*Sit comfortably. Make an antenna w/ R hand and block R nostril with thumb. Long Deep Breathing thru L nostril. 2 min. Inhale hold for 10 seconds. Relax. *Repeat blocking L nostril. 2 min. Inhale; hold 10. Relax. *Inhale L, exhale R. 2 min… *Inhale R, exhale L. 2 min … *Gyan mudra (the “ok” sign in both hands). Begin Breath Of Fire (this is a type of breath that you pump from the center of your navel to expel your breath. It’s the same as long deep breathing; it’s just at a much faster pace. So it’s in, out, in, out… and each time you breathe out, you pull your stomach in. The breath should be powerful and strong and through your nose). Totally center yourself at your brow point. Powerful, rhythmic breathing. 2 min…Inhale, circulating the energy. *Meditate on your personal intention for today. What brought you here. Think of something that will help propel you forward through the next week.
This is the set of “U.” It invigorates you by adjusting your internal and external energies. These are called the 4 U’s and they are “for you.”
“The ‘4 U’ kriya sets the nervous system to withstand pressures of society and challenges of times. Do each posture without moving a muscle and this is said to create nerves strong as steel—’stainless steel forever.’ This kriya also works on eliminating fear and developing greater spinal flexibility. Different people will function at individual levels of development and capability. Please refer to this post for poses and modifications
Lie down flat on the back. Raise the legs and arms straight up to 90 degrees. Palms face each other. Point the toes. Knees and elbows are straight. Hold steady and think about what good you have done since you have come to the planet Earth. Reconcile activities with your beautiful intelligence. We are moving the life force energy today and without any movement. Keep yourself in the posture no matter what. The energy will adjust itself. Let the energy above you hold your legs and arms up. Float effortlessly.
Still lying on the back, bring the hands straight up over the head on the ground. Then raise the lower body up into a modified Plow Pose, with the legs straight over the head but parallel to the ground. This is a simple flow of energy, a simple way of just being. Be a river.
Come sitting up and stretch the legs out in front; the arms extend toward the toes, palms down and parallel to the ground. The back is straight and steady, like a statue. The pain and disturbance comes in the adjustment of the pranic energy. You feel the pressure of the muscles adjusting themselves. Some call it “chi”, some call it prana. Some call it “qi” energy, and we call it “ji energy. They all mean the soul, the inner Self, the being. Meditate, chant and recite anything mentally or verbally, but keep the posture perfect. Sat Nam, I Am, My Truth, Light-Bright. Say it strong and say it sweet.
Stand up straight and bend over at the waist so the torso is parallel to the ground. Keep the back and neck straight. The arms will hang loosely down towards the ground. Form a “U” with your body. Don’t bend down to the toes. You can chant or meditate to keep yourself going. Be bold; be soft. Be bright; be light. Be earth; be air.
Deep Relaxation. Relax flat on the back. Listen to a gong, if available.
Meditation for Developing an Attitude of Gratitude: An attitude of gratitude is the highest form of yoga. Finding abundance of gratitude in yourself will open the floodgates for what you have to be grateful for.
Posture: Sit in a comfortable posture, with a straight spine and neck. Mudra: Cup your hands together as if you are gathering water from a stream and in this position, place them approximately 6 inches in front of your heart centre. Relax your arms at your side and feel every other part of your body relaxing and releasing. Eyes and Mental Focus: In this posture, simply sit with your eyes closed and visualize all the blessings of your life falling into your cupped hands. Breath: Breathe deeply and feel yourself merging with the light of all of those blessings. Time: Continue for 3, 11 or 31 minutes (or however long it feels comfortable to do so).
*Bountiful Blissful and Beautiful by Kamari and Manvir *Say Saraswati by White Sun *Give Me the Sunshine by Leo’s Sunshipp *Everybody Loves the Sunshine by Takuya Kuroda *Heal Me by Nirinjan Kaur *Cry Me A River by Justin Timberlake *Thank You by Sly & The family Stone *Wishing On A Star by Rose Royce *Guru Ram Das Lullaby by Bachan Kaur
My brother just had surgery because he broke his ankle. The injury is still very fresh so I created a yoga set that he can do sitting on the floor with his legs straight out (pillow under the knees to soften, when needed). He can gradually change these to seated in a chair but for now the weight and shape of the cast and the recentness of the accident, it is best to keep him on an even, low level. He will be most grounded in this position.
