What holds you together in tough times? When we repeatedly turn to someone or something for help or support in life's difficult situations, that someone or something gradually gains significance. In fact, a symbiotic relationship is developed and it becomes a central theme interwoven throughout our days, ultimately creating a strong influence and a priority in our life.
God wants to have that place of significance in our lives. He wants to be woven into the fabric of each day---the first thought in our mind when we awaken and the last before we fall asleep to rest in Him. He wants to share our sorrows in the valleys of life, as well as the thrills on the mountaintops. He is continually drawing us into a daily, personal relationship with Him that will last throughout eternity. Jeremiah, the Old Testament prophet and priest, informs his people in the book that bears his name: "The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, 'Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.'" (Jeremiah 31: 3, KJV)
While practicing yoga I suggest that you habitually meditate on your Creator as the source of all your blessings because you'll need to rely on Him when the challenges come. Weave God into the fabric of your life so that as you practice yoga postures, such as this week's Pasasana or "Noose Pose", you'll be reminded of how God wants to be like a noose, or a cord wrapped around you with His "everlasting love." If your arms aren't long enough, His are!
- Physically---From "Child's Pose" or Balasana, inhale slightly forward onto the forearms while bringing the inner edges of your feet together and tucking your toes under the heels. At the top of the inhalation, lift the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles (mula and uddiyana bandhas) for support and then exhale back onto the soles of both feet into a squatting position. If the heels of your feet don't reach the floor because of tight Achilles tendons, place a folded blanket or towel under the heels and press back and down into this prop to achieve balance. Remain in this balancing preparation for a few breaths before inhaling, grounding down into the right big toe and right inner heel while lifting up through the crown of the head to extend the torso upward. Remember the importance of the locks or bandhas to be lifting and drawing inward like a drawstring for core support. At the top of that inhalation slowly twist the torso to the right, placing both straight arms to the right side of the right outer thigh with the palms facing away from the thighs. Remain in this station for one or two deep and relaxed breaths before inhaling to firmly engage the locks and allow the right knee to extend slightly beyond the left knee. When you're ready, exhale onto the lower right side of the abdomen for this intense twist that compresses the right ascending colon first. (The descending colon is then squeezed in this same twisting posture to the left side as the right side is released to be soaked with freshly oxygenated blood.)
- To deepen this "Noose Pose" or Pasasana to the right, inhale extending up through the spine and bending both elbows to bring the palms together in the prayer position called anjali mudra. Exhale slowly while pressing firmly into the inner right foot, the palms of the hands, and squeezing the left armpit into the right knee. To deepen this version of the pose, eventually with regular practice you'll be able to bring the forearms perpendicular to the floor with the top elbow pointing directly up over the hands.
- Some students with empty intestines may be able to able to perform the most difficult variation of this pose by turning the left arm internally (toward your center) and wrapping it in front of and around the right knee to bring the left hand back by the left hip. The right arm and shoulder then rotate externally (away from center) to the right, bending and reaching behind the back in order to hook the fingers of both hands near the left hip. Warning: Please do not attempt this twist if you are pregnant, or have shoulder injuries or a bloated abdomen.
- Remain in your best version of this twist for 3-5 smooth and even breaths before switching to the left side by inhaling back to the center, and then exhaling the straight arms to the left side of the thighs. Make it a regular habit to relax and restore while lying flat on your back for a minimum of five minutes in "Corpse Pose" (See the January 24, 2009 blog) before rolling onto your right side in a fetal position to slowly return to life's activities.
- Mentally---This deep twist is especially challenging because it also involves balance in the squatting position. With regular practice, the mind becomes disciplined to remain in the present moment, aware and focused on each segment of each breath---lifting to engage the locks at the top of inhalations, and then squeezing to draw them further in and upward as the twist is deepened during exhalations.
- Spiritually---Even if your arms cannot wrap all the way around your knees like a noose or cord, commit to allow God's compassionate love and protection to wrap around and through your daily life. Allow yourself to be drawn toward God many times throughout your day instead of running from Him. Be encouraged that no one can come to connect or yoke with God "except the Father which has sent [Jesus] draw him...." (John 6:44a, KJV)
