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Lunar Elemental Prana Vinyasa

with Shiva Rea

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Overview

Welcome and Enjoy the Elemental Lunar Pathway of Prana Vinyasa!

This second "pathway of prana vinyasa" is a practice guide to the Five Elemental Namaskars and Five Lunar Wave Sequences that correspond to the Elemental Lunar Prana Vinyasa or Lunar Prana Flow module.

Your course Includes:

- video practices with Shiva: lunar offerings designed for a weekly practice over 5 weeks

- Five audio meditations (one per element) with Shiva from the lunar practice

lunar elemental practices for the earth, water, heart

- Music from practices available for online purchase

- Online Facebook study group with Shiva

- Great global community

What's inside

INTRO

3 lessons

WELCOME

Welcome and Enjoy the Elemental Pathways of Prana Vinyasa!Pathways of Prana Vinyasa: Lunar Elemental VinyasaPrana Vinyasa Yoga is the evolution of energetic vinyasa to realize and enhance the flow of our life. The Pathways of Prana Vinyasa Series is dedicated to providing a full-spectrum mandala of lunar practices for balancing and nourishing the flow of yoga in daily life - the living of energetic vinyasa. This lunar "pathway of prana vinyasa" is a practice guide to the Five Elemental Namaskars and 5 Lunar Wave Sequences that correspond to the Elemental Vinyasa module.Course Includes:- video practices with Shiva: lunar offerings designed for a weekly practice over 5 weeks- Five audio meditations (one per element) with Shiva from the lunar practice- Elemental Namaskars and lunar practices for each pathway- Five week guidance of prana flow elemental map process for living vinyasa and home-travel altar- Music from practices available for online purchase- Online Facebook study group with Shiva (active during live course)- Great global community

INTRO

Getting StartedWelcome to your Elemental Prana Vinyasa course. See the suggested flow of practice below to find your rhythm with these Lunar sequences.Suggestions for Practice- Practice each Lunar sequence once or twice during the week integrated with your regular practice; notice the effect of the movement alchemy on the flow of your daily life. How do you feel with the lunar practice? What is the elemental influence?- Practice meditation (suggestion of in front of your home altar) every day being consistent with morning or evening or both- Listen to the natural rhythms of your body and life; the natural waning (lunar) aspects of life provides a way of attuning.  Listen to allow yourself to move into harmony with whatever may be arising within you. -Lunar Practice is best on Monday and most evenings and anytime you are feeling low-energy, ungrounded or needing to regenerate your energyFive-Part Sadhana OverviewThe following five components are the anchors for the Living Yoga Sadhana group developed by Shiva for the teacher trainees and practioners over the past ten years. Our online group has been following the rhythms of the year for the past two years beginning with the new year cycle.1. SamkalpaWeekly sacred intention and alignment2. Prana Flow SadhanaPrana Flow Practice (daily or at least two times a week. Daily meditation practice.3. Sacred RhythmFive Week Cycle and the conscious awareness of your lunar rhythm during the day and week to harmonize any imbalances or enhance your natural rhythm.4. Sacred Space/AltarAwakening your home practice space and tending your inner and outer altar every day-week.5. Satsang/CommunityJoining our online community at least once a week about your altar, experience in practice or questions for the group.SamkalpaAt the beginning of each week at the end of your meditation, reflection and writing, we will listen for the week's samkalpa or dedication. This short sutra is an anchor for your transformational process and is suggested to be placed on your altar in some visible form or placed in a sacred container written on a small piece of paper or in creative ways that are simple to honor.Sadhana or Sacred PracticeEvery Monday and Tuesday there are practice sessions to guide you that you can experience on video archive.Monday's lunar practices are just two waves and all prana flow floor-work, inversions and Meditation & Mantra for the week. Give yourself to the simplicity of the practices which are intentionally embodying the qualities of each element-chakra.Set-up a practice rhythm that is realistic as well as transformative for you during the week.Sacred Practice RhythmThe natural waxing and waning of lifeWe will work with the transformational map of the elemental body maps with each week. Try to create a rhythm of practice that is steady while responding to the changes in daily life. Create your rhythm daily and weekly optimal flow.Sacred Space/AltarYour life is a mandala that includes your body, home and life. Your personal home altar is a great nexus-a navel that connects your inner and outer worlds-a conduit for your prayers, and a reflection of the altar of your heart.Every altar has a central focus-a primary symbol-which can take any form: an image, a sculpture, a natural object such as a stone or feather, or anything else that you find meaningful. Throughout our lifetimes, various symbols come to us; sometimes they are given to us, sometimes we find them, and sometimes we must search for them. Often, they come our way before we are fully ready to understand their meaning. Beneath this central symbol we may place an altar cloth made of any natural material of any color. Your central image and altar cloth can be changed every week on Sunday evening or Monday morning to initiate the next weeks activation of a different chakra.Each week allow as much symbolism, imagery and meaning as your life allows to the altar for each week dedicated to a different element. Every altar can include symbols of all the elements - it is the process of emphasis that gives power to you during the week as you gaze at your altar.Remove dust, wilted flowers, or ashes or wax left from burning. You may bathe sacred objects in water or dust them with special cloth that you only use for your altar. You can enjoy this as part of your weekly practice of renewal.Satsang/CommunityWe ask that every participant try to make one Facebook post during the week to be bold and vocalize your intentions, plant your seeds with the support of others, share your altar, your process or ask questions to Shiva or the group.

