As the joke goes, if a dog is fat, his owner is not getting enough exercise. Everything we have comes attached with responsibilities. God definitely does hold us responsible for every decision we make, every action or lack thereof, and every relationship. The principle of "use it or lose it" always applies, warning us to care for what we've been given! We are expected to use, nurture and sustain our blessings whether they're in the form of a tangible gift such as a house, dog, car, camera, shoes, or less visible talents such as intelligence, a flexible body, a pleasant voice, the ability to compose music, lyrics or stories, or even that wonderful ability to make people smile and laugh.
Each day that we awaken in reasonably good health provides us with opportunities to leave the comforts of status quo with a vision, and then step out in faith to accomplish something positive with what we've been given. We all come with a limited warranty and a relatively short amount of time to act responsibly by using our gifts to actually accomplish something worthwhile. Apple co-founder, Steve Jobs was an excellent example of someone who exercised his God-given intelligence to develop his dreams and grow his ideas into positive realities. He walked his dog figuratively (because I don't know if he actually had a dog to walk) to the very end. His recent death on October 7th reminds us that all the money in the world (or darn close to it!) cannot prevent our inevitable expiration date. Hopefully my message is coming through loudly and clearly---be responsible enough to walk the dog you've been given. Leave the comforts of your protective shelter to go outside and walk that dog, horse, child or even an elderly parent. If you're lucky enough to have four functioning limbs, get down on your knees and up into "Downward-Facing Dog" and "Walk the Dog" back and forth from "Plank Pose" to "Standing Forward Fold." Here's how to get walking....
- Physically---After prayer and then several rounds of "Salutations to the Son" to warm muscles and joints, exhale into "Downward-Facing Dog" as described in the May 4, 2009 blog, and remain here for 5-6 slow, smooth and rhythmic breaths through the nose only. Inhale the body forward into "Plank Pose" (also described in the May 4, 2009 blog) until the shoulders are squared and aligned directly over the hands, and the toes are right under the heels with the muscles hugging the bones in a straight line from head to heels. With the locks or bandhas engaged, exhale the hips upward while returning back into the inverted v-shape of "Down Dog." Continue this back and forth flow from "Down Dog" to "Plank" and back again for five slow, smooth and rhythmic breaths.
- To "Walk the Dog" breathe deeply and hold the breath (antara kumbhaka) while walking one foot at-a-time toward the hands until the torso is in a "Standing Forward Fold" called Uttanasana (April 27, 2009 blog) with the hips aligned directly over all four corners of each foot. Then while exhaling, step or jump back into "Plank Pose" and lower into "Chaturanga Dandasana" or onto the knees and thighs in preparation for "Cobra Pose." Inhaling deeply, lift the torso and the gaze forward and then upward into "Upward-Facing Dog" or "Cobra Pose." (See the "Leaner in the Middle" blog on May 4, 2009 for more details on the difference between these two choices.) Exhale slowly back into "Downward-Facing Dog" and repeat this sequence 3-5 times before releasing onto the back in "Corpse Pose" (January 24, 2009 blog) to rest for at least five minutes of restorative breathing and meditating.
- Mentally---This energetic breath-synchronized series of postures revolving around the "Down Dog Pose" will build physical body heat (agni), but also requires complete mental focus and concentration in order to coordinate the segments of each breath with physical transitions. If you feel fatigued rather than energized while practicing, do not hold the breath in (antara kumbhaka) while "walking the dog" forward, but rather exhale very slowly and then take another deep inhalation while looking up for an "Upward-Facing Standing Forward Fold" (as described in the January 24, 2009 blog) before exhaling back into "Plank Pose." Pay close attention to the quality of each breath and respond accordingly.
- Spiritually---Physical exercise can generate spiritual energy by providing the fuel (breath) to inspire positive actions that reap positive results. In other words, we need energy to use what gifts we've been given to generate and produce even more positive results. Jesus taught this principle when He told the story of the three servants who were given five, two and one talent respectively. When two of the servants returned from their journeys with double the talents given, the master replied, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things; I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." But when the servant who had been given only one talent hid his in the ground to protect it, and then returned with that same talent unused and unproductive, his master answered, "Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou oughest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance; but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness...."
- This is a tough spiritual lesson to learn about our responsibility to produce from the blessings we've been given, but an important one if we want our efforts to be doubly blessed. So get busy and "walk the dog!" Namaste, plf
