Most people get uncomfortable with change. Revolutions are sudden, and often violent, with deep commitment involved. Evolutions, although more gradual, require the same serious commitment and discipline in order to succeed. Physically speaking, for example, a person cannot wake up one morning and suddenly decide to become a marathon runner, slalom ski racer, astronaut, or brain surgeon without some gradual changes. Each of these endeavors require education, training and experience. Trying really hard is not enough without endangering the physical body. Because of its limitations we must be educated, strengthened and stretched gradually. Even after the formal education has been completed there's a transitional period that requires practice and discipline before any level of success can be realized. Here's where patience, perseverance and dedication factor into the formula for change. We have to ask ourselves if we're willing to warm up to change slowly. Revolution is too scary!
In the physical arena of yoga, change requires a dedicated willingness to practice the postures (asanas) regularly (abhyasa) and slowly with patience---that is if we don't want to experience the set back of physical injury. In the mental arena, awareness and concentration (dharana) do not just happen because we try really hard to stay focused in the present moment. Trying is not enough; we must learn the discipline of conscious breathing (pranayama) and then practice every single day. One of the most significant challenges involved in the yoga disciplines is change in the spiritual arena, so a large majority of practitioners sadly choose to eliminate this area. I may be repeating myself, but that is like trying to bake a cake without the key ingredient of flour! Yes, it exists, but it's just not a cake; it's a "flourless cake"---i.e. an empty practice because the soul is not being nourished. I cannot comprehend why anyone would choose to feed the body but ignore the soul---starving the only part of who they are that will go on...and on!
In order to open the gates to spiritual change we must commit to be slowly and patiently transformed into a faithful follower of Christ (a Christian). No, Christians aren't perfect---yet! This evolution demands the same level of commitment and discipline as a marathon runner or astronaut in training. We can't just suddenly wake up and be like Christ. We must yoke to Him every day, spending focused time alone in prayer and meditation. The mind must be trained to focus only on the object of our affection, which is developed by reading about Him in The Holy Bible. The Bible becomes a gateway to the slow transformation as we are gradually changed from within by God's Holy Spirit. Remember this evolutionary formula while practicing this week's "Gate Pose" Flow Variation of Parighasana. [Safe for prenatal students.]
- Physically---After praying in a comfortable kneeling position (maybe on a pillow or blanket to protect the knees) in your best version of "Child's Pose" or Balasana (described in my first blog on January 10, 2009 blog) inhale to rise up onto both knees using padding for comfort. At the top of that first inhalation lift the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles up and back toward the spine to engage the locks (mula bandha and uddiyana bandha) for core support. Then during a long and slow, sighing exhalation (through the nose only) release the left hand to the left hip and the right hand just inside the right thigh to aid in opening it externally (away from center) as the right flexed foot moves out to the right, aligning just under the right knee. Attempt to keep the right leg in the same plane with the hips and torso for the most beneficial results.
- To warm the hips slowly in this week's "Gate Pose" Flow Variation of Parighasana, use the principles of Thai yoga massage---at least two breaths back and forth in the forward and backward lean, then two full breaths side to side, and finally rotating or whirlpooling for at least two breaths in a clockwise and then counterclockwise circles. This slow and patient practice will unilaterally (one side at a time) increase the development of synovial fluids in the hip sockets. Begin by inhaling as the torso leans slightly forward with the chin lifting and then exhaling in a backward lean as the chin lowers toward the lifted chest, and repeat for a minimum of two breaths. Then progress to at least two full breaths in the side-to-side torso lean, keeping the head aligned directly over the spine. Always use the inhalations to come back to center and lengthen through the spine by pressing the tail bone down as the crown of the head lifts and extends up and away from the shoulders and ears. Finish warming up the right side to change by inhaling in slow clockwise circles from 9 o'clock to 12, and then exhaling to 3 and 6 o'clock for at least two full cycles of ujjayi (victorious) before reversing to counterclockwise circles synchronized with the breath. Repeat these Thai yoga massage disciplines slowly and patiently on the left side before resting again in "Child's Pose." Now those tight hips might be a bit more prepared to move into the full "Gate Pose" as described in the May 19, 2009 blog. At the end of yoga practice always rest and restore for a bare minimum of five minutes in "Corpse Pose."
- Mentally---Since Thai yoga massage movements are done slowly in sync with the breathing, the mind must be trained to remain present with each breath. Pay close attention to the quality of each slow breath and allow it to lead the back and forth movements like a conductor leads an orchestra.
- Spiritually---Never begin training the body, mind and spirit to be in union and fully connected together in Christ with unrealistic expectations. Because we are still flesh with human desires we will not be immediately transformed into a brand new person with new desires after one or two---or even a month or year or two--of regular, daily practice. Prepare to be transformed (changed slowly) by the renewing of your mind in prayer and Scripture reading every single day. The suffix -ing indicates a process of change.
(Romans 12:2, KJV)
I pray that you will decide to get educated and start training as a faithful follower of Christ. Namaste, plf
