Who or what is your bridge? Where does it lead? Are you trying to arrive somewhere in the material world? Or do you simply want to practice "Bridge Pose" in order to be able to physically perform the advanced pose called "Lord of the Dance" (Natarajasana?) Do you have an interior map with spiritual guideposts? Is just anywhere acceptable with you? These are some very serious questions to ponder on "Labor Day."
Sometimes I wonder where I'm going with my life. Then I remember whose I am and the spiritual goals that I've set for my life. We all end with the body deteriorating, but hopefully not the mind or the spirit! So I'm building a bridge to my Creator by connecting daily with the only one who is worthy to "stand in the gap" before a perfect God. Jesus lived a sinless life and then paid the debt that none of us could so that we would have access to His Spirit and forgiveness. What or who is your bridge to the Divine? For me there is only One worthy....
Sometimes I wonder where I'm going with my life. Then I remember whose I am and the spiritual goals that I've set for my life. We all end with the body deteriorating, but hopefully not the mind or the spirit! So I'm building a bridge to my Creator by connecting daily with the only one who is worthy to "stand in the gap" before a perfect God. Jesus lived a sinless life and then paid the debt that none of us could so that we would have access to His Spirit and forgiveness. What or who is your bridge to the Divine? For me there is only One worthy....
- Physically---If you've been practicing last week's flow between Apanasana and Dwi Pada Pitham ("Two-Legged Table Pose") you're already on your back on a firm and level surface. During an exhalation release both hands beside the hips, palms down, and float the feet to the mat just under the knees and hip-width apart. Inhale slowly and deeply, drawing the tail bone up toward the navel while pressing into all four corners of the feet and the top of the shoulders to ground firmly as the hips lift up in a reverse tilt of the pelvic basin. Remain in this "Two-Legged Table Pose" for at least two breaths while attempting to lift the hips higher and the chest closer to the chin with each inhalation. With the next upward flow of energy attempt to place the heel of one hand at a time directly under the hips to support the sacrum---that upside-down, triangular-shaped bone just above the tail bone. If your body is not ready to support this full "Bridge Pose," try using a block for support directly under the sacrum. Once the lumbar back is supported you can concentrate on lengthening through the spine and across the abdomen, quads and groin during each inhalation. Be sure to lift the pelvic floor muscles (called the mula bandha) at the top of each inhalation to create hip extension and support. During each exhalation experience a sense of spaciousness across the entire front of the body and deep within the abdomen and lower back. Remain in "Bridge Pose" for 5-10 relaxed breaths before removing the support and slowly lowering on an exhalation from the top of the spine one vertebra at a time.
- Mentally---As you move into resistance in the hips and abdomen try focusing on the movement of each breath in as it rises up and expands the chest three dimensionally. Repeat a mantra (short phrase such as, "I trust You, Lord.") that will lead you to relax and release tension. Give God your undivided attention as you bridge to Him through Christ.
- Spiritually---Remind yourself of what Jesus did to become the only reliable bridge that connects us with God. In his first letter to Timothy the apostle Paul stated very clearly that there is only One to connect God and man:
