A-ham Pray-ma 26

 Today, I attended an hour and 45 minute session of yoga with Jennifer at the JOY Yoga studio in Salem, NH. 

I liked that we began with a little breathing and mantra with mala beads, chanting Aham Prema: I am divine love. I had already done my mantra meditation this morning but was happy to do another round. Another aham prema in the bank in case I miss a day. 

Next, we did 54--no, really--54 sun salutations! It was a sweaty room when we finished saluting the sun. Then we took part in sound healing. The rainsticks and other instruments played as we lay or sat in meditation. I stayed in corpse pose for a long time, willing myself to just let go. I urged myself to feel anything that came up and be open to healing. 

The harmonium and other instruments created sounds that felt like they were coming and going, like waves. Music as a force, like gravity. I felt the music going right to left, and left to right. Solely on my right, then solely heard on my left. I let my head make micro movements on the floor below me. Rocking left and then right with tiny motions, mimicking the swaying motion of the music. 

I didn't have a major cathartic moment or tears, yet I did have a different experience with music and the power of sound. It was unique and I'm happy to have had a new experience like this one. 

After class, I helped a yoga buddy by demoing how I use blocks to assist with sun salutations. 🌞 I showed how I use the blocks in half plank or plank, like my old yoga teacher showed me. An elevator down, elevator up, motion that uses your biceps, and allows you to jump or hop your feet through your arms to guide you back up. To me, it feels good to use blocks in down dog. 

 I was happy to share something I know. 

  

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