(This photo is of the mural in my Yoga studio which was painted by a friend. It represents the Eight-Limbed Path of Yoga. Click to enlarge.)

Upside Down by Jack Johnson: Click to Play
Jack%20Johnson%20-%20Upside%20Down.mp3

What does it mean to be in alignment? I never really understood the feeling until I learned how to do a Handstand in Yoga this year. As a child who took gymnastics for 10 years, I was never able to hold Handstand. I could get up on my hands with my feet in the sky, but I would have to walk my hands around to keep from falling over. Earlier this year I committed myself to learning and being able to hold Handstand. This one pose alone has transformed me in more ways than any other pose I have ever learned...

Alignment is a feeling, an awareness. It's a tuning into and being aware of the subtle energy moving all things and I've been able to open up to this from learning how to Be in a Handstand. To be in alignment means to be in a perfect balance of effort and effortless/ease. This is the state of Yoga.

"The word Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root yuj meaning to bind, join, attach and yoke, to direct and concentrate one's attention on, to use and apply. It is the true union of our will with the will of God. 'It thus means,' says Mahadev Desai in his introduction to the Gita according to Gandhi, 'the yoking of all the powers of body, mind and soul to God; it means the disciplining of the intellect, the mind the emotions, the will, which that Yoga presupposes; it means a poise of the soul which enables one to look at life in all its aspects evenly.'"-Light on Yoga, B.K.S. Iyengar

Although it requires intention, core strength, focus and some degree of effort to be in a Handstand, the amazing part is once in it, it requires very little effort at all. The breath begins to deepen and expand, flowing rhythmically in and out of the body. The eyes concentrate on one point down at the floor and a feeling of energy begins to move through from the fingers all the way up to the toes. Confidence moves through your Being, and an awareness of being in a state of harmony with the energy and the nature of the Universe, and that there is this powerful, playful and peaceful Presence moving all things.

The practice of Yoga is the practice of attuning and aligning ourselves to this Energy, God-Force moving in every molecule of life. I'm learning this alignment can only really exist in the absolute absence of force. Meaning, having no need whatsoever to control circumstances, events or outcomes in your life. Rather, surrendering your need/fear to make life be a certain way and opening up to the inherent and intelligent rhythm already moving you.

Will you let it? Will you let go of your struggle and allow yourself to be moved by it? Will you give up trying to control outcomes or pre-plan your entire existence? Will you open up to the Infinite Energy right here, right now, in all it's Goodness and allow yourself to feel the pulsating current of Life in every molecule of your Being? Will you let yourself live in the Unknown, the ever-unfolding moment and be awakened to the Awesomeness of each breath you breathe? Will you receive the gift of Life, which is always a surprise, always unexpected and ever-expanding in its Goodness...

Namaste...

Read more