Today in class I talked about how much I loved the reading by Black Elk that I quoted last week in recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day. I used it in today's classes since I felt disappointed that we did not practice last Sunday and were unable to share that powerful reading.
While we practiced outdoors today in the glorious sunshine, I reflected further on last week’s topic of unification - as we practiced I thought the words “Indian Summer”. Today’s weather, an unseasonably warm and sunny day, was precisely what is referenced by that term. It is, however, a problematic term. It is generally accepted that when the European Settlers first came across the phenomena of an unseasonably warm spell in Autumn, it became known as Indian Summer. Some of the first references to this were noted by J. Hector St John de Crevecoeur (a French American soldier turned farmer) who wrote in 1778 about the beginning of cold weather and “a severe frost succeeds which prepares it to receive the voluminous coat of snow which is soon to follow; though it is often preceded by a short interval of smoke and mildness, called the Indian Summer”. There are many references to the term in American literature in the following century including in Henry David Thoreau’s essay A Winter Walk. Many of the earliest writings about it refer to the warm weather and smokiness - perhaps inspired by fires lit by the Native Americans. Other theories about the name discuss that this season coincided with the Native Americans’ hunting season. The more negative connotation is the theory that Indian Summer somehow meant “false summer” like the slur “Indian Giver”.
While one might argue that they are not using the saying in a pejorative manner, however, what purpose is served by holding onto a term that may offend even one person? The American Meteorological Society rightfully suggests that the term is “considered a relic of the past and disrespectful to the Native American people.” Their recommendation is that we use the beautiful name of Second Summer. I second that!
As we talk about the unifying power of yoga as we did last week, we can remind ourselves as we walk through life, on and off our mat, each time we engage with others we can try to be positive with our words. As Thumper the rabbit tells Bambi, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all”. This too is yoga.
Our Practice – Celebrating Second Summer with Sun Salutations – Surya Namaskar
Most vinyasa flow yoga classes begin the standing portion of class with one of the sun salutations. The Sanskrit word surya means sun and namaskar means salutations or bow down. Essentially, this is a series of poses to honor the sun which brings energy and light; the poses awaken the body and are traditionally practiced early in the morning facing east.
A few things to consider:
Corkscrew the hands into the mat and grip with fingers to relieve some wrist pressure.
Keep a gentle bend in the knees, no locking or hyperextension.
Common yogi cue is to externally rotate the arms moving eyes of the elbows toward front of mat. Your body may call for a bit of inward rotation for shoulder comfort, experiment.
In chaturanga only lower so elbows are just above shoulder line. Your elbows should not be higher than shoulders, at most perfectly in line in a 90-degree angle inside elbow.
Modify!
I think this article is worth sharing again. It has tips on how to practice chatarunga safely.
Meditating on Unity & Peace – Again
I share the beautiful words of Black Elk from last week.
“The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness, with the universe and all its powers; and when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells Wakan-Taka (the Great Spirit); and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us. This is the real peace, and the others are but reflections of this. The second peace is that which is made between two individuals; and the third is that which is made between two nations. But above all, you should understand that there can never be peace between nations until there is known that true peace, which, as I have often said, is within the souls of men.” – Black Elk
See you on the mat!
Namaste,
Julia Anne
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