As we move into the month of September, we prepare ourselves for change. The weather slowly cools, the days become shorter and darker and our bodies prepare to settle and hibernate for the winter. With these changes, we often find our minds following the body's lead slowing our thoughts, our motivation, and our productivity.
For the month of September, we will focus on gaining and maintaining energy before the draining of the seasonal change, beginning with the Midweek Mudra. I particularly like Anushasana Mudra for its simplicity. Pointing or creating the number one with our hands is something that most of us do on a regular basis. It's a familiar and often comfortable position for the hands to form. It is a gesture that can be adjusted to use one or both hands; it can be taken during a meeting, in the car, or even as you take a walk. While the primary function of this mudra is to balance energy in all directions, it also has the benefits of increasing body awareness, lengthening the breath, supporting physical alignment, and creating a sense of alertness and wholeness in the self. To find Anushasana Mudra: 1. Curl the middle, ring, and pinkie fingers in toward the palm, wrapping the thumbs around the fingers 2. Extend the index fingers outward (just like you're creating a "number one") 3. Hold hands out to the side of the body with palms facing upward, elbows resting gently near the ribs or allow the backs of the hands to rest on your lap 4. Relax the shoulders back and down, allowing the spine to be naturally aligned
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This gesture supports the skeletal and muscular systems, creating space by directing attention and breath to the spine. Anudandi Mudra can also support a sense of relaxation and increased well-being. It can be done at any time throughout the day alone or incorporated into a practice focused on posture or breath.
To form this mudra, simply:
Optional affirmation to support the mudra: As my wave of breath flows freely, I sense greater ease in the back of my body. Anjali Mudra, also known by several other names including Atmanjali Mudra, Pranam Mudra, Namaste Mudra and prayer position is one of my all-time favorite go-tos. There are so many reasons to love this posture and so much information is available on its benefits, I will give you just a few...
Yes? Well, then you need this mudra. In fact, it's so powerful, your body automatically does it. So here's my recommendation for you. The next time you find yourself in this accidental pose, allow yourself to take two minutes away from that stressful event, straighten your spine, pull your shoulders back and allow your hands to rest peacefully in front of your heart. And breathe. Often times, I find that the right mudra will reveal itself to me when it is most needed, just as Dharma Chakra Mudra did for me today.
This gesture is all about balance. Its practice supports all body systems, chakras, and doshas, develops psyho-emotional balance, and it nourishes all prana vayus while activating each of the five elements. And even if most of these strange-sounding words don't hold much meaning for you, rest assured that this hand posture will leave you feeling calm, yet energetic and ready to take on the rest of your day. To move your hands into the posture:
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