January 1, New Year’s Day is dedicated to Janus the god of gates, doors and beginnings.
Celebrate the beginning of a new year with GATE POSE.
Gate Pose: Parighasana. (par-ee-GOSS-anna) parigha = an iron bar or beam used for locking or shutting a gate.
How to:
Come to a tall kneel
Extend your right leg out to the side
Inhale, Raise your left arm
Exhale, side stretch out over your right leg
Bring your right arm to the inside of your right leg. Use the leverage of your arm against your leg to help deepen the stretch, opening your heart chakra to the sky.
Hold for several breaths, then, switch sides
VARIATIONS:
-Bend your Right Knee and place your Right foot on the floor (instead of extending your right leg fully)
-Your right hand can reach down your right leg, possibly holding onto your right ankle.
Revolved Gate Pose
Come to a tall kneel
Extend your right leg out to the side
Inhale, Raise your left arm
Exhale, twist to the right, and bring your left arm to the back of your right leg. Left arm is in the air
Hold for several breaths, then, switch sides
Bound Revolved Gate Pose
Same pose as above,
Then, bring your right arm behind your back and your left arm under your right leg
Clasp hands or wrists
Seated Gate Pose:
Come to a wide knee low kneel
Extend your right leg out to the side (half straddle, your left leg is bent with your calf under your thigh-low kneel)
Inhale, Raise your left arm
Exhale, side stretch out over your right leg
Bring your right arm to the inside of your right leg. Use the leverage of your arm against your leg to help deepen the stretch, opening your heart chakra to the sky.
Hold for several breaths, then, switch sides
Grab a partner….
Double Gate 1:
Come to a tall kneel several feet apart from each other
Extend your legs so that the side of your foot touches the side of your partner’s foot
Inhale, raise your arms (opposite of your extended leg)
Exhale, side stretch out over your extended legs
Hold hands or wrists with your partner
Hold for several breaths, then, switch sides
Double Gate 2:
Come to a tall kneel next to your partner (hip to hip)
Extend your legs out to the sides (legs that are not touching your partner)
Rise your arm (the arm closest to your partner)
Exhale and side stretch out over your extended legs
Hold for several breaths, then, switch sides
Double Latched Gate:
Come to a tall kneel facing your partner
Come to Gate pose (mirror image, person A extends their right leg, person B extends their left leg)
Bring your extended/supporting arm to your partners extended leg (your partner brings their extended/supporting arm to your extended leg)
Hold the hand or wrist of your partner (use the hand that is opposite of your extended leg)
Hold for several breaths, then, switch sides
Related Post: Celebrating the New Year with Traditions to Bring Love and Luck!
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