Binds

Ever find yourself in a bind? You know, you have to get the kids to soccer practice AND you have to be at an important meeting at the same time. Or you've been asked to speak at a benefit event on a particular evening AND you have tickets to see your favorite music group in concert the same night. Or even more simply, you don't know which outfit to wear one morning. These may not seem like very significant binds to be in. There are certainly more emotional and/or physical binds that we can find ourselves in: should I really be in this relationship? which college should I attend? do I get surgery on my knee or live with the pain? The question becomes....how do you get yourself OUT of these binds?

Sometimes we can feel overwhelmed when we are faced with such a question, especially when the decision appears to be quite confusing or nearly impossible to make. You may think, "how will this effect me and my life journey?" "How will my decision effect other people?" Before you have to make the decision, why not just take a moment, pause, and take a few breaths. A simple clearing of the mind may help your decision making to get out of the bind.

This yoga practice gives us insight into how we often put ourselves into our own binds, but it also shows how we have the strength and aptitude to get ourselves out of those binds.

Bound Extended Side Angle Pose (Baddha Utthita Parsvakonasana)
Start by standing in Warrior Pose with your right foot forward on your yoga mat. Your torso will be long and tall, perpendicular to the floor. Here you may set your intention. Take a few deep breaths to clear your mind. From here, slowly extend you right hand and arm forward out over your right thigh. This will create an angle in the torso, about 45 degrees. Once you can no longer extend your arm forward creating this angle in the upper body, rotate your arms so your left arm is extending upward toward the ceiling and your right arm is extending down toward the floor. (Be sure your torso remains open to the side of the room rather than facing down toward the floor.)

Here is where you will create the bind in the pose. Bring your left arm down behind you. See if you can wrap it around your waist or have your hand up close to your right hip rather that along your buttocks. Next, reach your right arm underneath your right thigh. Bend that arm to reach up for your left set of fingers. (If you are unable to bring your two hands together behind you in this bind, using a prop like a towel or strap may help you get into this pose.) See if you can keep your right arm along your hamstring rather than directly between your legs.

As you are able, continue extending your spine so that the crown of your head is pointing directly forward just as your right knee is pointing directly forward. Your heart and torso will still be open to the side of the room. Hold this posture for 5-10 breaths. Feel the pressure this creates in your legs, arms, back, and hips. Allow this to mimic the binds that we sometimes find ourselves in. Squeeze a little tighter to experience how challenging some of those life binds can be. After your series of breaths, slowing begin to move out of the pose....out of the bind. Take your time, so you can fully experience the sensation of release. Feel how the body, mind, and breath feel free as you have now moved out of the bind. Make your way back up to Warrior Pose. Come to a full standing posture (Mountain Pose) before you do the other side.

It is common for us to face situations in our lives where we will feel overwhelmed with complicated decision making. We worry about the outcome and how it might effect other people like our partners, co-workers, children, and friends. Be mindful that whatever decision that is made, has been made with honesty, a sense of honor and compassion, and with intention.

Namaste.

Support

I had the unfortunate circumstance of experiencing a minor back injury last week which limited some of my regular activities like working out at the gym and my personal yoga practice. I found that it was a challenge to stand up straight, sit down for a long time without experiencing pain in my back, or moving quickly from a lying position to a standing position. It made me greatly appreciate and admire those that live daily in chronic pain. They have to live and work with bodily pain everyday of their lives. I know my circumstance is temporary, but even after a few days, it became, not only a physical challenge, but an emotional, one, too.

Because of my limited ability, I had to call on friends for help. Again, I am grateful for the friends who were willing to step up and help me; to give me support when I needed it most. The Back is associated with Community. The Back represents your friends, family, colleagues, neighbors, and all those you consider close to you. I'm sure you've heard the expression, "I've got your back!" It's those member in your inner circle you rely on - they are there for you whenever you need assistance or a shoulder to cry on. Not only can we rely on our Community for support, but we can also rely on ourselves. We can "have our own backs" when we may not have that strong circle of friends. By building a strong back-body, we also build a greater sense of self-support. This yoga practice will focus on a particular pose that will begin to build that greater connection to self.

Locust Pose (Salabhasana)
This is a lower back strengthen posture. I wanted to share this particular pose, as opposed to other backbends, since my personal back injury occurred in my lower back. Start by lying on your stomach on your yoga mat. Your arms will be alongside your body with your palms on the floor. Let your body remain completely relaxed before you begin. While relaxed, set your personal intention for your practice. Perhaps it will focus on building inner strength and self-confidence. Know that by having a strong spinal base, you also build a stronger core of self-support.