I suggest setting a timer for each section and keeping the sections evenly timed. Try 1-5 minutes each to start.
Yoga 11/11/2020
Start with Deep Belly Breathing:
* Sit comfortably, upright but not rigid or lay down. *Close your eyes or keep them softly focused on one object. Having an actual spot for eyes to focus on is very important as it gives a home base for the eyes when the mind wanders. You can use the tip of your nose, a spot on the wall or through closed eyes, the third eye point. *Place your hands on your lower belly, on your legs or in your lap. *Create your own quiet, still space inside. I call this your Inner Love-Shack. *Inhale through your nose. Keep your mouth closed. Your belly should fill round on the inhale. Your body will feel like it is a balloon being filled up. *Notice the pause at the end of your inhale. *Slowly let the air out through your nose. You want the exhale to be long and gentle. Your belly will soften. If a mouth exhale is done, keep the lips slightly pursed and allow the air to seep out slowly as if you are trying to ripple a flame of a candle. *Notice the pause at the end of the exhale. *Repeat 3-5x or as long as you like. If your mind wanders, just pull it back to the breath and the sensation of your hands. *When finished, sit quietly for a few moments and enjoy the stay in your Inner Love-Shack, inside and out.
Cow/Cat: Legs out, back not against a wall/bedside, hands on knees. Close eyes and beam out through the third eye point and add in the chant “sat” Nam” or whatever resonates with you to keep a high positive vibration happening in your head and throughout your body.
With chin moving up (cow) & down (cat)
Without chin moving
Breathe in open chest, lift chin, lift puppy tail
Breathe out cat, curl forward (arch back like a halloween cat), drop chin
Breathe in your pelvic bowl spills water out the front
Breathe out the pelvic bowl spills water out the back
Holding Up The Sky With One Hand (Legs out, can be gently backed up to a support) Start with hands on belly and return there on each exhale before you switch sides.
Press down with one hand to keep the floor from coming up.
Press up the sky with the lower palm on the other hand.
Breathe in as you stretch up & open; breathe out as you, bring the energy to your power belly and change sides.
Holding Up the Sky With Two Hands
Start with both hands on lower belly
Breathe in as the hands travel up.
Stretch up over head, with both hands, from the lower palm.
Breathe out, hands return to belly.
Stealth Ninja (Legs out, body slightly pulled away from support, so that hand can snake behind)
Press one hand forward near your shoulder and chin, to ward off an attacker. It has the sensation of being propelled in that direction.
At the same time, look over the opposite shoulder, as if to check behind you.
The other hand is behind the back reaching in in the same direction the head is facing. Your body is moving in one direction and you are looking over the other shoulder while at the same time the back hand is reaching as if to grab a friend’s hand
Hip Circles (legs out, support under knees advised, hands on knees)
Move hips around in a circular motion in one direction, like an old fashioned coffee grinder
Repeat in the other direction.
Backbend
Hands behind on the floor
Lift chest and lean back.
Head can drop behind, but keep chest lifting and open and back strong.
Forward Fold
Fold forward but have knees comfortably bent
The “goal” is belly to thighs; knees bent more will facilitate this
Playlist: Myopia by Moby Circling by Four Tet Swisha by Ratatat Running Up That Hill (Instrumental) by Kate Bush Samba de Orfeo by António Carlos Jobim Dazz by Brick Be Still by Beautiful Chorus My Secret Lover (Diplo Remix) by Private I Was Born This Way (12 Instrumental) by Carol Bean Like Some Dream I Can’t Stop Dreaming (Break Mix) by Daniel Wang Synchronize Ft. Jarvis Cocker by Discodeine I Want To Be Free by Ohio Players
Groove & Flow playlist for 11/9/2020
Ayurvedic Tips for Autumn
Fall is a time of transition. Trees, shrubs, animals and birds are preparing for the winter. They are all gathering the energy, including nutrition, that they will need to survive the winter. Temperatures, although right now quite balmy, are going to drop and the wind is slowly gathering strength, carrying with it the whiff of winter on its breath. Autumn is dry, rough, windy, erratic and cool.
These are all qualities shared by vata dosha (vata-wind/dosha=energy) Vata is one of the three energetic forces of the subtle body, the inner happenings of the life inside your body.. This particular dosha corresponds with the elements of air and ether (space). Thanks to the airy and mobile qualities of vata, it plays an integral part in healthy bodily functions such as digestion, the flow of breath, and communication between the mind and the nervous system. Vata types tend to have creative personalities and are often inquisitive in nature.
