Tag: Spring

Mid-Spring Meditation: The Breath & Our Senses

Posted on by TheMuse

[one_third][/one_third][two_third_last padding=”0% 0 0 0″]Mindfulness Expert, John Kesler of Integral Polarity Practice Institute (IPPI), offers us a simple polarity meditation to get in touch with our senses this Taurus Season. Feel physically centered and accepting throughout May’s lively spring days.

 

When we are fully present to our physical selves we are most awake to our senses. The most basic physical dynamic, which we share with all living things, is the expansion and contraction of our many physical systems. The example of this expansion/contraction polarity that most of us can access most readily is the in breath and the out breath.

By slowing down and deepening our breathing and being fully present, we can settle into relaxed stillness, a deep calm, and experience more fully the luscious qualities of our touch, smell, taste, hearing and sight, and the beauty of the world. This meditative experience helps us appreciate the value of slowing down life a bit generally and enjoying the richness of our physical and sensory presence in the world.

In addition if we can be fully accepting of this moment – and the next and the next – we can attain a level of physical stillness and centeredness that we can sense more deeply our own life essence, which is the life force that is in and through all things. As we tap into this cosmic force, it flows through each of us in support of our own strong and utterly unique voices.[/two_third_last]

[one_third padding=”1% 0 0 0″]AN IPP MEDITATIVE PRACTICE

Accessing the Still Point of these polarities and the virtues that flow from them:

• Get comfortable in a chair or seated floor position, somewhere without distraction.

• Breathe in a relaxed manner and settle into a state of relaxation, calm and tranquility, a deep quality of physical stillness.

• Be present in the moment and notice one at a time the rich quality of your senses of touch, smell, taste, hearing and sight. Spend some time with each one of them, what is arising moment to moment. Then be open to and feel the richness, pleasure and beauty of your entire sensory world.[/one_third][two_third_last][/two_third_last]

[full_width]• In this moment of physical stillness bring forth a deep sense of acceptance of this moment – and the next and the next – and touch into that life force within you. Open your awareness to how there is no limit to the presence of this life force in the world and the cosmos. Feel it within you and through it, feel your connection to a oneness with all being and all things.

• As you step into your daily life allow that life force to give power and authenticity to your voice in the world.

Photography: Dustin Couch | Model: Brooke Musat
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Desire & Aversion: An Aries Season Meditation

Posted on by TheMuse

[one_third][/one_third][two_third_last]We asked John Kesler, founder of Integral Polarity Practice Institute (IPPI), to share a polarity meditation with us that fit the themes of Aries Season. With purpose and clarity, his take on the polarity of Desire & Aversion is one that can be of great use for us as we define new passions with the rebirth of spring and our first astrological season of Aries.

 

At this time of the year we can feel connected to the earth and the rebirth of life. Out of this earthy, physical sensibility, our instincts for passion and creation arise with purpose and power.

Although the source of this energy arises from our primal life force, it nevertheless courses through the full spectrum of our beings including our highest spiritual quests, ultimately seeking clarity and simplicity on the other side of chaos and complexity.

One basic polarity which we share with all living things is foundational to such Aries related dynamics: desire and aversion. Together they comprise the energy of seeking. In its most primal manifestation one moves towards food and safety and away from dangers of all sorts. We use these polar dynamics hundreds of times a day, naturally and without much thought. Yet it is this very polar dynamic, when brought forward and empowered, generates such important Aries qualities.[/two_third_last]

[two_third]A pathology results when one is caught up in either pole. When we are stuck in desire, we suffer addiction. When aversion takes over we are experiencing conditions such as anorexia or any number of phobias. In addition to having desire/aversion well integrated with one another, the key is to be centered and present, so that there is an inner stillness and clarity regarding what is important at any given moment.

From this still center we can access a concrete sense of Deep Satisfaction, a more subtle sense of Deep Contentment and an even more spiritual sense of Transcendent Abundance and possibility. Also a deep Gratitude emanates from this Abundance as well as a spirit of Generosity. All of this results from tapping into this power at the core of our beings.

On the other hand if we are always seeking and striving from a place of deficit rather than Abundance, we are driven, endlessly dissatisfied, leading to exhaustion and confusion rather than empowerment, clarity and flow.