GETTING STARTED

GETTING STARTED Welcome to the Elemental Pathways of Prana Vinyasa! Lunar Elemental Vinyasa Discover the evolution of energetic vinyasa to enhance the flow of your life. The Pathways of Prana Vinyasa Series offers a full-spectrum mandala of lunar practices, designed to balance and nourish the flow of yoga in your daily life. This lunar "pathway of prana vinyasa" serves as a practice guide, featuring Five Elemental Namaskars and 5 Lunar Wave Sequences corresponding to the Elemental Vinyasa module. What You'll Gain: Weekly lunar practice videos with Shiva, designed for a 5-week journey Five element-specific audio meditations led by Shiva Elemental Namaskars and lunar practices for each pathway Five-week guidance on the prana flow elemental map process for living vinyasa and creating a home-travel altar Access to practice music for online purchase Membership in an online Community study group with Shiva (active during live course) Connection to a vibrant global community Experience the transformative power of Prana Vinyasa Yoga and embrace the flow of energetic vinyasa in your life.

Practice 1 ~ Earth

3 lessons

Lunar Earth Info

🌎 Earth Element: Pruthivi "The Earth is Mother, we are her sons and daughters. Instill in me abundantly that fragrance, which emanates from you and your plants and waters. Peaceful, fragrant, gracious to the touch. May Earth grant me her blessings." RIG VEDA .5.84 🌱 Understanding Pruthivi Earth (Pruthivi) represents matter in its solid phase. It embodies shape, form, and stability, forming the structure of things. In our bodies, earth-like elements include bones, cartilage, hair, nails, muscle, tendon, ligament, cell walls, and skin. Pruthivi provides essential structure and resistance to nature's forces, much like brick houses protect us from wind, sun, and rain. It cradles and holds all living creatures, offering food and shelter. 🧘‍♀️ Earth Element in Vinyasa For urban practitioners, focusing on the earth element is crucial for re-embodiment and connecting to nature's rhythm. Begin your practice with grounding poses like prostration or child's pose to honor the earth element. Structural alignment techniques, especially through the bones, represent the earth element and help redistribute excess mental energy. Yielding to gravity in all asanas enhances the grounding quality of Pruthivi. 🍃 Characteristics of Pruthivi Karma (action): Downward attractions, excretion/elimination Energy Type: Physical, mechanical energy Vayu: Apana vayu Sensory: Smell (Ganha) - nose Intention: Grounding, building / stabilizing Essence: "The grounding, stabilizing, formative force; Giving structure and support; Coming home within one's embodiment, connecting to living earth body; Mother of all elements." 🧠 Mind-Body Connection Dristi (gaze): Downward gaze Chakra: Muladhara chakra Kosha: Annamayakosha Bija Mantra: lam Dasha: kapha Color/Form: Red/yellow square Psychology: Groundedness, security, safety Physical Attributes: Muscles, bones, hair, teeth, connective tissue, organs