Excess vata can cause the body, mind, and emotions to feel scattered like the wind. This type of imbalance can happen to anyone, regardless of their Ayurvedic constitution or body type.
Here are a few simple ayurvedic tips to balance Vata this fall:
1. Enjoy warm cooked foods. Foods made with a little olive oil or ghee have a wonderful soothing effect that immediately calms down restless Vata. Root vegetables, hearty grains, soups, and stews are recommended. Cooked grains – like oatmeal, tapioca, cream of rice, and cream of wheat – and most nuts and seeds are also beneficial. 2. Use warming spices like ginger, black pepper, cinnamon and cumin, but not extremely hot spices like cayenne pepper. 3. Enjoy warm beverages such as chai or golden milk. 4. Eat less cold and raw foods. 5. Take extra care of your skin with a warm sesame oil self-massage. 6. Increase stillness in your day to connect with yourself. Vata is aggravated by feelings of fear and insecurity. 7. Get enough sleep, nap when you need. 8. Reduce stress by consciously practicing yoga, meditation, long deep breathing and alternate nostril breathing. 9. The colors we wear can greatly contribute to how you feel. Choose colors from the environment around you. In this cooler season of autumn, warmer richer hues, like autumn’s foliage, are a great choice. Adorn yourself with rich red, warm gold, and burnt orange. 10. Try to stick to a regular routine: go to bed at the same time, meditate daily, mindful movement every morning.
Simple techniques to help you feel grounded, steady, and nourished all season long!
Har Haray Hari Wahe Guru (Meditation for Creativity) by Kamari & Manvir
Be Still by Beautiful Chorus
Many people have difficulty going to sleep even though they are tired. Most of us would agree that the deeper and more peaceful the sleep, the more rested we feel the next morning. There are several things that we can do to promote deeper and more restful sleep:
Slow Down:Before going to bed, begin to slow everything down. Put down your phone. Move slower. Stop ruminating. Make a list of what you need to do the next day and leave the list in another room. This will allow you to clear your mind and allows the energy to start balancing so you will be able to accomplish what you want to get done, but be free of it for the night. If there is something on your mind that you have not been able to resolve, make a special list turn it over to a higher power (an angel, a god, whatever you relate to) for the night-this power will focus their activity on the list through the night and free you of it. Feel complete about the day. Acknowledge yourself for what you accomplished and lessons learned. Forgive yourself for anything that lingers. No one’s perfect, so let it go. Make a list of five things you are grateful for. Prepare yourself to devote the next hours to peaceful, un-preoccupied sleep. You not only deserve it; you need to rest.
Eating Habits:Try to eat your last meal at least 2 1/2 hours before you go to bed. When you eat just before going to bed your energy is tied up with digestion and it is hard to sleep deeply. Eat lightly for your evening meal. Definitely try to not eat animal protein, fried or heavy foods. Soups, salads, steamed vegetables or other easily digested dishes are the best for the evening meal. Eating dairy at night will make it more difficult to get up the next day (so skip the ice cream, yogurt or large glass of milk before bed).
Left Nostril Breathing: The two nostrils are associated with two very different energies. Breathing through the right nostril, we are energized and stimulated. Breathing through the left nostril, we relax and calm down. Our breath naturally changes dominant nostrils approximately every 2-1/2 hours. After eating our nostrils will change to the left to accommodate the energy needed to digest our food. That is one reason why we feel like sleeping after eating.
You can tell which nostril is dominant at any time simply by blocking off one, then the other. The dominant one is easy to breathe through and the less dominate one feels like it is blocked.
It is useful before going to bed to sit quietly, block off the right nostril and breath long and deeply through the left nostril. Slowing down the breath to 4 or less breaths per minute also facilitates sleep. You can mentally chant Sat or I; Nam or Am (Sat Nam; I Am) while you breathe to help your mind “erase” My mother once told me that she was taught, when she wanted to make a word illegible, that she should, in cursive, write the word apple over the word that needs to be hidden, rendering it illegible. I think of meditation like this. Using a mantra scribbles out our thoughts and makes them “unthinkable”.
This meditation below has been a life saver for me.
