...By Starting with Small Moves and Allowing for Space to Grow, of course!....

This week I am featuring the posture pictured above: hanumānāsana. This yoga pose may feel out of reach for you but don't be disheartened! As you can see I am not in what might be viewed as the "final pose" - thighs flat on the floor, arms overhead in the air and beatific smile on my face. OK - regardless where my limbs end up - I'll try the beatific smile!

If you read my post last week you'll remember the planes of motion. So you may now recognize that this posture is in the sagittal plane with one hip in flexion and one in extension. Because this is a deep and challenging posture I begin by exploring the other two planes of motion, coronal and transverse, to give the tissues of the hips, legs and torso an opportunity to move in a variety of directions. I also use sliding, gliding and circular movements within these planes of motion. This warms and hydrates the tissues. Then the bodymind is ready to explore this posture that exists in the sagittal plane. Instead of diving right in, I enjoy exploring the posture in parts - so I play with movements involved in the final pose. Eventually, I put it all together with the support of blocks and have an opportunity to experience and enjoy this pose exactly where I am at in the moment. Who knows, the beatific smile might just naturally arise!

I encourage you to TAKE THE BIG LEAP and try this class Hanumānāsana (84 min). We start with a breathing practice and end with a supported back arc (counteracting the flexion of daily posture) and a deep rest in śavāsana. Perhaps practicing this way on our yoga mat we can use this as a metaphor for getting comfortable approaching big challenges in our life - inquiring and preparing for big leaps with exploratory movements in directions that may not at the moment seem relevant but support us in making that move and testing out the big move with smaller versions of that move. And of course, connecting with our breath to stay present and resting deeply to refresh the nervous system and our courage and creativity!

Play! Connect! Enjoy! See you next week.

Audrey