Side Crow and Inauguration

"As my sufferings mounted I soon realized that there were two ways in which I could respond to my situation--either to react with bitterness or seek to transform the suffering into a creative force.  I decided to follow the latter course."
~Martin Luther King Jr.~

 Listening to President Obamas inauguration this morning on Martin Luther Kind Jr. day I was filled with hope and comfort.  President Obama mentioned me in his speech many times.  In particular  he mentioned mothers of special needs children. As a woman, mother, daughter of a gay man, I felt like times have changed and that our leader has my families best interest at heart.  He talks of people being taken care of and suffering being lessened.  I want someone like that leading us and I see his efforts to make those ideals become reality and I am hopeful.    We are moving forward in our thinking as a society.  A sense of relief washed over me when the realization hit that it will be a few years until the next presidential election season comes around again and for that I am grateful.

  While listening (on NPR) I felt like I could let go of some anxiety and fear that had built up over this last year.  It fit well into the last day of the week of detox poses in the Humble Beginnings Yoga challenge.   I realized that I have to be willing to let go of the stress and toxins.  My body works to detox and I work consciously to help it but in order to detox my mind and heart I have to be willing to let go of the familiar fear that I have held so tightly to for so long.  

  Fear is familiar.  Failure is familiar.  Letting go of it is scary as well since what we turn into without it is an unknown and facing the unknown  takes a measure of courage that can be hard to muster.   With some patience I can let go of those toxins and be open for positive things to fill the void where the fear once took up so much space.

  Today listening to the Inaugural speech I felt like I was part of a society that is also letting go of fear and detoxing in a sense and moving closer towards taking care of each other.   Besides Michelle Obama looked fierce and her daughters had on those happy looking coats!     I liked how Mr. Obama turned and looked back over the crowd of people and stopped and took it all in and said he needed a minute as he wouldn't see this again.  I like that he relished the moment.  He lived it.  He took it all in and then smiled.

 

Parsva Bakasana Side Crow

  After having dental work done today I knew that I wouldn't be doing much of a practice today and thats ok.  I have put in work and on days when life gets in the way I can rely on old stand by poses that I love and today I was lucky to have Side Crow on the roster.   Kitchen yoga seemed fitting.  Being around my family in a space where I take care of us is the perfect place to practice yoga!  

  I know I have said it before but I  love Parsva Bakasana Side Crow.  The combination of twisting and balance makes me happy.   I love the feeling of finding my fulcrum.  It takes such concentration that all else slips away.  I am at a place with it now that I don't have to focus so much on not face planting, although it still happens every once in a while!  Focus can be placed on moving around the fulcrum and finding the boundaries and possibilities.

Parsva Bakasana Side Crow straight leg variation

  I tried several variations and they felt right today.  I tried the same ones last night and couldn't find that sweet spot.  I think it had to do with the solid cool kitchen floor.   Someone asked if my kids think I am crazy doing yoga all over.....probably but they are used to it!

Eka Pada Koundinyanasana Pose dedicated to the sage Koundinya I. 

 I came into this pose from side crow and then realized it had a name of its own.  I tried getting into it from a different way than Side Crow and it didn't really make sense to my body but through play it found me instead.   Its funny how things work out like that.  You stop looking and start playing and goodness comes to you and it may not be what you were expecting.

  A very old dear friend of mine posted this video on facebook tonight and I can't stop listening to it.  I need it on a loop to play over and over.

Close your eyes and just listen, breathe, and smile.
Namaste.

 

Cheers,
Angie Bee