Class Theme- Week 3 Jan 2016- Crowning Glory

We reach our uppermost Chakra, Sahasrara  The image of a 1000 petalled lotus flower gives us the sense of an infinite opening upwards and reaching out, whilst retaining all the sustenance needed right down to our roots.  The boundaries between our finite selves and the energy all around us melts away.  With each inhale, we draw energy from around us and with each exhale, we give back.  We sometimes strongly feel that energy connection with others in our yoga classes and in other communal activities.
 
Located at the crown of the head and the space beyond, this energy centre represents our right to know and learn.  In order to do so, we must process information, challenge assumptions, discard preconceptions and be open minded.  When we do, we acquire broad understanding and wisdom, the shackles of our life are loosened and the blinders removed.  This journey never ends and for those with healthy seventh chakra energy, nor does the wonder of life.
 
We can feel when we are in the presence of person with well developed Crown chakra energy.  They are rare beings who honour us with their interest and attention and genuine belief that we are amazing.  They make us feel special and limitless.  As we feed on the positive energy they give, it grows within us, and we share it around too, perhaps not even noticing we are doing it.  As we begin to comprehend the power in it, it can inspire us to engage more fully with everything around us: to cultivate that sense of joy and curiosity that truly does make the world a better place. 
 
Our lives are often confined by the illusion of packets of finite time.  Clocks and calendars reinforce the notion.  If we don’t like this packet (or asana), we can look forward to the next or remember a nicer one from the past.  But the reality is there is simply the experience of being in one moment and then the next, each unique and fleeting.  Each moment is a step in our journey and gives us the opportunity to learn, to connect, to share, to become wiser.  We get to choose what energy and mindset we bring to it, whether we are there for that moment, or just check ourselves out. 
 
The more we cultivate being present breath by breath on our yoga mat, the more likely we are to stay present that next moment off the mat, and the one after that.  So pause a moment at the end of your practice to feel the energy within and around you, share a smile, open yourself up to the world around you.  Make it a great moment.