Hatha Yoga – Yoga Nidra (English)

• 19 april 2024
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• Docent: Asia Jokiel

This time in our special XXL class we are going to focus on the element of Space or Ether (Akasha).

According to the philosophy of yoga we are made of the five elements: earth, water, fire, air and space. The first four are fairly easy to imagine as we see them and feel them every single day. Space element is a bit more subtle and require more inward focus to be found and felt. We are made of the space that is present between the smallest particles of the body. Space is essentially an emptiness and stillness that makes all other movements possible, it is necessary for all the other elements to exist. In the space energy flows without obstruction

Space element is connected to our throat, larynx and voice box.

When the space element is balanced within the body and mind, and when energy flows without obstacles through the throat, we feel strength, power and clarity. It gives us the ability to speak and be heard, express ourselves freely and to listen. Space is connected to spirituality and intuition. It lets us to find our inner voice, inner wisdom and creativity. When this connection happens we notice unity with all other beings that exists within the same space as us. But when the energy flow in the throat is blocked we feel closed off, as if we can’t get enough time or space, as if our voice wasn’t heard.

Element of the ether also reminds us to let go of the things that don’t serve us (materialistic things, emotions, thoughts, ideas, relationships), because only than we can create and make space for the new.

Yoga practice gives us tools to experience space on many different levels and during the XXL class we will try to explore some of them. We bring space to the practice when we focus on the inner organs and muscles, on what our mind is doing, where the breath is flowing, when we experience pauses between inhales and exhales, pauses between the thoughts.

In the first part of the class we are going to practice within the traditional Sivananda Hatha Yoga tradition focusing on the pranayamas and asanas connected to the space element, but we are going to use additionally many other techniques to find space within the physical body and the mind, like deep tissue massage with the tennis balls, joint freeing movements from the traditional Yoga Nidra practice, Akasha mudra for better energy flow and mindfulness to notice what is happening within and beyond us every single moment . We are going to focus on finding maximum spaciousness, openness and ease.

In the second part we are going to experience Yoga Nidra practice that will be focused entirely on the space element. You will be presented with and welcomed to incorporate an affirmation (sankalpa) into your practice with the intention of finding the space element. You will receive a list of over 20 affirmations to choose from and take home with you to use in the future.

In the third part of the practice we will try to meditate. Sitting still without thoughts and noticing the emptiness will helps us to remember that space inside us is the same as the space in all the other beings and that space makes physical reality possible. Nothing can exist without the space.

For any additional information you are welcome to contact me w=vis email or whats app. All contact details you can find on my website www.asiajokiel.com

Hope to see you in the class!

Asia Jokiel