Rajas is the guna that leads transformation, change, revitalisation and fire. Let us begin the year with both intention and fire while allowing our movements to be led by devotion - to ourselves, to our practice, and to the Divine.
In this practice, we will not be counting 108 rounds of Surya Namaskar. Instead, we will be guided by 108 cycles of the Gayatri Mantra, and we will practice Surya Namaskar A to its sound vibrations. Gayatri is the Goddess of Light who expels darkness from our minds. In ancient traditions, Gayatri mantra is chanted in devotion to the nourishing sun that connects us all, and also represents new beginnings and new opportunities.
Each cycle of the Gayatri Mantra chant will represent one salutation. We will practice mindfully to the sound vibrations from 108 of these salutations. You may end up moving through more than 108 rounds of Surya Namaskar, or less. Come as you are, and breathe freely and deeply. Find stillness when you need, or freedom in your movement when you need. There is no pace or rhythm that you need to follow other than that of your own breath. We will resolve to move away from the attachment to the number of movements, and pay closer focus to the cycles of devotion and intention while honouring the length of our own individual breaths.
What has 2024 taught you? What are the lessons you want to bring with you, and perhaps carry forward into the New Year? As we welcome 2025 with open hearts and minds, we can ignite the fire within with intentional movement and dedication that will guide us through the rest of the year and the new beginning that awaits us. We will close the session with seated meditation.
Fees
Ignite the Fire Within: 108 Salutations of Devotion with Meiyan Cheong
$60 (standard ticket price)
About Meiyan Cheong
Meiyan specialises in both Vinyasa Flow and Yin, and enjoys guiding her students towards finding that beautiful dance between Yin (that which grounds and nourishes) and Yang (that which invigorates and uplifts) both on and off the mat. The delicate balance between holding on with control and trusting just enough to let go is a lesson she continues to work on till this day.
She has a passion for sound healing and incorporates this in her teaching and self-practice in the form of instruments, mantras and music, sometimes bringing an instrument or two into her classes for her students to enjoy the relaxing and introspective effects of sound. Music also influences her style and rhythm in a flow practice, and she enjoys creatively stringing poses together to form a moving meditation that almost resembles a dance. Her journey with yoga is rooted in the study of its philosophy, but continues to evolve in her exploration of the bhakti (devotional) path, especially with her newfound love for Kirtan (devotional singing).
