Chasing Grace

As I have been practicing my yoga, each day I understand the asanas a little better. As I ease into a pose, I can feel how it should be… ah, the hip bone rests just here… the shoulder rolls this way… and I’m finding myself relaxing into it without strain or pain.

I used to be able to do a backbend. Ha! Not any more. The really frustrating thing is that I have let myself get so out of shape over the past six years. (Falling in love and getting married makes you fat… it’s true!) But a backbend is not really for a yoga beginner anyway. Neither is the Headstand. But that’s a goal I have. I will have to work my way up to the Supported Shoulderstand first. It’s going to take some time for those.

I’m also beginning to grok the idea of meditation in the asanas. When I am comfortable in a pose, my breathing becomes slower and regular, my thoughts quiet down and I can feel energy flowing through me. I always feel refreshed and relaxed after my yoga practice, just as I do after sitting meditation.

One interesting thing I discovered today in practice is that it helps if I smile while doing it. Not a big fake Hollywood smile, more of a Mona Lisa kinda thing. It makes me feel lighter and relaxed. I never really thought about it before, but it makes sense. Smiling triggers responses in the brain and body. That’s why often when you are feeling bad and someone makes you smile, you start to feel better.

So smile! Next time you are doing something difficult, learning something new or trying to stretch yourself in a way to which you are not accustomed. See if it makes a difference. I know it has for me.