Elements Chair Series
Sundays April 2nd – 30th, 2023
12:45pm-2:15pm ET
THE Pearl Modern Spa and Boutique
10275 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 102
Columbia, Maryland 21044
Week 1 – Earth 4/2
Week 2 – Water 4/16
Week 3 – Fire 4/23
Week 4 – Air and Space 4/30
Week 4: Chair Yoga for Focus & Meditation | Bringing Meditation into Chair Yoga Practice
Asana Practice – Click Here to View Practice
This video was from a series I did with Spirit of The Sun, an organization in Denver, CO. It’s connected to Fire / Heart and Throat Chakra.
Asana Group: Back Bends, Lateral Bends & Forward Bends
Element: Air and Space –
Movement, lightness, sensitivity and exchange. It is related to the sense of touch. Reflected in the poses as lightness and grace.
Expansiveness, limitlessness, vastness and subtlety. It is related to the sense of hearing. Reflected in the poses as subtlety and expansiveness.
Koshas: Manomaya – Psycho-Emotional – (Mano=mind, maya=consists of, kosha=sheath) The Manomaya kosha is the psycho-emotional dimension of our being, made up of thoughts and feelings. As we embrace our psycho-emotional being without judging or rejecting our thoughts and feelings, we learn to relax, thereby reducing stress and creating conditions for the free flow of subtle energy and optimal functioning of the physical systems.
Vijnanamaya Kosha – (Vijnana=wisdom) is the aspect of our consciousness that allows Us to witness, understand and eventually release limiting beliefs. As these beliefs are released, patterns of thought and emotion associated with
•them dissolve naturally, allowing us to continue our journey with a greater sense of freedom and clarity. This aspect of our being is awakened through contemplation, meditation, insight and intuition.
Prana Vayus: UDANA VAYU
Udana vayu is the sky-blue uppermost current of energy, originating at the collarbones and rising upward to nourish the neck, throat and head.
Its essential function is supporting the energetic health of the senses, endocrine and central nervous systems. The balanced flow of Udana vayu is essential for mental clarity and concentration.
VYANA VAYU
Vyana vayu is the current of vital energy and pervades the entire body.
Its essential function is to support the optimal flow of energy to the extremities. This violet current of energy moves inward toward the center of the body on the inhalation and radiates outward to the extremities on the exhalation. This energetic movement supports physical circulation of blood, lymph and nerve impulses.
Systems: RESPIRATORY
The respiratory system consists of the nose, sinuses, trachea, bronchial tree, alveoli and other lung tissues. It is related to the Air element and the process of exchange of oxygen with carbon dioxide. Specific Yoga poses open each of the lobes of the lungs for optimal breathing. The slow,
rhythmic breathing cultivated while practicing the poses optimizes efficient use of oxygen at the cellular level. The opening of the chest and lungs increases breath capacity.
CIRCULATORY / CARDIOVASCULAR
The cardiovascular system consists of the heart, arteries, veins and blood.
It is related to the Air element and the qualities of vitality and the process of circulation. An appropriate combination of the different categories of Yoga poses maintains the elasticity of the arteries. The contraction and
relaxation of the skeletal muscles support the health of the veins. Inversions support cardiovascular health as a whole. The stress reduction provided by the practice of Yoga also plays an essential role in the balanced functioning of the cardiovascular system.
ENDOCRINE
The endocrine system consists of the endocrine glands and their respective hormones. It is related to the Space element and the quality of communication. The endocrine glands secrete hormones essential to all body functions. Specific Yoga poses nourish each of the areas of the body where the endocrine glands are located, optimizing circulation to support their functioning. The stress reduction provided by the asanas also plays an essential role in the balanced functioning of the endocrine system.
IMMUNE
The immune system consists ofimmune cells, antibodies, the thymus gland and spleen. It is related to the Air element and the qualities of integrity and protection. Specific Yoga poses nourish the thymus and spleen as well as the lymph nodes and digestive tract, where large numbers of immune cells
congregate. The stress reduction provided by practice of Yoga also plays an essential role in the balanced functioning of the immune system.
Facilitator: Natasha Chaoua
Dubwise Yoga 