In the Moment with the Child's Pose, Moving Meditation!
Issue #016 - February 16, 2012

The Celebration of Love!

If you are new to my newsletter, I went to yoga teacher training in December, and am now a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT). I am happy to report that my new yoga classes are moving along nicely. I teach a class in my large apartment complex two evenings a week. It is mostly for beginners, and that is fine with me, as I am a beginner yoga teacher!

The full moon is approaching as I write this, so I taught my class a Moon Salutation (Chandra Namaskar). The moon salutations honor our feminine, quiet side. The moving meditation in this issue, taken from the Moon Salutation, is also a movement to honor your cooler, reflective side. Just the like moonlight is the reflection of the light from the sun, we will reflect on an issue in our lives with this body moment. A moonlight-based theme moves nicely into the romantic month of February with Valentine's Day and the season for Love!

So, Happy Belated Valentines day! I hope it was a great day for you and that you shared it with the ones you love! Keep the spirit of Love going in all you do and all your interactions!

'When you smiled you had my undivided attention. When you laughed you had my urge to laugh with you. When you cried you had my urge to hold you. When you said you loved me, you had my heart forever.'

In the Moment with a Child's Pose Moving Meditation

One of the most important lessons in yoga is understanding the importance of the breath and your body's connection to it. In order to enhance your body-mind connection, I am choosing a very simple moving meditation to help you connect your movements and your breath. Body awareness will assist you in understanding what you mind has chosen to ignore. It is a powerful therapeutic tool.

This movement is quiet, reflective and cool. Before beginning, set the intent to reflect on something in your life. You may want to reflect on the deepest meaning of Love since this is Valentine's month. Or reflect on another important issue that you have been avoiding.

The movement we are about to do is very meditative, surrendering and a sacred, bowing-down pose.

The meditation begins in the Table Top Pose.

Table Top Pose.

While in this pose, focus on keeping your back long and straight, and think of your head as an extension of your spine. Your knees should be below your hips, at the same width as your hips. Your hands, fingers spread wide, like I taught you in yoga tips for beginner's, are directly below your shoulder and at shoulder width.

Take a moment here and begin to center yourself by focusing on your breath. Begin to slow your breath and deepen it. Focus on your intent to reflect on your chosen thought, word or idea.

When you are ready, inhale deeply and on the next exhale, push back with your hands as you sit back on your calves into the Child's Pose.

Child's Pose with arms extended.

The child's pose is considered a relaxing pose, so make sure you are comfortable. You can keep your knees together, or spread them wide, whatever feels best to you. If you can, keep your big toes together, forming a "V" with your feet.

To the rhythm of your breath, on your next inhale, pull yourself back up into the Table Top position. Exhale and sit back down into the Child's pose. Inhale up into the Table Top. Exhale back down into the Child's Pose. Your forehead should relax on the ground with each movement into the Child's Pose.

Do this slow movement with your breath for about 5-10 minutes, or as long as your heart desires. With each exhale, try to extend the pause before inhaling and rising back up. Notice how you body feels as you go deeper into the breath and deeper into the surrender of your body. Let go, release and sink lower.

Notice how it feels to open your shoulders and release the "fight" in your neck and shoulders. Notice how it feels to sink and release into your hips. Let go of your resistance and breathe into your hips. Now breathe into your shoulders. Breathe energy and healing into these stressful, areas where you resist and fight. Let go and surrender. Surrender to the movement, surrender to Love.

You may wish to affirm, "I surrender to Love." "I surrender to a Stronger Force than my own." "I surrender to the process of stillness and calm." "I surrender to Divine Presence and Grace." Or you may wish to create your own mantra for surrender.

Be careful that you check in with yourself and not get lightheaded. It is easy when you do breathing exercises, to become dizzy.

As a completion to this moving meditation, you may wish to do Legs Up the Wall Pose that I taught you in the August Issue of Body Moments. Hold this pose for a few minutes before returning to your normal activities.

'May you feel the release as you give up the fight and surrender to Love. May you always feel support from the Energy from above as you relax and renew in this moment with your body!'

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