Supta Baddha Konasana

Since starting Yoga a couple years ago, there is one asana that remains a strong favorite. Whenever I make space to come into this lovely restorative pose, tremendous peace and love pervades my being. While the 'traditional' reclining bound angle pose feels nice, it wasn't until I got the book "The Woman's Book of Yoga & Health" and obtained bolsters that I really fell in love with this asana done as supported. Incredible! Truly.

I sink into this asana and feel my entire heart open, shoulders relax, arms heavy. I usually also put blocks under my knees as support - the opening of my hips varies each time I do this asana, and because it is a restorative pose, I don't want to feel strain, only a gentle opening, widening. I feel like I am the horizon between earth and sky; grounded yet open to the universe.

This morning while finishing my Yoga practice with this asana, the timing was perfect for me to be enveloped within the sunshine pouring through the skylight, a golden glow cast upon my entire being, warmth suffusing my body. Heavenly!

Yogini

"Yoga is being in touch with the very pulse of the universal energies, and vibrating in tandem with their gentle throb."

~ Shambhavi Lorain Chopra

Yogini: Unfolding the Goddess Within

Mindful Alignment

“When we apply precision and mindfulness to our asana alignment, we can experience a sense of physical equanimity that supports the arising of equanimity of the heart and mind. For example, we may be tempted to power our breath through our body, but using that kind of air pressure just creates tension and is ultimately a practice of aggression. Letting go of other temptations or habits, such as muscling into a pose, is part of the process of developing a mature, intelligent, and inquisitive yoga practice. Pushing, pulling, wishing, and hoping will not create the conditions for balance, equanimity, fluidity, spontaneity, and confidence to arise. The invitation of yoga is to get organized with precision, be gentle in the process, and then relax, watch, and wait.”

~ Cyndi Lee, article titled Riding the Waves of Alignment