April in The Yoga Portal
Exploring Plant Portals
As the clues of springtime come through in maturing blooms, longer days, lighter nights, and the return of earthworms and migrating birds, our April theme will explore the plants that lead us back to ourselves.
There are many ways that nature can shine a light on a once hidden part of ourselves, whether it’s through the wisdom of mycelium, the soft guidance of cannabis, or a simple forest bathing on a warm afternoon.
Our virtual practices this month will (re)introduce plant medicine into your mindfulness practice as a sacrament and glance into the characteristics of entheogens to enhance our meditation practices, expand our imaginations, give insight on mutual aid, and how, when combined with mindfulness, this can move us closer to collective healing.
Our unofficial book club pick is ‘Braiding Sweetgrass’, which analyzes reciprocal relationships between humans and the land, with a focus on the role of plants and botany in both Native American and Western European traditions, tying a knot on our month exploration together.
I hope to see you in The Yoga Portal ~
“Entheogens, used responsibly and with proper caution, would be for psychiatry what the microscope is for biology and medicine or the telescope is for astronomy.”
Live Virtual Classes – included in The Yoga Portal membership or pay per class
Moving Meditation – April 13, 7-8PM pacific
A virtual container to slow down and notice more under the full moon in Libra. This plant-supported practice is accessible for all bodies and will focus on postures that bring balance to the body through twisting the spine and opening the hips. We will end our practice with a nadi shodhana (alternate nostril breathing) meditation to cultivate inner peace and stay grounded while the world keeps turning.
Mind Maintenance – April 27, 7-7:45PM pacific
A calm mind needs maintenance just like anything else you desire to cultivate 𓏲 Mind Maintenance is a meditation class where you can plant seeds of intention and introspection along with the new moon every month.
This practice coincides with the new moon in Taurus.
Tools for Integration
Grab a copy of our unofficial book club read, Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer