#dancingshiva
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Undulation, flailing, flaming.
Scorched earth, blackened incense.
Skin sewn garments—mortal husks.
Enemies?
There are only remains.
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Shiva Nataraj – The King Dancer
Shiva has many different personae that illuminate his essence. One of them is Nataraj which translates into the King Dancer or the King of the Dance. In this guise he is portrayed with snakes dangling around his neck and arms, dreadlocks standing on end, balancing atop a tiny dwarf-like figure, encircled by a ring of fire. It represents God’s endless dance of creation, preservation, and destruction.
Symbolism & Meaning
One might wonder what all these symbols mean. Let’s have a closer look.
In his right hand he holds a drum (Damaru). With each beat of the drum the ending/beginning of a new age or cycle is announced. Small cycles like the turning of day and night or the seasons and large cycles such as the ages... in fact: birth-life-death : creation-sustenance-destruction : brahma-vishnu-shiva.
This cyclic pattern of birth-life-death on all kinds of levels in our lives and in the world around us – day-night cycle, the seasons, inbreath-outbreath etc. – is represented by the circle of fire or samsara. The rhythm of the drum accompanies/dictates the passing of the cycles and the swirling movement of that circle.
Snakes, and especially the poison of the cobra, are metaphoric for the toxic nature of avidya, the misunderstanding of ourselves as something other than divine = ignorance. The cobra’s poison is not toxic for Shiva as he has found the remedy to that affliction, which is enlightened knowledge, and he carries its symbolic flame in one of his palms. The practice of yoga in the form of asana, pranayama, meditation and constantly being reminded of the fact that we are divine can rid us of avidya (ignorance). Still we constantly forget, become locked in the cycle of samsara, and fall prey to the poison of forgetfulness = dwarf-like figure. That dwarf-like figure represents us: souls having a human experience in the body and feeling trapped in the up’s and down’s of life. He is situated on the outer edge of the circle of fire and therefore is affected by samsara.
We never really reject the good times of life. But when shit hits the fan and we go down a heavy roller coaster ride of emotions we want to get rid of that situation as soon as possible. The dwarf represents us, resisting the natural cyclic flow of life. He is afraid of letting go and embracing change as the only lasting thing. Everything in life always changes. Resisting that change is the source of all suffering.
Shiva witnesses it all, unaffected by the passing of time, by Mahakala (Great Time, sitting with her mouth wide open at the top of the ring of fire) ready to devour/eat us all and spit us out again for a new ride on the roller-coaster called life if we don’t learn our lessons.
“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” – Mae West
The lesson to learn is that we are the witness/observer of life unfolding through us and around us. When we forget this we are like the dwarf being tossed around.
Shiva dances to the beat of the drum and cycles. Life happens around Shiva in full swing, though he himself is not affected by it. On the contrary he fully enjoys it.
Our potential to become like Shiva is represented by the leg with which he stands on the dwarf. It symbolizes the connection to our inner truth. The other lifted leg symbolises the soul free form bondage. Still having two legs the liberated soul is still active in the world (Jivamukti; jiva = soul, mukta = world).
That is what we can learn from Nataraj: the art of dancing with life instead of being tossed around by life and letting go of the fear of change.
Another way of thinking of samsara is as the many ways in which we get stuck in patterns and habits throughout our lives that don’t serve us. Our behavioural patterns (our karma) might serve us to some extend and might inhibit us in other areas. At a certain moment we get stuck in life, we think “how did I end up in this fucking shitty mess?” In those situations we are in breakdown and we tend to feel pity for ourselves, cause we are experiencing “bad luck”. Well, are we really?
“When stuff gets tough, the tough ones get going” is what people say.
This is true for the ones ready to face difficult situations for what they are: possibilities to grow. Breakdowns are moments of celebrations, because they offer us a chance to break through. We need to break through old patterns and destroy them with the help of Shiva in order to allow new things to flourish. When we stay unaware of that possibility, we see ourselves as the victim of our daily drama and we are like that dwarf-like figure: tossed around and affected by samsara, resisting the natural cyclic flow of life; resisting change; resisting to dance.
