Occasionally when it rains, it pours---everything raining down on us at once! Or at least it seems as though we are bombarded with too many options as to how to spend our valuable time and energy. These choices come at us like a plague of locusts, often simultaneously, not just one or two little locusts, but dozens of them, coming at once and all seeming to need our immediate attention! How do we decide one action over another, giving one priority over the other?
Ideally, our actions spring from purpose. To align our actions with a sense of purpose we can quickly assess by asking key questions of purpose such as--- "Where will this action lead? What is the wisest use of my capabilities?" Purpose questions help us to select actions and then determine when we will say "Yes" to an opportunity or a yoga position and when we will say, "No." We can harness our physical yoga practice with questions such as, "Which set of muscles am I trying to strengthen or which ones are holding tension that I need to release?" "Am I trying to increase my flexibility or relax muscles to relieve pinched nerves and pain?"
But what about those key questions of purpose for our soul and spirit? Before crucial decisions are made let's ask ourselves, "What choices should I make that will lead me on a path of physical and spiritual wellness so that I can make my maximum contribution to God and others?" In other words, "Am I taking care of my own needs so that I have enough energy and health to accomplish deeds for others?"
Set aside time this week for a spiritually centering and uplifting practice of "Half Locust Pose" on each side and then "Full Locust" or Salabhasana. Do not attempt these positions if you are pregnant because all of your body weight rests on the abdomen!
Let's practice making mindfully wise decisions after asking those key questions of purpose. plf
Ideally, our actions spring from purpose. To align our actions with a sense of purpose we can quickly assess by asking key questions of purpose such as--- "Where will this action lead? What is the wisest use of my capabilities?" Purpose questions help us to select actions and then determine when we will say "Yes" to an opportunity or a yoga position and when we will say, "No." We can harness our physical yoga practice with questions such as, "Which set of muscles am I trying to strengthen or which ones are holding tension that I need to release?" "Am I trying to increase my flexibility or relax muscles to relieve pinched nerves and pain?"
But what about those key questions of purpose for our soul and spirit? Before crucial decisions are made let's ask ourselves, "What choices should I make that will lead me on a path of physical and spiritual wellness so that I can make my maximum contribution to God and others?" In other words, "Am I taking care of my own needs so that I have enough energy and health to accomplish deeds for others?"
Set aside time this week for a spiritually centering and uplifting practice of "Half Locust Pose" on each side and then "Full Locust" or Salabhasana. Do not attempt these positions if you are pregnant because all of your body weight rests on the abdomen!
- Physically---After warming up with a few rounds of "Salutations to the Son" (May 2009 blogs) and possibly 5-8 breaths in the "Assisted Locust Pose" described in last week's blog, begin opening one side of the front body at a time with "Half Locust Pose" or Ardha Salabhasana. Lying on the stomach, full length on the floor or any flat and level surface, inhale while lifting the hips slightly to reverse the tilt of the pelvic basin and rest the weight of the head on the chin. Then lift the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles while exhaling as the right arm and leg extend upward and in opposite directions. Use each inhalation to release the chest, rib cage and diaphragm, allowing the floor to push into the abdomen rather than expanding the abdomen down into the floor, creating a rocking. As the root locks are lifted and engaged extend the right arm and leg using the upper back muscles, triceps, and hamstrings. Hold this unilateral stretch on the right side for 5-6 slow and deep breaths before switching to the left side for the same number of breaths. At the completion of the last exhale release both hands onto the floor alongside of the hips, palms facing upward, and slowly lower both legs with the inner thighs, knees and ankles touching, as the weight of the head is released onto the right cheekbone. Rest here for 2-3 full breaths before attempting "Full Locust Pose."
- Begin "Full Locust Pose" or Salabhasana with a deep inhalation as the weight of the hips and pubic bone rest fully into the floor in a reverse tilt of the pelvic basin (tail bone pushing down and forward). At the top of the inhalation, lift the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles as the head, chest and thighs lift upward, and then both arms and feet stretch back away from the head and shoulders during the exhalation. Remain in this position with the palms facing each other and the thighs rolling internally toward one another for as long as possible (10-12 kapalabhati breaths with rigorous exhalations) before resting on the right cheekbone for two normal breaths. Depending on your purpose, you may want to try this again before resting.
- Mentally---Feel the entire weight of the body centered and resting on the pubic bone and abdominal muscles during each inhalation, especially if you're away of your need to relax. If your purpose is to strengthen the back muscles and the back of the thighs (hamstrings) you may want to really emphasize the lifting action in the chest, arms and legs during each exhalation. The inner adductor magnus muscles are active to keep the knees held together so focusing on that action will strengthen and tone your inner thighs. However, if your back and hip extensors are already strong and tight, you may choose to focus your attention on the stretching action during inhalations, really extending the latissimus dorsi (run alongside from hip and lower four ribs to shoulder), the triceps (underarms), the rhomboids (between the shoulder blades) and the lower psoas (in the creases of the groin), and then releasing those muscles at the end of the exhalations. Remember that action should spring from purpose.
- Spiritually---While practicing all the variations of "Locust Pose" be reminded of how the world plagues us with so many choices, and they are often opposites. We can only fulfill our God-given purpose when we take action that leads us in the direction that serves His purposes for our life. As followers of Jesus Christ we have a high calling to do whatever we do in His name because the world is watching....
Let's practice making mindfully wise decisions after asking those key questions of purpose. plf
