Ganesh Namaskara

One of the most well-known deities in the yogic tradition is Ganesh, the elephant-headed god. Ganesh is said to be the 'Lord of Beginnings' and the 'Remover of Obstacles'.

In the yogic tradition, people call on Ganesh to help them with starting a new project, taking exams, travelling or before any other big event. Working with Ganesh can help you clear and let go of the past and embrace a new path or project.

Ganesh is said to reside within the muladhara – the root chakra- as he brings a sense of stability and support. This feeling of grounding and stability helps remove stress and anxiety.

Working with Ganesh on a regular basis can help you feel supported and connected, not only to others, but also to the universe. By letting go of fear, insecurities and attachments, you can pave the way for you or your new project to be on the right path.

Every part of Ganesh’s body has its own value and significance:

• Elephant Head - broad thinking and wisdom
• Small Eyes - focused Vision
• Wide ears - wisdom, ability to listen to people who seek help and to reflect on spiritual truths. 
• Trunk - careful and alert
• Big belly – said to contain the universe. It signifies the bounty of nature and equanimity, the ability of Ganesha to swallow the sorrows of the Universe and protect the world
• Position of his legs (one resting on the ground and one raised) - the importance of living and participating in the material world as well as in the spiritual world, the ability to live in the world without being of the world
• Broken Tusk - ability to overcome or "break-through"

This class will include the following:

1. A short introduction
2. Activations
3. The Ganesh Namaskara in two stages
   Stage 1 – Letting go of the past
   Stage 2 – bringing joy and a feeling of stability into your heart
4. Full flow of sequence
5. Meditation

During Stage 1 we will use the prana mudra to help bring energy into the body as well as using the bija mantra for the muladhara chakra ‘LAM’ to stabilise and balance to root centre.

During Stage 2 we work with the Ganesh mantra: “Om gam ganashaya namaha’. Gam is the sound that represents the energy of Ganesh himself. It is his bija (seed syllable) mantra.