I had an epiphany in my yoga class this morning that seems like a great metaphor for life. It’s about being able to better move through life and achieve your goals if, instead of struggling, you simply let go and allow your energy to flow so you can move more easily and be more satisfied with the result.
The epiphany came when my teacher this morning gave specific directions for how to get into the Wheel Pose. The Wheel Pose is basically a back bend with your feet and hands on the ground. In the past, when I have tried to do this, I would start from a bridge position with my knees bent, my hips and thighs raised and my head and shoulders on the ground. Then, I would place my hands on either side of my head with my fingers facing towards me and struggle and strain to lift my torso up off the floor. In this process, I would not be able to straighten my arms and the pose itself would uncomfortable.
Today, however, the teacher explained that you should start with your hands on either side of your head with your fingers facing away from you and tented (on your finger tips). Then, raise up on your toes and place the top of your head on the floor to share some of the weight. Only then do you turn your fingers around to face you. At this point, all I had to do was lift up and, instead of feeling constricted and straining, I was able to straighten my arms and feel my spine lengthen in the process. It was a completely different feeling.
What are you struggling to achieve that might move forward more easily if you let go and allowed your energy to flow naturally?
So true , whenever we try very hard , there is a built in resistance . As shown by yoga teacher … There are ways to flow without efforts …
Love Sush
Dear Deb…Nice entry. It moved me to read it, and I appreciate this take on letting go and letting the flow flow. Warm regards, Rianna
Hey Sush and Rianna,
Lovely to hear from you.
Love,
Deb
Deb- a wonderful and perfectly timed entry for me! Letting go of struggle an ongoing challenge but one that I do better and better with each day. And now, I am going to go back and try the wheel again- a pose that has always eluded me! I think I feel defeated before I even start. Thanks for the ideas for new ways to approach this post.
Rachel, please let me know how it works for you. It made an amazing difference for me! :)
Greetings Deb,
Very nice, and a beautiful photo too! Thanks very much.
Yours,
Michael
Thank you, Michael. Hope you’re staying warm on this freezing day.
Thanks so much for this tip Deb. When do you drop your heels to the floor to take the weight of the lift? Or should I just experiment :)
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