Position your head so you're looking directly downward at the yoga mat. Your forehead will rest on the mat. With an inhale, simply lift your shoulders off the yoga mat by squeezing your shoulder blades together. Exhale and begin to engage your core. This is important because you are creating a backbend in which you need proper support, strength, and space to be in the pose safely. When you exhale, push your pelvis more firmly in the floor. Another way to describe this is to lift your navel away from the floor and up toward your spine. (Your navel may never leave the floor in this posture, but just experience the sensation of lifting your bellybutton toward your spine.) The effort in this breath activates your core body: it strengthens the abdominal muscles as well as creates space in your low back so you can complete the backbend.

Continue to squeeze the shoulder blades together and allow this action to lift you higher. Keep your neck and head neutral. Try not to lift your upper body off the map with your neck muscles. Instead, use your back muscles to lift your body. Remember to exhale to be sure your core body remains engaged. As you are able, lift your feet and legs off the floor. Lengthen you legs by reaching toward the wall behind you with your toes. Meanwhile, the crown, or very top of your head, is extending forward toward the wall in front of you. Next, lift your hands off the floor and reach your fingers toward the back wall. You are now in Locust Pose. Hold the posture for 5-10 breaths. By holding the posture, your low back muscles are engaged in a supportive fashion. Also, your low back muscles are growing stronger. After your round of breaths, relax your entire body and turn your head to one side. Feel free to perform this pose once again with a final relaxation of turning your head in the other direction.

So, whenever you are in need of support, but your regular circle of friends is not available, remember that you can rely on yourself. You can become your own Community. "You've got your own back!"

Namaste

More Release

In my last blog entry, I talked about how the body becomes accustomed to holding onto stress. I featured two poses that can help relieve that tension in the body.

I thought I’d continue on that theme of “release” and post a second article about how to let go of tension.

Sometimes we hold stress, not only in our heads, but also in our hearts: emotional stress. The type of stress that makes our hearts ache, or feel sad, or burdened. Not only do our hearts feel heavy, but this weight can also settle into our hips. This next pose is a yoga posture that can help with releasing tension and emotional stress from the hip area.

Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclining Bound Angle Pose)
This is a great posture that not only opens the hips, but provides a gentle stretch and opening in the inner thighs.

Baddha Konasana is a seated posture that opens the hips, but requires you to sit tall with an extended spine. This variation, the Reclining Bound Angle Posture, allows you to lie on your back, keep your spine straight naturally, and focus on the hip opening.

Start by lying on your back with you knees bend and your feet flat on the floor. While keeping the bottom of your feet together, slowly lower your knees out to either side. Your knees may or may not touch the floor depending on your current range of motion and flexibility. You will immediately feel the stretch in your inner thighs. Move to your deepest stretch, hold the posture, then focus on the breath. On each inhale, feel a continual extension of the spine as you recline on your yoga mat. With each exhale, press your knees a little closer to the floor. You may also use your hands to gently press your knees downward. Again, if you have reached your deepest position in the pose, simply hold the posture and continue breathing. Gravity will continue to assist the hip opening experience.

If you need some extra support in this posture, please feel free to use pillows, blocks, bolsters, or other objects of support under each knee or thigh as shown in the picture.

While holding Supta Baddha Konasana, call to mind emotional stressors that you would like to release. If you’d like, breathe out through your mouth as a gesture of moving these energies out of your body. Hold this posture for as long as you like, but for at least 20 breaths.

Namaste

Release

It seems that our bodies have become accustomed to holding stress. There are so many things happening around us. With so many ways to reinforce and share news of stress, worry, and concern, our bodies cannot help but absorb these energies. These energies easily settle into our joints, muscles, bones, and organs.

Because our bodies become used to these sensations, we sometimes think that this is a normal feeling for the body to have. We have forgotten how it really feels to be relaxed. If we have the opportunity to go to a massage therapist or a restore yoga class, we are reminded of those feelings of relaxation, but we sometimes step out of the therapist office or off the yoga mat and immediately back into our stressful world.

Here is a home practice that will help remind us that being stressed is not the normal state of the body. The two poses described will exaggerate the feeling of stress as well as remind us of how to release that stress.

Eagle Pose
We will use this posture as a binding and balancing pose that emphasizes the state of stress. Start by standing in Mountain Pose. Be sure you feel rooted into the earth and connect to your breath. Inhale and extend your arms over head. On the exhale, slowly lower your arms and pay attention to them as you bring them down. Cross your right arm underneath your left. They will intersect at the elbows. Keep your arms crossed then bend your elbows so your hands are reaching upward. Continue to wrap your arms around each other and interlace your fingers. Your arms will be directly in front of your face.

Next, bend your knees as if you were going into Chair Pose. Keep your right foot on your yoga mat and then cross your left leg over your right. The hamstring of the left leg will be directly on top of the thigh of your right leg. Squeeze tightly so that there is no space between your legs. You may even be able to wrap your foot of the left leg around the calf of the standing leg.

