Day #40 - 40 Day Sadhana

Congratulations!!! You’ve completed the 40 Day Sadhana! This is a huge accomplishment, you should be very proud of yourself. The 40 day practice is an experience of pure devotion. I hope you will carry on these practices that spoke closely to your heart. If you are interested in being notified when we do another 40 Day Sadhana or other workshops please sign up here. If you have any feedback that you’d like to see in future practices, please email me here . Thank you again. Sending you much love and full gratitude.

Let’s practice together for our last day.

Day #39 - 40 Day Sadhana

As we begin to close the doors to this beautiful and dedicated practice, I wanted to leave you with some advice for moving on past this practice. These practices you’ve learned are tools for your toolbox, to continue to practice and use when needed. Below is the definition of Sadhana I use in my manuals for yoga teacher training. I hope this will be helpful for you. My biggest recommendation to keep going with this daily practice is to continue to refresh your sacred space and to light a candle in this space every morning. Even if it’s only for 10 seconds as you say good morning to yourself. This is a practice of connection to your Self, connecting with You each morning. Below is our practice for today.

“Daily Blessing

The secret art of inviting happiness
The miraculous medicine of all diseases
Just for today, do not be angry, do not worry, and be filled with gratitude
Devote yourself to your work and be kind to people

Every morning and evening join your hands in prayer, and pray these words to your heart and chant these words with your mouth.

Just for today, I give thanks for my many blessings
Just for today, I let go of anger
Just for today, I let go of worry
Just for today, I do my work honestly
Just for today, I am kind to all living beings ”
— Reiki Blessing

Sadhana - Your Spiritual Practice

A spiritual practice for which you dedicate time and space for. This practice allows you to shift from ego back into your heart consciousness. You may refer to it as feeling centered or grounded after you complete your Sadhana. Be aware of your emotions and emotional state during your practice (are you suppressing, repressing, bypassing?) Our Sadhana is not only the time to reconnect to our hearts, but to ask our Self, “What do you need today?” and to truly listen to our inner truth.

Your Sadhana does not have a timeframe, but to find a practice you can devote time and space to.

My biggest recommendation to keep going with this daily practice is to continue to refresh your sacred space and to light a candle in this space every morning. Even if its only for 10 seconds as you day good morning to yourself.

Much Love,

A

Day #38 - 40 Day Sadhana

Today’s practice is to try something new. Have you tried QiGong? QiGong has been a practice that has helped me contain and clean my energy body. Below I have a QiGong practice that I highly recommend trying. At the studio we also have new classes added to the schedule or maybe you've had something on your mind about trying lately and now is the time to try.

Much Love,

A

Day #37 - 40 Day Sadhana

Mantra is such a powerful practice. I’ve introduced you to several here, I wanted to give you one more. This Mantra has been very special to me. As I was sitting in meditation my guides told me to share it with you. Here is the back story on how the mantra came to me.

In 2018 my ex-husband, my son and I drove down to Telluride to see Trevor Hall play at a small venue.  It was a night of storytelling and song.  He had a projected pictures of his travels to India on the big screen, as he told stories of his music is influenced by his travels to India. Each picture he projected of India was luring me in.  Calling me to come to this great land; I could taste the cardamom and dust on my tongue. There was time for Q&A towards the end of the show; I raised my hand and asked him about a chant I had heard him sing on a podcast.  I told him, “I’ve searched everywhere for this chant as it had been calling me.  I’d love to know the words and what it  means.”  He said, “why don’t I sing for the encore tonight and I’ll write it down for you after the show.”  So he did.  The chant is a sacred chant to the Mother. Calling the mother that lives inside all of us, to wake up. Saying “wake up Ma wake up”.  It opened many transformational doors and has brought healing energy to my heart. I feel the call to share this Mantra with you.  

Also the Cow in India is considered sacred, we often refer to the cow at Gau Mata - Sacred Mother Cow. I love the picture above of the Ma feeding the Cow. I thought it was fitting.

Below is the mantra and a recording of me singing it in a Ma’s temple in India. I hope you enjoy this sacred mantra, may it bless you forever.

Jaga Dodharini Mata Durga

Jaga Dodharini Ma

Jago Jago Ma

Jago Jago Ma

Jago Jago Ma Janani

Hey Gauri Devi Rana Chandi Devi

Hey Gauri Devi Rana Chandi Devi

Jaya Shiva Ramana Jago Ma

Jaya Shiva Ramana Jago Ma

Day #36 - 40 Day Sadhana

What has been your favorite practices so far? I’d love to know! You can email me here.

