Open to Recognition---Now or Later?

"Garland Pose" or Malasana variation

Before practicing any particular style of yoga it would be helpful to decide your purpose or intent. Actions that spring from purpose result in a greater commitment to those actions. Do you want to become stronger, more flexible, lose weight, relieve back pain, or reduce tension? If any of these intentions in the physical realm strike a cord, there are specific postures (asanas) and sequences of poses that can lead to each of these goals. Or do you hope to gain something more ethereal, such as spiritual insight, awareness and enlightenment with a spiritual practice? Some styles of yoga place more emphasis on yogic components that enhance the spiritual journey. Or perhaps you're someone who studies with a certain instructor who will praise you for your physical capabilities in challenging postures? If the latter describes your needs, you might be someone who wants to feel accepted and even admired by others so that you receive recognition and immediate gratification here and now, in this lifetime. It's not uncommon, or even wrong, to be driven by a need to feel appreciated and even honored for success in a chosen arena. As Christians we hope to be faithful to our God, eventually receiving His praise at the last judgment when He says to us, "Well done thou good and faithful servant; thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." (Matthew 25: 21, KJV)
Personal intentions definitely influence the way we practice our yoga. As a Christian my intention in practicing yoga every day is to become so closely fastened to God with all my heart and mind and body that I will know His intent and purposes for each moment of my life. Then I desire to accomplish this with enough health and vigor to be able to teach others with similar goals and intentions how to yoke with the God of the universe in a personal, life-altering relationship. This is why I recommend the pose called "Garland Pose" (Malasana in Sanskrit) to spend time alone with God, faithfully communing with Him in prayer.

• Physically---Exhale to lower into a squatting position on the haunches with the inner edges of both feet touching and both heels pressing down into the floor (OR pressing into a folded blanket or towel for stability.) Allow the next deep inhalation to expand the abdominal region as the arms stretch straight out from the shoulders and the torso leans forward between widening knees and thighs. Slowly exhale the straight arms to the floor in front of the body and remain in this balancing position for 3-5 deep breaths, using the inhalations to lengthen through the spine by drawing the tail bone down and away from the expanding chest. Warning: Prenatal students should remain at this stage of the pose without attempting to deepen the compression in the abdominal region for obvious reasons! For those without abdominal issues use each exhalation to further compress the sides of the abdomen by drawing the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles up and back toward the spine.  Notice how engaging these muscles called bandhas  allow the forward lean to deepen. (See the photo below for preparation.) After several minutes of quiet prayer or meditation, release one arm at a time around the front of each shin and attempt to lightly grip the back of each ankle as the forehead lowers toward the toes. Maintain the arms wrapped around the knees and shins like a garland for 3-5 smooth and normal breaths through the nose only.  Then relax onto the back in "Corpse Pose" (described in the January 24, 2009 blog) for at least 5 minutes.
• Mentally---Focus the attention on the compression of the abdominal organs and the release of the muscles in the lower back by lengthening the spine with each inhalation. Maintain the hollow in the lower back with a deep forward tilt of the pelvic basin. Prenatal students: Focus only on the lengthening action in the lower back and the opening in the hips.
  
• Spiritually---If you desire to develop a personal relationship with your Creator that will be continued into the next life, you may have to wait patiently for your crown of appreciation as you practice "Garland Pose" every day. Over a period of time if you faithfully practice this pose during prayer and/or meditation it will become more comfortable, especially as you attempt to faithfully follow the leading of the Holy Spirit's guidance for each moment. Patiently remind yourself that all rewards don't need to be seen immediately! Remember the Apostle Paul's encouragement in his second letter to Timothy: "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown (garland) of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing." (II Timothy 4: 8, KJV)
  

May each of you add a spiritual intent to deepen your yoga practice and prepare you for life after death....plf