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| "Supine Child's Pose" or Apanasana to release toxic gases |
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| Apanasana with assisted compression |
This past weekend I taught a yoga workshop called "Spiritual Yoga for Sweet Release." Early in the two-hour session we all assumed a physical position that can be used to release the lower-back tension which is often the result of tight or restricted breathing. This posture, called Apanasana, also helps to eliminate and release toxic gases from the lungs and toxic wastes that can build up in the digestive tract. It's a very quick and easy posture that can be assumed almost anywhere you can find a flat and fairly level surface, in or outdoors, or even on a firm mattress. Try it; you'll like it! (But NOT if you're pregnant!)
- Physically---Begin by lying on your back (in a supine position) on any firm and level surface with your body weight transferring down into the flat, triangular-shaped bone just above the tail bone. After several normal breaths, inhale a long and deep cleansing breath through the nose only while stretching your arms straight overhead and pressing the heels of your flexed feet away from your arms. Pause briefly to extend and lengthen the entire body. Then bend both knees, bringing them up and toward your torso while exhaling. Allow the arms to monitor the release of the breath as they lower and wrap tightly around the knees to compress the abdominal and lower chest cavities. Extend the duration of the breath out of the body as you release your chin toward your chest. Again pause briefly to experience the upward release of the diaphragm and lower-back tension as you create more room for the abdominal muscles to relax. Continue the cycle of movement by inhaling the arms straight out as the knees are released. The arms may be extended overhead or out to the sides like wings (palms facing upward) or remain on the knees, depending on how actively you choose to pump the knees with the energy of the arms. Then exhale slowly and thoroughly as the knees are drawn firmly into the torso to encourage a full release of all toxic gases and trapped wastes in the abdominal organs and muscles. To accomplish this extended release you may use the hands on the knees, wrap the fingers around the outer edges of the feet and pull them gently toward the knees, or wrap the arms around the shins to draw the legs into the abdomen. At the end of each exhalation experiment with a final release of the lower back by pressing the sacrum (the flat triangular-shaped bone just above the tail bone) actively down and away from the knees. Finish by inhaling the arms and legs straight again and exhale slowly into "Corpse Pose," which was described in the January 24, 2009 blog.
- Mentally---An effective aid to the mental release of negative thoughts or behavior is to mentally repeat a brief mantra during exhalation that encourages the surrender of those harmful thoughts or desires. For example, "Goodbye ice cream binges," or "I choose love, not resentment," or the most difficult, "Thy will be done." Breathe in the positive characteristics that you choose, and empty your body and mind of the counterproductive negatives with each exhalation. Practice yoking with God regularly for His glory and you can defeat your worst adversaries. Believe!
- Spiritually---Don't forget the power of prayer! ASK God to help empty you of harmful thoughts and desires, and breathe in the fullness of His joy. Never give up hope...plf
"And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." (Matthew 21:22, KJV)
"If ye abide in Me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."
(John 15:7, KJV)