You are now in Eagle Pose. Hold the posture and continue to breath deeply. As you hold the pose, continue to squeeze the arms and legs together even more tightly. Experience the tension in the body while holding the pose. To add more tension, lift your elbows slightly so your triceps are parallel with the floor. Further, push your arms slightly forward. These actions will add more tension in your back. Keep your focus forward. You will notice that you will be looking directly at your arms unable to see the wall in front of you clearly.

This entire pose and sensation can remind us that we hold a lot of tension in our bodies and this tension may even block our vision; we are unable to see clearly the path in front of us. We are stuck behind an obstacle - and that obstacle is often ourselves.

Warrior II
Now it is time to release the tension. Slowly begin to unbind your arms and legs. Lift your left leg and take it to the back of your mat. Extend your arms out so they are parallel to the floor. You will end up in the Warrior II pose. Your right knee is bent (about 90 degrees), your right arm is extended out over the right leg. Your focus is over your right hand. Your left leg is straight and your leg arm is extended out over your left leg. Experience the freedom in your body as you have opened yourself up. Your arms are now extended, your heart and chest are open, your hips and legs are also free. Hold this pose and settle into the release of tension and tightness. Repeat these postures on the other side.

As an intention, be aware of the worries and stress that you currently hold while in Eagle Pose. As you release into Warrior II, also release those worries and stress. Create an open mind and body. As you gaze over your extended hand, see your clear path in front of you.

Namaste.

Be The Change

I had the opportunity and privilege to assist my Yoga Guru, D'ana Baptiste, at her bi-annual yoga retreat at Hidden Springs Ranch in Altamont, Utah. A secluded lodge in the midst of natural surroundings.

The theme for this retreat was "Be The Change You Want To See." There are so many things happening in the world today: countries recovering from natural disasters, teen suicide, workers trapped in mines, land invasions, and more. These events can be so overwhelming sometimes when we see them in the news. It's hard to believe that there are solutions to these problems or we can do anything about them to reverse the adverse affects. Maybe the answer is more simple than we think. The change can happen with you today. If we seek change in our family, community, state, nation, planet, or universe, we have to start with ourselves.

I woke up on the first morning at the lodge to a beautiful sunrise. This was a rare witnessing due to my regular busy work schedule. I took the opportunity to sit and watch the sun rise over the hillside accompanied by a few clouds. Basking in the rays and warmth, I thought of how I can be Present and Aware as I assist in this yoga retreat. Here is the simple yoga practice I did that you can do, also, to start your day AND be the change in the universe you want to see.

Sit in a comfortable seated posture on your yoga mat (or on the floor or on the grass outside). Sit in your stillness and become more aware of your breath. Set your intention. HOW do you want to BE in your doings today: Thoughtful? Caring? Loving? Giving?

Inhale to raise your arms overhead. Exhale to bring your arms down by your side. Do this as many times as you'd like. Let this simple movement express how you want to project your personal intention into the world: smoothly, gently, lovingly.

Finish by sitting in your stillness for a few more breaths and then proceed with the rest of your day.

Namaste

Open Your Heart - Wheel Pose

Backbends in yoga are considered heart openers. On a day-to-day basis, we can find our body postures in a constant state of "forward folds." Think about it: sitting down at desk hunched over a computer, cycling, weeding the garden, or other body positions like this are all "heart closers." Doing heart opening postures not only can improve your posture, but they can have an emotional benefit as well.

Think for a moment about your life experiences in the recent past. Have you ever felt sad or depressed? just got dumped by your significant other? got ripped off on a financial deal? All of these situations can bring a sense of hurt, violation, or betrayal. All of these can be very challenging emotional situations to manage. After experiencing such events, it may be difficult to trust; your heart may even feel broken. These may create a "closing of the heart." As a means to help mend your heart from that sense of betrayal, yoga backbends may help you to re-open your heart and teach you to trust again.

This home practice will describe Urdhva Dhanurasana (which literally translates to upward facing bow). This pose is commonly called Wheel Pose; it is a full backbend. If you are new to this pose, a Bridge Pose is a good alternative.

Start by lying on your yoga mat on your back. Bend your knees so you feet are flat on the floor. Be sure your heels are relatively close to your back side and your knees and feet are hip distance apart. This will give you a strong foundation when you rise into the backbend. This sense of connection to the earth is actually a good starting point for the mending heart. You want to feel safe and secure before you move forward in being able to trust again.

Next, place your hands up by your shoulders. Your fingertips should be pointing toward your shoulders with your hands pressing firmly into the floor. To help get the hands secure on the mat, squeeze your elbows together toward your head. It is important to have your fingertips point TOWARD your shoulders rather than have your hands and finders UNDER your shoulders. If your hands are underneath your shoulders, you will not have the best alignment and strength to lift yourself up into the backbend. With you fingertips pointing toward your shoulders, your elbows will be directly over your wrists creating a right angle. This will give you better leverage to rise into your posture. Again, you want to have a strong foundation before you rise into this dynamic pose.

