I would like to wish you a very happy Christmas... yes, that's right! No I am not going mad... On January 7th the Eastern Orthodox church celebrates Christmas Day. This certainly takes me back to my childhood. Following the Epiphany on January 6th, I was allowed an extra day off school to enjoy Christmas again Ukrainian style, thanks to my father and the old Julian calendar which is 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar.
As we end the first week of the new year, we start to paint a new picture on the blank canvas that will become 2013. It will be more vibrant, more exciting than last year. Greater expectations will be realised. Every dream and ambition will be fulfilled. Opportunities will be seized and challenges conquered... How do I know? I know because The Riviera Woman believes... in success.
Astrologer Annabel Burton gives us a little helping hand and encouragement with her January Horoscopes.
This January The Riviera Woman is proud to launch of our new feature 'Astro Yoga' with Anette Shine. Anette demonstrates her Yoga Posture of the Month: Virasana - Hero Pose. You can join her Astro Yoga class on Sunday 13th January at the Monte Carlo Bay Hotel, Monaco. Click for full details.
Anette is the founder of Sunshine Yoga, which celebrates 10 years this January. We are delighted to announce that publicity of Anette Shine will appear on public transport in Monaco and on bill boards around Monte Carlo, courtesy of SBM.
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VIRASANA = HERO POSE also known as the “Pose of the seated warrior” (In Sanskrit, Vira means “hero” or “warrior”)
Capricorn
This asana (posture) is an effective pose which completely relates to the qualities of the Capricorn as it helps to develop your strength and endurance. Virasana also eases stiffness in the knees, ankles, hip joints and groin and reduces the pain of deviated or broken tailbones.
How to do it:
Kneel down on a yoga mat (or carpet) with your knees together. Spread your feet about 50 cm apart with your soles facing the ceiling. With straight arms grab your shins and turn your calf muscles outward, then lower your buttocks toward the floor (or sit on a bloc or folded blanket if you need to). All your toes should rest on the floor. Try to create a space between the big toes and the second toes by pulling the big toes in toward each other which will help stretching your ankles. Make sure you don’t sit on your feet: Your heals should be on the outside of your hips. You can either sit with your palms on your thighs or mediate with your hands in a mudra, - a sacred gesture - which facilitates introspection and divine connection – pure cosmic loving energy. This particular mudra invokes the reception of bliss and serenity. Keep your head straight with your chin slightly in to lengthen the neck. Always breathe through the nose. Sit absolutely straight! Do not lean forward, but sit on something higher if you feel any discomfort. Keep lifting yourself upward. Relax your face, jaws and throat.
What to focus on:
Once in the pose close your eyes and focus on the space between your eyebrows, which is where the third eye is located. We all have three eyes: Two to look outside and one to look inside. We also call the third eye our “intuition” or “6th sense” ...this is the eye of the truth. In Virasana we develop our capacity to look within and listen to “the divine voice” in a meditative state. We remain mentally open and focused on the breath. When thoughts arrive, come back to your breath again and again. Remain still and go deeper and deeper inside...beyond the mind...contacting your soul ...with no expectations...
How to come out of it and a counter pose:
Stretch your arms out in front of you and lean forward up on your hands, taking the weight off the lower body. Come all the way forward down on your belly to straighten your legs slowly. You can rest on your elbows like a “sphinx” and observe the effects of Virasana for a while... Can you feel the improved circulation in your legs?
Other benefits of Virasana:
It relieves backache, improves circulation in your legs & feet, corrects herniated discs and relieves calcaneal spurs.
Cautions - How to modify it:
If you have injured knees or feel pain anywhere, do sit on a bloc (or high cushion or folded blanket). Try to find the right height where you can remain still for a while. If you have a cardiac condition do not practise this pose.
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The Riviera Woman is the perfect platform to launch or promote your service and business. No matter how small or great your project is, we care and we will listen.
Talk to us because we'll talk about you. It's what women do... and then you'll talk about us.
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Anette Shine is Sunshine Yoga and Sunshine Zumba. Anette can and will help you achieve a great healthy mind and body.
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Brigitte Rupp is the Financial Bodyguard. In an era when it is essential to take care of your finances and future, it is important also to have the best advice. Brigitte will explain what is on offer for you to build a better future for yourself, so you can concentrate on what matters today.
Grisel Damgaard is the Director of Carfax-Education Monaco. The organisation arranges language courses on a one-to-one basis helping you to confidently communicate in your chosen language. Carfax will help with a smooth introduction into the local French education system for your children.
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It is a pleasure to work with Victoria James, Animal Behaviourist & Trainer. Her approach is ethical and the welfare of the pets she works with, paramount. As she says, 'A trained dog is a happy dog'.
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I look forward to hearing from you with all your news, views and updates.
ANNA FILL - Editor