With this in mind Diana Ross’ “Do you know where you are going to” gets a whole extra dimension, expressing her love for and her dance with life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsA-Xc6gWDE
Natarajasana allows us to experience a couple of physical elements that can bring fear in our bodies: Backbending and balancing both might feel frightening because of the openness and bravery they require.
The heart is the area where we store emotions of fear and anger. Those feelings might come up when we work with backbends that open up the heart area. When those feelings come up we have a choice: identify with the feelings and get lost in our personal drama, feeling victim of our so-called bad luck, or seeing it as an opportunity to watch the drama unfold in the theatre of our mind and body and let go of identifying with it. We then remain as the observer and enjoyer of that full scale of emotional expression. Watching the show and knowing that we are not the main character of it.
The same goes for the balancing part: we can see it as an opportunity to let go of the fear of falling and be brave and free instead.
Karolien Lammens
Teacher at Svaha Yoga and Creative Consciousness Coach at Me Time – yoga & coaching
Sources used in this article:
Myths of the Asanas by Alanna Kaivalya & Arjuna van der Kooij
Dancing with Shiva – Hinduisms’s contemporary catechism by Satguru Sivaya subramuniyaswami
Photo credits: Edo van der Bas
#svahayoga#vinyasayoga#vinyasaflow#amsterdam#yogaamsterdam#yogalife#yogainspiration#shiva#focusofthemonth#nataraja#dancingshiva
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Tandavasana - Lord Shiva dance pose 🔱 Benefits ✅ Balances nervous system ✅ Body control ✅ Mental concentration and focus ✅ Increases memory ✅ Relieves stress and tension ✅ Increases ability to control emotions ✅ Strengthens legs, knees, ankles, core muscles and shoulders Contraindications ❌ Knee injury that doesn’t allow you to balance #yoga #lordshiva #dancingshiva #yogaasana #asana #asanaoftheday #yogabalance #balancepose #balance #mentalbalance #dance #anandamyogaschool #beginnersyoga #yogaforeverybody #yogalifestyle #yogalove #asanalove #asanapractice #yogapractice #yogaeveryday #yogaeverywhere (at Anandam Yoga School) https://www.instagram.com/p/CSveZLUHYYj/?utm_medium=tumblr
#yoga#lordshiva#dancingshiva#yogaasana#asana#asanaoftheday#yogabalance#balancepose#balance#mentalbalance#dance#anandamyogaschool#beginnersyoga#yogaforeverybody#yogalifestyle#yogalove#asanalove#asanapractice#yogapractice#yogaeveryday#yogaeverywhere
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Young smiling girl talking to her schoolfriend #photography #fashion #india #tiktok #hindu #indian #anime #art #lifestyle #photo @grxfittii #nbayoungboyedits #nataraja #dancingshiva #سعودي_أوتو https://www.instagram.com/p/CLtgPAHlN_v/?igshid=130qvak2mg7bo
#photography#fashion#india#tiktok#hindu#indian#anime#art#lifestyle#photo#nbayoungboyedits#nataraja#dancingshiva#سعودي_أوتو
