Spring Equinox

And this practice is great one to get our voices ready for action …

Simhasana – Lions Roar

We use our voices to communicate. We can whisper, speak, sing, or scream, and shade our expression with many nuances. When we are nervous, scared, happy, or sad, others hear it in our voice. A friend may tell you on the phone that everything is fine, but you know by the tone of their voice it’s not true. Our voices reflect not only our state of mind but also the state of our nervous system.

• Try Simhasana when you feel angry or anxious, or when you haven’t expressed yourself the way you wanted. Perhaps you’ll find yourself happier, more grounded, and lighter—emotionally and physically.

The Pose

The lion’s roar is the defining characteristic of Simhasana. It’s the roar that releases tension in the body as it stimulates and energizes the throat.

• When you practice the pose, you will roar with a forceful exhalation, but it should come freely, without constricting the throat.
• The exhalation results from the contraction of the abdominal muscles and the pelvic floor.
• The muscles of the throat do not force the air out of the body; they simply allow the breath to be released.
• The exhalation will naturally create a sound through your open mouth. But the roar should not be vocalized. It should sound like a very breathy ha.

Begin in vajrasana, kneeling with your toes pointed backward and your buttocks resting on your heels. Place your hands on the floor in fornt of your knees. Before you get into the pose, take a moment to breathe diaphragmatically and notice where your breath may be constricted.

Inhale deeply through your nose. Open your mouth wide, stick out your tongue as far as possible, and exhale forcefully by quickly, strongly, and deeply contracting the abdominal muscles and the pelvic floor. At the same time, roll your eyes up and focus at the center between your eyebrows. Engage your entire body by lifting slightly off your heels as you push your hands into the floor, fingers spread. As you fully engage the pose and make it come alive, you’ll find the natural momentum from the exhalation propels you forward, like a roaring lion, with spread claws, leaping on its prey.

When you can’t squeeze any more energy out of the body, soften, relax, and sit back on the heels as you gently inhale. Repeat three times.

Once you are awake and ready sit and chant this beautiful mantra to fully connect with the energy

Om Asato Ma Sad Gamaya 

May we distinguish the false from the real.

Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya

May the darkness of ignorance give way to the light of wisdom in us.

Mrityor Amritam Gamaya

May we rid ourselves of the self-imposed limitations that prevent us from realizing our ever-expanding potential as vehicles through which the mortality of the many is understood as the immortality of the One.

It is the energy and power of the rational conscious mind  when joined with the energy and power of the intuition and inner wisdom, which brings fertility and manifestation.  This is the union that brings forth new life on many levels.  As we step into the active phase of the year, remember to balance the regional logical mind with instinct and intuition.  We have laid such importance on our logical minds, that we have become used to ignoring our intuition.  Learn to listen, to trust, and to act on your inner wisdom and bring your whole self back into balance …

Let this chant begin to guide you towards that space of listening as it leads you from the unreal to the real and from darkness back towards the light ….