​Scorpio energy is about diving deep into the emotional waters of ourselves and others. It is about navigating the lesser seen realms of quiet intuition and tuning into more of what isn’t being said but felt strongly and conveyed without words.

In Scorpio season, the urge to merge with others is strong. Meetings of the mind, heart, and body are longed for and any work done on relationships can access more fulfilling intimacy and synergy.

The watery energies of Scorpio also lend themselves to brave exploration of mysteries of the unknown, including the connection to Spirit.

A great way to combine yoga with the energies of the Scorpio season is partner yoga. These types of poses can be done with a friend or romantic partner, and can support the missions of Scorpio which are to build trust, deepen communication (spoken and unspoken), enhance emotional fulfillment, strengthen flexibility, and synergize.

There are many partner poses that are quite complex (and even a bit dangerous for beginners) but here is a great pose for those at any level:

The pose can be held as long as is comfortable for both participants. Closing the eyes can deepen the practice. Focus on the breath and the feeling of the points of physical, emotional, and spiritual connection with the self and the other.

Happy Connecting!

~ Annie

Here we are at the midpoint of the year. The solstice on June 21 is the time when the North Pole of the earth will be tilted toward the Sun, and reaches its northernmost position in the sky directly over the Tropic of Cancer at 23.44 degrees north latitude. This is exact on June 21 this year and marks the first day of summer, also known as the Summer Solstice, in the Northern Hemisphere an Winter Solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. The Sun has ingress into the cardinal water sign of Cancer. 

The way forward is to focus within. During this Cancer season, inner reflection can be best accomplished by nourishing the self, cultivating your intuition and inner guidance, and practicing true self care. During airline flights we are instructed to put on our own oxygen mask first before we assist others. That instruction is what the season is calling us to do. Nourish the self first, then direct your attention outward. Often when we take the time to nourish the self through yoga and radical self care, we have a different and more successful approach to the outer circumstance that we were striving so hard to achieve.

To support this endeavor of quieting the mind and going within, there are a few yoga practices that might be especially useful.

Of course Savasana or Corpse Pose is often used for relaxation and rest at the end of a yoga session typically to integrate and allow the body time to ‘soak’ in the experience. According to the article, The Purpose of the Corpse Pose in Yoga Journal, “Savasana is intended to rejuvenate the body, mind, and spirit. In Savasana, the practitioners’ breath deepens, and the stress of the day is released. The yogi forgets all other thoughts and surrenders any psychological effort. While in Savasana, yogis slip into blissful neutrality and reflect on the practice.”

It also might be beneficial to check out some Yin Yoga postures for self care. According to Yoga Basics [yogabasics.com], Yin Yoga creates the perfect space for feeling supported and nurtured. Yin focuses on deep stretches held for minutes at a time. The intention of these extended poses is to release emotions held within the deep connective tissues of the body as well as energetic channels known as meridians. 

Restorative yoga postures may also be beneficial as according to yogabasics.com restorative yoga poses do for the body what meditation does for the mind—create a clear space grounded in the present moment. When postures are practiced for 15 minutes or more, the mind can slow down, and the nerves become quiet.

For a quick dip into the calm, you might find a few minutes to practice alternate nostril breathing. Or even a slow  inhale to the count of 5, then breathing out at the same pace to the count to 5. This repetition for a a few minutes will help to bring your focus within and help you to feel more centered. 

During this month it is important to take the time you need to rest, refocus and restore. Take the time for a grounding yoga practice. Go within to hear the quiet voice of your soul.

When the Sun is in Aquarius you will likely feel more inclined to socialize, network (this includes the online world), and your mind may have lots of interesting ideas! You may also feel a drive for more freedom in some area of your life. Aquarius is a like a spark of energy and inspiration. When I think of Aquarius, I think of thunderstorms and lightning: a bolt that comes from “out of the blue” to shake you up and change your stagnant ways. People that have Aquarius prominent in their natal charts like to be on the move (both mentally and physically): they thrive on change and need excitement to feel inspired and “alive.” You may feel more restless this month, itching to change up the “same ole’’” routines, and this can be positive and necessary, however you want to make sure that you maintain some sense of balance amid any changes and transitions you make.

In order to balance the energy of Aquarius, we want to cultivate consistency, commitment (in daily life), and flexibility. Aquarius (and other air signs) often benefit from grounding practices: simply feeling your feet on the ground is a good first step. In the yoga practice, whatever body parts are touching the ground create your foundation in a pose. Like a house, you need a solid foundation so that the rest of your body feels supported and the pose is, therefore, strong and safe. When the sun moves into Aquarius, it’s helpful to put more focus on your foundation, to really feel the connection of your feet and hands (for example, in Downward Facing Dog) on the earth and, yet, you also want to honor the Aquarius need for movement, freedom, and change. I, therefore, suggest a grounding yet creative Vinyasa Flow Yoga practice. I also suggest Four-part Breath, a simple form of Pranayama that quickly stills and calms body/mind.

Since I have the air element prominent in my natal chart, I am drawn to a creative Vinyasa Flow with plenty of grounding work. I like to get “lost” in the yoga practice, meaning I feel connected to my body and, yet, I can transcend the “mundane world.” The practice becomes a beautiful dance with spirit, both rhythmic and freeing. The key to this is that I must first connect with my foundation and my body; I cannot bypass this piece or else I feel disconnected and I am simply going through the motions. If I, on the other hand, focus too heavily on the cerebral elements of the yoga practice (alignment is important but too much becomes oppressive), I feel rigid in the practice and stuck “in my head,” and I lose the magic of the practice. I like to do long, flow-y sequences on each side (right and left), while taking care to move my body in a safe and balanced way. Click HERE and HERE for the two parts of my twenty minute creative and grounding vinyasa flow yoga video.

I mentioned consistency and commitment above. Aquarius energy does not lend itself well to consistency/commitment in terms of a daily schedule and it is, generally speaking, challenging for those with Aquarius strong in the Natal Chart to stick to one thing for long. When they have a bigger picture cause Aquarians are dedicated (don’t get me wrong), however they are not usually super focused on the details and day-to-day stuff (that’s Virgo’s domain). For this reason, when Aquarius vibes are in the “air,” it is beneficial to cultivate more consistency in your life (and this will help to ground you if do experience change now). For example, commit to doing a 20 or 30 minute yoga and/or meditation practice each day. If you make plans with friends, do your best to stick to them. Developing consistency will help you to feel more balanced this month.

The aforementioned four-part breath (also called square breath) is a simple and effective form of Pranayama (breathing technique) that is helpful to balance the heady Aquarius energy. Begin in a comfortable seated or reclined position. Breathe in slowly through your nose and pause at the “top” of the inhale, holding your breath and connecting to the space between each breath (this is called breath retention). Let your breath out slowly, following the length of your exhale and that feeling of release that accompanies it. Now hold the breath at the “bottom” of the exhale. Begin again. Take your time with each breath, and be sure to pause the breath for a few beats in between each inhale and exhale. Continue for at least 5 more rounds, and then return to your natural breath rhythm. Sit quietly for the next few minutes, enjoying this peaceful and calm state of mind/being. Now you are more centered for your inspiring and exciting pursuits!