Here comes the Sun!

After our weeklong bout of dreary, drippy and dismal weather, it is no surprise that the theme of my classes this week is INSPIRATION. As the sun begins to peek its way back into the sky, I find that my spirits and energy are magically renewed!

As an editor in a former life, I am captivated by words. Words are ripe with meaning and carry a special sort of energy, called matrika shakti in yoga. Language lends us beautiful, rich texture by which to make sense of experience.

The word INSPIRATION comes from the Latin root "spirare" which means "to breathe". "Spirare" is also the source of our English word SPIRIT. "IN-spirare" means "to breathe IN" or to "infuse by breathing". Therefore, "Inspire" is another word for "inhale", "inspiration" for "inhalation". Every time we draw breath, we "inspire" our physical form. What happens when you inhale fully? I notice my heart lifts, my shoulders roll back, my spine lengthens. My inner body is bright.

"Inspiration" is also an experience or state of being. Please PAUSE and think of something or someone that is inspiring your life right now. How does this thing or person make you feel on the inside? What happens when you see a beautiful, resplendent sunrise? Or watch someone close to you succeed in school, work, sports? What happens to YOUR body in the presence of or remembrance of inspiration...? Heart lifts, shoulders open, spine lengthens, inner body bright!

At a recent training with John Friend, he described the body as an instrument, like a flute. Each asana, each posture or form that we take, is another way to place the fingers, another way to direct the sound. Every posture makes music but each has its own particular note.

On our mats, we "inspire" the body with breath and, as our external form shifts and changes, this "inspiration" infuses each posture and the inner body with lift and life. When we sit to begin our practice, we can pause and remember all the things, people, and moments in our life that inspire us and lift our hearts. We all have dark days but even when the skies are gray, we can REMEMBER that the sun will eventually shine again.

[Please click on comments below to find links about my favorite posture of INSPIRATION, Vasisthasana!]