Jewish Yoga, Jewish Meditation, Jewish Yoga Course, Hanukkah Yoga

Nov 4

Nov 4 Hanukkah Yoga: Waterfall of Light

Hanukkah Meditation

The famous Kabbalist Rabbi Isaac Luria (the Arizal), taught a meditation practice of envisioning a stream of pure Divine light, like a waterfall, descending while lighting the Menorah. He re-formed the menorah recitation to read, “who has commanded us with his commandments and commanded us to light Channukah light”, so that the permutation of the last 3 words (Lehadlik Ner Chanukah) form the word “nachal”, meaning, “stream”. This is a powerful visualization of a Divine light descending down upon us from Above.

“When lighting the Channukah candles, first we visualize the light we light rising from below to above. This elicits a response from Above in the form of a river of light, which cascades down upon us like healing waters. Bask in the glow, feel the warmth, and let your soul fly to its heavenly source and beyond ”Rabbi Arieh Trugman.

The word for Shamayim (shin, mem, yud, mem) begins with the letter Shin -standing for Aish/Fire, and ends with the letters of mayim, Water. Unlike earth, where water and fire are opposites, Shamayim holds a perfect balance and blend of water and fire. The Channukah lights blend together opposites (fire and water, hidden and revealed, finite and infinite) to create unity and harmony. In the words of Rabbi Trugman, “As you sit by the luminous Channukah candles, allow the watery waves of light to wash over you, cleansing and refreshing your soul.” In this visualization, the lights of the menorah carry a water-essence of Divine life.

Practice: Waterfall of Light Pose

This posture, like a waterfall, cascades energy from Above to Below, reversing the gravitational effect of standing. Like the menorah, first we raise our legs, lifting like a flame. Then, we sit inverted and dwell, receiving light and inspiration from Above. Physically, this pose reduces inflammation and refreshes the legs and reproductive area. This inversion gives an energy and circulation boost to the upper body and head. This posture reminds us to do less, and rather simply be. By reversing gravity and setting ourselves up to restore, this pose is a paradigm shift. We get so entrapped by the physical productivity of the week, the lights of the menorah and the restorative postures of yoga remind us to focus on the still, soft being of our spiritual souls.

So, light your menorah, and enter into this posture near the flames.

Enter Into the Pose:

Make sure you have a pillow or blanket nearby.
Scoot your sacrum close toward the wall, and raise your legs, stacking them against the length of the wall.
Open the arms to the side, or comfortably place your hands on the torso.
To make this position more restorative, place a rolled up blanket under your pelvis, or stack a pillow under your upper back, and a pillow under your head to make a slanted ramp.
Stay here for 5-10 minutes, feel the heart rate slow and the blood trickle down the legs.
Close the eyes, envisioning a waterfall of life and light washing down the body.

Inspired by Rabbi Avraham Arieh Trugman

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Intentful and Inventive teacher, Jenna Zadaka, MA: CF-SLP, RYT, blends Jewish ancient wisdom and modern mindfulness and movement practices into a feminine, rejuvenative practice. She crafts innovative somatic sequencing to harmonize with the energetic teachings of the Jewish cyclical calendar. Jenna offers specialized prenatal and postpartum yoga classes, as well as energizing Vinyasa flow classes for women. In 2015, Jenna completed her 200-hour certification in Jerusalem with Kinneret Yoga and is RYT-200 certified. Since then, she has taught weekly yoga in many communities including Jerusalem, New York, Minneapolis, and Boulder,CO, as well as at holiday retreats, festivals, events, and schools. Jenna leads workshops, classes, women circles, and meditation series delving into Jewish mysticism, Jewish Chassidic thought, and the inner teachings of the month or holiday.

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