Your core body must also feel secure before rising into the Wheel Pose. As you lie on your back, begin an intentional breathing practice. When you inhale, arch your back. Your bottom will remain on the floor while your low back lifts away from the floor. When you exhale, strongly press your low back into the yoga mat. Your navel will move closer to your spine and your pelvis will naturally tilt to engage your low abdominal muscles. Hold this posture as you continue breathing. With each exhale, continue to tighten your lower abdominals as a means to support your back when you eventually rise into your backbend. Engaging your core body is another practice of finding strength within yourself when you are faced with challenging life obstacles.

When you feel ready (perhaps after 5-10 breaths) lift your hips toward the sky. You are now in a modified Bridge Pose. Even as you lift your hips toward the ceiling, continue to engage your core body as if you were still lying flat on your mat with your lower back pressed into the earth. This will keep you lower back open and spacious so you don't experience binding or pinching in your lower back muscles and spine. Again, if you are new to this style of pose, feel free to remain here for the rest of your practice.

In this modified posture, check in with your body to be sure your feet are still planting firmly into the floor as well as your hands. When you are ready, press your hands deeply into the ground in order to lift your head off the floor. Let the very top of your head rest lightly on the mat. This is another variation on the pose. On your next exhale, press your hands firmly into the mat so you can lift entirely off the floor. You are now in a full backbend. Hold for at least 5 breaths and up to 10. Root your feet and hands firmly into the earth: feel grounded and connected. Allow your heart to expand and open. Be mindful of all the love that IS in the world and absorb that gift: you truly deserve it.

When you are ready to come down, tuck your chin in toward your neck. Lower yourself slowly so that you land softly on the back of your shoulders. Proceed to come all the way down to the floor and lie in Savasana for at least 20 breaths. As you are in your relaxation posture, think about ways you can continue filling your heart with love, gratitude, and appreciation.

Namaste.

Find Your Inner Dancer

Have you ever wanted to be on "Dancing With The Stars" or "So You Think You Can Dance?" Well, even if you have two left feet, you still can become a dancer in your yoga practice. To me, dancing is simply free movement of the body. It may be movement to music or just walking down the street. Both can be considered dance. It doesn't necessarily have to be about holding a beat or moving to choreography. Dance can be thought of as being free in your own body and moving as you please.

The aforementioned television reality shows are composed of choreographed dance movements to music. But have you ever just turned up your stereo and freely danced about the house to your favorite song? Allowing the rhythm of the music move the energy within you? THAT'S DANCE! What ever steps you make up to no particular beat is YOUR choreography. How you move makes you special and unique. For your home practice, you will hone in on your inner dancer and raise that powerful energy.

Dancer Pose or Natarajasana is a one-legged balancing pose that strengthens and lengthens your legs, opens your hips and shoulders, and also contributes to inner focus and balance.

Start by standing in Mountain Pose (Tadasana). Bring your feet together so that the inner edges of your feet as well as your knees and inner thighs are touching. Be aware of your balance as you stand on two feet. Be sure your feet are rooted strongly into the earth and you maintain an internal connection with your legs. Bring you hands to heart center and bring focus to your breath. After about 5-10 breaths to establish your connection within, bring your arms down by your side. Then, kick your right leg back while keeping your inner thighs connected. Reach back with your right hand and grab hold of the inner edge of your foot. (Your thumb will be showing on top while the rest of your fingers will be wrapped around underneath.)

With an inhale, extend your left arm overhead. Make sure your inner thighs are still connected. Your gaze is still forward. Exhale to establish a strong connection to your core then slowly begin to tip forward. Your right knee will start to slide away from your left knee, but be sure it remains in this alignment and does not stray away from your center. Meanwhile, your upper body is leaning forward while maintaining a straight spine. If you are new to this pose, stay here and continue your breaths. Your focus will be slightly forward. Focus on something out in front of you that is not moving. Concentrate on your stillness, balance, and internal energy. Further, focus on the unique individual that you are.

Dancer Pose is a standing one-legged backbend, so If you'd like to go further, follow these directions. While still moving your right knee toward the back of the room, start lifting your toes up toward the ceiling. At the same time, feel your heart lifting as if it is moving up toward the ceiling as well. This will naturally put you into a back bend. Again, be sure your right knee does not stray away from your center. Continue to move along the same alignment. Hold for 5-10 breaths in your Dancer Pose variation. When you are done, return to Mountain Pose to regain your original balance then proceed to follow these instructions on your left foot.

Nataraja is another name of the Lord Shiva and his dance symbolizes cosmic energy. Become the lord of your own dance! (Nata = dancer, Raja = lord or king) Move forward in your life journey with grace, energy, balance, and focus. Namaste.