I do this meditation for 11 minutes every night before bed, plus I usually add on at the end, 4 repetitions of the 4-7-8 Breath (see below) just to seal the deal. I sleep through the night now. I do not take any sleep aides.
Breathing and Mantra: Inhale 4 equal parts through the nose, i.e. the inhale is divided into 4 sniffs. Mentally vibrate SA TA NA MA If you do not connect with this chant, you can substitute with something like “I AM So Calm” or “I Will Sleep Deep” with the four parts of the inhale breath.
Hold the breath and mentally repeat 4 repetitions of SA TA NA MA (or your chosen chant). This will be 16 counts
I * Will* Sleep* Deep* I * Will* Sleep* Deep* I * Will* Sleep* Deep* I * Will* Sleep* Deep*
Then exhale in 2 equal strokes, mentally projecting WAHE GURU (Wonderful/Inner Sage; Wonderful/Inner Guide)
Time: Set a timer. Start with a few minutes and work up. I find 5-11 minutes is a good reset for myself. Continue for 11, 15, 22, 31 or even 62 minutes. This meditation will often put you to sleep before you complete the allotted time.
4-7-8 Breath (you can also try this as a stand alone bedtime meditation):
Breathe in with your nose for the count of 4.
Hold breath for the count of 7
Breathe out through rounded lips, making a gentle whooshing, for the count of 8
Repeat this 4-8 times; or set a timer and practice for 5-10 minutes before bed.
Today is a great day to sign up for Groove and Flow to help keep you active, committed and moving forward.
Monday night is a great time to make time for yourself. Create the space in your calendar and join on in!
Groove and Flow Yoga is a special blend of yoga and mindful movement where the participants explore and experience the joy of movement and freedom of expression within a supportive, creative environment, regardless of experience and/or abilities. This class is balanced with movement, relaxation and meditation and participants can be on a mat or in a chair. All abilities welcomed for this one of a kind experience.
Classes will be split between the Morse Institute Library & Common Street Spiritual Center. You must register separately for each class.
10/19 (Registration is open) 11/2, 11/16, 11/30 & 12/14 Library classes are available for registration 2-weeks in advance of each session and are funded through the libraries self-care grant
10/12, 10/26, 11/9, 11/23, 12/7, 12/21 For these classes, I am offering a sliding scale fee of $10-$20 per class (with $5-$10 for seniors). ***Please register by emailing Adamant_Eve@hotmail.com***Zoom link will be sent when you register. Payments: Venmo (@Eve-Costarelli; cell -1643) Paypal AdamAnt_Eve@hotmail.com; (please make personal payments) Checks Eve Costarelli, 16 Porter Road, Natick, MA 01760
Registration is required. Once registered a link to join the program will be sent to you. *Please be sure to enter a valid email address, as zoom room code will be sent in your email confirmation.
I turn no one away from my programs. My goal is to promote connection and community.
Eve Costarelli is passionate about bringing the joy of movement to all-bodies. Through her interactive, self-designed mindful movement program, Always Be Dancing: The Art of Movement, Eve uses yoga, dance & social consciousness to create a healthy, diverse, inclusive environment. Eve is the yoga coordinator for the Common Street Spiritual Center, the lead yoga & mindfulness educator for Open Spirit of Framingham’s Nourishing Teachers, Strengthening Classrooms’ project and facilitates all-inclusive yoga and dance programs throughout Massachusetts.For more information, please contact Eve at AdamAnt_Eve@hotmail.com.
Saudade Sentimentos It’s Just The Wind Tango Improvisado Tomorrow Today Everything Remains The Sky Below Past Perfect Either/Or Fade To Black Puerto Oscura
4 Part Cycle: 1. In and out with the nose. 2. In and out with the mouth (with a gentle rounded mouth). 3. In with the nose; Out with the mouth. 4. In with the mouth; Out with the nose. 5. Start at segment #1. Repeat. Relax into a rhythm. Mentally use the mantra Sa Ta Na Ma to keep all breath segments equal length. Concentrate on the mantra. If you lose track, start at segment #1 again. Relax.
“Sat Narayan” Meditation To Reclaim Your Peaceful Presence.
Go with the flow. Allow the currents of your thoughts ebb and flow with your breath. Feel your love flow. Fill every nook and cranny of your being with your inhale and then on the exhale, relax into your inner peace. You can go back again and again to that place inside you that showers you with love, your inner “love shack”. That place inside you that is safe and peaceful. That space inside from which your whole life flows sweetly.
