Who are you rootin' for?

Just over two years ago a very inspiring Yoga teacher from Chicago landed in Brisbane with a dream to share Anusara Yoga with the Australian community. I am forever grateful to have crossed paths with Julie and to continue to learn and grow with her.

If you are fortunate enough to have practiced with Julie, you will have heard her talk about 'rootin down'. 'Rooting what?' you say? I thought this was Yoga! Today, Julie's birthday, I'm dedicating my blog to Julie and to rootin' down. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

...


I invite you to remove your shoes and socks and find a piece of Earth to plant your feet. A sandy beach, the soft grass in your garden, the damp soil on the forest floor. Close your eyes. Stand tall with your feet hip width apart, toes pointing straight ahead and your knees tracking over your ankles. Your shoulders can melt away from the ears, the tips of the shoulder blades connecting with the back of your heart and your arms can rest by the side of your body.

Create a solid foundation through the feet by lifting and spreading the 10 toes one at a time. Press down through the big toe side of the ball of the foot, the inside of heel...the pinky toe side of the ball of the foot, the outside of the heel.


Each time you breathe in, allow the breath to travel from the centre of the chest out along the core lines. Just as a tree grows up through it's branches and down through its roots, feel the breath lengthen the spine up through the crown of the head and down through the tail bone and feet. Allow each exhalation to bring softness and surrender to the muscles, the skin and the organs.

Bring your awareness back to your feet, remembering that the tree is in constant interaction with the nutrient-giving earth.  Feel the breath as it travels down through the legs and through the four corners of your feet to connect with the Earth. Like the tree, our connection goes beyond the surface of the Earth.
Our inner ear senses down into the Earth's energetic centre, her Hara, to find balance.

Visualise tree roots shooting out from the soles of your feet and reaching deep into the Earth's centre. Where have your roots spread? Where do they get their nourishment? Perhaps your roots travel the 4000 miles into Mother Earth's molten core. What do you find there? Are there more roots searching for nourishment there? Which are yours and which belong to someone else? Using your inhalation to grow your roots, reach out and intertwine with another beautiful human being who is standing, exactly as you are, on the other side of our planet. Notice as your breaths synchronise. Grow your awareness to feel the pulsation of the Earth. Enjoy the synchronicity of breath. Tune in to Earth's deep breathing.

....

Trees of a similar kind are found in clusters. They stand together and grow together. Thank you Julie for creating a beautiful forest of Yogis - communicating, chanting and meditating under a gorgeous big tree.
xx Kirsty