“Light the fire within you to light the world with your fire.” — P.S. Jagadeesh Kumar
Weekly Focus: Pitta (fire/action)
One of the three doshas associated with the qualities of fire + water. Described as hot, light, sharp, oily, liquid + mobile.
Drawing upon the heat of Summer we take action. Pitta’s ability to transform reminds us that we too can adjust our course, transforming intention into reality. Summer is a time of constant transformation. Flowers come + go, rains bring fresh growth, drought brings withered leaves, plants emerge + die back. Transformation is rapid + active at this time of the year. We can pull from the inspiration of pitta and consider where in our lives we wish to transform. Where can we take action to burn out the old + become fluid towards change. Change requires effort, action, movement — just as a flame is never stagnant we must keep working if we wish to ignite.
Passive Pose of the Week: Sucirandhrasana (Eye of the Needle Pose)
Sucirandhrasana can help to build + release a little fire in the hips to help you melt away any lingering emotions, thoughts + sensations. From a reclined position, bring your legs into a figure four position + thread your arms behind the legs, drawing them towards your belly for a hip stretch. Much like a flame flickers, try finding a little movement here. Move with intention however — what do you notice when you drop your hips more to the right or the left? How does it change the stretch or sensation? Perhaps pause in an unusual spot to transform this posture to fit your needs.
Active Pose of the Week: Lightning Bolt Pose
Activate the full body to take action, building heat from fingers to toes with Lightning Bolt Pose! From a high lunge or crescent warrior position, hover your torso halfway over the front thigh, reaching your arms forward + engaging your core to help you stayed lifted. It can be tempting to let the legs take all of the weight here. Find strength + fire in the back of the body to help you stay lifted up. There also may be a tendency to strain the neck + look forward. We often extend our gaze + neck to increase a feeling of length, however, this may actually shorten the length in the neck. Keep your gaze down and imagine the crown of the head extending forward, as if you were pushing it into a hand or opposing force.