Stability, Grounding, Strength - feeling secure is an important aspect of our lives. Humans seek security from birth. Security has been studied by psychologists for many years. Maslow created an entire hierarchy of needs. He suggests once our biological and physiological needs are met, we seek safety - love and belongingness - self esteem and self fulfillment. Yoga's line of energy, our chakra system, beginning at the base of the spine (Root Chakra) moving up through the crown of the head (Crown Chakra), aligns into a similar system.
Through yoga, we seek grounding as a way to build stability in movement along with clarity of mind. As we focus on our body's connection to the earth, we relax stress and anxiety out of our minds. We build roots through the feet to ground us to the earth just as plants build roots to stabilize their connection. We are able to grow from this foundation just as the plants in the ground. Emotionally, as we find stability, we are able to release fear and find trust.
In the month of July, our nation celebrates it's Independence - a brand new start. The beginning of a new nation, foundation. One of most prominent icons of our nation is the American Flag. The flag's colors symbolize Hardiness, Valor, Purity, Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice. The National Anthem was inspired by the vision of the American Flag standing triumphant after battle. Early Americans fought for freedom from oppression, and thousands of Brave Americans continue the mission of maintaining our freedom and security.
As a celebration of our nation's strength, and the grounding it brings, we will #StandStrong in our yoga poses for the month of July. Focusing on gaining balance and stability through the grounding of our feet. Each pose reminds our bodies to find alignment from the root of our feet up to the crown of our heads. When standing strong through the poses, we realize it takes more than just the feet to keep us steady. Engaging muscles through the legs, hips, torso with energy reaching through the fingers - all create stability and balance. (Email me at clarissapyeattyoga@gmail.com for a photo you can enlarge to see each day's pose more clearly).
My husband, Kenan, always does a great job of taking my pics and creating fun collages. For this fun challenge I was able to stand in front of a green wall and on top of a green sheet. I don't recommend using a sheet as your foundation. A yoga mat is much more stable! But, he was able to create a very patriotic background to share the poses!
As an incentive to participate in July's #StandStrong Yoga Pose Challenge, my fun friend, Holly, has made some magnificent jewelry! More information about her beautiful designs can be found on her facebook page, Romancing the Bead. All the jewelry Holly makes is amazing - and is very difficult for me to give away each month! To be entered to win this fun prize -
Share the information about this challenge through Facebook or Instagram
And
Post your beautiful pics of each day's fun pose!
I do need to be able to see your fun pics for you to be entered to win the prize. I found out in June that several of my favorite yoga friends had posted on their private fb and ig accounts, but because I wasn't a part of their social media page, I wasn't able see their #hashtags and @clarissapyeattyoga tags! So, if your accounts are private, you can post your pics on my fb page - message them to me through fb or ig - or email them to me. You can also ask me to follow you on ig and once you accept my follow request I will be able to see your fun pics! A lot of technicalities, but our privacy is important!
Also, for those that like to add your own twist to some of the more traditional yoga poses - or if there is a variation of the pose you enjoy better - or you find a fun spot to take your pics - you can win this fun prize for Creativity! This prize is meant to keep your immune system strong as you work on your physical strength.
I look forward to seeing you all #StandStrong in July! Enjoy our Nation's Independence and find your own Strength and Stability in the process! If you're like me, enjoy the goose bumps and tears in your eyes as you relish hearing our national anthem declaring triumph, and remember all those fighting for our freedom each day.