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Saw it was #InterNationalDayOfDance & just had to honor my beloved #DancingShiva 🙏💙✨. ☆. #Dancing is now one of my favorite ways to ground, release, raise my vibe, & get back into my body.💃🕺 Funny thing is, before Love & my #SelfLove journey, I loved music but feared #dance, feared the freedom of it (& of being in my body). ♡. Remember dear ones, that our intuition, astral, & spiritual lives are fantastic; but we are here to ground that light into being & to live it too, not only speak of & see it in #meditation. ☆. #LordShiva has always been a beloved of mine, being in the world but not of it, destroying ignorance & fear ... he is an ultimate to & for me (& You), & I am blessed to know him. ♡. Remember that #Shiva danced his dreams into creation & so can *You. So can we All. #WeHaveThePower. We all have the power to dance our dreams into being. We just must believe it first, in our wholeness of body, of heart, of mind, & of spirit. #Ascension 🌈✨. And So It Is. ♡☆. •Feel free to share, what's your favorite dance jam? °What helps you to feel alive & in love with your body? ♡☆. Also if you're called, I highly recommend looking up the symbolism of the Dancing Shiva. I have a YouTube/IGTV video chanting with him as well 🪔🌙🔱🙏💙💜🙏⚖. . Be blessed beautifulsouls, With LoveLight and Gratitude 🌈®©♡~Danielle, #DAMCL ™, @DsEnlightenedEdits ™®©~☆🌈 ❣ If this message resonates, please remember to drop a ❤, follow, share, & view my previous content here & on YouTube (link in bio)❣ ♡☆ 🔥💖🔥To lightwork together personally through sessions, #LightCodes infused #quantum 🖼s (# DAMCLDIVINEMIRRORING ™®© pieces/programs♡), Guided Meditations, & More, Please see links in bio & DM for details. #Energy exchange & donations to support my collective lightworks, appreciated through PayPal <link in bio> www.paypal.me/DsEnlightenedEdits 🙏🙏 Salamat/Thank*You 😇💖😇s!!🌈 #myWriting #myEdits #Lightworkers #TwinFlames #Starseeds #Empaths #Manifesting #Grounding #ascendedmasters ✨ https://www.instagram.com/p/B_loegfnDlS/?igshid=1co10hzvmn9f2
#internationaldayofdance#dancingshiva#dancing#selflove#dance#meditation#lordshiva#shiva#wehavethepower#ascension#damcl#lightcodes#quantum#energy#mywriting#myedits#lightworkers#twinflames#starseeds#empaths#manifesting#grounding#ascendedmasters
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Saccidananda-Yoga wünscht euch allen ein großartiges, gesundes, inspirierendes, transformierendes, verrückendes, lebendiges, heilendes, visionäres, achtsames, augenöffnendes, freudvolles, energetisierendes, lichtvolles und herzöffnendes neues Jahr. 🌹❤🌞🌈🌌🕊 Ich danke allen, die uns dieses Jahr begleitet haben, die gern zu und kommen, sich uns anvertrauen und von uns erzählen. Danke 🙏, danke 🙏, danke 🙏. Om namah shivaya _________________________________ #yogainspiration #yogaintegral #yogalehrerausbildung #yogaliebe #yogalife #yogastudent #yogalove #saccidanandayoga #shiva #omnamahshivay #mahadeva #dancingshiva #altar #neujahr #sylvester #yogainfriedrichshain #yogainberlin #yogaberlin #berlinyoga #rudra #danke #dankbarkeit #vertrauen #transformation #krise #neubeginn #spiritualität #spirituell #freude #tanzen (hier: Saccidananda-Yoga) https://www.instagram.com/p/B6wp-p7oEZp/?igshid=1pctshgax70cc
#yogainspiration#yogaintegral#yogalehrerausbildung#yogaliebe#yogalife#yogastudent#yogalove#saccidanandayoga#shiva#omnamahshivay#mahadeva#dancingshiva#altar#neujahr#sylvester#yogainfriedrichshain#yogainberlin#yogaberlin#berlinyoga#rudra#danke#dankbarkeit#vertrauen#transformation#krise#neubeginn#spiritualität#spirituell#freude#tanzen