Lunar Earth Video

Pranava Om, Bhumi Namaskar, pulsation Vinyasa, cobra, hip opening, pigeon, and Parighasana explore breath, the earth element, and sacred grounding.

Lunar Elemental Prana Vinyasa Practice 1 ~ Earth

Oh Earth, impart to us those vitalizing forces that come from within your body, our central point, your navel; purify us wholly. Earth (Pruthivi) is matter in its solid phase. Shape, form, and stability are in the nature of earth, thus earth forms the structure of things. Bones, cartilage, hair, nails, muscle, tendon, and ligament are earth-like, as are the walls of cells and the body's covering: skin. Without the Earth element, our bodies would lack the necessary structure and resistance to the forces of nature forces of nature, just as the use of brick (Earth) houses protects us from excessive exposure to the Air (wind) , Fire (sun), and Water (rain) elements of nature. In essence, Pruthivi cradles and holds all living creatures of the planet, giving them food and shelter. In Vinyasa, focusing on the earth element is important for urban yogis and yoginis for re-embodiment and connection to the natural rhythm of the earth beneath the concrete. Starting a practice with a pose of stillness and grounding (i.e. prostration, child's pose) is honoring the earth element. The structural techniques of alignment (particulary through the bones) are also earth element and redistribute excess mental energy throughout the body. Allowing the body to yield to gravity in all asanas - from standing poses to shavasana - enhances the grounding, quality of Pruthivi. Karma (action): Downward attractions, excretion/elimination Type of Energy: Physical, mechanical energy Vayu: Apana vayu Sensory: Smell (Ganha) - nose Intention: Grounding, building / stabilizing. "The grounding, stabilizing, formative force; Giving structure and support; Coming home within one's embodiment, connecting to living earth body; Mother of all elements." Dristi (gaze): Downward gaze Chakra: Muladhara chakra Kosha: Annamayakosha Bija Mantra: lam Dasha: kapha Color/ Form: Red/yellow square Psychology: Groundedness, security, safety Physical Attributes: Muscles, bones, hair, teeth, connective tissue, organs

Practice 2 ~ Water

3 lessons

Lunar Water Info

🌊 Water Element: Apas "Oh friend, understand the body is an ocean, rich with hidden treasures, Within the body a lake of bliss, on it the white soul swans take their joy." MIRABAI 💧 Understanding Apas Water (Apas) represents matter in its liquid phase, acting as both a carrier and agent of change. In our bodies, it manifests as blood carrying oxygen, saliva, digestive fluids, hormones, sweat, and urine. It moves nutrients and eliminates waste products. Apas is essential for assimilation and maintaining electrolyte balance. The human body is over 70% water, with blood plasma being more than 90% water. The lymphatic system is also governed by the Water element. 🧘‍♀️ Water Element in Vinyasa In Vinyasa practice, the water element creates the connective flow between breath and movement, akin to a river's current. It embodies fluidity and adaptability in movement. 🌊 Characteristics of Apas Karma (action): Procreation, cohesiveness, cleansing, adhesiveness, downward movement Energy Type: Chemical energy Vayu: Apana vayu and vyana vayu Sensory: Taste - tongue Intention: Joy, contentment, love, graceful, adaptable Essence: "Carrier of life-energy, healing, cleansing fluid; tidal, lunar pull, the great vinyasa of a river - meandering, changing currents, powerful, collective flow." 🧠 Mind-Body Connection Dristi (gaze): Half-gaze, rasa dristi (watery eyes), ananda dristi (inward gaze) Chakra: Svadhisthana chakra Kosha: Pranamayakosha Bija Mantra: Vam Dosha: Kapha, pitta Color/Form: Orange, white crescent moon Psychology: Pleasure, passion, self-nurturing, change, sexuality Physical Attributes: Bladder, kidneys, CSF, uterus, synovial fluid, interstitial fluid, digestive enzymes

