My husband and I just celebrated our 42nd wedding anniversary on July 13th by traveling to a well-known spa and golf course. (This explains why I wasn't teaching my yoga classes this week and why I'm posting my weekly blog a few days later than usual!)
On the drive home I began to think about what qualities have made our relationship successful and worthy of celebration. By definition the word "relationship" involves some degree of connection, but even in a marriage bond, there are different degrees of sharing and connection. We live in the same home, file joint income tax returns, sleep together in the same bed, and we produced three wonderful children together. More often than not, we also share meals, conversations, emotions, each other's successes and failures, sporting activities, and other forms of entertainment. Yet we have been known to enjoy brief but separate vacations. His usually involve fly-fishing or golf, while my passions are yoga, skiing and sight-seeing. We often "go to lunch" or movies with other friends, never feeling any pressure to be attached at the hip twenty-four-seven. I can count on one hand the few times that we haven't attended church together. (I'd use the word "worship" together but we do not share exactly the same ideas on religion or politics! That's okay because we are clearly two separate people who have freely chosen to join or yoke together in a lifetime commitment of sharing, witnessing and discovering the gift of life together. We're like puzzles pieces that fit together, or occasionally, we're more like sharpening tools that buff and polish one another's rough edges. We open and stretch one another's horizons. It works because we both want it to work!
I thoroughly enjoy my time with my husband because of the safe and comfortable space (often without words) that we have created together in our marriage. These two qualities, coupled with open and honest communication have saved our marriage union more than once. This week I'm recommending that you get together outside with a close friend, or at least someone with whom you feel a degree of comfort and safety that will encourage open communication. (Hint: It's usually more comfortable if they are of a similar physical size and build.) This week practice the application of opposing forces (explained in last week's blog) to open the shoulders, hips and thighs in this "partnering" variation of "Warrior II Pose" or Virabhadrasana II. Your "partnering" experience in yoga classes, or privately at home, may awaken a deeper connection in all of your relationships as you discover the freedom of shedding those repressed inhibitions. Learn to trust a partner.
My husband and I agree that committed relationships are truly worth celebrating! Are you in a committed relationship with God? The more you pull away, the more He will draw you to Himself.
On the drive home I began to think about what qualities have made our relationship successful and worthy of celebration. By definition the word "relationship" involves some degree of connection, but even in a marriage bond, there are different degrees of sharing and connection. We live in the same home, file joint income tax returns, sleep together in the same bed, and we produced three wonderful children together. More often than not, we also share meals, conversations, emotions, each other's successes and failures, sporting activities, and other forms of entertainment. Yet we have been known to enjoy brief but separate vacations. His usually involve fly-fishing or golf, while my passions are yoga, skiing and sight-seeing. We often "go to lunch" or movies with other friends, never feeling any pressure to be attached at the hip twenty-four-seven. I can count on one hand the few times that we haven't attended church together. (I'd use the word "worship" together but we do not share exactly the same ideas on religion or politics! That's okay because we are clearly two separate people who have freely chosen to join or yoke together in a lifetime commitment of sharing, witnessing and discovering the gift of life together. We're like puzzles pieces that fit together, or occasionally, we're more like sharpening tools that buff and polish one another's rough edges. We open and stretch one another's horizons. It works because we both want it to work!
I thoroughly enjoy my time with my husband because of the safe and comfortable space (often without words) that we have created together in our marriage. These two qualities, coupled with open and honest communication have saved our marriage union more than once. This week I'm recommending that you get together outside with a close friend, or at least someone with whom you feel a degree of comfort and safety that will encourage open communication. (Hint: It's usually more comfortable if they are of a similar physical size and build.) This week practice the application of opposing forces (explained in last week's blog) to open the shoulders, hips and thighs in this "partnering" variation of "Warrior II Pose" or Virabhadrasana II. Your "partnering" experience in yoga classes, or privately at home, may awaken a deeper connection in all of your relationships as you discover the freedom of shedding those repressed inhibitions. Learn to trust a partner.
- Physically---After a few rounds of "Salutations to the Son" (May 2009 blogs), stand side-by-side in an open and flat area with your partner, but facing in opposite directions, with the outer edges of opposite feet touching (i.e. The outer edge of your right foot pressing gently against the outer edge of your partner's left foot, and then vice-versa to switch sides.) Both partners gently but firmly clasp the other partner's opposite wrist and then inhale to ground through only the feet that are in contact. While exhaling, both partners lift the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles for core support as each partner lunges slowly and cautiously in the opposite direction to bring their opposite knee over the ankle of that foot. (i.e. If your right foot is connected to your partner's left foot, you will be lunging away from your right foot to bring your left knee directly over your left ankle, while your partner lunges the right foot away from the left foot to align the right knee over the right ankle.) Inhale to ground the back foot against your partner's foot and stretch the free arm in opposing directions (vectors) to open your back shoulder, hip and thigh with equal opposing forces. Each of you is in the hip-opening position called "Warrior II Pose" or Virabhadrasana II as described in more detail in this year's February 16th blog. Remain grounded, and yet extending and stretching in opposite directions for at least 8-10 deep and smooth breaths before switching sides with the opposite feet touching and facing in opposite directions. (Note the sledge-hammer symbolism here!)
- Mentally---Remain very alert and aware of the stretching sensations in your own body as you attempt to equalize and agree upon the same effort as that of your partner, but without brute force. After stretching and opening both sides of each of your bodies with awareness, and communication if necessary, be sure to lie down in "Corpse Pose" (January 24, 2009 blog) to savor the essence of connecting and cooperating with a trusted friend or partner.
- Spiritually---Partnering encourages a broader and deeper experience of life as you move beyond your own little bubble and identity. You will begin to gain an understanding of the "big picture" and mankind's connection to all of God's creatures. Your role as a partner will expand your horizons and help you to envision how you are a part of something much bigger than yourself.
My husband and I agree that committed relationships are truly worth celebrating! Are you in a committed relationship with God? The more you pull away, the more He will draw you to Himself.
