Venus Rising

Yoga for LivingIssue: Leo 08

Strengthen Your Center With Half Moon Pose and Follow Your Heart With Wide-Angle Forward Bends

In hatha yoga, our physical center is located just below the navel. This physical center correlates with the third chakra, manipura. Ruled by the element of fire, manipura is a storehouse of inner power. Leo women are naturally awake in the third chakra. Like manipura, they are also ruled by fire. They posess strength, confidence and an innate sense of self that allows them to shine forth in the world. Playful and creative, Leos enjoy life. 

Physically, when we engage the muscles just below and behind the navel we create core support for our bodies. This core strength is crucial as we start to bend and twist the body in different directions. It protects us from injury and provides the strength necessary to hold challenging poses. Strengthening our core increases our confidence and provides a strong base from which we can reach out.

BALANCED

Balancing requires a strong center and the ability to extend out from that strong center. It is symbolic of how we radiate out into the world and yet stay aware of where we come from. Without the strong center, we fall over. However, with a strong center we can reach out to have adventures and play in the world. It’s a fear of falling (both physically and mentally) that prevents us from taking the risks necessary to follow our deepest desires. Unencumbered by this fear, Leos are a great example of our potential to follow our hearts and in so doing, live a more joyful life.

ARDHA CHANDRASANA (Half Moon Pose)

Begin in a wide legged stance with the feet parallel. Extend out through your arms and lift your upper chest toward the sky. Take a deep breath. Rotate your feet to the right, lining up your right heel with your left inner arch. Bend your right knee and plant your right hand on the floor about a foot in front of your right foot, your thumb lined up with your pinky toe. Shift the weight forward into your right foot and begin to unweight your left leg. Extend out through the sole of your left foot and keep your navel drawn in towards your spine as you lift the leg. Imagine a long line from your navel center out through your left foot. Breathe. Press your right foot into the floor and engage your right leg. Engage your lower abdomen and open your top left hip towards the ceiling. Extend your left arm up towards the ceiling, stacking the wrists one above the other. You are balanced on your right hand and your left foot. Keep opening your top hip as you press out through the soles of your feet and reach through your fingertips. You are a star. Shine out from your center. If you fall over, take a deep breath and try again. To help with balance, you can walk your right hand farther out to the right, creating a wider base. You can also begin with both hands on the floor. Over time you will be able to walk your right hand closer in and lift your bottom hand off the floor. There is no rush. You have all the time in the world. To begin with the gaze is towards the floor. As you feel more comfortable, you can look first toward the wall in front of you and then up toward your top hand.