Muse of the Month: Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge
Saraswati is represented in Hindu mythology as the divine consort of Lord Brahma: the Creator of the Universe. Since knowledge is necessary for creation and growth, Saraswati symbolizes the creative power of Brahma.
She is The Flowing One ~ Saraswati means “the one who gives the essence (Sara) of our own Self (Swa).”
Through this Goddess we reflect upon the essence of self, the part of us that can only be that and nothing else.
Connecting with our inner selves requires discipline, perseverance and creative energy; these are the qualities that Saraswati helps us bring forth.
As we move into the craziness of Christmas, I believe we all need a bit of Saraswati magic! Class numbers inevitably dwindle as we find excuses to forgo that which keeps us sane! She is the perfect muse to keep us honest; whether you yoga or whatever other personal sadhana/disciplines and practices you might have up until November, when they fall by the wayside in favour of…consumerism?! Whether you consume of media, food or material goods, we usually forgo our inner peace Christmas.
It’s so easy to let ourselves fall prey to the pull of external pressure and pursuits, so we can call on Saraswati’s qualities to remain discipline, steadfast and do our best to keep the peace when we’re in the company of friends and family that we find challenging.
Saraswati will also be the focus of my vinyasa flow classes over the next few weeks, helping me (and hopefully you too) to maintain my sadhana; connecting and committing to being our best selves no matter what this crazy time of year throws at us!
Peak Pose: Bird of Paradise
The Bird of Paradise stands strong on one lovely, long and powerful stalk, this single stalk represents the strength needed in your stationary leg and core to open up into the pose. The flower itself is a striking contrast of colour and that mimics the crests of tropical birds peeking through the leaves.
In our journey toward Bird of Paradise, we’ll flow through a Mandala Salutation to open the side body, shoulders, hamstrings and hips with binds, twists and forward folds. Usually considered to be an advanced asana, there are many ways in which to bloom for this asana; one variation we’ll explore in class this month uses the wall and a yoga belt, thus taking care of the balance and or bind element so we can focus on the boldness required of the upper body and the bind to find full bloom!
5 Qualities of a Great Yoga Teacher
Sara Evans is a long-time lover of yoga, having been introduced to the practice as a child, it’s been a mainstay in her every day for more than 30 years. Experiencing burnout as a full time yoga teacher and studio owner pre-COVID led Sara to honing her skills as a facilitator for the finer aspects of teaching. As a Senior Yoga Teacher and Yoga Therapist specialising in Yoga for Women, Sara now delights in sharing the practice with other trainees through her teacher training programs at Bloom Yoga, a labour of love and testament to the untapped potential within us all.
Yin, Yoga Nidra + the Subtle Body
Yoga asana provides the gateway to our body through various shapes, transitions and movements - but beyond the asana we can start to peel away the layers to access the subtle body through yin, yoga nidra, pranayama and meditation practices.