"The Rising Flow of Energy" to awaken

"Upward Salute" or Urdhva Hastana

Are there mornings when it's tough to get up and out of bed? We could ask, "Why do we procrastinate leaving the comfort of sleep?" What are we putting off by this delay? Where can we find the energy we need to rise up and get going? The energy is within each breath of life, so all we have to do is use it in an upward flow of movement.

Recently I've discovered this energizing way to awaken from sleep. As I roll out of bed and lower my feet to the floor I lift my arms overhead in a salute to my Creator. This simple action of moving the physical body slowly from a prone (or even seated) position to an upright, standing position mirrors the inward, upward flow of energy. It also represents a choice to be grateful for another day full of opportunities. That's why it feels so natural to sweep the arms in an upward direction after rolling out of bed.

• Physically---Here are a few simple little tricks to get your day flowing smoothly in an upswing. Try facing away from the bed (or chair), where you've already been, in order to focus your attention in the direction you want the energy to flow. In other words, look up toward your Creator and watch as your hands meet in a greeting to welcome the beginning of another new day. Be sure to inhale only through the nose, deeply and three-dimensionally into all parts of the lungs while sweeping the arms straight out to the sides and then upward. Allow the gaze to remain above the head until the actively spread fingers finally meet and release into the prayer position, called anjali mudra. If you don't have high blood pressure you may even enjoy pausing briefly at the top of the inhalation to experience the stretching sensation as your feet ground down into all four corners and the torso is lifting and expanding up and down, side to side, front and back. While exhaling, slowly lower the arms to rest at the hips with the palms facing upward and then forward to keep the shoulders in an external (away from center) rotation. With the head aligned directly over the spine, allow the gaze to slowly lower to the tip of the nose or between the eyebrows (called the "third eye") as the chin presses gently on the chest in the notch between the collar bones. This "chin lock" prevents any heat energy from rising up into the brain.
  
• During a brief pause at the end of the first breath, try lifting the pelvic floor muscles (called mula bandha) along with the abdominal muscles (uddiyana bandha) in an upward direction and back toward the spine. Engaging these energy seals or "root locks" at the bottom of the spine will help to maintain an upward flow of energy during the inhalations. Continue to breathe and move slowly, synchronizing movement and breath with the mindful awakening of body and mind for 5 to 10 breaths, as time allows. Remember to open the chest while the arms sweep upward during inhalations, and then release and relax the arms as they slowly lower during the exhalations.
• Mentally---Although the physical aspects of the "Upward Salute" (Urdvha Hastana) may seem overly simple at first, the real power of this beginning breath-synchronized movement (called vinyasa flow) lies in the awareness of the energy flow as it rises in a flow up and throughout the body, slowing awakening the body and mind in preparation for the day's activities. Keep practicing this movement until it becomes natural to coordinate the sweeping of the arms with the rise and fall of the breath (prana), as well as the engagement and release of the energy locks. This daily practice (called abyhasa) is vital to be able to yoke with your Creator during a yoga practice that involves more complicated and challenging postures (asanas.)
• Spiritually---There is great spiritual significance in the act of rising up and the movement of energy in an upward flow. This is the message of hope in the celebration of Easter--- "He is risen, allelulia!" As a follower of Christ it requires great faith to be completely immersed in the belief that after three days in the tomb Jesus Christ rose up from the dead. The fact that He overcame the ordeal of every person's sin and then conquered death by rising up is the provision of eternal salvation for those who believe and have hope for an after life. Those who find their hope in the fact that Jesus Christ was raised up from the dead can be assured of a similar resurrection when Christ returns again. As the apostle Paul wrote to encourage the church in Thessalonica:

"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him....For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and the the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words."
(I Thessalonians 4: 13-18, KJV)

So rise and be comforted in the knowledge that your energy will continue to rise up until you are ready to meet your Lord and Savior face to face. May all your days here on earth be good ones for the Lord! plf