Dear
Yogi,The title of this month's newsletter is meant to be taken quite literally. It's August and it's hot, so why not surrender to the heat rather than fight something over which we have no control? Submit to Halasana to find calm and peace; or move deeper into your yoga practice with Yogi Training. Counterbalance the warmth of the season with surrender.
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 Asana of the Month: Halasana = Plow Pose Hah-LAHS-anna
Hala = plow
As with most yoga asanas, Halasana's name is suggestive of the basic shape of the pose, which resembles the traditional plows found in Tibetan and Indian culture. Regular practice of Halasana nurtures and rejuvenates the entire body by increasing the circulation of blood to the nervous system, and literally plows through the toxins in your body for increased vitality and health. Halasana also massages the thyroid and parathyroid organs at the base of the neck which helps balance metabolism.
How to achieve Halasana:
To move into Halasana, begin by laying on your back with your legs extended toward the ceiling. Legs should be perpendicular to your mat. If you have any cervical spine or shoulder issues, stay here, or move to a wall and extend your legs up the wall. Otherwise, begin to make your way into Halasana by drawing your hips over your shoulders, and reach your toes over your head to rest on the floor behind you. Slightly bend your knees for a modification. Look straight up only in this pose, and rest your hands on your low back for support. Move your shoulders in underneath you until you feel the fleshy parts of your shoulder muscles support your posture. Ideally, you will feel little to no weight on the bones of your neck. Continue to draw your chin away from your chest and soften your throat to encourage the natural curve at the cervical spine. Breathe slowly and in your mind, chant the mantra "HUM" to balance the throat/Vishuddha Chakra. You will begin to freely speak and live from your highest truth/Satya. Halasana feels best when the body is warm. Move into Halasana at the end of your practice to calm your mind, stretch out your shoulders and spine, and to reduce stress and counteract fatigue. This pose is very therapeutic for backache, headache, infertility, insomnia, and sinusitis. Counter the pose by practicing fish pose or dead bugs pose.
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