Spring Renewal Practice

Spring is in the air as is a lot of pollen as the trees and flowers of Oakland are in full bloom much earlier than normal. The inaugural home practice consists of a mudra to help combat nasal congestion, a breath to wake up agni in the body and asana to support the removal of stagnant energy. Enjoy!

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Mahasirs Mudra
Curl ring finger into palm; bring together tips of thumb, index & middle fingers; extend the little finger. Rest hands with palms up.
Benefits: Draws energy down from head, draws awareness inward
Practice Tips: Use when you have head congestion or over-active thoughts  

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Bhastrika Pranayama (Bellows Breath)
Sit comfortably in a chair or on the floor. Begin by watching your natural breath pattern for a few moments. Then begin to forcefully push breath out the nose quickly and inhale quickly through the nose. 
Benefits: This breath activates agni, the digestive fire. It also assists with clearing nasal congestion

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Ganeshasana
Begin standing with feet slightly wider than hips distance apart. Keeping the knees soft, begin to swing arms around the body like two elephant trunks, lightly tap the body with the hands wherever they land as you twist right and left. Go faster or slower depending on how it feels to you for about 1 minute. Then slow down the swinging until you are again standing still. 
Benefits: Increases circulation of blood and lymph throughout the body, awakens the energy and detoxifies the abdominal organs.