On Earth Day 2021, let’s pause to appreciate this world that provides the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat and serves as our home. In yoga, we naturally align ourselves with the rhythm of the seasons, the tides of the ocean, and the rising and setting of the sun. This week, we're celebrating Earth Day with four yoga classes designed to uplift, enliven, and support you, just like the planet does for us each and every day.
When you show up to your yoga mat or your meditation cushion this week, close your eyes and focus on your connection to our planet. Offer gratitude for the support of the ground beneath you and the sky above you. Earth Day is an excellent time to center your practice around your relationship to the planet, connect with the global community, and commit to protecting our world.
One of the primary tenets in yoga comes from Patanjali’s Eight-Limb yoga path, in particular, the first Yama, Ahimsa. The Yamas are moral attitudes or behaviors important to follow on your yogic journey and in life. Ahimsa means freedom from harm or violence. Ahimsa's practice is one of compassion, love, understanding, and patience in our interactions with ourselves, with others, and with the earth around us.
Ways to practice Ahimsa with the planet are by conserving the amount of water you use, recycling every material possible, riding a bike or walking instead of always hopping into your car, turning off the lights––you get the idea. Taking it a step further, consider walking your neighborhood and cleaning up any litter you find or participating in an organized clean-up. Many organizations exist that need volunteers to help them clean up the environment, so consider getting involved with one that calls to you.
Another way to deepen your connection is to move your yoga mat outside and practice with the kiss of the breeze through your hair and the warmth of the sun warming your skin. Stand in Tadasana or Mountain Pose and focus on the feel of your feet rooted into Mother Earth. Keep one foot planted and balance on one leg, extending up toward the sky in Vrksasana or Tree Pose. Savor your connection to the world around you with these grounding postures.
This week’s classes will help you embody the earth elements, from Ben's celebratory, upbeat practice to Dana's balancing one. Kristen’s class pulls energy in from the mountains and Denelle’s focuses on the earth’s energy. Enjoy these nourishing classes and then share the gratitude by giving the uplifting gift of yoga to someone you love with our Earth Day sale.
EARTH DAY SALE: 40% OFF EVERYTHING SITE-WIDE!
Dana Hanizeski - Standing Balancing Poses
Denelle Numis - Earth Yoga
Kristen Boyle - Moving Mountains