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🌺🍃 SOULTHERAPY TREASURY 🍃🌺 #Yogi beauty collected a dear beloved friend Goldplated #Tribalart Earrings Hoops & Agarbati #IncenseSticks 🌺🍃 For herself #Soultherapy Treasures " THE Secret of the Light " #Tarotdeck , #PaloSanto #Smudgesticks & a beautiful brass dancing Shiva ~ ~ #DancingShiva #Cosmic #Tarot #Oracledeck #Smudge #PostiveVibrations #MindBodySoul #Holistic #Yoga ~ ~ 🍃🌺 #MilagrosMundo Your #Local #Wanderlust #Hippie #Bohemian Lifestyle Giftstore with Funky & #Fair treasures from all around the World 🌺🍃 #Amsterdam #Shopping #020WEST #DeBaarsjes #Postjesweg #AmsterdamWest #Netherlands 🍃🌺 #HIPPIES AND #UNICORNS ALWAYS WELCOME! (bij Milagros Mundo "Funky Fairtrade - Hippy Chic") https://www.instagram.com/p/B3ueViTnsSa/?igshid=gyyi6dnqk45y
#yogi#tribalart#incensesticks#soultherapy#tarotdeck#palosanto#smudgesticks#dancingshiva#cosmic#tarot#oracledeck#smudge#postivevibrations#mindbodysoul#holistic#yoga#milagrosmundo#local#wanderlust#hippie#bohemian#fair#amsterdam#shopping#020west#debaarsjes#postjesweg#amsterdamwest#netherlands#hippies
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Dancing Shiva (Nataraja) and three-legged Dog with Squared hips. Every body is different, unique, splendid. Listen to where your are today. #vidalocahealthfitness #yogacypresstx #yoga #dancingshiva #hotyoga (at Cypress, Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2Dcj8jBIbDWY8Cu-qejGTzzPSPgbPB2YwqCLk0/?igshid=8mgxteafpmof
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Very old t-shirt design #god #imonlydancing #dancingshiva #shiva #dance #dancing #minigod #fun #gianlucamaconi #maconi https://www.instagram.com/p/ByDqe-LiNAB/?igshid=1uahlcyi11ta2
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Awesome class today @andrealevyyoga and loving my new dress from @tamtaro2283 🌸 . . . See you on the mat Wednesday, 12 and 5:30 @thrivepoweryoga in #pbg . . . . #allworkandnoplaymakesforashittyday #dancingshiva #dress #poolsidelunchbreak #floridayogis #yogapose #strikeapose #practice #balance #florida #yogainflorida #yoga #tpy #flexibility #poolside #beyoutiful #stuart
#yogainflorida#poolsidelunchbreak#yogapose#flexibility#dress#dancingshiva#beyoutiful#poolside#balance#tpy#floridayogis#strikeapose#yoga#stuart#pbg#practice#allworkandnoplaymakesforashittyday#florida
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#TippyToeLines: #dancingshiva variation with the tip-toe hosts: @yogachia_ & @themuscleboundyogi and fabulous sponsors: @slit_weave @britelitescolor @spiritualjunkies @stresslessbox @in_the_weeds_apothecary
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Nataraja de Dansende Shiva
Wat heeft Nataraja eigenlijk te maken met
Karma en Dharma?!
* Note: (English translation coming soon.)
In vrijwel alle Yoga scholen vind je wel ergens een afbeelding van Nataraja. In deze afbeelding vind je heel veel symbolisme en het heeft allemaal te maken met Yoga en dus met het/jouw/ons leven.
Twee van die andere concepten van Yoga waar je vaak over hoort zijn Karma en Dharma.
- Karma betekent niet meer dan handelen (het liefst bewust natuurlijk) en het effect daarvan. Dus actie en reactie. En die reactie kan instant, vertraagd of heel erg verlaat zijn, maar de reactie komt zeker. Je zou kunnen zeggen dat de les die Karma ons leert is dat we Bewust moeten handelen zodat de reactie erop wellicht uiteindelijk nul is. En zo zouden we onszelf weer uit onze eigen eindeloze cycli kunnen bevrijden.
