Igniting Our Inner Fire
Agni, Pashasana & February’s Yoga Focus
How did we get to February already? Time is rolling on, and so are we—right into this month’s yoga theme!
If you’ve been practicing with me for a while, or even just the last few weeks, you know that I’ve committed to theming classes this year, each month offering a new focus. So far, I’ve been hearing from many of you, both in person and online, that you’re really enjoying this approach. That makes me so happy because my goal is to create a sense of cohesiveness while keeping things dynamic—avoiding that feeling of repetition that can make practicing feel stagnant. Yoga should be engaging, adaptable, and alive, just like us.
So, where are we going in February?
This month, we’re diving into a blend of Yoga and Ayurveda, focusing on agni—our inner transformative fire—and how we can stoke and sustain it through practice.
Understanding Agni: More Than Just Digestion
Agni (pronounced “aug-nee”) is a fundamental concept in Ayurveda and Yoga, referring to the fire within us. While it’s often associated with digestion—the process of transforming food into energy—agni governs so much more. Everything we experience in life has to be digested in some way, not just through the gut but also through our senses, mind and emotions. What we see, hear, feel, and interact with is all processed, and how well we do so determines our overall balance and well-being.
When agni is strong and steady, we feel clear, energized, and resilient—able to ride the waves of life rather than being tossed around by them. If it’s weak, we may feel sluggish, overwhelmed, or uninspired. If it’s too fiery, we might experience burnout, irritability, or a sense of being out of control. Our aim in practice this month is to cultivate a balanced inner flame—one that is steady, supportive, and sustainable.
February’s Pose: Pashasana (Noose Pose)
To complement this theme, we’re working with the posture call Pashasana, or Noose Pose. This deep twisting pose encourages detoxification, stimulates digestion, and generates heat in the body—perfect for keeping our inner fire lit as we move through the rest of winter.
Twisting postures, in general, are an incredible way to stoke agni, helping to wring out stagnation and create a sense of renewal. However, they can be challenging, both physically and mentally. Some of us love twists, while others… not so much (I’m 100% in the not so much group). But that’s part of the practice—observing our responses, noticing our resistance, and working through it with breath and awareness.
A few key elements to keep in mind as we explore twists this month:
- Evenness – Engage your whole spine rather than just turning the head and shoulders. Twists should be integrated and balanced.
- Length – Before twisting, elongate the spine. Think of wringing out a towel—when it’s stretched, it twists more effectively.
- Anchoring – Use your seat, feet, or hands to create stability, allowing for a deeper and safer twist.
Pashasana itself is a deep squat with a twist, binding the arms around the legs. It’s a challenging posture that may not be accessible to everyone, but as always, yoga is about the process, not the pose. Whether we reach the full expression of Pashasana or simply explore twisting variations, the benefits are still profound.
Bringing Agni Into Daily Life
Beyond the mat, we can support agni in many ways:
- Eating nourishing, warm foods that are easy to digest
- Maintaining a regular daily rhythm (something we explored last month!)
- Taking time to process experiences rather than rushing through them
- Engaging in mindful movement and breathwork
As we move through February, I invite you to observe your inner fire. What strengthens it? What dampens it? Let’s use our practice to cultivate a steady, unwavering flame—one that fuels us with energy, clarity, and resilience.
See you on the mat!
xoM
