Australian Yoga Journal - May June 2017

80

may/june 2017

yogajournal.com.au

PHOTOS: JEFF NELSON; MODEL: LARA CATONE; STYLIST: TINA GILHAIR/MAKEUP: SHELLEY KAMSTRA; TOP: IVY PARK; BOTTOMS: QU

2 Pelvic Rocks

Place your hands on your kneecaps. As you

inhale, roll toward the front of your pelvis,

drawing your heart forward and bringing your

gaze toward the sky. As you exhale, rock to the

back of your pelvis, round through your spine,

and release your chin toward your chest.

Repeat 10 times.

3 Heart Circles

Ground through your seat and circulate your

torso in wide circles above your pelvis. Try

varying the speed and then notice the effect.

Repeat 7–10 times in each direction.

1 Body Blessing

In a cross-legged seat, hold your hands open to the sky with your pinky fingers touching. Breathe into

your pelvic bowl 5 times while setting an intention for this practice. Raise your hands over the crown

of your head and slowly brush them over your head, down the back of your neck, and then over your

heart (shown). At your solar plexus (located at the pit of your stomach), bring your hands to your back

and brush over your kidneys, then down your legs all the way to your feet. Repeat three times.

PRANA IS THE

life-force energy that can

be described as our sense

of feeling alive and well,

the spark of curiosity, the

seed of exploration, and

the catalyst that compels

us toward communion.

So, it’s no surprise that

it’s also synonymous with

our sexual energy. But

more than just a driver of

procreation or of the pursuit

of pleasure, our sexuality

inspires, animates, and

draws us into passionate

love affairs with both

intimate partners and the

world around us. Through

intention, sexual energy can

be directed to help cultivate

thriving total health.

The following sequences

draw from ancient Taoist

and Tantric energy practices

as well as modern science.

They send energy and

oxygen-rich blood to the

organs in your pelvic bowl

(such as the colon, bladder,

rectum, and reproductive

organs). Increased

circulation is required for

sexual arousal, and it heals

and strengthens organ

tissues. What’s more,

attention to our muladhara

(root) chakra — the

dynamic pelvic floor —

activates the connection

to our sexual wellbeing.

Practice these sequences

together or individually as

you need them.

A home practice to

By Lara Catone

awaken your sexual vitality

SEQUENCE ONE

Get grounded 6 moves to help you tune in

OUR PROTeacher and modelLara Catoneis a yoga teacher and somatic sexologist with more than a decade’s experience in both

fields. She founded The Artemis School for Women’s Sexual Wellness, the first and only educational institution to interweave sex

education with embodiment-based traditions. Learn more at laracatone.com.

HOME PRACTICE

r r ti