June isn’t summertime in Kerala. Summer went out with the first rains! June is the beginning of two months of monsoon. It’s a great time to come to Rasa Ayurveda. Just be prepared to share the grounds with a few puddle fish and beautiful wild birds…!

Monsoon is traditionally considered to be the very best time to take Ayurvedic treatment for most conditions, and for overall detoxification thru pancha karma therapies. Luscious and moist,  a sudden abundance of tender, green leafy medicines spring into being. All of Mother Nature’s resources seem to brim over in service to cleansing and rejuvenating the body, and the mind. For details about the qualities of monsoon, see this previous post, Monsoon in the Right Time.

Monsoon is natural time for turning one’s attention within, and for experiencing the world at its most peaceful. Meditation comes easily now. The air is quiet, and every storm washes the inner and outer worlds clean.

With just a little bit of guidance, one can fall effortlessly into a state of unity at this time… Don’t believe me? Give it a try!

Here’s a wonderful awareness practice I hope you enjoy:

Sit comfortably on the floor, or on a supportive chair. Feel where your body–hip bones, feet–touches the ground or chair. Get a feeling and even visual sense of your postural foundation.

As you inhale, allow your spine to lengthen upward gently, almost as if someone were pulling a small handful of hair up just a little, right at the crown of your head.

Notice that some of your attention remains grounded in your foundation as you exhale completely through your nose. Soften your face. Soften your neck. Soften your belly.

Inhale, allowing the spaces between the vertebrae, ribs and the tops of the shoulder to open.

Exhale, feeling the support of the ground beneath you. Allowing that support to just be there, holding you.

Inhale, releasing the eyes as your spine lengthens. Pull your chin in just a little bit.

With simultaneous awareness of both the downward-grounding and upward-reaching energies, feel your whole body as you exhale completely and inhale completely. Continue to soften any areas of holding you become aware of. Continue to enjoy the feeling of your spine, straight and elongating.

Turn your head from side to side a few times, slowly, and lubricating your movement with your breath.

Come back to center. Breathe and enjoy.

When it’s time, continue your full breathing, and open your eyes just 15% to see the floor in front of you. Allow your energy to remain in full engagement with your whole body, and with your internal beingness. No need for the energy behind the eyes to to jump out and run across the room.

After a few breaths, open your eyes a bit more, keeping your foundation intact.

Place your hands together in gratitude for the enjoyment of being. Slowly stand, walk and move into the rest of your day, smiling, and keeping your self-awareness with you as long as you like.

Even if you can’t come to Kerala for  monsoon, you can savor the rejuvenation that come with  peaceful mind and expanded body sense, wherever you are…

Whenever you can come, we look forward to welcoming you to Rasa Ayurveda~

Niika Quistgard, CAS

Niika Quistgard :: Jun.10.2010 :: Ayurveda & Siddha, Culture, Spirituality, Environment, External Medicines, Patient Outcomes, Rasa Ayurveda News :: No Comments »