Many people feel incomplete if they don't have a partner by their side. This message is propagated by one of my least favorite lines of all times in the movie Jerry Macquire when the actress Renee Zellweger gazed into Tom Cruise's eyes and whispered, "You complete me." I believe that it's emotionally unhealthy to need another person in order to feel complete. However, we were created with a spiritual void that only God's Holy Spirit can fill. That may be one reason that people try to fill their longings with food, possessions, drugs, alcohol or even social events. We all work toward creating a feeling of fulfillment, lacking nothing, and sometimes it's difficult to wait patiently for that satisfaction to arrive. Part of the answer is to accept that we are complete just as we are and stop looking at all the wrong role models. Look to a relationship with the living God to bring that satisfying feeling of completion as you rest in His peaceful presence.
It's a huge challenge to find peace if you're not physically ready to complete last week's variation of "Horse Pose" or Vatayana, which was incomplete for two reasons. First, to limit the length of the blog to one 81/2" X 11" printed sheet only the bottom half of the pose was targeted, and secondly, the pose itself is quite difficult, especially when the top half of the body is added because the core is now fully engaged and extended to maintain an upright torso. A word of caution to all students: forcing any version of "Horse Pose" could result in hip or knee injury.
- Physically---In order to be physically ready for the full or complete "Horse Pose" or Vatayana, the torso must be upright with the bended knee of one leg resting lightly next to the heel of the opposite foot, and without the support of the hands. The safest way to practice this pose is by sitting on the edge of a chair so that the knee can be gradually lowered toward the floor or an ottoman while the weight of the upper body is supported by the chair itself. Once the left hip has externally rotated (away from center) to the maximum position without pain, and the torso is extended up through the crown of the head, inhale to slowly sweep the arms out to the sides and then up in and "Upward Salute". During the long and slow exhalation lift the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles (the mula and uddiyana bandhas) while crossing the left arm under the right and entwining the upper arms at the wrists with palms facing one another, as in the arm position used in "Eagle Pose" or Garudasana (described in the February 23rd and April 4, 2009 blogs). The further the elbows lift upward the greater the stretch in the rhomboid muscles between the shoulder blades. Remain in this position for 3-5 smooth, deep and rhythmic breaths before switching to the opposite side with the right flexed foot place on the left thigh. On this side the right arm crosses under the left before entwining in the "Eagle Pose" arm position. After 3-5 breaths in your best version of the complete "Horse Pose", release the arms and sit on the floor with extended legs in "Staff Pose" or Dandasana (described in the June 22, 2009 blog) before lowering onto the back in "Corpse Pose" to rest and restore for at least five minutes.
- Mentally---Due to the difficulty of this full position, absolute singular attention and focus on the knee and hip joint involved is essential to prevent injury. Breathe slowly and consciously taking time to relax the muscles of the affected leg at the end of each exhalation.
- Spiritually---Practice patience in any version of this challenging position because it will serve to increase circulation unilaterally (one side at a time) in the hip and knee joint, and will release stiffness in the sacroiliac region. Be satisfied and practice feeling complete where you're at in this difficult posture. Find your sense of completeness in patient stillness as you breathe rhythmically in your best version of "Horse Pose."
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