Dear Yogis and Yoginis,
I hope this email finds you warm and in good health. When I returned to Oxford after the holidays a month ago, I remember feeling the winter was almost over, with bulbs sprouting in our back yard and the days getting longer. Yet suddenly... it’s freezing! With such cold weather, taking the time to practice yoga becomes crucial to maintain good circulation and build heat in the body.
The cold and cloudy weather also has powerful effects on our mood and emotions. While the warmth and the sun ahead will invite us to become more playful and active, in the colder months we can practice active standing poses to promote endorphin production in the brain and lift our spirits.
To support a healthy body and a lighter mind, this month we’ll focus on Virabhadrasana II, or Warrior II.
In Warrior II we root our intention through our legs and feet, activating powerfully throughout our foundation in order to expand and grow lighter through the rest of our body. With the right alignment and supportive breathing, practicing Warrior II can be an elating experience. I particularly love this picture of yoga master B.K.S. Iyengar practicing the pose: his legs, arms and head seem to radiate energy like a star.
So, a little advice for February: don’t let the cooler temperatures and cloudier skies take you off track- now is the time, be a yoga warrior and continue with your practice!
As usual, please don’t hesitate to be in touch if you have any questions or would like to set up a private individual or small group class (more aout that on my website).
With warm wishes,
Beatrice