Today is a day for reflection, as you look back to this experience. My hope is that you can take these practices with you in life. That you will continue to build your toolbox of practices that help you ground, center, and bring awareness into your life everyday.

Here are a few journal prompts as you reflect:

  1. So far during my 40 Day Sadhana I have enjoyed these practices ____________________

  2. This is how I will continue to bring Sadhana into my life daily ___________________

  3. _____________________ is the time of day that works best for my Sadhana.

  4. I feel ___________________ when I practice my Sadhana.

Have a beautiful day

Love,

A

Day #35 - 40 Day Sadhana

Today’s practice comes from the Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo.

“We speak before we speak, with eyes and lips, in how we tip our heads, in how we lean like trees tired of waiting for the sun. We tell our whole story before we even open our mouths. Yet we frequently pretend that nothing is conveyed. We pretend we are strangers and d any what we learn before words.

We are all made up of yearning and light, searching for a way out, afraid we will be shut in or cut off or propelled back into the ground from w which we are reaching.

This is enough to begin: To know, before all the names and histories drape who are are, that we want to be held and left along, again and again; held and left alone until the dance of it is how we survive and grow, like spring into winter into spring again. ”
— Mark Nepo - Book of Awakening

Practice: As you move through your day, let in what you learn of others by how their being passes you. Without a word, bestow a blessing on each as they walk away.

Day #34 - 40 Day Sadhana

Stay safe and warm out there! Burrr its cold today. I want to share one practice of mine from the Yoga Sutras (an ancient yogic text). This practice in Sanskrit it’s called Pratipaksha Bhavana - pratipaksha means “opposite” and bhavana means “cultivation.” This yogic practice outlined in the Yoga Sutras in which yogis discontinue negative ways of thinking through the discipline of “cultivating the opposite.”

Practice: This practice comes from Plum Village. It relates to the Four Diligences, watering the positive seeds and not the negative seeds that have arisen or not yet arisen. When a song starts playing that we don’t like, we can change the song. If we notice that negative mental states are being watered or triggered, we can consciously change the scene. We don’t push it away - the practice is of awareness. Notice your thought (just like in one point meditation) be aware of it. Then bring your self into the practice of Pratipaksha Bhavana - cultivate the opposite thought. Turning your negative into something positive. Let this be your practice today.

For example: I’m not the biggest fan of snow and shoveling, but the job needed to get done yesterday. I decided to consciously make a practice out of shoveling, instead of complaining about it. With every shovel I said something that I’m grateful for. I ended up enjoying shoveling and it began my day on a positive note.

Everything is a spiritual practice with self awareness.

Much Love,

A

“Quote: “There is a power contained in thought.  This is very subtle, yet it does exist, and is extremely powerful.

Whether a person is aware of it or not, he is constantly transmitting and receiving thoughts…Thoughts control our lives, mold our characters, shape destiny, and affect other people.  

When the potential contained in the power of thought is realized, it is the beginning of great spiritual growth in the individual; a great step forward for all of humanity.””
— Quote Source – Swami Vishnudevananda in “Meditation and Mantras”  

Day #32 - 40 Day Sadhana

Let’s go a little deeper!

Your practice today, is to extend the time of your mediation - extend by 5 minutes, and witness how your body and mind ebb and flow with the extended time.

Love,

A

Day #31 - 40 Day Sadhana

Today is the Crown Chakra - Sahasrara (also known as the thousand petal lotus)

Location: Top of the head, where the soft spot was as a baby

What it is: This chakra experiences unity and realization that everything is connected at a fundamental level, to experience oneness with everyone and everything. All one. To surrender and trust the process of life.

Color: Purple or White

Element: Pure Light

Crystals associated with it: Selenite, Lapis Lazuli, White Agate

Essential Oils: Rose, Frankincense, Sandalwood

Yoga poses that activate it: Savasana, Meditation, Yoga Nidra

Rituals:

  • Practice Surrender

    • Savasana

    • Yoga Nidra

    • Journal about surrender

Crown Chakra Affirmations

  • I am Divine

  • I honor the Divine within me

  • I trust the process of life

  • I trust my intuition

  • I am open to letting go of my attachments

  • I live in the present moment

Practice for today - is to practice Yoga Nidra or journal about surrender and what it means to you, and when you’ve practiced surrender how did it show up for you?