- Dharma betekent eigenlijk niet meer dan juist handelen, op het goede pad blijven, naar je innerlijke wijsheid luisteren en vooral niet opgeven.
Kijken waar we deze twee concepten terug kunnen vinden in het symbolisme van Nataraja.
- Als eerste het derde oog.
In Hatha Yoga wordt gezegd dat wij allen vanuit ons derde oog ons eigen leven naar buiten projecteren op het filmdoek dat Maya (illusie) heet. En wat we naar buiten projecteren heeft weer te maken met hoe en waarom we keuzes maken. Misschien is dat waarom als je in India en vele andere exotische plekken wordt aangesproken je als eerste wordt gevraagd. “Where are you coming from?”. Tsja inderdaad where am I coming from? Dat is nog eens een vraag. En waarheen ben ik eigenlijk op-weg?! Ik denk dat je pas bewust kan handelen als je weet waar je vandaan komt. Daarom zijn zelfreflectie en inzicht in het leven en dus Yoga zowel belangrijk als middel en doel.
- De drie ogen samen zijn onder andere een verwijzing naar de drie Gunas (kwaliteiten) van natuur (manifestatie) of te wel dat wat zich in het Universum afspeelt.
En dat zijn: Rajas; ik vergelijk het vaak met “te veel”. Tamas; “te weinig”, en Sattva met “precies goed. Of nog simpeler als + 0 en -. Al het handelen en op het juiste pad blijven spelen zich natuurlijk af in het leven/natuur/manifestatie. De hele zogenaamde Mind of Ego speelt zich af in natuur natuurlijk.
- Dat Shiva staat te dansen zegt al genoeg.
We zouden alles wat luchthartiger moeten nemen en dansend door het leven moeten gaan. Hij danst Tandava de levensdans van constructie, bestaan en destructie en weer opnieuw beginnen. De dwerg waarop Shiva danst staat symbool voor acties die leiden tot overwinning op onbewust handelen en onwetendheid.
- De cirkel waar Shiva in danst is ook alweer een symbool van de cyclus van alles, met al het goede en slechte daarin.
Alles; inclusief het hele universum heeft een begin, midden en einde.
- De drum (Damaru) die Shiva in zijn rechter boven hand houdt is een symbool voor het geluid waarmee Shiva het Universum creeert. Je zou kunnen zeggen het geluid van de oerknal.
Ook vertegenwoordigd het tijd en ritme in het Universum. De drum vorm (twee aan elkaar gekoppelde trechters) vertegenwoordigen; met de punt naar boven Shiva, lingam (fallus) genoemd en de andere Yoni het vrouwelijke aspect Shakti. Je zou ook kunnen zeggen Universeel bewustzijn en manifestatie.
- Het handgebaar (Mudra) in de rechter beneden hand is Abhaya Mudra. Je ziet deze Mudra ook veel in het Boeddhisme. Het betekent “Wees niet bang”.
Begrijp wie je bent, wees je bewust van je verleden en onderneem actie. Blijf of kom weer op het rechte pad. Aan deze rechterarm hangt ook nog een cobra slang die wijst naar alle tegenslag, verleiding, onwetendheid, moeilijkheden en noem maar op die het ons moeilijk maken om op het juiste pad te komen en te blijven.
- Agni of vuur houdt hij in de linker boven hand
en vuur staat natuurlijk voor zowel licht als zeker ook voor het op-en of verbranden van alles wat ons in de weg komt of staat. Om onszelf te bevrijden uit de eindeloze cyclus.
- De Gaja Hasta Mudra in de linker onder hand verwijst naar Ganesha
(volgens de Hindoes de zoon van Shiva), en Ganesha is weer dat wat zelf veroorzaakte obstakels weghaalt.
