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february / march 2017yogajournal.com.sgMODEL: GISELLE MARI; STYLIST: EMILY CHOI; HAIR/MAKEUP: BETH WALKER; TOP: OLYMPIA; BOTTOMS: NANCY ROSE PERFORMANCE; NECKLACES: GOLD & GRAY; BRACELETS: BRONWEN
SVADHISTHANA CHAKRA
KEY WORD CreativityBIJA MANTRA Vam (pronounced vum)ASANA Forward bends and hip openers.
“This area of the body relates to any creative endeavor or partnership,
including your sexual relationships,” says Mari. “Forward bends and
hip openers offer deep release, which can be particularly helpful when
dealing with the resentment, anger, and blame that have a tendency to
surface when we work with this chakra.”ASK Is there anyone—a current or former sexual partner or business
associate—toward whom you harbor great resentment, anger, or
blame? Is there anything inhibiting your ability to feel
free and express yourself?PASCHIMOTTANASANA
Seated Forward Bend
Sit on the floor, with your legs extended in front of you in
Dandasana (Staff Pose). Inhale, and keeping your torso long, lean
forward from your hip joints, lengthening your tailbone away
from the back of your pelvis. Hold onto the sides of your feet with
your elbows fully extended; if this isn’t possible, hold onto a strap
looped around your feet. With each inhalation, slightly lift and
lengthen your torso; with each exhalation, release a little more
fully into the forward bend. Stay in this pose anywhere from 1 to 3
minutes.