Episode 77: Build Your Infrastructure and Love Freely, A Level 2 75 min Yoga Class

by Elsie on February 18, 2010

Upon learning about and delving into the earthquake in Haiti, and specifically the lack of infrastructure within the area where the earthquake hit, and the lack of foundation to receive help, it forced me to look at what was going on in my ‘home’, my heart, my surroundings so that I could help create clarity HERE and NOW.

Why HERE and NOW?

I donated money. In fact, how could you not? It was made so easy to give, so very easy to give. You saw how fast the human heart can open up and offer. You all experienced a sense of unity did you not? It’s amazing how open our hearts are. I have so much faith in the human race and our ability to open our hearts. I have no doubt.

Now, our ability to keep the hearts open and sensitive, to work daily to make choices that will optimize our well being and that of those around us is a different story. I can speak from personal experience as I say that I’m lazy when it comes to that stuff. I often times choose to ‘fix’ what’s broken in the house later. It’s too much of a pain now. I’ll eat healthier later. This pound of ice-cream isn’t gonna hurt me now. I’ll discipline and engage with my daughter later, she’s only 16 months old, there’s plenty of time….and on and on and on. That later, turns into years (or at minimum months). Those every day things are the infrastructure:

An underlying base or foundation especially for an organization or system.

The basic facilities, services, and installations needed for the functioning of a community or society, such as transportation and communications systems, water and power lines, and public institutions including schools, post offices, and prisons.

If we don’t tend to that, regardless of how open our hearts are, how willing we are to give, how much we want to work, the delivery of that love, support, resources will not get there easily. At least that’s how I see it. The foundation will not be set when push comes to shove. Infrastructure is not exotic, it’s not exciting, it’s very grounded, methodical, and I guess you could say boring? Our job as yogis is to make these every day choices, these mundane often boring and at times, may I say annoying tasks sacred, valuable and full of meaning. It is in those every day ways that we build our foundation, our underlying system within our household, within our relationships, within our BODIES that we create the optimal way for us to share that wealth of heart and spirit with which we are all blessed.

Build the infrastructure and Clear the path to Love

The more that we cultivate our infrastructure, the more that we will be able to share and love each other, support each other in a myriad of ways. We will be ever more effective and clear and raise ourselves and each other to a higher level of consciousness.

So, scroll below to do the yoga class (and check out the corresponding sequence) with this theme, so that you can infuse and strengthen your infrastructure in order to serve more fully!

Some links mentioned in the intro:

This week’s class is a variation of the theme that I touched on above. It’s a Level 2 Yoga Class and it was recorded on January 18th 2010 at Yoga Matrika 🙂

Download MP3 of Yoga Class

The Yoga Asana Sequence

Adho Mukha Svanasana

Eka Pada Adho Mukha Svanasana

one legged downward facing dog with hips squared

SpiderMan Deep Lunge

Plank

Chattarunga

chattarunga dandasana

Salabasana with arms interlaced behind the back/Cobra

Downward Facing Dog

Uttanasana/Ardha Uttanasana x 3

uttanasanaardha uttanasana

Urdhva Hastasana

Surya Namaskar C

urdhva hastasana transition into uttanasana uttanasana ardha uttanasanaLunge with bent leg plank pose chattarunga dandasana cobradownward facing dogLunge with bent leg uttanasana ardha uttanasanatransition into uttanasanaurdhva hastasanatadasana

Urdhva Hastasana variation with thumbs interlaced

Utkatasana variation with thumbs interlaced

Uttanasana/Ardha Uttanasana

uttanasanaardha uttanasana

Vinyasa

plank pose chattarunga dandasana cobradownward facing dog

Vira II/Reverse Vira

warrior IIreverse warrior

Push up Vinyasa

chattarunga dandasana

Parsvakonasana

Parvakonasana with forearm on thighparsvakonasana prepParsvakonasana

Trikonasana/Trikonasana with arm over ear

trikonasana

Downward Facing Dog with knees bent into straight

dd_bent_legs

Uttanasana

Hands on hips shoulders up to Tadasana

Standing Hip Stretch x2

Standing Hip Stretch Front (shrub)Standing Hip Stretch (shrub)

Standing Baby Craddle

Garundasana

Malasana

Malasana

Uttanasana

Deep Lunge

Deep Lunge with back knee on the floor deep lunge with forearms on the floor

Ardha Bhekasana

Eka Pada Pavrita Adho Mukha Svanasana (One Legged Twisting Dowward Facing Dog)

Dhanurasana x3

Child’s Pose

Supta Padangusatasana

Knees to Chest

apanasana

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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

sara lee February 19, 2010 at 7:30 pm

WOW! This is an awesome episode- a lot of great things to think about and apply on and off the mat. Super job Elsie- thank you so much!!

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Elsie February 20, 2010 at 12:03 am

Thank you Sara Lee 🙂 Always a blessing to hear from you! xoxoxo

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Liz February 22, 2010 at 5:31 pm

So – I stream your audio classes, now and again. When I am feeling uninspired or stuck. I am a budding teacher (just finished up my 200 hr. cert.). I am in a particularly hard place in my life right now….and this class gave me such a beautiful pause yesterday. Your words – the sequence – everything seemed to align to what I have been needing to hear from MYSELF over all else.

So THANK YOU – for putting your work out there, I appreciate it so much…. and have finally left you a comment saying so.

Many many blessings and great love to you….

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Jackie June 27, 2012 at 2:06 pm

Great practice. Challenging. Grounding.

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