As Remembrance Day nears, I am reminded to give thanks to those peace-keepers who served and are still serving Canada. Whether on this shore or internationally, these individuals are in service to their nation, their families, their friends and their communities. Serving others’ well-being is a tenet of yoga’s unfolding journey into peace, love and joy.
The perennial truth expressed in [sacred texts] … is that all creation
is evolving towards the unitive state of Oneness. There is nothing
more important in life than learning to express this unity in all our
relationships: with our family and friends, with our colleagues and
fellow workers, with other communities and countries, with other
races and religious groups, and with other creatures.
Eknath Easwaran, The Bhagavad Gita for Daily Living: Volume 1
With our servicemen and women in mind, I dedicate the yoga practice below to peace within, peace between, peace among and peace beyond. Use the following Yoga Action to awaken peace within your body, breath and mind.
YOGA ACTION: Ujjayi Pranayama
- Once you settle into each pose, begin to count the lengths of your inhales and exhales.
- Shorten the longer part of your breath to match its counterpart.
- Gently deepen both parts of this even or Ujjayi breath until you hear the a subtle sound with your breath. Just a reminder, this is a peaceful, not aggressive, action.
- You may notice the back of throat slightly constricting.
SUPTA BADDHA KONASANA (Supine Bound Angle Pose) 5 minutes
– vertical bolster to support spine & head
– belt around sacrum, inner groins & baby-toe side of feet
– support for head & outer thighs, if required
SALAMBA ADHO MUKHA SVANASANA (Supported Downward Dog) 5 m
– chair back into upper thighs but not pubic bone
– toe mounds into blocks, heels into wall
– fingertips lightly rest into floor
SALAMBA MATSYASANA (Supported Fish Pose) 5 m
– vertical block between shoulder blades (below C7 and above lumbar spine)
– legs in Sukhasana or Baddha Konasana
– MEDIUM-height block behind head
BADDHA KONASANA (Seated Bound Angle Pose) 5 m
– sit on bolster or foam block if inner knees are higher than front hip bone
– maintain contact of sacrum to wall in seated & forward folding variations
– as you forward fold, think of creating a C with your the entire backface of your spine
SALAMBA ADHO MUKHA SVANASANA 2 m
– forehead into wooden/cork block
SALAMBA MATSYASANA 1 m ea hand clasp
– vertical block between shoulder blades (below C7 and above lumbar spine) legs in Dandasana
– LO-height block behind head unless neck feels compressed
– begin with arms alongside torso (1 m)
– clasp hands & bring arms overhead (1 m ea)
SALAMBA BADDHA KONASANA
– pelvis rests on 2 double-folded blankets
– front ankles rest into chair joint
SAVASANA (Corpse Pose) 5 – 10 m
– place eye pillow or face cloth over eyes
May peaceful service fulfill our hearts, bodies and minds. Namaste.
