In the last month or so, I have been calling tadasana (mountain pose) "this is what I stand for, I shall not be moved" pose. I encourage students to really light up their muscle body and let their body represent what they will not compromise on. I encourage them to sense into their natural magnetism, the cohesive and condensing force in their bodies that keeps them together and creates strength and form. When the outer world feels unreliable and constantly shifting, intentionally engaging your muscles in a magnetic way can actually be calming to the nervous system, which I imagine receives this strength as confirmation of commitment and purpose, and even of optimism.
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| Image credit: Caras Ionut |
After we've been in "I shall not be moved" pose for a bit, I invite students to completely soften everything, to pour over into a soft, hanging forward bend, and to inhabit their water body, the part of them that is receptive, fluid, and responsive. The dance between structure, belief and commitment on one hand, and resilience and irrepressibility on the other hand, creates a dance of balance with which to live through this extraordinary time in which we find ourselves.
In order not to succumb to immobility and despair, in order to remain hopeful, staying connected to our practices is vital medicine for the soul, heart and body. Our practices can help us navigate through every one of our hours of work and life and joy and sadness and stress and play and resourcefulness.
