Who is Your Hero?

"Hero Pose" or Virasana

Have you ever thought about who is worthy of being called your hero? I'm tempted to name my 86-year-old mother as my only human hero because of the strength and courage that she derives from her daily walk with the Lord. This unbroken fellowship with God keeps her contented to live alone in an apartment while facing chronic and debilitating back pain, among other things that I'm sure she doesn't share with any of her four children. And yet she has her irksome moments because she is, after-all, only human. Therefore, I choose Jesus Christ as my only true hero because of His unfailing, unflinching love, faith, strength and courage when faced with criticism, rejection, humiliation and finally death on a cross---all with the sole intent to save you and me the proper judgment of eternal separation from God. When I practice the yoga position called "Hero Pose" (Virasana in Sanskrit) I try to focus my attention on my one and only true hero, who died in my place in order to provide me with access to the Creator and God of the universe---Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

Is.there anyone else in your life who is worthy of worship---who always exhibits love, strength and courage, who always does only what is right in all circumstances, and who always has your best interests for the future in mind? Think about that when practicing "Hero Pose."

• Physically---Begin "Hero Pose" on the knees with the thighs rotating internally and both inner knees touching. Align the head and shoulders directly over the hips, and the tops of both feet pressing into the floor and pointing directly behind you. Rest the hands lightly at the heart center in prayer position (anjali mudra) to take several slow and smooth deep breaths through the nose only. If this position is uncomfortable, use a rolled blanket or towel for protection under the ankles and only remain for as many breaths as possible without experiencing the distraction of pain. Never take your body where it is not ready to go! "Hero Pose" is one of four very practical positions that can assumed for prayer and meditation, and is safe for prenatal students. It's also one of the few postures (asanas) that can be practiced after a full meal, at any time of day.
  
• With an inhalation lift the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles for core support while stretching the arms and gaze directly overhead as the fingers interlace above the head. Roll the palms of the hands upward and press into the hands while pressing the tail bone down toward the floor for several breaths to lengthen and prepare the spine. Exhale while releasing the hips onto the floor between the feet (OR onto a block or pillow) with the knees pointing internally toward one another and the toes pointing straight toward the back of the mat. Remain here for several deep breaths with the arms above the head to lengthen the spine by extending through the crown of the head and pressing through straightened arms and interlaced fingers as the tail bone presses downward. Then on an inhalation raise up slightly onto the outer calves and exhale to release the interlaced fingers and lower the hands onto the calves to iron the muscles outward from behind the upper thighs. Now place the back of each wrist onto its respective knee for several deep and mindful breaths. With each breath out, ground the weight of the upper body onto the sit bones at the base of the hips while pressing the tail bone down and back into the floor. If the tops of the thighs are too tight or stiff to sit comfortably between the feet, sit on a block or pillow until the quadriceps on the top of each thigh begin to relax and this prop can then be removed.
  
• On a long and slow exhalation release the palm of each hand to rest on the sole of each foot with the thumbs pointing outward as the torso is slowly released toward the upper thighs in a forward bend with the tail bone drawing away from the head. Attempt to maintain the integrity of the lower back by keeping a concave curve or slight hollow in the lumbar back. Only move to the place of maximum resistance before pain in this forward fold and relax at this "edge" before attempting to deepen the position with each breath. This is called breathing organically because the breath into the body is used to stretch and extend into any perceived muscle or joint resistance, and then the breath out of the body is used to let go of tension and relax at this "edge."
  
• To continue the release of tight thighs, knees, ankles and lower back muscles read next week's blog for a description of "Lying Down Hero" or supta virasana. For now simply breathe into the resistance and enjoy the gentle stretch across the lower back, thighs, ankles and toes!
  
• Mentally---According to B.K.S. Iyengar in his text entitled Light on Yoga, the "Hero" position was designed to relieve rheumatic pains in the knees and the discomfort of gout, while helping to stretch the ankles and feet to improve weakened arches of flat feet This, however, occurs over a long period of time with regular mindful practice of "Hero Pose" by allowing each breath to lead to a new "edge" in the stretches across the tops of the thighs, ankles, and toes. Never force or push the body into any position before it is ready. Back off immediately when pain is experienced anywhere in the body. Since no teacher can be inside the head or body of the student, it is the student's sole responsibility to practice mindfully with awareness of all body sensations, including the breathing patterns!
• Spiritually---To bring a spiritual dimension to the practice of "Hero Pose" with each exhalation, along with tension I have been trying to release any excessive admiration or reverence for any person other than Jesus. No human role model can ever measure up to the standard of perfection set by Jesus Christ while he walked the earth in a human body. I have also discovered the freedom that comes from releasing my own feeble attempts to be a "hero" in the eyes of my family members. I'm attempting to leave that role for God alone! My goal in meditating is to spend significant, quality time alone with my very worthy hero as I attempt to remain yoked with Him in order to hear His voice. May we never stop practicing!

"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Romans 8: 18, KJV)