Abhiniveśa – lust for life

«Desire for continuity, arising even among the wise, is sustained by self-inclination» (Yoga-sūtra, 2.9).

Abhiniveśa represents, in its negative meaning, attachment to life, which can lead to anxiety and anguish up to a vital block for fear of death. On the other hand, it is a healthy desire to live and as such it is the basis of the vital impulse. In the term we find the root nud which means “to spur”, “to push”, “to urge”. In this sense abhiniveśa is interpreted as «a firm dedication to a certain purpose» (Yoga Encyclopedia).

Take the positive side of the term, Leo, and take advantage of the vital momentum that you will be given by the combination of the Sun and Jupiter. Work with dedication to improve aspects of your life that don’t work or that you don’t like.

Recharge your vitality with this short sequence:

Natarāja-āsana, king of the dancers pose, or dancing Śiva. King of the dancers is one of the names attributed to Śiva and it is linked to the mythological image of Śiva dancing his anandatandava, or dance of bliss. The dance symbolizes the cycles of creation and destruction. Everything dies and regenerates, we need to know how to let go to open up to the new. // 1 min. per side.

Mūla-bandha, root lock. In any pose, breathe in and exhale while contracting the pelvic floor (between genitals and the anus; if you can not, then contract from the genitals to the anus). Hold for at least 3 sec and then release. // 1-3 min.

Visualization. Sit down in a meditative pose. Take your time to relax all your muscles. Imagine a mountain with a lawn. Visualize a waterfall and a stream of clear, transparent, shallow water. Go near the waterfall, look at it, listen to the noise, the aromas around; immerse yourself into the water: in the waterfall or in the stream that flows a little further below. Think about the things that bother you, physical and mental problems, think that this flowing water takes away anything that bothers you. Let yourself be cleansed by this limpid mountain water. Then exit the waterfall or stream, observe the sensations after washing. // From 5 to 10 min.

TOTAL TIME: from 8 to 15 minutes.

MANTRA of the MONTH: «I am alive now».