Lunar Water Video

Lunar Jala Pranavinyasa flows through Jala Namaskar, Sahaja Bhujangasana, cobra, downward dog, Ujjayi breathing, and Om.

Lunar Elemental Prana Vinyasa Practice 2 ~ Water

Water (Apas) is matter in its liquid phase and acts as both a carrier and agent of change. It represents our blood, carrier oxygen; our saliva and digestive fluids; our hormones; our sweat; and our urine. It is the mover of nutrients and the eliminator of waste products. It is the sea of life with in us. In the body, Apas is necessary for assimilation and for maintaining electrolyte balance. The body is composed of more than 70% water, while the plasma in our blood is made of more than 90% water. The body's lymphatic system is also governed by the Water element. Within the element of Water all the other elements maintain their function. Even Fire requires water to function (e.g. the digestive acids of the stomach). In Vinyasa, the water element creates the connective flow between breath and movement akin to the current of a river. Karma (action): procreation, cohesiveness, cleansing, adhesiveness, downward movement Type of Energy: Chemical energy Vayu: Apana vayu and vyana vayu Sensory: Taste - tongue Intention: Joy, contentment, love, graceful, adaptable. "Carrier of life-energy, healing, cleansing fluid; tidal, lunar pull, the great vinyasa of a river - meandering, changing currents, powerful, collective flow." Dristi (gaze): Half-gaze, rasa dristi (watery eyes), ananda dristi (inward gaze) Chakra: Svadhisthana chakra Kosha: Pranamayakosha Bija Mantra: Vam Dosha: Kapha, pitta Color/ Form: Orange, white crescent moon Psychology: Pleasure, passion, self-nurturing, change, sexuality Physical Attributes: bladder, kidneys, CSF, uterus, synovial fluid, interstitial fluid, digestive enzymes

Practice 3 ~ Fire

3 lessons

Lunar Fire Info

🔥 Fire Element: Agni "Fire is not seen until one fire stick rubs against another, though the fire remains hidden in the fire stick. Let your body be the lower fire stick; Let the mantra be the upper. Rub them against each other in meditation and realize the Lord." - RIG VEDA 🔥 Understanding Agni Fire (Agni) is the energy of transformation or change. It manifests in the exchange of energies and the conversion of matter from one phase to another. In the body, the Fire element governs metabolism, body temperature, digestion, and even thought processes. Where there is movement, there is friction, and where there is friction, there is Fire. Poor circulation results in cold hands and feet. The Fire element is radiant energy and is present in the body as the flame of attention. 🔥 Characteristics of Agni Karma (action): Brilliance, luminosity, penetration, locomotion Energy Type: Radiant energy Vayu: Samana vayu Sensory: Eyes - feet Intention & Inspiration: Focus, linear, intensity, clarity, courage. "Sacred fire, the ancient absorption, purifying, luminous, dynamic dance of change." 🧠 Mind-Body Connection Dristi (gaze): One-pointed, fixed, eyes open Chakra: Manipura, focus on the light behind the eyes, ekagrrata (one pointed), broomadya (ajna chakra) Kosha: Manomayakosha Bija Mantra: Ram Dosha: Pitta Color / Form: Yellow / downward-pointing triangle Psychology: Inner power and strength, vitality, strength, intention, honor Physical Attributes: Digestive enzymes, body temperature, luster of skin and eyes, gray matter of brain

Lunar Fire Video

Practices lunar Agni Pranavinyasa through Agni Mudra, Uttanasana, Chaturanga, cobra, downward dog, Pranava Om, and offerings to balanced fire.

