hello AYP Family!
This is a friendly reminder that Monday, Sept. 2nd, we will be following our holiday schedule for Labor Day. Fun Fact: Labor day historically honors the American work-ethic in recognition of our labor rights. When it was created, a typical work schedule consisted of 12-hour work days/6 days a week. (Yikes!)

Evidently, we are a society of hard-workers, dreamers and motivators! However, in reflection of this holiday - let us remember the importance of balance in this 'busy-bee' mentality and flow. It is easy to get caught up in the momentum of "Go! Go! Go! So much to be done!" However, when it comes to sustainable & healthy growth, it is just as important to gift yourself with some time to slow down and pause. Pause to honor yourself; pause to spend time with loved ones and community; pause to reflect on your practice and growth.

Wherever you may be in this journey, we honor that light in you!
Sending lots of love,

Ashtanga Yoga Phoenix

Libra is symbolized by the scales.  Balance.

The new moon is like a breath of fresh air.  It is the beginning of a new cycle, whereas the full moon represents clearing and releasing.  The new moon is a time for new beginnings and setting of intentions. It is said to be the time of growth.  Farmers would plant seeds on the new moon and start seeing new life/growth weeks later on the full moon. Just as the farmers, plant your seeds of intention.  Be sure to care for and work towards those goals, just as the farmer waters his seeds.

How to set intention or create a new moon ritual.

1. Clear any old energy in your home or sacred spaces using sage or palo santo.  I personally prefer the smell of palo santo, it reminds me of the forest. But, sage definitely has a different feel.  You can play around and see what works best for you. You can purchase smudge sticks, get a room spray, or even use the essential oils.
   
2. Journal.  Journaling is so important in understanding what we want and need.  It gives our inner self a voice.
   
3. Write out your intentions.  What is it you want to accomplish over this next growth cycle?
   
4. After you have written out your intention you have a couple of options, depending on what feels right for you.  You can light a candle and meditate on your intentions. You can place your intentions under your pillow and sleep on them. Or you can place them on your alter to then be burned and released on the full moon.
   
5. Take an epsom salt and baking soda bath.  On moon days I tend to feel a little less grounded than normal.  Epsom salt and baking soda baths are used to cleanse your energetic field. You can feel more grounded, calm, and relaxed.
   

On any moon day, remember to be kind to yourself.   Enjoy your day of rest.

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I was teaching a group of busy executives the morning before their conference last week and the first group came into the room set aside for meditation tentative, but excited to try something new.  All participants were brand new to meditation and one asked “so are we going to sit crossed legged this whole time and hum OM?”  This is a very common question and often many folks think this is the only way to mediate.  While this is certainly one way to meditate there is literally an infinite amount of ways to enjoy this ancient practice.

You don’t need to be a monk in order to reap the numerous medical, physical and emotional benefits of meditation.  In fact you can close your office door at work for 10 minutes a day and start down the magnificent journey of increased awareness, focus, happiness and relaxation right now.

My favorite definition of meditation is from Levey, J. & Levey, M.’s book Mindfulness, Mediation and Mind Fitness.  They define mediation as “Classically referring to a broad spectrum of methods, disciplines, and practices for training our minds and reducing our neurotic tendencies and misconceptions while cultivating or strengthening our capacity for living with great wisdom, compassion, patience, balance, mastery of attention and other virtuous qualities of mind.”

Let’s now debunk some common myths around meditation!

Your breath can be used as a powerful tool to anchor you into the present moment.  Focusing on your breathing can also be used to take your attention away from a stressful moment, fearful thought or anxious event.  Bringing your awareness to your breath has the ability to calm the mind, center the body and alleviate your stress.
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Enjoy this breath meditation first thing in the morning to start your day off right, as a relaxing break throughout the day or at night to help the body decompress and prepare for sleep.

Catching ~ Feelings

If you follow me or AYP, you probably have seen a post about me catching my heels for the first time.  

One of my favorite things about practicing the same sequence six days a week is the obvious progress and the relationship you develop with the poses.  Through these experiences you take a closer look into how your body and your mind react.

The first time I tried to catch my heels from my drop back was scary.  I had to trust my body and my teacher in a way that I had not done yet.  For some reason when you are upside down, your brain doesn’t work or think the same way.​

​The Popliteus Muscle and its Role in Yoga Postures and Movement