Much Love,

A

Day #30 - 40 Day Sadhana

Today is the Third Eye Chakra (Ajna)

Location: Between the brows, Brain

What it is: The gift of this chakra is seeing both inner and outer words. This chakra allows us to access our inner guidance that comes from the depths of our being. It allows us to cut through illusion and to access deeper truths - to see beyond the mind, beyond the words.

Color: Indigo

Element: Light

Crystals associated with it: Amethyst, Sodalite, Lapis Lazuli, Labradorite

Essential Oils: Palo Santo, Chamomile, Rose, Neroli, Geranium

Yoga poses that activate it: Dolphin Pose, Warrior 3, Eagle Pose, Childs Pose

Ajna Chakra Affirmations

  • I am in touch with my inner guidance.

  • I listen to my deepest wisdom.

  • I seek to understand and to learn from my life experiences.

  • I am wise, intuitive, and connected with my inner guide.

  • I nurture my spirit.

  • I listen to the wisdom of elders.

  • I trust my intuition.

Let’s go deeper into Mantra

  • Mantra work - Mantras are such powerful work. You can sing mantra or quickly say mantra in meditation.

    Here are some beautiful Mantras and their meanings. The Mantra will call you, you’ll feel a pull to one or the other.

    • Om Gam Ganapatayai Namah = The primary Ganesh mantra for clearing obstacles and awakening the primal root energy of consciousness.

    • Om Shree Hanumaate Namah = Invoking strength, stamina and power

    • Om Dum Durgaayai Namah = Remover of difficulties, internal and external protection as well as to bestow wisdom and strength

    • Om Namah Shivaya = A mantra for transformation, awakening and healing.

      • Na = Earth

      • Ma = Water

      • Shi = Fire

      • Va = Air

      • Ya = Either

    • Aham Prema = Invoke living energy of the highest Love within our hearts

    • Lokaah Samasthaah Sukhino Bhavantu = A mantra to express loving kindness to all living beings. Can be translated to “May all beings, everywhere, be happy and free. “

    • The Gayatri Mantra (longest mantra, can be known as the strongest one) Meaning = Infinite spiritual energy and is said to contain the essence of all mantras. Some call it the Song of the Sun. This mantra is an ancient invocation of the Light within us and within everything. It’s a deep prayer for liberation. The Gayatri is also considered to be spiritual Light itself in the form of sound.

      • Om Bhur Bhuvah Svaha

      • Tat Savitur Varenyam

      • Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi

      • Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayaat

        • Here is a YouTube video that will help you learn this mantra if it’s calling to you.

    Practice today - Try a Mantra, chant, sing, meditate

Love, A

Day #29 - 40 Day Sadhana

The heart chakra which you learned about yesterday is the bridge to the upper chakras. When the first four chakras are in balance, it creates a bridge into the higher or spiritual chakras. Let’s jump into the fifth chakra!

Today is the Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)

Location: Throat, Ears, Mouth, Shoulders, and Neck

What it is: The energy of this chakra allows you to seek knowledge that is true, beyond limitations of time and space, beyond cultural and family conditioning. To speak your truth and hear the truth, expressing your authentic voice.

Color: Blue

Element: Akasha (the space in which air, fire, water, and earth come together as creation)

Crystals associated with it: Amazonite, Lapis lazuli, Turquoise, Aquamarine

Essential Oils: Frankincense, Geranium, Jasmine, Sage, Cypress, Peppermint, Spearmint

Yoga poses that activate it: Cat/Cow, Lions Breath, Fish Pose, Shoulder Stand, Plow Pose

Rituals:

  • 4-5 Rounds of Lions Breath - Deep inhale, then open your mouth, stick out your tongue and exhale.

  • Sing your favorite song

  • Chant Mantra

  • Write down your values and speak them out-loud to yourself.

  • Create a boundaries worksheet - On a piece of paper, draw a circle, inside this circle write down the things, activities, work and people in your life that sustain and heighten your vibration. Next - outside the circle write all of the things, activities, work and people that would be an invitation only, into your inner circle. This helps you create healthy boundaries so that you can speak your truth and say no when you need to say no and yes when you are ready to say yes.

  • Drink spearmint or peppermint tea.

  • Use peppermint or spearmint essential oils on your throat to help nourish the throat chakra.

Throat Chakra Affirmations

  • I am open, clear, and honest in my communication.

  • I have a right to speak my truth.

  • I communicate my feelings with ease.

  • I express myself creatively through speech, writing, or art.

  • I live an authentic life. I have integrity.

  • I create healthy boundaries

  • I say no when I need to

Practice today - SING! I know there is one song that you love to shout it out in the car, right?