It is important then to learn to hold desire and aversion as two complementary freely flowing aspects of the same awareness and energy and to be centered in a sense of Satisfaction, Contentment and Abundance. This connects us to the limitless source of the life force, to our deepest wisdom, clarity, purpose, compassion, inspiration and creativity as we fully awaken to the energy of Aries.[/two_third][one_third_last][/one_third_last]

[full_width]An IPP Meditative Practice:
Accessing the Still Point of these polarities and the virtues that flow from them

o Get comfortable in a chair or seated floor position, somewhere without distraction.

o Breathing in a relaxed manner, settle into a state of relaxation, calm and tranquility.

o Allow the energy of purposeful activity of seeking – of desire/aversion – to slow down and become still.

o In this place of stillness bring forth a sense of Deep Satisfaction, Deep Contentment and Transcendent Abundance in this moment, a place of Stillness outside of place and time. Settle into this experience.

o Out of this Stillness and Abundance feel the opening to a deeper Purpose, to a source of Passion, Clarity, Inspiration and Creativity.

o From this experience, feel the qualities of Gratitude and Generosity emerge and accompany you during your day.[/full_width]

Hello spring, Hello Aries: Yoga for Awakening

Posted on by TheMuse

[two_third][/two_third][one_third_last]CosmoMuse yogini, Brooke Musat, helps us on our journey to awaken to this new astrological year with yoga poses to ignite our bold inner warriors.

There is something about the onset of spring that makes anything seem possible. Whether it’s tackling a major chore you’ve been putting off, or taking the time to treat yourself to something you thought you didn’t deserve, spring—inspires a certain amount of assertiveness to get things done.

In Aries reign we are granted permission to be bold in realizing our deepest desires while finding the strength to put fears, insecurities, and timidities, to rest. From Aries we awaken a sleeping warrior, ready to fight for our soul’s self-interests and transform dreams into realities. [/one_third_last]

[full_width]Robert Frost said, “freedom lies in being bold,” and Aries’s reign is our gateway to finding freedom through a boldness that lives in each of us.

Try the poses inspired by Aries to call upon your sleeping warrior, bring clarity to your path, and ignite an internal fire of boldness. In One Legged Downward-Facing Dog you’ll be forced to find balance in a posture that may feel familiar but demands a heightened sense of awareness to achieve. In the Low Lunge variations boldness will come in the dual opening of hips and side body. Lastly, in the Warrior III variation, you may need to find boldness through trial and error. Traditional Warrior III, quite bold on its own, can be difficult to execute, and the Aries’s Warrior III variation brings about a new element of difficulty. Read on below for details on each posture’s benefits and instruction on how to effectively assume each pose. [/full_width]

[two_third padding=”9% 0 0 0″]One Legged Downward-Facing Dog :: (Eka Pāda Adho Mukha Śvānāsana)

In One Legged Downward-Facing Dog, try to keep the hip of the leg suspended in the air closed and toes of that leg pointing down toward the earth. Avoid the tendency to bring weight into one shoulder or the other, instead keep the shoulders square and focus on bringing equal weight into both hands.

Pose Benefits:

o Strengthens the shoulders and legs

o Tones the core

o Increases flexibility in the shoulders, hamstrings, and calves

o Opens the chest [/two_third][one_third_last padding=”0% 0 0 0″][/one_third_last]

[two_third padding=”8% 0 0 0″]Low Lunge :: (Anjaneyasana) with hands clasp above the head variation
In Low Lunge, make sure the knee of the bent leg is aligned directly above the toes. Work toward squaring the hips by drawing the front leg’s hip back into the socket and inviting the back leg’s hip forward. Be mindful about protecting the lower back by drawing the naval toward the spine.

Pose Benefits:

o Releases hip tension

o Stretches hamstrings

o Strengthens the quadriceps and knees

o Opens chest and upper back
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[two_third padding=”8% 0 0 0″]Low Lunge :: (Anjaneyasana) variation side body opening
In Low Lunge, make sure the knee of the bent leg is aligned directly above the toes. Work toward squaring the hips by drawing the front leg’s hip back into the socket and inviting the back leg’s hip forward. To open through the side body, plant the fingertips of the hand (same side of the front leg) firmly into the earth then reach up and over with the other arm and hand. Be mindful that the shoulder of the hand reaching over the head does not start to lift toward the ear.

Pose Benefits:

o Releases hip tension

o Stretches hamstrings

o Strengthens the quadriceps and knees

o Opens chest, upper back, and side body
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[two_third][/two_third][one_third_last]Warrior III variation :: (Virabhadrasana III)
In Warrior III variation, push the hand firmly into the thigh of the lifted leg to bring length to the spine. Be cautious not to twist the shoulders, but instead keep them squared toward the font of the mat. Just like in One Legged Downward-Facing Dog keep the hip of the leg suspended in the air closed and toes of that leg pointing down toward the earth.

Pose Benefits:

o Strengthens the ankles and legs

o Strengthens the shoulders and muscles of the back

o Tones the abdomen

o Improves balance and posture[/one_third_last]

Mapping the Earth, Bodies, & Stars | Aries Ecologies

Posted on by TheMuse

[one_third][/one_third][two_third_last padding=”0% 0 0 0″]Writer and creative, Anne Marie Vivienne, joins us with a beautiful exploration through the woven ecological thread that the solar season of Aries and the spring time of year breathe life into.