Lunar Elemental Prana Vinyasa Practice 3 ~ Fire

Fire (Agni) is the energy of transformation or change. The exchange of energies, the conversion of matter from one phase to another: all are manifestations of Fire. In the body, the Fire element governs metabolism, body temperature, digestion(conversion of food into energy), and even thought (the assimilation and digestion of sensory impression into cognitive understanding, reason and memory). Where there is movement there is friction and where there is friction there is Fire. Poor circulation results in cold hands and feet. The Fire element is radiant energy and is present in the body as the flame of attention. Karma (action): Brilliance, luminosity, penetration, locomotion Type of Energy: Radiant energy Vayu: Samanavayu Sensory: Eyes - feet Intention & Inspiration: Focus, linear, intensity, clarity, courage. "Sacred fire, the ancient absorption, purifying, luminous, dynamic dance of change." Dristi (gaze): One-pointed, fixed, eyes open Chakra: Manipura, focus on the light behind the eyes, ekagrrata (one pointed), broomadya (ajna chakra) Kosha: Manomayakosha Bija Mantra: Ram Dasha: Pitta Color / Form: Yellow / downward-pointing triangle Psychology: Inner power and strength, vitality, strength, intention, honor Physical Atributes: Digestive enzymes, body temperature, luster of skin and eyes, gray matter of brain

Practice 4 ~ Air

3 lessons

Lunar Air Info

💨 Air/Wind Element: Vayu "Breath is the life of beings; therefore it is called the life of all. Those who venerate the breath as brahman live life to its full span." - TAITTILRIYA UPANISHAD 🌬️ Understanding Vayu Air/Wind (Vayu) is matter in its gaseous phase. It is movement, fluidity, formlessness. It can be compressed or rarefied. It can be a gentle breeze, or a forceful gale. Air manifests itself in the body as movement, pulsation, expansion, and contraction. Air, like wind, can not be smelled, tasted, or even seen, it can only be felt through the sense of touch. Prana is the basic principle of Air element. Prana is the flow of Consciousness from cell to cell in the form of intelligence. It is the Vital Life Force. 🍃 Characteristics of Vayu Karma (action): Movement in a particular direction, giving and receiving Energy Type: Electrical energy Vayu: Vyana vayu and udana vayu Sensory: Skin, touch, hands Intention & Inspiration: Connection to life force, movement, seeing and feeling in all directions. "Breath of life, pranic rhythm, the Great mystery, the unseen moving through all of creation. Jai Hanuman!" 🧠 Mind-Body Connection Dristi (gaze): Circulation of eyes in all directions Chakra: Anahata chakra Kosha: Vijnanamayakosha Bija Mantra: Yam Dosha: Vata Color / Form: Green / hexagon (two superimposed triangles) Psychology: Love, acceptance, compassion, trust Physical Attributes: Lung, heart, circulation, muscle contraction, nervous system

Lunar Air Video

Pranava Om, Ujjayi breathing, and heart-centered Vinyasa explore Uddiyana Bandha, backbends, Cobra, Downward Dog, and Vajrasana.

Lunar Elemental Prana Vinyasa Practice 4 ~ Air

Air/Wind (Vayu) is matter in its gaseous phase. It is movement, fluidity, formlessness. It can be compressed or rarefied. It can be a gentle breeze, or a forceful gale. Air manifests itself in the body as movement, pulsation, expansion, and contraction. Air, like wind, can not be smelled, tasted, or even seen, it can only be felt through the sense of touch. Prana is the basic principle of Air element. Prana is the flow of Consciousness from cell to cell in the form of intelligence. It is the Vital Life Force. Karma (action): Movement in a particular direction, giving and receiving Type of Energy: Electrical energy Vayu: Vyanavayuandudanavayu Sensory: Skin, touch, hands Intention & Inspiration: Connection to life force, movement, seeing and feeling in all directions. "Breath of life, pranic rhythm, the Great mystery, the unseen moving through all of creation. Jai Hanuman!" Dristi (gaze): Circulation of eyes in all directions Chakra: Anahata chakra Kosha: Vijnanamayakosha Bija Mantra: Yam Dasha: Vata Color / Form: Green / hexagon (two superimposed triangles) Psychology: Love, acceptance, compassion, trust Physical Attributes: Lung, heart, circulation, muscle contraction, nervous system

