Faith is a free gift available to all, and yet some refuse to accept it. Faith is right there for the taking. Faith is a Field of Dreams that says, "Build it and they will come." Plant the seed and it will grow. Apply for the job and prepare for the interview. Practice the positions and ease will come. In other words, act on the faith that the rewards will come, before there is any observable evidence. Allow your faith to start small and grow into a mighty oak tree that withstands all tests and trials.
The Book of Hebrews in The Holy Bible describes faith as "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen," and the apostle Paul refers to it as "the shield of faith." The implication is that faith protects us from the nebulous energy that surrounds all doubt. Medal-winning athletes don't go into competitions doubting their abilities. Whether the rewards come now or later, doubt is not a part of the winner's equation. Practice believing!
Constant and regular practice will reap the benefits in your yoga journey as well. Practice the release of all doubts that create tension and confusion by remaining in hip-opening positions like "Warrior II Pose" (called Virabhadrasana II in Sanskrit) for at least ten full ujjayi (victorious) breaths. Accept your free gift and put on "the shield of faith" as an important item of protection included in "the whole armour of God." Take time in the posture (asana) to observe as the hip joints expand and soften, and have faith that your range of motion will increase with regular practice (abhyasa. ) The "Warrior II Pose" is not only safe for prenatal students, but is also recommended as preparation for child birth. Third trimester students (weeks 29-40) might be more comfortable using a chair for support. Please read the January 25th blog entitled "Rational Adaptations" and always consult your doctor before beginning any yoga practice.
The Book of Hebrews in The Holy Bible describes faith as "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen," and the apostle Paul refers to it as "the shield of faith." The implication is that faith protects us from the nebulous energy that surrounds all doubt. Medal-winning athletes don't go into competitions doubting their abilities. Whether the rewards come now or later, doubt is not a part of the winner's equation. Practice believing!
Constant and regular practice will reap the benefits in your yoga journey as well. Practice the release of all doubts that create tension and confusion by remaining in hip-opening positions like "Warrior II Pose" (called Virabhadrasana II in Sanskrit) for at least ten full ujjayi (victorious) breaths. Accept your free gift and put on "the shield of faith" as an important item of protection included in "the whole armour of God." Take time in the posture (asana) to observe as the hip joints expand and soften, and have faith that your range of motion will increase with regular practice (abhyasa. ) The "Warrior II Pose" is not only safe for prenatal students, but is also recommended as preparation for child birth. Third trimester students (weeks 29-40) might be more comfortable using a chair for support. Please read the January 25th blog entitled "Rational Adaptations" and always consult your doctor before beginning any yoga practice.
- Physically---It's a good idea to begin your practice with prayer followed by a few rounds of "Salutations to the Son" (See the first three May 2009 blogs) or the "Let's Dance" flow described on January 4th. You can also use any another breath-synchronized flow of postures to warm the muscles and joints before holding a position with the intention of increasing your range of motion. Then on an inhalation move from "Downward-facing Dog Pose" to "Warrior I" by lunging the right leg forward to land the right foot between the hands at the top of the mat and rise up into the "Warrior I Pose" with the right knee bent at a right angle over the right ankle. The back left foot grounded firmly and pressing into the outer edge and heel of the foot. (Warning: Prenatal students will not position the arms to extend straight overhead but rather straight out in front of them.)
- Flow into "Warrior II Pose" during the very next exhalation by lowering the right arm to shoulder height with a flexed wrist, forming a right-angle between the hand and the arm as it extends straight ahead. (Prenatal students' arms are already at shoulder-height.) Also lower the left shoulder and arm back behind the torso to open the left side away from center in an external rotation. The left arm stops at shoulder height with a flexed left wrist as the left foot pivots slightly open to aid in the release of the left hip joint. Some students prefer to remain in this open "Warrior II Pose" gazing over the right thumb (called angusta ma dyai drishti) for several breaths.
- To flow back and forth from "Warrior I" to "Warrior II," allow the breath to lead the way, inhaling to lift and extend the arms upward into "Warrior I," and then exhaling to lower the arms to shoulder height as the left hip, shoulder and foot open away from center. Then inhale the arms back up (or forward for prenatal students) again into "Warrior I." Repeat this flow for 5-10 breaths before switching to the "Warrior I to II" flow on the left side in order to open the right shoulder and hip. Then exhale back into "Downward-facing Dog" and lower the knees to the mat for 5-10 breaths in "Child's Pose" before continuing on, or returning to the back to rest in the restorative "Corpse Pose" for 5-10 minutes. (See the January 24, 2009 blog.)
- Mentally---The mental journey in this flow requires close attention to the smooth and steady rhythm of the breath. The inhalations are strong and victorious (ujjayi) while extending the ribcage and the spine and gazing upward in "Warrior I." This is then followed by the contrasting release of tension in the back shoulder and hip while exhaling into the "Warrior II Pose." Holding postures provides an opportunity to become more mindful of the physical journey of the pose, and in this case, the even grounding into both feet as the thighs actively spiral away from center in an external rotation at both hip joints. However, flowing through from one posture into the next focuses the attention on the breath in the same way that the musician focuses on the orchestra conductor for the rhythm. Lifting and extending on each inhalation energizes and prepares the body for the physical, mental and emotional release of tension as the arms and hips relax while exhaling into the hip-opening "Warrior II."
- Spiritually---While exhaling the arms to release into "Warrior II" try repeating a mantra that will guard and protect you from experiencing doubts, such as "I'm protected by a 'Shield of Faith'." Or try the simple expression, "I trust You, Lord." This will help to shield and protect you from stalemates, doubts and indecision. Have faith that there is a spiritual realm with a result for every thought and action. Believe....