Spring starts with a seed that has been planted deep inside the earth, in a dark womb of soil where the seed must have courage to break open. The seed cracks, opening to the nourishment around it: the rain that has fallen and that light that is dawning. Roots begin to reach out into the dark, down deep to establish a network of sustenance, while a sprout takes heart and reaches above. It can feel the light before it can see it.

One seed. One plant. Growing in, above, and through the earth.

And so we have courage to crack wide open when in the depths of a dark and unknown place. We’ve been growing roots for months now. We know what we want most. We know who and what we are. And now, now is the time to break through the ground and become visible–to photosynthesize and feed ourselves so that we may feed others when called upon later in the year. We find our place in a natural ecology where our self-care transforms into the oxygen for others to breathe. [/two_third_last]

[one_sixth padding=”0% 0 0 0″][/one_sixth][one_third padding=”0% 0 0 0″][/one_third][one_third padding=”4% 0 0 0″]We walk between the earth and the stars; we are bodies that dance between the tangible and intangible; we are hungry (tangible) and we feel courage (intangible). Somehow, magically, we are living our lives between the cosmos and nature herself.

Often we only think of spring as form coming from the earth–green plants breaking through the surface. But what if it works another way as well? What if spring is a time to give form to ideas that have been taking root in your mind, in the cosmos? What if all the dreaming you’ve been doing for the past few months are the imaginative roots you’ve been establishing, and now your dreams are breaking through the intangible world and sprouting into this tangible world of form and existence. [/one_third][one_sixth_last][/one_sixth_last]

[one_third][/one_third][one_third][/one_third][one_third_last padding=”19% 0 0 0″]What if the cosmos are the fertile soil of our dreams? What if we tend to our imagination just as we would the seeds we plant in the ground? What if we had seeds in both the ground and the cosmos that were growing toward each other to create the life we’ve always wanted? It’s exhilarating, isn’t it? This Aries season your seeds are clearly above ground and thriving.

So here’s to growing in all directions as we walk between the tangible and intangible, creating a cosmic ecology where the earth meets our bodies that meet the stars.
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A Trifecta of Yoga Poses for Spring’s Transitions

Posted on by TheMuse

[two_third][/two_third][one_third_last]In this season of transition into unpredictable spring weather, let CosmoMuse yogi, Brooke Musat, help you find balance with three Pisces inspired poses.

If you are anything like me the first sign spring is on its way is a runny nose, never-ending sneezes, and dry itchy eyes. I get excited for the warmer weather and longer days, but I also begin to feel a bit nostalgic toward the intimacy winter provides. The cusp of spring and Pisces Season is all about embracing the promise of the future, while ceremoniously remembering the past.

This limbo type of season can lead to feelings of confusion. You may even feel pulled in different directions or a bit unsettled in your body. [/one_third_last]

[full_width] While you may be occupied with moving shorts and tanks to the front of the closet, you know you still have to make room for winter jackets and long pants. Betting on what the weather of tomorrow will be, is a risky bet. Whether it is sun, sleet, or snow, be prepared for whatever precipitates. Spring or winter could be knocking at your door, and Pisces reminds us the importance of being equipped to welcome both.

Hold space for winter and spring with this Pisces inspired sequence. While this sequence is only 3 postures in length, each pose is designed to offer both a kinesthetic familiarity and unfamiliarity representing the securities of winter and the possibilities of spring. On days where you may be feeling more disoriented than normal, move through each posture at a slower pace. Draw your attention to the rootedness of your foot and hands in Downward-Facing Dog, the stabilizing power of your quads in Crescent Lunge, and the strengthen of your entire core in twisted Staff Pose. On days where you may feel more secure under foot, experiment with picking up the pace between postures and commit to repeating the sequence 7-10 times. Allow the poses to be simple shapes in space and permit your breath to curate your experience. [/full_width]

[one_third padding=”21% 0 0 0″]Downward-Facing Dog Pose with nose to knee and heel lifted variation

Pose Benefits:

o Strengthens the entire body

o Stretches shoulders, chest hamstrings, and calves

o Tones the core [/one_third][two_third_last][/two_third_last]

[one_third padding=”21% 0 0 0″]Crescent Lunge with hands to third eye variation

Pose Benefits:

o Stretches the hips and triceps

o Opens chest and upper back

o Strengthens quads and glutes [/one_third][two_third_last][/two_third_last]

[one_third padding=”21% 0 0 0″]Standing Twisted Staff Pose with hands to third eye variation

Pose Benefits:

o Tones the entire core

o Helps cultivate a better sense of balance

o Strengthens the tiny muscles in the feet and muscles of the standing leg
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