The more you are able to relax into a state of inner calmness and stillness, the more you can project outwardly: peace, love, and happiness.
Mudra: Hands are resting on knees or lap. Thumbs and index fingers touch.
Posture: Sit with a straight spine.
Breath and Eye Focus: Eyes 1/10th open looking at tip of nose or gently closed, focused on the Third Eye (between the eyebrows). The breath will adjust itself as you vocalize.
Mantra (included all 4 lines as one repetition):
Sat Narayan, Wahe Guru (Sut Na-Rye-Yan, Waaa-Hey Garooo) Meaning: Support & Wisdom
Hari Narayan Sat Nam (Ha-Ree Na-Rye-Yan, Sut-uh naaamm) Meaning: Creativity & Genuineness
Sat Narayan Wahe Guru
Hari Narayan Sat Nam
Directions:
Vocalize along with this recording by Ajeet Kaur, which is my favorite version of the mantra. Put your heart into it! You will find yourself singing it all through the day.
When the meditation has finished, powerfully and deeply inhale while raising arms above your head, and hold for 10-15 seconds. Powerfully and deeply exhale. Repeat inhale-hold-exhale once more with raised arms. Then lower your arms to your lap/knees and sit quietly. Feel the vibrations of the mantra in you and around you.
Meditate 1-11 minutes.
May you be bolstered by the vibration of this meditation and granted its strength always!
A few years ago, I taught teen yoga workshops for the library. They were a lot of fun and I really enjoyed sharing them with the community through the library. One of the best things, is that all programs through the library are open and accessible to all and are free of charge for the participants.
Fast forward to now. The teen librarian shared my name with the adult programming coordinator and voilà! through a generous self-help grant, I am now offering my Groove & Flow series through their online event portal (search for yoga in calendar). Here is the link to my online yoga video-library. Along with my classes, the library has been able to bring a fabulous online Qigong program with Dr. Ming Wu and Dr. Wei Li. Here is the link for the online Qigong video-library.
I skimmed though the library’s yoga book selection and created a list of books that I thought would compliment my teaching. Of course, there are so many yoga books available, so my list is just a snap shot of some. This list does not include children’s books (here’s are two good blog posts I wrote “My Top 20 Books About Yoga For Kids” and “21 Mindfulness and Yoga Books and card Decks For Kids”)
Accessible yoga: poses and practices for every body by Jivana Heyman
Adaptive yoga moves any body by Mindy Eisenberg
Autumn winter spring summer by Sandra Sabatini, Silvia Mori
Chair yoga for seniors: stretches and poses that you can do sitting down at home by Lynn Lehmkuhl
Chair yoga: seated exercises for health and wellbeing by Edeltraud Rohnfeld
Chair yoga: sit, stretch, and strengthen your way to a happier, healthier you by Kristin McGee Gentle yoga : a guide to low-impact exercise by Lorna Bell and Eudora Seyfer
K.I.S.S. guide to yoga by Shakta Kaur Khalsa
Lilias! yoga gets better with age by Lilias Folan
Relax into yoga for seniors : a six-week program for strength, balance, flexibility, and pain relief by Kimberly Carson, MPH, E-RYT; Carol Krucoff, E-RYT
Relax into yoga for chronic pain: an eight-week mindful yoga workbook for finding relief and resilience by Jim Carson, PhD, Kimberly Carson, MPH, C-IAYT, Carol Krucoff, C-IAYT
Restore and rebalance : yoga for deep relaxation by Judith Hanson Lasater, PhD, PT
Yoga for body, breath, and mind : a guide for personal reintegration by A.G. Mohan
Yoga for healthy aging : a guide to lifelong well-being by Baxter Bell, MD, Nina Zolotow
Yoga for women by Shakta Kaur Khalsa
Yoga for women : wellness and vitality at every stage of life by Shakta Khalsa
Yoga for osteoporosis : the complete guide by Loren Fishman, Ellen Saltonstall
Yoga in bed : awaken body, mind & spirit in fifteen minutes by Naomi Sophia Call
The next Grounding In Community will be held on Natick Common, Sunday September 27th 1:30-2:55. I hope you will join us for inspiring community connecting event. I will be leading a wonderful short Groove & Flow activity for everybody to enjoy.
I Am Uniquely Eve 