प्रभव Prabhavaḥ - New Beginnings
Meaning: We all recognize the importance of being able to start fresh; to be born into a new situation or experience. A fresh start presents us with the opportunity to reflect on our lives, and to begin with a focus on creating conditions that will support and nourish us.
When we embark on a new project, we often do learn a lot about our own essence, our tendencies, our fears, our strengths. There is a feeling of potency at the beginning of a new endeavor, like anything is possible.
I often feel like this at the beginning of every yoga practice. When I step onto my mat, it can feel like anything is possible! When I practice at home, I will often begin in child’s pose and hold it for a while until something emerges from that field of potential. Some days, if I’m feeling tight or tired, a gentle, introspective practice will present itself. Other days, I might come to the mat with a previously thought out plan, particularly if I want to work on a pose that “poses” challenges to me. On those days, my practice might be more outwardly focused. Either way, I am honoring the potential of my body, heart, and mind in the moment.
Quotes:
“Each individual person perceives the same object in a different way, according to their own state of mind and projections. Everything is empty from its own side and appears according to how you see it.”
"Every Day Is a New Day, a new beginning, a chance to start all over again."
"There is a sacred Power in New Beginnings. Every new beginning offers a chance to bring your deepest desires to life."
“The power to shape our destiny in this life and beyond is a unique privilege available to those of us who understand the immense potency of our life force”
In Practice:
Set intentions for new beginnings. Invite to see the opportunity in all challenges.
In honor of the palpable potential a new beginning brings, we yogis can use our bodies in tandem with our breath to mark the transitions mindfully.
It takes strength and trust in oneself to be willing to begin again; starting new is no easy task. New beginnings ask us to be brave: to let old stories melt away, and find transformation in the physical as well as in the mental and emotional.
Breath:
Each moment and each breath is an opportunity to begin again. Be courageous in your opening. Use the breath to move into a conscious state of presence. Each exhale is a letting go. Each inhale is an opening. The movements in between are yours for expression. Repeat all poses on both sides and breathe with intent.
Mantra:
Om Gum Ganapatayei Namaha
= Om and salutations to Ganapati (Ganesha)
This mantra is traditionally chanted to start new endeavors with positive energy and to remove obstacles. Obstacles may manifest as external problems (you may think a lack of time prevents you from meditation every day, for example) it is often emotions or thought patterns that hold you back. This Mantra helps to purify your internal state and unify with your desire, which allows you to achieve anything.
Asanas:
Choose a sequence that stimulates the metabolism, generate heat, and rid the body of excess, strengthens the core, or focus on twists to detoxify from the old, or backbend to open into the new.
Parsva Savasana - Side Fetal Pose: End yoga sequence after savasana with fetal pose and remind students its a moment of rebirth the moment to transition into a new beginning
Ustrasana
Anjaneyasana
Revolved Crescent Lunge
Uttana Shishosana
Meditation:
The Four Sacred Questions for rebirth
To reclaim ownership of your life through acceptance, grant yourself the permission to release what no longer serves you, and boldly step into new beginnings, start the practice by asking the Four Sacred Questions of rebirth:
Who am I when I’m at my best?
What can I let go of that no longer serves me?
Do I give myself permission right now to step into my power of new beginnings?
What step can I take today to awaken my best version?
After we’ve asked and answered the sacred questions and let go of any outcomes, we are ready to take the process even deeper.
Integration in everyday life:
Try to see the opportunity in challenges.
Every morning is a new beginning, a chance to start all over again.
Take time to mindfully start your day and set an intention for the day.
Written by: Marlene @marlalene