You might have heard about Mandala Vinyasa classes in the yoga world, but still not sure what it is?
Mandala - a geometric figure representing the universe.
Vinyasa- breath and movement linked and maintained in a conscious way.
Based on the 4 basic elements - Fire, Water, Earth and Air - Mandala Vinyasa connects each element with a specific area of the body, integrating the spiral patterns that nature uses and exploring circular movements with our bodies, moving 360º around the mat.
On a physical level, we flow and move with the breath, working on that particular target area:
Air - backbends, opening up the shoulders and quads. Energetically we will be activating Anahata Chakra, related with our social identity and self love, finding space in our hearts.
Fire - spinal twists, glutes and IT band. Energetically we will be activating Manipura Chakra, our solar plexus, related with our will power and ego identity.
Water - hips and groin. Energetically we will be activating Svadhisthana, the Sacral Chakra, our source of movement and connection, related with our reproductive system.
Earth - hamstrings. Energetically we will be activating Muladhara, the Root Chakra, related with grounding.
The practice usually starts and ends with a short Yin session so we prepare and "close" the areas of the body that will be working on.
The interesting aspect is that we can really synchronise ourselves with nature through the lens of the elements, as accordingly with the Mayan calendar, each day is related with an element.
Curious about it? Come and try a class or just join on my next retreat!
Namaste!