Add New Life to Your New Year!

December 23, 2022/Jennie Williford CIYT
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Every year, as December comes to a close, the celebration of tradition and lineage in yoga continues. The 108 Sun Salutation practice for the New Year was first introduced to me by one of my teachers in Texas and I have taken that with me through IL, MT, and now WI. WHY 108 you ask??? The number 108 has been found to have significance across many cultures, scientific disciplines, and religions … the following description seems to cover most of it … https://www.himalayanyogainstitute.com/what-is-so-sacred-about-the-number-108/

Now, I know you are thinking “I you could never get through that”! But, I have guided students of all levels and styles of yoga over that last 20 years through this energizing journey. There are many ways you can tailor this practice just for YOU! No matter how you approach it, you will build heat and you will feel “more alive” (possibly a little sore) on Jan 2. For examples: due to injury and surgery I have worn a knee brace for two of them, and some years I have been menstruating, so no jumping or overheating. The speed, effort, and awareness you put in are all your decision. Every individual effort builds a collective rhythm that fills the room and is enriching and fulfilling.

The practice begins with easy walking and lunging to warm-up slowly on a usually cold morning. We invoke the 12 names and qualities of the Sun God to begin the first 12 and to honor the tradition and wisdom within the Sun Salutation itself. After that, options of speed and variation are given so you may feel safe in your own body and space. There are built-in “breaks” within the sequence for those who might find it hard to pace themselves, and the different poses we add in feel like breaks once we get going. In the end, there is always Savasana to relax and soak in the heat you create!

I hope you decide to join us to bring New Life to your New Year celebration. This will be the second year of the HYBRID offering, so you are welcome to join in the studio or online. Practice will be guided on January 1, 2023 at 10:00am. Donations for this offering will go to The Center: 7 Rivers LGBTQ Connection.

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Jennie Williford CIYT

Jennie Williford (CIYT Level 3) is a transplant to LaCrosse via Montana, Illinois, and originally Texas. Throughout her life moves and 5 trips to India, Jennie has acquired a well-rounded and multi-faceted approach to Iyengar Yoga since her start in 1998. Jennie loves the experimental and explorative nature of yoga in accessing deeper knowledge of the Self on every level. The practice of yoga can be intense and introspective, however as practitioners we can be light-hearted and open-minded in our discipline. Jennie is intrigued by the philosophy of yoga and hopes to share this depth of subject while teaching the physical and mental benefits that come from the practice of posture.