Monday, July 18, 2011

"Staying on Course"

When something "just feels wrong" maybe it is. That's because we've all been given a God-installed, inner voice of intelligence---a guidance system called the conscience. If no God exists to create man, how does man know the difference between right and wrong? Our omniscient Creator knew that we'd need something to tell us when we're headed off course.   However, many times we ignore or refuse to consult this internal compass that was intended to save us from destructive desires. Even more dangerous than not consulting our God-installed compass,  is the reprogramming of our conscience with the world's standards.  Sometimes we treat God's Commandments as if they were simply suggestions and we make up our own rules.
From the beginning God knew that we'd need concrete guidance, so He gave His servant, Moses, the Ten Commandments.  God even wrote them on stone tablets for emphasis.   Similarly, God also inspired Patanjali in the second chapter of the Yoga Sutra to write the yamas, which are ethical disciplines that correspond to the Ten Commandments, transcending creed, nation, age and time.
The regular and constant practice of yoga, which is called sadhana or abhyasa, helps us to develop a stronger connection to our God-installed conscience.   In many yoga poses (asanas) we stop moving altogether and remain grounded in the presence of the Lord, but being reminded of our limitations  His path for our life becomes clear when we practice focusing on our internal compass, as defined by the Ten Commandments.  Make time this week to regularly practice a variation of the seated posture called "Compass Pose" or Parivrtta Surya Yantrasana as you focus on how well you're keeping God's commandments.  In order to determine if you're staying on course, you may need to read the Ten Commandments, found in the Old Testament Book of Exodus, Chapter 20, Verses 1-17.   While holding this week's grounded position, meditate on these laws that form the standard by which all men can be fairly judged.  Thanks to Jesus Christ we are living under the "law of grace."
  • Physically---When the hamstrings and/or hips are especially tight, it's advisable to warm the muscles and joints with several rounds of "Salutations to the Son" (found in the April 27th through May 11, 2009 blogs). Then exhale into "Downward-Facing Dog" and release your torso to center in a "Wide-Stance Forward Bend" called Pasarita Padottanasana, which was explained in the February 28, 2009 blog.  After five smooth and deep, three-dimensional (ujjayi) breaths to increase circulation in the muscles and lower abdomen, exhale for at least three repetitions of the "Revolved Wide-Angle Pose" flow (referred to as "Standing Straddle Twists" in the blog). This flow will build heat and increase the spinal flexion while helping to release the hamstrings for their intense stretch in "Compass Pose" or Parivrtta Surya Yantrasana.
  • Then release to a seated posture called "Staff Pose" with the legs stretched straight in front. Begin to enter "Compass Pose" by bending the right knee and drawing the flexed foot back toward the right ear using the "yoga toe-hold."  In this grip the first two fingers of the right hand separate the big toe from the others and then the thumb wraps on top to firmly hold the flexed foot in the first stage of "Foot-to-Ear Pose", called Akarna Dhanurasana.  Remain grounded onto both sit bones with the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles lifted (the "locks" or bandhas) as the right leg begins to straighten above the right ear.  For those with tight hamstrings it may be necessary to wrap the loop of a strap or belt around the right foot as the right leg is extending above the right hip.   With the internal locks firmly engaged for support and the left leg grounded and pressing through the heel, switch the right flexed foot or the strap to the left hand and release the right hand to the floor just under and in front of the right leg.   Inhale deeply while rotating the head to the left but keeping it directly over the spine to begin to gaze under the left shoulder.  While moving cautiously into your best version of this advanced seated posture, keep in mind that an upright and extended spine is more important than holding both legs straight and extended.  The needles of your compass (ie your legs) will eventually straighten out with regular practice so be patient and never push or force your body into any yoga posture.  Slowly release the right leg into a bended position and then back to the floor into "Staff Pose" before switching to extend the left leg with a flexed foot.  Always relax in "Corpse Pose" to meditate for at least five minutes after practicing yoga postures.
  • Mentally---In order to avoid pulled hamstrings, it is absolutely crucial to pay close attention to your body sensations and the rhythm of your breath while moving into this advanced stretch.  Try to remember to inhale as the hips ground downward, the grounded leg presses forward through the heel, and the spine extends upward.  Then exhale as the upward extended leg is drawn back behind the shoulder and notice the resistance in the back of the right thigh.  Stay alert and aware of all physical resistance.
  • Spiritually---The physical challenge of this advanced stretch is a great spiritual reminder for everyone that we can never remain perfectly within the boundaries of God's unchanging laws because of our physical resistance.  Just as the parameters of the law reveal our human failings, so our human limitations are exposed by physically challenging yoga postures that take us into and make us aware of that place of resistance.  But be encouraged with God's wonderful promise:
"For sin shall not have dominion over you; for ye are not under the law, but under grace...the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."          
( Romans 6: 14 and 23b, KJV)