To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in the tradition of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), we will respectfully build an ofrenda (offerings placed on an altar) and dedicate our sadhana to our beloved who are deceased.
Designed and led by Daniel Hickman (he/him), we'll intentionally use this time as an homage to our ancestors, dearly departed friends, and perished animal companions.
We welcome everyone to create their own ofrenda, or Día de los Muertos altar, to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of their loved ones who have departed. The altar serves as a celebration of life, honoring the joy, spirit, and cherished memories of those who have passed with love and remembrance.
Class will begin and end with chanting. Asanas will include mobility, flexibility, core stabilization and static strength to move us through the six directions of the spine. We will then make use of pranayama to enter stillness in dhyana in remembrance of our dead.
Chants: rhythmic repetitions of a song, prayer, word, or sound. In yoga, sound is seen as healing and sacred.
· Bija Mantras (short one syllable word chanted aloud or silently to cultivate concentration, mindfulness, and a state of meditation.)
· Om Mani Padme Hum (mantra that encapsulates the core teachings of compassion and wisdom and is said to represent the path to enlightenment.)
Pranayamas: Ancient breathing techniques that involve controlling one’s breath using different styles and techniques
· dirgha (known as “three-part” breath; this technique consists of slow and deep breathing, filling up the chest, abdomen, and clavicular regions. Its benefits include prolonged breathing, stress reduction, increased inner focus, and connection of the mind, body, and breath.)
· surya bheda (known as right nostril breathing; a technique that consists of inhaling through the right nostril and exhaling through the left.)
· chandra bheda (known as single nostril breath, or left nostril breathing; a technique which involves blocking the opposite nostril, typically done in a seated position at the end of a yoga practice to calm and cool the mind and body down.)
The class will end with a brief question and answer session led by Nana Amoako-Anin (she/her), Ghanian-American seasoned yoga teacher, E-RYT 500, YACEP, and owner of Bliss Yoga Accra.
Items to bring: yoga mat, blanket, blocks, meditation cushion and… items to decorate our ofrenda in a way that connects you to your dead loved ones. Be it flowers, food, pictures, clothes, textiles, even books, jewelry, flowers and candles.