Nou en dat zijn pas een paar van de vele symbolen van Nataraja. En wat kunnen we eruit leren is dat we ons eigen obstakel zijn en ook zelf de oplossing moeten zijn. Het merendeel van ons zogenaamde “lijden” vandaag heeft te maken, en is een gevolg van handelingen uit het verleden. Dus onze toekomst beslissen we vandaag met ons handelen. En dit bewust of onbewust handelen wordt weergegeven in de dans van Virabhadrasana (Warrior) I II en III die we allemaal zo vaak in de les beoefenen. De les is dus, laten we samen dansen in plaats van te vechten.
Gösta, Co-Founder Svaha Yoga Amsterdam
#svahayoga#amsterdam#vinyasayoga#vinyasaflow#yogaamsterdam#yogalife#loveallserveall#shiva#focusofthemonth#yogaphilosophy#yogainspiration#yoga#nataraja#natarajasana#dancingshiva
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Dancing Shiva. Shiva coming from a Sanskrit root meaning liberation or freedom which is exactly what this pose does for me. 🙏🏽 My ego gets to me a lot in yoga, having a dancer background certain poses are "easier" for me. Which leads me to think I've got less to learn in the poses that come more naturally to me. 🙏🏽 But in this pose- changing the gaze to the back changes everything. Suddenly a change in perspective humbles me. Much like in life, a change in perspective can make you feel and see things differently. My practice is teaching me a lot about humility lately, which is hard, but I'm open to it. • • • #livlifenow #yoga #dancingshiva #lolewomen #humility (at Lolë Ann Arbor)
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Day 3 #GoddessesOfShakti #dancingshiva seems so important to balance the shatki and shiva in us 💖💖💖 ✖️October 9-15✖️ We will focus on harnessing feminine energy while exploring poses to help you open and to tap into your personal "shakti". ✖️Our pose lineup will include the following: 1. Lotus - grounding/calming 2. Toe stand - strengthen your path 3. Dancing Shiva - inner goddess/feminine energy 4. Compass - inner north star guidance 5. Goddess - balance of sun and moon 6. Skandasana - fierce warrior energy 7. Inversion - connection between earth and sky . ✖️GODDESSES:✖️ @themuscleboundyogi @elliegriffinyoga @rockabetty25 ✖️COSMIC SPONSORS:✖️ @mytherabox @yogisurprise @re3life #re3 #re3life @chakraloveseattle @insideoutsideoutsidein #yogachallenge #octoberyogachallenge #yogafun #yogaplay #yogachallenges #ifyogachallenge #goddess #yogababe #feminine #embracethefeminine #igyoga #yogafam #yogacommunity #yogaforlife #yoga4growth (at Louisville, Kentucky) https://www.instagram.com/p/Boy7vV3gH5Q/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=79zg78z7g18x
#goddessesofshakti#dancingshiva#re3#re3life#yogachallenge#octoberyogachallenge#yogafun#yogaplay#yogachallenges#ifyogachallenge#goddess#yogababe#feminine#embracethefeminine#igyoga#yogafam#yogacommunity#yogaforlife#yoga4growth
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Today’s pose for the #transitionorpose #igyogachallenge is #kundalini #squat to #dancingshiva 🏋️♂️Talk about finding #strengthandbalance while moving. 🏋️♂️The beauty of this practice that we call #Yoga is that it will find and correct most imbalances. 🤸♀️🤸♀️So I spent all day working on this #yogaflow as it was definitely challenging💪Thankyou to our beautiful hosts and sponsors for another #igyogachallenge #balancetraining #sportyoga #getstrongereveryday #singlelegsquat #balancetraining #yogamakesyoustrong #quads #anklemobility #fitover50 #amateurathlete https://www.instagram.com/p/Bmx0lWAgAu7/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1om6gf3l5iu0l
#transitionorpose#igyogachallenge#kundalini#squat#dancingshiva#strengthandbalance#yoga#yogaflow#balancetraining#sportyoga#getstrongereveryday#singlelegsquat#yogamakesyoustrong#quads#anklemobility#fitover50#amateurathlete
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