Wild Soul Yoga & Meditation |
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Edition #2 December 18, 2023 |
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Teaching schedule, tips, tricks and practices for healthier routines |
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2023 is almost over! Regardless of whether or not this was a "good" or a "bad" year, this is the right time to practice acceptance. Taking some time to make peace with all the complicated emotions that arise with each new calendar year. In many cultures, especially here in the U.S., we are corralled into thinking that we must resolve to be better starting on 1/1, but that's actually a misguided tradition that I will breakdown later in this newsletter. For now, take these last few weeks and days to gently reflect, observe and connect with yourself amidst the chaos and revelry. |
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Have a Seat! You may be surprised to learn that some of the first iterations of physical yoga postures were designed to make sitting easier. In fact, the common translation of the word "asana" actually means steady or consistent seat and not pose or posture as is often assumed. Poses practiced in repetitive sequences are meant to encourage strength and mobility in a way that makes seated meditation more tolerable. If you're thinking of incorporating seated meditation into your wellness routine or already meditate but find sitting uncomfortable, here are some tips! If you have tight hips or achy knees, sit on a bolster, stacked blankets or even blocks You want your knees level with the hips or, better yet, pointed downward in a cross-legged seated position, if the knees are still higher than the hips, sit on something higher or try a folding chair. Loosely cross your legs but be sure that there is not too much pressure on the bottom ankle which can cause that foot to "fall asleep"
*the lower body needs to be set up in such a way that allows for good circulation down to the toes and back up! |
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Softly stack the spine and allow the shoulders to round forward but not too much. Lower the chin slightly at the same time imagine you are being lifted by the back of your neck. Rest hands on lap or practice a Mudra/hand gesture. Once you are settled in your seat, observe the physical sensations that arise, let that be the method of meditation at first. Notice if you feel discomfort/pain. This is a good indication on how to adjust your seat and what parts of the body could benefit from strengthening or stretching (or both) If you are sitting in a chair, try not to sit too far back unless you require support for your spine/core. Otherwise, let the strength of sitting upright be part of the sensation that keeps you awake and connected.
Please reach out to me if you have questions about this, every body is so different and sitting can be incredibly difficult so I am happy to help you identify issues that are keeping you from peacefully meditating.
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Warming Winter Broth This one might seem a little strange, but it's a simple Ayurvedic recipe to help balance out the system after a presumably heavy holiday season. It is warming, helps with slow digestion and dryness. Best sipped in the morning! |
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Resolutions Can Wait! If you live in the Northeast, US then you know January *can* be harsh for a number of reasons. Cold, dry, stormy... that goes for both the weather and how we might be feeling after a long, overstimulated holiday season! According to Ayurvedic principles, January qualities are synonymous with those of rest. It's dark, cold and nothing really "grows". We might even feel ourselves retreating from social engagement and participating in more self-soothing practices. Based on that alone, it's not the optimal time to drastically change our diets or eliminate/incorporate major elements from or into our routine. | | |
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Motion & Musings Playlist #2 I don't know how it started, but over the last few years I started making a playlist comprised of all cover songs in the month of December. It didn't occur to me until I went looking through old playlists and saw the dates. So, in an effort to keep up this unintentional tradition going, here is this year's offering. Some of these songs were released this year but many of these re-imaginings of songs have been around awhile. This is a cozier playlist than last time, with only a few moderately paced songs in the first half. I'd suggest a slower, thoughtful flow after the warm-ups followed by some simple standing and floor poses held for longer periods of time. All of the songs with the exception of the last one, have lyrics so it's not the best for meditation but definitely a sweet playlist that could be perfect background during restorative poses toward the end. Or, just enjoy! | | |
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| | Rise & ShineTuesdays 6:45-7:30am on Zoom$12 via Venmo to @Elisa-Piscitelli | | |
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| | Slow & LowThursdays 7:45-8:30pm on Zoom$12 via Venmo to @Elisa-Piscitelli | | |
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In-Person Teaching Schedule at Happy Buddha Yoga in Goshen12/19 Tue. Gentle Class 11:00-12:00*12/20 Wed. All-Levels Flow 9:30-10:4512/26 Tue. All-Levels Flow 9:30-10:30 (subbing)12/26 Tue. Gentle Class 11:00-12:00*12/27 Wed. All-Levels Flow 9:30-10:45*Indicates pre-registration required by 9am day of class.
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Follow me at Wild Soul Yoga/Meditation with Elisa on Facebook for schedule updates and other info. |
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Q: Any yoga book suggestions? ~Jen M. (submitted via Facebook) A. The books I am most familiar with were from teacher training and they are either super technical or not very helpful to someone trying to familiarize themselves with overall practices. I am not great at book learning, so these answers might be weak. I can suggest two books on the philosophical side of yoga which I still find super useful. One is call Yamas & Niyamas by Deborah Adele and it easily breaks down the first 2 limbs of yoga as a lifestyle. It's like the ethical and moral guidelines of life off the mat. It's not preachy and is super applicable. In that same vein theres a newer book on the same topic called The Eight Limbs of Yoga by Stuart Ray Sarbacker. There is a book called Poser: My Life in 23 yoga poses by Claire Dederer. I honestly haven't read it but I hear its pretty good. I might actually give it a shot after the holidays. For meditation topics, My new favorite book is The Creative Act by Rick Rubin. It's not a book on how or why to meditate but it is literally full of great mantras and topics to focus on while trying to meditate. It's so great (IMO)! (response has been edited for typos and brevity) |
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All content included in this newsletter was created by Elisa Piscitelli as the sole entity for Wild Soul Yoga and Meditation. The information contained herein is based off of practice, trainings, personal experience and knowledge unless otherwise cited. Artwork, photography and graphic design segments were created and/or photographed by Elisa Piscitelli as the sole entity for Wild Soul Yoga and Meditation using subscription software, owned/licensed digital art and personal photography equipment. AI content technology was not utilized to create any content contained here within. Support live artists, content creators, designers, instructors and professionals! |
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