YOGA PAIRING
try the minty fresh essential oil blend with these gratitude-inspired poses
Minty Fresh Essential Oil Blend
clean air ∙ cooling vapor ∙ rainy forest
This blend captures the feeling of taking a deep breath of cool air in the high mountains after a rainstorm during late fall. Aromas of a damp forest floor and soaked earth blend together, and inspire feelings of peace and gratitude. This combination reminds us to slow down and appreciate the little things, like the smell of rain.
3 parts Tea Tree, 2 parts Peppermint, 2 parts Eucalyptus
The three oils work together to improve breathing, soothe coughs and sore throats and inspire feelings of stress relief and cleanliness.
Living life with gratitude opens the heart, fills it with peace and brings us into the present moment. In our yoga practice this month we will use the invigorating Minty Fresh Essential Oil Blend to open our hearts and practice gratitude for the blessings in our lives.
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1. Forward Fold
From mountain pose, inhale, and sweep your arms overhead into the sky. Bring your palms together. As you exhale, extend your torso down without rounding your back. As you release, bow the head toward the heart in reverence honoring your practice and repeat the following affirmation:
“I am grateful for all the good in my life.”
2. Upward Facing Dog (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana)
Begin lying on your belly with your forehead on the floor. Place your hands on the floor next to your ribs. Keep legs engaged and active. As you inhale, press through your hands; straighten your arms and lift through your torso. Draw shoulder blades down, lift your chest and feel the opening in the heart. As you open your heart and tilt your eye gaze toward the sky, repeat the following affirmation:
“I invite gratitude into my heart.”
3. Low Lunge (Anjaneyasana)
From downward dog, step one foot forward, between your hands. Lower back knee to the floor, feeling a nice stretch between hip and thigh. As you inhale, engage lower belly, lift your chest away from the thigh, and interlace hands behind your back. Keep shoulders soft, tailbone tucked in, and front knee stacked above the ankle. Lift the eye gaze and open through the chest. As you shine your heart, repeat the following affirmation:
“With a sense of gratitude, I see the world in a new light. Each day is an opportunity and a gift.”
4. Humble Warrior (Baddha Virabhadrasana)
Begin in Warrior I, with hips turned towards the front of the mat, heel to heel alignment, and the back foot at a 45 degree angle. On the inhale, sweep hands towards the sky, broaden the collarbones, and draw the shoulders away from the ears. Gently bring arms behind the back and interlace the fingers. Shine your heart towards the sky. As you exhale, fold the torso forward and bring your shoulder inside the knee and the crown of the head toward the ground. Trust this sensation and let yourself surrender. Humbly bow and repeat the following affirmation:
“I am thankful for my mistakes. I fully love and embrace who I am, even as I continue to grow.”
5. Camel Pose (Ustrasana)
Come to your knees, with legs hip-width apart. Keep your hips over your knees and internally rotate your thighs. Place hands on your hips, thumbs on your sacrum. On the inhale, engage your lower belly and tailbone reaching toward your knees. Lift your sternum and draw your elbows toward each other, allowing your rib cage to expand. Keep core engaged, spine long and chin tucked as you drop your hands towards your heels. Gently lower the head and neck, feeling the opening of the heart. Breathe into the heart space and repeat the following affirmation:
“I am aligned with the highest frequency of love. I am grateful to be here and now.”
6. Reverse Warrior (Viparita Virabhadrasana)
Begin in Warrior II, with the front knee bent over ankle, tailbone tucked under, and arms out to your sides. As you inhale, turn the palm of front hand towards the sky and reach arm up and over, coming into a side bend. Gently rest backhand on back thigh or calf. Keep your chest lifted and collar bones spread. Bring front hand to your heart and repeat the following affirmation:
“I will appreciate and enjoy the simple moments in my life.”
7. Pigeon Pose (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana)
From all fours, bring your right knee forward towards your right wrist. Right ankle will be in front of your left hip. Back leg is straight, heel pointing up to the ceiling. Keep hips level. As you inhale, come to your fingertips, lengthen your spine, and open your chest. As you exhale, walk your hands forward and lower your upper body towards the floor. Extend your arms towards the front of the mat, open hands ready to receive. Leave your hands open to receive and repeat the following affirmation:
“Everything I need is within me. I let gratitude carry me.”
Namaste friends.
We hope you have a lovely day!
These poses and pose descriptions were generously provided by our favorite yogi, Ashley. Ashley is a Ruidoso based instructor who loves teaching, traveling, and tea!
Keep up with Ashley on Instagram:
Craving some comforting teas for the season?
Try these ⬇︎⬇︎⬇︎
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