Love,

A

Day #28 - 40 Day Sadhana

Let’s fly into the 4th Chakra

Today is the Heart Chakra (Anahata)

Location: The heart chakra is located in the heart center and also includes the arms and hands.

What it is: The heart chakra - the wellspring of love, warmth, compassion, and joy is located in the center of the chest at the heart level.  Anahata moves love through your life. It is the center of your deep bonds with other beings, your sense of caring and compassion, your feelings of self-love, generosity, kindness, and respect.

Color: Green

Element: Air

Crystals associated with it: Rose Quartz, Emerald, Rhodochrosite, Aventurine, Jade, Amazonite

Essential Oils: Rose, Neroli, Ylang Ylang, Rosemary, Bergamot

Yoga poses that activate it: Camel Pose, Wheel Pose, Bridge Pose, Cobra and Updog

Rituals:

  • Place hands at the heart center, breath in deep and exhale release 4-5 times.

  • Write a list of what you are grateful for.

  • Tell those close to you that you love them.

  • Hug someone.

  • Loving awareness meditation (linked below).

Heart Chakra Affirmations

  • I am open to love.

  • All love resides within my heart.

  • I deeply and completely love and accept myself.

  • I nurture my inner child. I am wanted and loved.

  • I live in balance, in a state of gracefulness and gratitude.

  • I give and receive love

  • I am open to love and kindness.

Practice for today is to listen to the loving awareness meditation.

Love,

A

Day #27 - 40 Day Sadhana

Let’s ignite the 3rd Chakra!

Today is the Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura)

Location: The solar plexus chakra is located right above the navel and below where the rib cage meets.

What it is: The third chakra is our power center just like the sun. I think of the solar plexus as our generator, generating the energy we need to lead ourselves into our purpose with a positive life force. We can work with this Chakra to ignite a new idea, or to burn away and purify something that needs to release in the body. When working with the fire element, it takes a moment to check in, asking yourself if you need to throw a couple more logs onto the fire to create more ignition, passion, flame for what you are doing OR is there too much fire and you need to calm the fire, allowing it to simmer and maybe pour some water on it. We want this chakra to feel balanced. Enough ignition to activate our purpose into action but not too much that we burn ourselves out.

Color: Yellow

Element: Fire

Crystals associated with it: Citrine, Carnelian, Topaz, Malachite, Amber and Yellow Sapphire

Essential Oils: Coriander, Ginger, Basil, Black Pepper, Cedarwood, and Clove

Yoga poses that activate it: Dhanurasana (bow pose), Kapalabhati pranayama or breath of fire, High Lunge Twist with Anjali mudra (prayer pose), Parvritta Trikonasana (revolved triangle pose)

Rituals: Depends on if you are building fire to ignite a new idea or if you are taming the inner fire to release stress and calm the nervous system. Here are a few ideas.

  • Ignite - Light a candle, sing mantra, find movement in your body

  • Purify - Release by writing on a piece of paper what you’d like to release and carefully burning it. Take two deep inhales and one big exhale out your mouth, cleansing breath.

Solar Plexus Chakra Affirmations

  • I love and accept myself.

  • I stand up for myself.

  • I am strong and courageous.

  • I am worthy of love, kindness, and respect.

  • I choose the best for myself.

  • I confidently express myself.

  • I am proud of my achievements.

  • I honor myself.

  • I choose healthy relationships.

  • I am authentic.

  • I direct my own life.

Practice for today is to sit in meditation for 5-10 minutes and check in with your fire element. Do you feel you need to ignite your flame or release and purify?

Love,

A

Day #26 - 40 Day Sadhana

Let’s flow into the second Chakra.

Today is the Sacral Chakra

Location: The sacral chakra is located right below your navel, and sacrum.

What it is: The second chakra is the centre of feeling, emotion, pleasure, sensuality, intimacy, and connection. This energy center allows you to let go, to move, and to feel change and transformation occurring within your body. It allows you to experience this moment as it is, in its own fullness.

Color: Orange

Element: Water

Crystals associated with it: Orange and Coral Calcite, Citrine

Essential Oils: Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang, Jasmine, Bergamot

Yoga poses that activate it: Cat/Cow, Hips Circles, Bridge

Rituals: Water is about movement and fluidity, find ways to get into the flow. Dance, bath, float tank, shower, yoga.

Sacral Chakra Affirmations

  • I love and enjoy my body.

  • I have healthy boundaries.

  • I am open to experiencing the present moment through my senses.

  • I am passionate.

