Monday, August 1, 2011

"Details Make a Difference"

The omniscient "they" say that God is found in the details of life.  Therefore, it's not only what you say, but how you say it and where and to whom.   It's also important to take notice of what you do, how and where you do it and with whom.  A daily yoga practice with God will cultivate this present-minded awareness of the details in your life.  You'll begin to find pleasure in the small stuff---like discovering that you can still balance on one leg like you did as a child.  
Since yoga balancing postures are built from the ground up much like a building, the details of the foundation are crucial. The cornerstone forms the basic and main part of the foundation, determining alignment, attitude and strength.  If all four cornerstones of the standing foot are not firm and even, the pose will topple. If the upper body is not plumb, meaning the skeletal structure is in perfectly vertical alignment over the standing foot, the pose will wobble and fall. If the mind is not focused and present with a positive, "I can do this" attitude, the posture will topple. If the strength and energy are not available to hold the balancing position, the asana will be weak and wobbly. Try practicing this week's posture, "Standing Hand-to-Foot Pose" or Hasta Padangusthasana, with present-minded awareness and attention to detail before you move into the full pose called "Extended Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose", which will be targeted in next week's blog. Prenatal students may safely practice balancing on one foot for very brief periods at a time---no longer than 3-5 breaths per side, and with mindful awareness of the light compression in the abdomen.

  • Physically---After several rounds of "Salutations to the Son" followed by thigh and hip-openers like last week's "Lizard Pose", physically prepare for "Standing Hand-to-Foot Pose" or Hasta Padangusthasana by finding your balance on two legs. From "Lizard Pose" or "Downward-Facing Dog" lunge forward to the top of the mat into "Mountain Pose" (April 20, 2009 blog) or even Samasthiti (as described in the December 6, 2010 blog) with the upper body weight evenly distributed over all four corners of both feet.  
  • To find your center in any balancing position on one leg, begin with the details of the standing foot.  Inhale slowly as toes of the standing foot lift from the floor, extend and spread wide, and the arms sweep out to the sides. The pelvic floor and abdominal muscles also lift and lock (bandhas) for balance and support.  During the exhalation the toes release one-at-a-time to the floor with the neck of each toe extended and relaxed, rather than tense and gripping, and the arms may lower toward the right foot as the knee bends and lifts up toward the right rib cage.    At the end of that first slow and deep ujjayi breath  grasp the ball of the right foot with both hands and draw the bended knee into the chest and as high as possible without bending the torso forward. Prenatal students should draw the right knee outside of the right rib cage, being extremely cautious not to compress the inner right thigh into the baby's space. 
  • Before extending the right leg straight out in front for the full "Extended Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose", remain calm and steady in this preparatory, one-legged balancing position for at least 3-5 breaths with a "Third-Eye" inner focus called naitroyah ma dyai drishti   Use each inhalation to ground down into all four corners of each foot (your cornerstones) while stretching up through the crown of the head.  Use the exhalations to firmly lift the locks (bandhas) in and upward as the spine lengthens with the tail bone pressing straight down toward the inner heel of the left foot.  Be careful though, because excessive muscular tension in the torso reduces the volume of each breath, preventing the prana or life force from fueling the body. Switch to observe the difference between the left and right sides by slowly releasing the right foot to align just under the right hip. Then inhale, lifting the toes of the right foot now to ground down into all four "cornerstones", spreading toes and extending to balance in "Hand-to Big-Toe Pose" on the right foot.  Always rest in "Corpse Pose" (January 24, 2009 blog) to relax and restore at the end of your practice.
  • Mentally---During all balancing postures the mind focuses intently on maintaining a firm and evenly grounded foundation (foot, hand or whatever is on the ground), a bone-over-bone aligned body, a positive attitude and a relaxed and steady gaze---all while sustaining a slow and rhythmic pattern to the breath for strength and energy.  Balancing makes no allowance for the mind to wander.
  • Spiritually--- The feet (especially the heel, as with Achilles) have been used throughout ancient literature as the source of strength and balance so it's no wonder that the feet are the cornerstone of our standing postures to balance steadily.  The foundation of the Christian religion is that Jesus became the main part of the faith, the cornerstone which enabled us to build a strong temple of faith that is inhabited by God's Holy Spirit.  As you physically  ground down into your cornerstone (the foot), remember that Christ is the cornerstone of your spiritual faith and your  connection to God because He gave us access through His death and resurrection.  The apostle Paul explained this concept in his letter to the church in Ephesus:
"For through Him [Jesus] we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.  Now therefore, ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord; In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."                        (Epehsians 2: 18-22, KJV)
 
 To experience balance in your life, pay attention to the details of your faith and the cornerstone upon which it is built.                                                            Namaste, plf