Practice 5 ~ Space

3 lessons

Lunar Space Info

🌌 Space Element: Ether (Akasha) "As great as the infinite space beyond is the space within the lotus of the heart. Both fire and earth are contained in that inner space, both fire and air, sun and moon, lightening and stars. Whether we know it in this world or not, everything is contained in that inner space." - TAITTILRIYA UPANISHAD 🌠 Understanding Akasha Ether (akasha) is a mystical concept meaning all-enclosing, all-pervasive, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent. It is the emptiness in which all other elements exist. Quantum mechanics defines ether as "the field." It represents the nature of the void, or the "home" in which all other elements interact. To grasp the concept of Akasha, consider a doorway or the empty space within a vase. There is nothing there, yet therein lies its usefulness. Similarly, the spaces in your body - lungs, nostrils, mouth, stomach - are useful because of the space within them. In the body, Ether is the first expression of Consciousness and the basic need of the bodily cells. Ether is expansive, empty, and has no resistance. It provides freedom in which to move. Without Ether, there is no love or freedom. ✨ Characteristics of Akasha Karma (action): Vibration, expansion, freedom, speaking Energy Type: Nuclear energy Vayu: Prana vayu and udana vayu Sensory: Sound, ears, hearing Intention & Inspiration: Freedom, emptiness, spacious, transcending. "All pervading space-hosting life, alpha and omega, the stillness within movement, the great return." 🧠 Mind-Body Connection Dristi (gaze): Pranava dristi (gaze at the eternal OM) Chakra: Vishuddha chakra Kosha: Anandamayakosha Bija Mantra: Ham Dosha: Vata Color / Form: Blue (sky or bright) / white circle Psychology: Communication, personal expression, speaking truth, manifesting Physical Attributes: Throat, mouth, ears, joints, space inside organs

Lunar Space Video

Pranava Om, Ujjayi breathing, Namaskar flows, crescent backbends, tree pose, yogic squat, and hip-opening balances explore lunar space and awareness.

Lunar Elemental Prana Vinyasa Practice 5 ~ Space

Known as the Space element, Ether (akasha) is a mystical concept meaning all-enclosing, all pervasive, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent. Akasha is the emptiness in which all other elements exist. Quantum mechanics defines ether as "the field." It represents the nature of the void, or the "home" in which all other elements interact. To grasp the concept of Akasha, consider a doorway or the empty space within a vase. There is nothing there, yet therein lays its usefulness. Similarly, the spaces in your body- lungs, the nostrils, the mouth, the stomach - are useful because of the space within them. Space implies receptivity, distance and location. In the body, Ether is the first expression of Consciousness, and the basic need of the bodily cells. In the development of matter, Ether comes first. Ether is expansive, empty and has no resistance. Ether provides freedom in which to move. Without Ether there is no love or freedom. Karma (action): Vibration, expansion, freedom, speaking Type of Energy: Nuclear energy Vayu: Prana vayu and udana vayu Sensory: Sound, ears, hearing Intention & Inspiration: Freedom, emptiness, spacious, transcending "all pervading space-hosting life, aplha and omega, the stillness within movement, the great return.". Dristi (gaze): Pranava dristi (gaze at the eternal OM) Chakra: Vishuddha chakra Kosha: anandamayakosha Bija Mantra: Ham Dosha: Vata Color / Form: Blue (sky or bright) / white circle Psychology:Communication, personal expression, speaking truth, manifesting Physical Atributes: Throat, mouth, ears, joints, space inside organs

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