"Maintaining Balance in Motion"

Do you remember what it felt like the first time you realized that you could balance on a bicycle while you were moving? That amazing ability to balance while in motion required not only alignment and muscle strength, but most importantly, a positive attitude of "I can do this!" As you practice this week's challenge of moving with your breath alternately between last week's "Tree Pose" and this new posture called "Eagle Pose," or Garudasana in Sanskrit, remember the importance of maintaining a positive "can do" attitude. If you have trouble locating this positive energy, you may be forgetting its source---your powerful Creator---so try connecting in prayer first!

• Physically---After experiencing a sense of balance on the left foot in "Tree Pose" with the right foot sealed on the inner left calf, exhale very slowly while rotating the right knee internally (toward the center) and place the outside edge of the right foot on the outside edge of the left calf with the toes still pointing downward. As both upper thighs are now rotating internally, depending upon the degree of internal rotation, some of you may be able to slip the right foot behind the left calf. This "Eagle Pose" leg position will require that the pelvic tilt shifts forward slightly with the tail bone pulling down and back. While the right leg is changing from an external to internal rotation, the arms are mirroring the same change from external to internal. On that same exhalation the "branches" of the tree lower slowly and the upper arms rotate toward center, with the right elbow crossing under the left elbow and then intertwining the wrists so that the fingers of the right hand are resting on the heel of the left palm. If this internal shoulder rotation is too intense at first, simply press the backs of the hands together, remembering never to force the body into a pose beyond your personal "edge." As the "Eagle Pose" arm position raises upward, it becomes an effective stretch for those tense muscles (called rhomboids) between the shoulder blades.
• Now try practicing this challenging but enjoyable vinyasa flow (breath-synchronized movement) between the two balancing postures that also balance the external and internal rotation of both hips and arms. On each inhalation while the arms raise up like "branches of a tree" with palms together, thumbs pointing backward, the leg opens externally away from center as the tail bone pushes down the back of the standing leg. On the very next exhalation as the arms lower into the internal, intertwined arm position of "Eagle," the knee rotates internally and the foot tucks outside or behind the calf of the standing leg. To reverse sides and balance your practice unilaterally (one-side at a time) be sure to repeat the flow for the same number of breaths while balancing on the right leg---3 to 5 full cycles of breath on each leg. The arm position for "Eagle Pose" while balancing on the right foot is to lower the left arm beneath the right, crossing at the elbows and the placing the fingers of the right hand on the palm of the left hand.
  
• Mentally---This balancing (in all senses of the word) vinyasa flow will require total concentration (called dharana) as you allow the movement of the breath to lead the changing of leg and arm positions. Experience the internal flow of energy as it rises upward in the lifting and opening action of "Tree Pose," while the sensation in "Eagle Pose" is one of lowering and closing the arms and legs in the internal rotation. Also practice coordinating the lifting of the pelvic floor muscles (called the mula bandha) and the abdominal locks (called the uddiyana bandha) with each inhalation to add steadiness to the shifting positions of arms and legs. With the mind focused on the smooth and even flow of each cycle of breath, resist the temptation to become emotionally or ego-involved by making judgments about your abilities. Focus your attention on the strength and sovereignty of your Creator. Remember that every time you practice will feel different, depending upon so many variables, such as your connection to God, your attitude, your level of concentration, your diet and sleep habits, etc. Simply enjoy the journey!
  
• Spiritually---To bring a spiritual dimension into this flow from "Tree Pose" to "Eagle Pose" and back again, I look to my omnipotent Creator for the strength of body and mind in all that I do, but especially when faced with challenges. There is no other reliable source of strength but "...the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth fainteth not, neither is weary...." Before practicing this flow to develop balance while in motion, read Isaiah, Chapter 40, but especially the last half which acknowledges the mighty power of God.

"He giveth power to the faint; and them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall; But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40: 29-31, KJV)

Our mind is like an extremely powerful computer that can control the connection between muscles and nerves. In his book, Light on Yoga, B.K.S. Iyengar explains the mind-body connection by comparing it to the reins that can control the horses of desire. As far as I'm concerned, those reins have to be mighty strong! I cannot trust my body-mind connection alone, because "...even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall." I need to depend upon a source of strength beyond my limited, human capabilities by "...waiting upon the Lord." May you find strength in your dependence upon the Lord as you practice "maintaining balance in motion." With love and prayers for your yoking experience, plf