More on Hero Worship

Transition #1 to elbows

Transition #2 to crown of head

These thoughts are an addendum to last week's blog on the subject of heroes. Of course there are human beings whom I admire for one reason or another, but I don't expect them to be absolutely perfect. Each of us has been given specific gifts that can allow us to become exceptional in those gifted areas, such as the contemporary female vocalist, Celine Dion, or the seventeenth century violin craftsman, Antonio Stradivari. I admire their work and recognize it as a gift from God (Romans 12:6 and I Peter 4:10), but I do not worship them as heroes or expect perfection in all areas of their lives. Why?  If we're being completely honest we'll admit that we are all flawed human beings who are subject to failures. Even our American Olympic hero with his record-breaking eight gold medals in 2008 has fallen from grace with the YouTube posting of a photo revealing Michael Phelps smoking marijuana. Disappointment due to unrealistic expectations seems inevitable, so I've learned to place my complete trust in the only perfect being who has a perfect record---Jesus Christ. This is the real reason that I acknowledge Christ as the only true hero who is worthy of worship.
When studying yoga postures and philosophy beware of placing any teacher on a pedestal of perfection that can never be maintained. Rather than judging harshly, appreciate your teachers for their strengths and accept their faults as human. Practice focusing on what is good and right in all people without setting them up in a place of high esteem that borders on worship. Develop realistic expectations of yourself and others, especially when attempting challenging yoga postures like "Lying-Down Hero Pose," also called Supta Virasana. Many positions require strength or flexibility that can only be attained through regular practice over a long period of time. Don't try to be a "yoga hero!" Move into "Lying-Down Hero Pose" gradually and respectfully with mindful awareness of your present limitations. Remember that your body is constantly changing....

• Physically---The position of "Lying-Down Hero" is an intense stretch of the quadriceps that can be practiced anytime throughout the day to counteract the long periods of time spent in seated positions because it helps to lengthen the range of motion across the front of the body. Begin to deepen the stretch across the front of both thighs (the quadricep muscles) by exhaling slowly onto one knee at a time with the thighs rotating internally (toward the center.) Remember to use a folded blanket, towel, or even a gardening pad to protect sensitive knees, and never force the body into a posture that creates pain anywhere. Remain on the knees with the toes pointed backward and the inner knees touching for 3-5 breaths while pressing the heels of the hands into the tail bone to encourage a down and forward reverse (or backward) tilt of the pelvis to prepare for this back-bending position. On an exhalation slowly release the hips down between the feet as the arms lower and press the heels of the hands into the tops of the big toes with the thumbs pointing outward. Ground the sit bones at the base of the hips to maintain an extended spine. Inhale and lift the arms straight overhead again while lengthening through the spine, and then slowly exhale one elbow at a time directly beneath the shoulders. (See the first transition photo.) Remain in this transitional backbend for 3-5 deep breaths with the ribs expanding three-dimensionally on each inhalation and the tail bone pressing down toward the knees on each exhalation. Allow the shoulders to relax and roll down the back and away from the ears as each exhalation releases tension across the thighs and hips.
  
• For those who have tight thighs and/or hips this may be as deep as you want to take this posture until the quadriceps have lengthened and relaxed over a period of time with regular practice (abhyasa.) In order to continue the deepening of the front body stretch, use each exhalation to release the crown of the head to the floor first, (See the second transition photo.) and then gradually rest the back of the head, and finally surrender the back onto the floor. Remain in each of these stages for at least three full and deep breaths, allowing the breath to take your body into a place of relaxation. Finally, IF the front of the body has relaxed sufficiently inhale both arms overhead as the tail bone presses down toward the knees and relax with the palms of the hands facing upward for several minutes. IF this "Lying-Down Hero" becomes comfortable over an extended period of practicing regularly, the elbows may bend to allow the hands to wrap around the opposite elbow for the most intense stretch to be described in next week's blog.
• Mentally---Because "Lying-Down Hero" is such a rigorous and intense stretch across the entire front of the body, it is absolutely crucial for the mind to be present in the body during each of the transitional phases that lead to the full version of Supta Virasana. The most valuable aid in deepening any yoga posture is to use the breath organically. That is, breathe deeply into the opening stretch to a place referred to as the "edge" or place of maximum resistance before pain, and then exhale thoroughly to release tension at that edge and relax there. It's helpful to count seconds in order to lengthen the duration of both the inhalations and exhalations until they are equal in time. So if the inhalation lasts to the count of 4 or 5, the exhalations should match that amount of time. This practice also helps to keep the mind from wandering outside of the body into a past or future time by keeping it occupied on each present breath. It's also crucial to practice truthfulness (satya) while in each phase so that the ego does not tempt the body to go deeper than it's ready to go.
  
• Spiritually---"Lying-Down Hero Pose" can become a wonderful spiritual reminder of the vulnerability of placing others or yourself in such high esteem that involves all the emotional entanglement of hero or idol worship. Bare your throat and yourself to God alone.
  

"For who in the heaven can be compared unto the Lord? Who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord? (Psalms 89:6, KJV)

"Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols; worship Him all ye gods....for thou, Lord, art high above all the earth; Thou are exalted far above all gods." (Psalms 97:7)