Striving for perfection is an ongoing and elusive journey that, for me, ends with forgiveness at the cross of Calvary. I'm learning to appreciate "the art of imperfection" as I attempt to practice loving-kindness (called metta in Sanskrit) and forgiveness, especially toward myself. Just because God can forgive all of my failures and imperfections doesn't mean that I can do the same quite so easily (although the price for my forgiveness was hardly easy!) I'm also beginning to realize that before I can forgive others and discern them through God's eyes, I must learn to forgive myself by seeing myself as forgiven. This forgiveness is only experienced when I am yoked to Jesus Christ. It's then that I remember how God regards my debt as "paid in full" and envisions the end product of what I will become. Perfection will never be achieved in this lifetime, but we can experience peace with our imperfections because at least we're moving toward that end.
Appreciation of "the art of imperfection" occurs in conjunction with the acceptance of flaws, but it's acceptance without complacency. When this principle is applied to the practice of physical yoga positions we can accept where we are in the journey toward a pose without trying to achieve immediate perfection by forcing the body before it's ready to submit. Although we recognize that we'll never achieve perfection or total consecration (implicit obedience and yielding) in this life, this awareness does not excuse us from working toward perfection. Remember the old adages, "Shoot for the stars and you just might reach the moon;" and "Practice makes perfect."
This week's targeted pose (asana), "Revolved Side Angle Pose" or Parivrtta Parsvakonasana, in its most intense form, leads to a bound (baddha) version that is considered to be an advanced standing twist. Warnings: Never force your body into a pose. Twisting postures are not safe for prenatal students!
May you practice forgiveness of yourself, as well all others who need forgiveness, because God has our backs! When Jesus said His last words on the cross, "It is finished!" He meant that He has finished the job! It's over; so all we have to do is trust and believe! plf
Appreciation of "the art of imperfection" occurs in conjunction with the acceptance of flaws, but it's acceptance without complacency. When this principle is applied to the practice of physical yoga positions we can accept where we are in the journey toward a pose without trying to achieve immediate perfection by forcing the body before it's ready to submit. Although we recognize that we'll never achieve perfection or total consecration (implicit obedience and yielding) in this life, this awareness does not excuse us from working toward perfection. Remember the old adages, "Shoot for the stars and you just might reach the moon;" and "Practice makes perfect."
This week's targeted pose (asana), "Revolved Side Angle Pose" or Parivrtta Parsvakonasana, in its most intense form, leads to a bound (baddha) version that is considered to be an advanced standing twist. Warnings: Never force your body into a pose. Twisting postures are not safe for prenatal students!
- Physically---To honor your body as a "sacred garment" do not attempt this advanced and very powerful standing twist before adequate time to warm the muscles and joints with several rounds of "Salutations to the Son" (Yes, the same Son who covered all of our imperfections!) After 3-5 complete "Salutations" transition by inhaling and lunging the right foot forward from "Downward-facing Dog Pose" with the right foot landing just inside the right hand. Continue to prepare for this twist by 2-3 rounds of the March 23rd flow from Parsvottanasana to "Revolved Triangle" (Parivrtta Trikonasana). Remain in "Revolved Triangle Pose" for 2-3 deep and slow breaths, while inhaling to extend the upper arm (the right arm on the right side) upward as the spine extends and rotates along a head-to-tail axis. With each inhalation, experience the deepening of the spinal rotation as it revolves to the right, beginning just above the sacrum.
- Then exhale to lower the gaze from the right thumb back downward to the right big toe as the right knee bends at a right angle and the right thigh lowers until it's parallel to the floor. This transitions the front leg from the isosceles triangle position ("Revolved Triangle Pose") to this week's right angle position called "Revolved Side Angle." On the next inhalation draw up the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles to support the lumbar spine and then exhale the left hand off the floor and to the right side of the right ankle and lower it to a block or the floor. Bring awareness to the hips as the right hip remains squarely aligned over the front extended right thigh. Inhale the upper extended right arm straight out from the right shoulder as the gaze shifts upward to the extended thumb. Then exhale to lower the fully extended arm over the right ear with the thumb pointing upward (for external rotation in the upper right shoulder) as the gaze follows the movement of the upper thumb (angusta ma dyai drishti).
- Remain in this powerful standing twist for 3-5 smooth breaths before exhaling the upper arm down to the mat in the lunge position or back to "Downward-facing Dog" for another vinyasa. (This breath synchronized flow from "Down Dog" forward to "Plank Pose" on the inhale and exhaling into Chaturanga Dandasana is described in last year's May 4th blog as the middle portion of the "Salutations to the Son.") Another option is to inhale while looking straight forward from the lunge and press off of the back foot to bring it forward, and then exhale the right foot back into a lunge with the hips aligned squarely over the front left leg for Parsvottanasana on the left side. Continue to prepare and open the left side by flowing from the intense Parsvottanasana stretch to "Revolved Triangle" and back before exhaling the gaze down and the left knee forward over the left ankle for "Revolved Side Angle Pose" on the left. Remain in this powerful standing twist to the left for 3-5 smooth breaths before exhaling to rest in "Child's Pose" for several breaths before continuing the practice, OR move into "Corpse Pose" for at least 5 minutes to restore and meditate.
- Mentally---While remaining in "Revolved Side Angle Pose" for 3-5 smooth breaths on each side, bring your attention and awareness to the spinal extension straight up and away from the stable position of the sacroiliac joints (the ligaments alongside of the sacrum, which is the triangular-shaped bone located at the bottom of the lumbar back, just above the tail bone) because the lumbar spine is mostly incapable of rotation around an axis. Although the hamstrings are not stretched as intensely as they were in last week's "Revolved Triangle Pose," there is much more compression on the abdominal organs, first on the right side where the ascending large colon is located, and then the descending large colon. Thus, the "Revolved Side Angle Pose" helps to remove waste matter from the colon through stimulation without strain as circulation of all body fluids is increased.
- Spiritually---If we don't practice the physical yoga postures (asanas) with the intent of perfection, we'll never begin to approach an appreciation of "the art of imperfection." By surrendering an emotional response to our imperfectly held postures we can enjoy the forgiveness journey without judgment. We learn to practice forgiveness for our weakness when we allow our Creator to be the only righteous judge. Although the most perfectly aligned "Revolved Side Angle Pose" may physically stimulate the removal of bodily waste matter, it's Jesus who "has our back" in the removal of spiritually toxic wastes. In other words, Jesus has us covered---in all ways! It's Jesus who paid for all of our imperfections as He overcame even the law of death! To Him be the glory as we celebrated on Easter Sunday that "He is risen; He is risen indeed!"
May you practice forgiveness of yourself, as well all others who need forgiveness, because God has our backs! When Jesus said His last words on the cross, "It is finished!" He meant that He has finished the job! It's over; so all we have to do is trust and believe! plf
