To engage in the "balance game" of life there is an ongoing interplay between labor and leisure. As I try to balance the activities of my life the old adage comes to mind, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." Work interspersed with brief breaks is the pause that refreshes---body, mind and spirit. Yet a life consisting of all leisure and sport may feel self-indulgent and lacking in purpose. The trick is knowing where and when to buckle down, and when to let go and just play.
Sometimes I approach my yoga practice with a playful attitude, with no specific intent to accomplish anything. I simply choose to be in a pose rather than work on the pose. Give this week's pose called "Revolved Half Moon Pose" or Parivrtta Arda Chandrasana a fresh approach by adopting an attitude of playfulness. Since this is a balancing, standing and twisting pose do not attempt this if you are pregnant.
(The Book of Solomon 4: 6, KJV)
Sometimes I approach my yoga practice with a playful attitude, with no specific intent to accomplish anything. I simply choose to be in a pose rather than work on the pose. Give this week's pose called "Revolved Half Moon Pose" or Parivrtta Arda Chandrasana a fresh approach by adopting an attitude of playfulness. Since this is a balancing, standing and twisting pose do not attempt this if you are pregnant.
- Physically---In order to honor your body, prepare for "Revolved Half Moon Pose" by warming up with "Salutations to the Son" and then practicing any standing twist, such as "Revolved Triangle Pose" described in the March 30th blog, or "Revolved Side Angle Pose" described on April 6th. To relieve some of the work of these challenging postures, try practicing next to a wall or the length of a bed for support. From either of these standing twists to the right side, inhale to engage the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles in order to support the torso, while moving the left hand about 12-18 inches from the right foot as the left leg is lifted up and extended actively away from the left hip during the exhalation. Then inhale the right arm straight up from the right shoulder while lengthening to extend through the spine. Keep gazing at the right hand (hastagrai drishti) until you feel stable enough and grounded on the right foot to slowly shift the gaze up over the right shoulder to the right thumb (angusta ma dyai drishti).
- Remain in this balanced, standing twist for 3-5 smooth breaths before switching to the left side for the same number of breaths. Complete your playful practice by relaxing in "Child's Pose" or "Corpse Pose" for at least five minutes.
- Mentally---When lunging the right foot forward between the hands, position yourself next to your support, but without actually leaning heavily onto it. Approach this challenging pose with an attitude of playfulness. Relax your mind to experience the confidence that your support will help you to balance on one foot and one hand without fear of tipping over. Open your chest three-dimensionally to enjoy the freedom of breathing and balancing with the aid of a physical support. Simply be in the pose and breathe! Quiet your mind.
- Spiritually---When we are grounded and balancing on one foot while extending upward with one hand, I'm reminded of the play between heaven and earth. Life often seems like a game of balance between the two worlds in which we can be so heavenly-minded that we're no earthly good, or so earthly-minded that we're no heavenly good. In the wisdom of King Solomon:
(The Book of Solomon 4: 6, KJV)
