"Plow it Under and Put it to Rest?"

"Plow Pose" or Halasana

In rare instances the bonds in a relationship are so strong that the person remains a part of our life for the long haul---for a lifetime. But occasionally a relationship will end. Sometimes it's only a temporary pause in the connection before circumstances change and the friendship resumes. But frequently actions or words spoken in anger have caused so much pain that the memory of them blocks intimacy for a long period of time. Then it's time to ask the tough questions that will help to make a tough decision. Can that memory be plowed under and put to rest so that the relationship is saved? Or is it time to walk away and put the relationship to rest? As the song goes, "They say that breaking up is hard to do...." The challenge is to keep whatever is plowed under totally buried, and never to dig it up again! To avoid being stuck in the past we move on toward our destiny.
An inverted yoga position called "Plow Pose" or Halasana encourages the physical process of elimination by urging movement of toxins from the body. Free movement in the bowels creates a sense of lightness and can lead to clearing the mind of toxic thoughts. Although "Plow Pose" is a basic inverted forward bend that can be practiced safely by those with high blood pressure, it is not recommended for pregnancy. Also, do not practice "Plow Pose" if your intestinal tract is already moving too freely with diarrhea.

• Physically---Begin by lying on the back after warming up the spine with several rounds of "Salutations to the Son" described in three consecutive earlier blogs (April 27th, May 4th and 11th.) Then follow last week's blog to move cautiously into the supported version of "Viparita Karani" with the hands under the hips and the legs actively extended straight upward. If you are using a prop under your hips for support you may also need to prepare for "Plow Pose" by placing a small bench or chair behind your head. This prop will prevent you from forcing your feet to the floor before your spine and hamstrings are ready, and it will provide support for the weight of the lower limbs as you attempt to bring your hips directly above your shoulders.
  
• On an inhalation draw up the pelvic floor muscles (mula bandha) and lift the abdominals (uddiyana bandha) for core support before attempting to exhale the toes onto the floor or a previously placed prop behind the head. Never force the feet to the floor before the spine and hamstrings are ready to release in this inverted forward bend. The weight of the hips and legs should press into the tops of the shoulders, the upper arms and the back of the head---not the back of the neck. As in seated forward bends the tail bone is drawing away from the heels of the feet to create healthy space between each vertebra. The toes of the flexed feet can also provide support as they press actively into a prop or onto the floor behind the head to help lift the hips upward and directly over the shoulders. It is important to keep the chin centered and pressing lightly into the sternum (breast bone) in a chin/throat lock called jalandhara bandha. Beginners new to this pose will gaze at the tip of the nose at first and then may shift to the internal "third eye" drishti---naitrayoh ma dyai---to avoid turning the gaze to the left or right, but keeping the head aligned directly over the spine.
• To help in the grounding action the hands may move up each side of the back just below the shoulder blades with the elbows no wider than the shoulders. With each inhalation the tail bone is extending up over the shoulders with active abdominals and hamstrings while the tops of the shoulders are grounding down into the floor and away from the ears. If the breath is moving smoothly and freely, you may be ready to release the palms of the hands onto the floor stretching them away from the feet. Then interlace only the thumbs with the palms facing down, and eventually interlace all ten fingers with the little fingers pressing onto the floor.
  
• At first, the breathing may be restricted by the intra-abdominal pressure, but this can be relieved by broadening the base of the rib cage to allow the shift of organs toward the head. Attempt to breathe freely in "Plow Pose" for 5-6 smooth breaths before releasing each vertebra down to the floor from the top of the spine, as carefully as you would lower a string of expensive pearls. Finish by lying on the back in "Corpse Pose" (See the January 24th blog.) for several minutes with the sacrum and each shoulder blade placed flat against the floor for support.
  
• Mentally---"Plow Pose" can be very risky because it can over-stretch all of the curves in the spine---especially the neck and upper back---if not performed mindfully and with enough conscious support in the proper places. Be sure to warm up properly and then move slowly with awareness from one phase of the pose (Viparita Karani) to supported Halasana before attempting other variations that will be described in next week's blog. Always support the legs to protect the back. By closing the eyes and focusing inwardly on the body sensations in the neck, shoulders, chest and the back of the thighs, your inner God-tuition will tell you when you are at your "edge" before pain. There should be no sensations of shooting pain or burning in any muscle or joint. Always approach invervions with cautious confidence.
• Spiritually---Since we are getting things moving and churning in the physical posture called "Plow Pose" we are beginning a process called change. Being stuck in stagnancy is not good for the intestines, the mind or the emotions. Sometime we must move on and forget the past in order to press forward toward our "Personal Legend." As the apostle Paul put it:

"...but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3: 13-14, KJV)

My prayers go out for your courage to cleanse....plf