☀️ Hi again, Sun ! ☀️
Energetically speaking, today, April 8th, is a very potent day: we’re entering a new moon cycle (in Aries) and North America is gearing up for a total solar eclipse, which will happen at 2.20pm EST today (more on that here). Sadly, we won’t see it from Portugal but nonetheless there’s an electric energy of renewal in the air today. Can you feel it?
Up in Sintra last week. The mood there is so unique and the stormy weather made for dramatic color hues.
WORKSHOPS
The second edition of Mommy/Daddy & Me Yoga was a success! 7 duos of parents and kids yogis came together to learn a few classical poses, find balance on one another and even rest for a short while!
The next one will happen early May. Stay tuned for the exact date !
WORDS OF YOGA
Surya Namaskar
In Sanskrit, Surya means Sun and Namaskar is a way of greeting somebody (similar to Namaste).
Sun salutations are a classical component of Hatha and Vinyasa Yoga classes, and there are 3 main variations of these series of poses: A, B, C.
It is common to go through these series a few times in the morning, not only to honor the essential light and warmth that the sun brings us every day, but also as a way to start syncing our breath to movement. The alternation of standing, forward folding and backbending postures also make for a great overall body warm up and can be a powerful moving meditation when practiced several times in a row. Try it with your eyes closed too and see how it feels. Some yoga practitioners celebrate important events such as the new year, summer or winter solstice by doing 108 sun salutations in a row!
Surya A is the most simple one, starting and ending with Mountain pose (Tadasana), as pictured above. Surya B starts and ends with Chair pose and then we add Virabhadrasana I (Warrior 1) to the flow. Surya C is similar to Surya A with the addition of a low lunge (Anjaneyasana).
Feeling overwhelmed by the order of the poses? Come to class, this month we’re breaking down each pose composing all 3 sun salutations.
A FEW THINGS I ENJOYED LATELY
My kids were on Spring break for the past 2 weeks so clearly I have not been reading much!
But, I do have 2 kid-friendly places recommendations to visit around Lisbon:
Palacio Nacional de Queluz: only 20 minutes away from the city, this 18th century palace is a delight for all the senses: the quaint colors, the curves, the old furniture, the decadent size of the rooms and the massive park, it has everything you picture when thinking about a charming old European palace. Kids love to roam in the long corridors and then run in the beautiful and expansive gardens.
Quinta do Pisao: nested in the Cascais national park, only 30 minutes from Lisbon, this working farm is wonderful on many levels: the grounds are breathtaking, the walk on the main path guides you to horses and donkeys stables, and even to a vegetable garden where you can pick and buy your own produce! We went on a grey Monday morning so it was perfectly empty but I can easily imagine summer Saturdays get busy here.
2024 YOGA RETREATS
🤗 Next week I will be embarking on my first retreat for Namastrip. It’s sold-out! I will be joining 10 other French-speaking women for 5 days of Yoga, meditation, nature, slow-life and self-care at the beautiful Villa Epicurea. I cannot wait!
The next retreats are on May 16-20 (confirmed), August 10-15, October 16-20 and November 7-11.
GROUP CLASSES IN LISBON
In celebration of Spring and the return of our preferred star, our theme this month is, you may have guessed it: Sun Salutations !
We will also spend time practicing Chaturanga, an essential yet often overlooked component of those series of poses.
🏄♂️ 🏄♀️ Yoga for Surfers
📆 Every Wednesday 9h at Studio Organic Flow
🤰🤱 Baby & Me - Prenatal & Postnatal (babies welcome!)
📆 Every Wednesday 11h at Studio Organic Flow
🧘♂️🧘♀️ Mindful Flow - Open-Level Vinyasa
📆 Friday 12h30 at Yoga no Bairro ⚠️ On April 12th only this month ⚠️
Each class is limited to 8 students, so remember to book your spot beforehand. I also teach Private classes in-person or online.
✨ FROM LISBON, WITH LIGHT ✨
