; and my flesh touches the earth are useful when working with Chakra 1 and Earth like qualities. The essence powers of this Chakra are stillness, presence, relax and rest at home, to be here and to have. Our grounding and opening into our first Chakra often helps release fear.

Sat: Physical Body Work- Bring the earth into your practice! You can literally bring some sand onto your mat or a stone, a reminder from the universe. When you begin your asana focus on grounding your feet and your legs into your poses. Spread and lift your toes, ground down through the four corners of your feet, draw the inner ankles back and press the outer ankles down, feel your shins hug to your bones, rotate your things inward and engage Mula Bandha. Sadie Nardini’s you tube video below provides a simple explanation of Mula Bandha or Root Lock.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1QZPMt8tzc

Chit: Subtle Body Work- In your meditation practice choose a seated practice rather than a lying down, you will better access your pelvic floor and your ability to exhale and root down through Apana Vayu. Focus on the 1st Chakra by directing your attention to the base of your pelvis. Imagine the color red or repeat one of the affirmations I referred to above. You can imagine growing roots into the ground and allow yourself to find your stillness. Do not judge your meditation practice.

Ananda: Bliss Body/Energetic Work- Working with our energy is such a beautiful way to awaken our natural inner balance and ripen our Self.  You will be working directly with the energy of the 1st Chakra, one of our 7 energetic clusters which are created by the intersection of three main pranic channels (in your subtle body): pingala (right), ida (left) and sushumna (central). Mula Bandha, mentioned above is very important because it creates the bottom to your energetic container and is located in your 1st Chakra region. Opening the 1st Chakra and creating this container for your channels to swirl freely can be achieved quickly by breath and movement combined. Kundalini has wonderful practices for quickly opening up the energy in this area.  Below is a video with one option- if you have bad knees do not do this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLCZVlPPhXE

Happy Grounding!! #YogaDanielle #OwnUrPower

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DO YOU WANT TO BE RIPE FOR THE HARVEST?

Fall has come. It is a time to ripen before the harvest; our tomato gardens are demonstrative evidence of how the universe is working to prepare for the next few months. Follow its lead. Ripen now and store your homemade sauce created with all of your wonderful nectar and ripe ingredients for the harvest season. One ripe ingredient doesn’t do the trick when you are making a good sauce; rather it is the combination of several ripe ingredients created with patience, compassion and love.

A ripe human or the journey towards our Higher Self is very similar because we need to combine and balance the ripeness of our ingredients… the process or practice must be consistent and done with compassion and love. We must ripen our ingredients: Sat-Chit-Ananda, our 3 bodies. Sat-Chit-Ananda is a Sanskrit term which roughly translates to triple consciousness Sat is existence, the physical body or the gross body; chit is consciousness, the mind, or the subtle body; and Ananda is the bliss body, the energetic heart or the causal body.

The practice of yoga helps ripen these areas. Despite many views from western civilization, yoga contains a much deeper purpose than merely achieving a fit body; Yoga goes deeper into our being, our relationship with ourselves, how that reflects in our relationship with others and our interconnectedness with the universe. There is peace available with each inhale and exhale we take. Each breath is an opportunity to receive, ripen and to let go. Understanding how to ripen the 3 types of bodies we exist with takes practice, consistency and compassion during the process. It is a delicate balance. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali speak of Sthira Sukham Asanam, during your practice (mental, physical or energetic) strive to find the balance between Sthira (firm, steady, fixed) and Sukham (easeful, happy or as I like to imagine- sweetness).

During physical asana try to bring in a balance, if your are loose in your joints and flowy like water in your practice then bring in more grounding more Sthira through the earth, through planting your feet firmly with good alignment. If you are very grounded and tight in your joints bring in more sweetness by softening into your poses and finding more movement in the body.

During mental asana or meditation do your mental laundry. Clean out your mind to make space for fresh opportunities. By sitting in silence and noticing the agitation that arises in your mind you are doing your laundry. Just like a washing machine agitates laundry to clean it, you will do the same to your mind. Through this agitation we ripen.  Ripen your full self. Agitate the body, then the mind and then your energy body, your heart, will follow.

The energetic relationship is one of give and receive and one of innate goodness. Find balance in your body and mind so you can allow your energy channels to flow freely. This is a delicate and subtle balance that will arise in your body over time.  I am still working on this and I love the progress when it appears.

Ultimately, Be the change you want to see in the world ~ Gandhi

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It is one of the paradoxes of yoga. To really do a pose right you have to do it a little wrong, a thousand times. #geshemichaelroach (Taken with Instagram)

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The inner workings of yoga enable you to leave it all on your mat. Not just your sweat and last night's dinner..... you can actually drop emotional baggage that holds you back and holds you down. Let your body and mind open up  to the idea of wringing out your insides and allowing your mat dry in the sun. 

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Find magic in all areas of life. #enchanted

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Soar high in the sky and fly proud in your asana and in your life... be mindful that you return to the ground and stay rooted in your prana and your inner being. It is a practice. #yoga 

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Day one of meditation equals power breakfast and lunch!

I loved meditating before bed last night, I really passed out into a deep restful sleep. I did a brief meditation this morning and when i finished i was 100% ready to start my day so i prepared some meals to take with me into NYC for my anatomy course. Yum! I feel healthy, prepared and peaceful. 

Above i have breakfast: Grapefruit and chia seeds in water with my vitamins (premier research labs, check it out they are great). 

Power snack for after teaching hot vinyasa: fage 2% greek yogurt with honey walnuts and strawberries. Powerade zero watered down. 

Late lunch: steamed kale, boiled beets, white beans, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, topped with fresh arugula a spritz of lemon and some organize sesame seed oil. Cantaloupe. 

What goes in your mind?

What goes in your belly?

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Hot Yogis Salt Bath moisturizes our skin by allowing water to be absorbed at the upper layer of our skin. So to help you in having a beautiful skin and healthier body. Himalayan Crystal Salt is purest salt that contains up to 84 minerals and elements which our bodies need. Salt Baths can aid in healing certain diseases while keeping you beautiful outside The brine solution is called “sole” which came from the Latin word sol, meaning sun. Use enough water and allow the solution to saturate so that bath will heal any discomforts or sickness that you may have and reenergize your body.  Stay in the tub (with the solution) for 20-30 minutes. Afterward, just use a towel to dry off your body and never rinse it off with normal water. Lay down in bed and rest for about 15 minutes to detox.  Benefits: *Relaxing & soothing effect for your body. *Releases toxins. *Relieves sore muscles & inflammation.  *Smoother & cleaner skin which will make you look young & feel good about yourself.  *Healing effects on foot fungus, wounds, skin irritations, insect bites or blisters. 

Order by phone (973) 879 8371 or by email: weinsteindanielle@gmail.com

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Juice!! Juice for energy, longevity and fun. Use up all the fruits and veggies in ur kitchen and whip up some detoxifying goodness. It's great for any meal but I love it for breakfast before I teach yoga!!

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Love the Earth

Fresh fruits and veggies from my garden. It is amazing how living creatures grow and ripen with love from the earth. We too must grow and ripen with the earth. Ground down to root up. I encourage everyone to find their roots, find their balalnce, ground there feet, and use their breath to grow up towards the sky. Ripen your bodies with love from the earth. <3

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Step one on igniting your passion

“Live large… Enjoy life… Eat well.”