Acquire an inspiration from nature.
Many yoga teachers say they don't know what to offer for yoga. Everyone loves a good body scan, but if you are looking to mix it up, try some inspiration from nature. I love to visit beautiful places such as the Morton Arboretum and find some stillness myself before asking it of others. Snap a few pictures and then put your camera away. Unplug. Log off. When you get home, make a nice cup of tea and see if you can put in writing a description that you can then share with your yogis for meditation.
Here's one from this picture. Feel free to use it, or create one of your own.
Listen to it now.
Imagine yourself walking along a path. The sun is shining and there are white, fluffy clouds allowing a soft warmth on your skin. There are trees all around you, with curious flowers and butterflies about. As you move through this path, you see a body of water up ahead. You walk slowly towards it. Once there, you find an old tree laying on it's side, and realize that is was once quite majestic. You take a seat. It overlooks a narrow brook of water. Your eyes catch the rhythm of the current as the water slowly moves over the Earth's bed of pebbles and rocks.
The water drops over a short drop resulting in a soft waterfall.
Beyond the waterfall, you see a pond. The sunlight beams upon it, and it's stillness creates a reflection of the trees above.
There are gentle lily pads sitting atop it with delicate flowers blooming upon them. You smell their scent in the light breeze.
Amidst the lily pads is a small island with bed of flowers. It is out of reach, and therefore perfectly preserved. Tree branches dangle just above it allowing for the perfect balance of sun and protective shade. Sitting on your tree, you notice the path around this pond of water and decide to walk around it.
As you walk along the path, you come to a hearty bridge made of rope and decide to continue your journey. Your heart beat picks up a bit and you feel yourself connected and present with the world around you.
A butterfly floats past you and lands on the milkweed flowers. You stop to observe it for a moment.
Continuing your steps, you realize that the pond's landscape changes as you move around it. A vantage point has a way of doing that.
With the sun now on your face, you soften your gaze and relax your face, neck and shoulders. Wiggle your fingers and toes, roll your ankles and wrists. Allow yourself to revive as completely renewed and ready to embrace the day.
Namaste.
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