This time of year bodes the season of Vata. Known for its drying, airy qualities, I thought we'd bring some essence of water to this weeks practices.

Remember that when Vata (dry, sharp, anxious, prone to nerve pain & lower Gi issues, unable to sleep from 2am to 6pm) is in overload you get Kapha symptoms (heavy, slow, lethargic, prone to upper respiratory issues). 

Varuna is the Hindu god that represents water, due to this god's presence in air and earth. So Varuna resides over both Kapha (water & earth) and Vata (air & ether). 

More info is you want it....Varuna "was more of personification of morality than a deification of nature. Just as he controlled aspects of the natural world, Varuna was also responsible for the moral laws of the universe. Varuna's unlimited knowledge includes details of the moral activity of each and every human. With his thousand eyes, he was said to watch over human conduct, judging the merit of human deeds."

Useful tips: On a pragmatic side, do check out the bottom of my blog post on Vata for practices to help tame it. You may find something that sounds familiar. 

"What’s New This Week"

• Mudra:  Varuna (Gesture of Water). Varuna is the Hindu god that represents water as it's present in the elements of ether and earth. And the pinkie finger is associated with water in these ancient traditions. 

• Breath: Fluid and smooth, balanced breath of 6 counts in, 6 counts out 

• Chair Yoga: "Flow to Stillness" 60min --Shift in and out of movements with fluid ease, matched to the breath. Check in with how you feel before you start and how you feel after each movement. The clarity happens in the pause with recognition. 

• Strong & Steady: "Flow to Strength" 60min-- Moving with the theme of the week...flowing movements matched to the breath. To find yourself stronger and more balanced by the end.

• Therapeutic Yoga: "Flow Like Water" 50min--We'll move in and out of movements, flowing with the breath. Move like water, catching each crest of the wave with the in-breath and then settling back to shore on the out-breath

Move your body, Center your mind,
Tianna Meriage-Reiter, DPT, C-IAYT