  • I feel pleasure and abundance with every breath I take.

  • I nourish my body with healthy food and clean water.

Practice for today is to define what types of practices keep you flowing in life.

Love,

A

Day 25 - 40 Day Sadhana

This week we are heading into the 7 Chakras. “Chakra” is from the Sanskrit language and translates to “wheel” or “disk,” but references an energy center within the human body, of which there are seven along the spine, and through the neck and the crown of your head.

Today is the Root Chakra

Location: The root chakra is associated with the base of the spine, the pelvic floor, and the first three vertebrae.

What it is: Think about your root chakra (aka Muladhara in Sanskrit) as the foundation of a house, except for your body, when in balance it’s stable, supportive and sturdy to support your emotional body. It’s connected to how you ground your energy and feel safe.

Color: Red

Element: Earth

Crystals associated with it: Red jasper, onyx, hematite

Essential Oils: Vetiver, Cedarwood, Arborvitae, Pine

Yoga poses that activate it: Wide-legged forward fold, malasana squats, mountain pose

Rituals: Get into the earth, walk, hike, put your barefeet onto the earth (there might be a few spots between the snow), water plants, lay on the floor and feel your body connected to the earth, drink root teas like dandelion root.

Root Chakra Affirmations

  • I am connected to my body

  • I feel deeply rooted

  • I feel safe and secure

  • I stand for my values, for truth, and for justice

  • I have what I need

  • I am grounded, stable, and standing on my own two feet

Practice for today is to define what types of practices ground you.

Here are a few grounding meditations from insight timer.

Grounding Meditation by Ange

Relieving Anxiety - Feeling Grounded

Re-Centering In Times of Uncertainty

Sending you all love and grounding energy,

Love,

A

Day 24 - 40 Day Sadhana

Rest is very important in so many ways and not just sleep. How do you find rest during your day? This is one reason why I always say that Savasana is the most important pose. Rest is a practice. Today’s practice is to take a 20 minute break during your day to rest. Below I’ve listed the important reasons for Savasana (which you could take this as your practice today) and I’ve also linked to an article by Dr. Will Cole on this topic.

Key benefits of taking time to rest in Savasana include:

  • Release: It helps your nervous system release stress and muscular tension. You nervous system comes into a state of rest and digest.

  • Rejuvenate: after an energetic practice, Savasana can help ‘reset’ the body temperature, calm the central nervous system and bring the breath back to normal.

  • Integrate: it gives your body a chance to absorb the benefits of the practice, enabling you to knit together the body, mind and breath

Dr. Will Cole posted this article on the types of rest that we need.

Take Rest,

Ange

Day 23 - 40 Day

What is your practice when you get stuck in a negative thought pattern? Do you have a practice already established? Is it time to create one? I’ve noticed over the past few years as we’ve all gone through a huge shift that this practice has been extremely helpful for me. Today’s practice is to journal about what you currently do when you get stuck in a negative thought pattern, and then write what you do or would like to do to move into higher vibrations. Below are a few suggestions that I feel are helpful.

  • Step onto my yoga mat

  • Pranayama

  • Journal

  • Play music - I made a playlist for myself called high vibration that I play when I get stuck.

  • Go for a walk

  • Step into the sunshine

  • Affirmations

  • Clean

  • Smudge

  • Shift the environment

Have a beautiful day!

Day 22 - 40 Day Sadhana

One of our great teachers went home yesterday. Thich Nhat Hahn one of my favorite teachers passed away. This is one of my favorite talks by him. I hope you enjoy.

Day 21 - 40 Day Sadhana

Happy Friday!

Practice today - Create a time capsule, this is a fun practice I do in my google calendar each year. You can create as many as you’d like but for this practice I’m going to give you the instructions on a particular date.

  1. Create a Google or Apple calendar appointment for yourself - Label it Time Capsule. (We have one rule here, NO PEEKING after you create it). You’ll miss out on all the fun if you do.

  2. Date: 5/1/22

  3. Pick a time

  4. Write in the notes of your Time Capsule appointment - Write a little note to yourself in the future with your manifestations, intentions and goals.

  5. Save the appointment and don't look back.

  6. On 5/1/22 - You’ll receive your calendar reminder, open your appointment to read what you wrote, reflect on how your past few months have been and how the manifestations and intentions played out.

  7. One thing - I’ve learned is that our manifestations come to us in ways that we might have not expected, they tend to come in their own unique version of how it’s supposed to work out. So no expectations, just write them down and release them!

Have fun!

Ange