"The Balance of Opening and Closing "

This week the summer season officially ends in the northern hemisphere, and the fall equinox occurs on Thursday at 3:09 am, coordinated universal time (UTC).  Those of us who really appreciate long hours of daylight, open windows and soft summer breezes reluctantly begin to cover patio furniture, and put away our swim suits and sandals in exchange for sweaters and boots. 

When I open my closets and drawers I see too much stuff!  I've decided that every change of season is a perfect opportunity to practice the yogic discipline (yama) called aparigraha, which means non-coveting or grasping. The Tenth Commandment given to Moses expressed this same ethical principle that transcends creed, country, age or time.  To be free from hoarding or collecting is to be free from feeling a lack or loss of anything.   When we keep or hold on to too many things we are indirectly expressing a lack of trust in God and ourselves to provide for the future. This reveals much about the importance that we place on our outer sheath, our physical body.  

In order to practice not collecting, I've promised myself (and my husband) that I will spend one morning each week going through the over-abundance in my closets and drawers, sharing and donating to those who truly need sweaters and boots that I won't wear this fall. Once I clear out the clutter of things that I don't need, I'll actually be able to close my closets and drawers more easily!

This week as we physically practice the balance of opening and closing our lower abdominal region in  a gentle vinyasa (breath-synchronized) flow between Supta Konasana and Supta Gomukhasana, let's also balance our closets that store way more than we need.  This practice just may open up a feeling of spaciousness in the mind as well as the body, representing a move to a deeper mental sheath where greater peace may be experienced.  Please do not practice this flow between two lying-on-the-back postures if you are pregnant in your second or third trimesters.

• Physically---If you are not pregnant, you may begin the gentle process of opening the hips and thighs by practicing the vinyasa flow (described in last week's blog) between "Lying-Down Wide-Angle Split" ( also called Supta Konasana) and Apanasana.  After several rounds (3-5 breaths) of this flow, instead of exhaling into Apanasana, cross the right knee over the left as in the seated position called "Cow-Face Pose."  (See the November 12, 2009 blog.)  Then, as the long exhalation continues, clasp the hands over each outer ankle to draw the heels of the feet up toward the outer hips, rotating both upper thighs away from center in an external rotation of the hips.  You may also choose to add the inward and upward lifting of the pelvic floor (mula bandha) and the abdominal muscles ( uddiyana bandha) to massage the internal organs in the lower abdomen.
• To continue the flow, relax the diaphragm and the locks (bandhas) as you inhale slowly and begin the opening process as the legs straighten and open outward into the "Lying-Down Wide-Angle Split."  At the end of the inhalation, ground the sacrum down into the floor and begin to draw up the locks as the left leg now crosses over the right as the feet are gently pulled toward the outer hips as the exhalation is extended to squeeze the left side of the lower abdomen.  With each inhalation the legs open away from center and the muscles and joints relax to balance the closing action as the locks are engaged and the legs cross alternately with each exhalation.  Continue for as long as needed to experience the physical relief as the lower abdominal region is massaged and then opens to release tension and toxins.
• Mentally---With each opening action inhale while imagining the relief of giving away items from your closets and drawers that may be used by others.   Balance this release with and cautious squeezing out of any residual excess (and toxins) from your closet, your diet, your life.  Notice the resistance in the hips during the exhalations, and focus the attention on the opening and the releasing action during the inhalations.
• Spiritually---This physical and mental discipline reminds me of one of Jesus' parables recorded in The Book of Luke, Chapter 12.  It tells of the man who decided he needed a bigger barn to store his crops, but when he rebuilt the barn to take life easy, "eat, drink and be merry," that very night he lost his life. 

"And He [Jesus] said unto them, 'Take heed, and beware of covetness; for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.' And He spake a parable unto them, saying, 'The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully; And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits. And he said, 'This will I do; I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.  And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat drink and be merry.  But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee; then whose shall those thing be, which thou hast provided?  So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

I view this parable as a clear warning to clear out the excess in my life and become richer spiritually!  May we all be forewarned!     Namaste, plf