It All Works Out

I have a few more trips scheduled for the year, as I am sure I will blog about in the coming months.

One trip that I am excited for is a trip with a girlfriend to Australia for New Years. Except she told me tonight she would have to cancel the trip. My initial thought was panic, then back-up plans started popping up in my mind. Then I realized… hey, this isn’t the first time this has happened.

I won’t mention names and I’m not trying to call anyone out here, but I have been bailed on (trip-wise) so many times, I am wondering if the universe purposely wants me to be an independent traveler. But here’s the thing. I’ve only been mad about it once- and that was my first trip where I was abandoned. Only because it was the unknown- and I hadn’t traveled solo at that point in time.

Since then I’ve been bailed on four other trips (i.e. I ended up traveling alone) and EVERY ONE of those trips ended up being amazing… hence the reason I am not worried about this one either.

And like magic… it all did work out. Even though my travel buddy won’t be with me on this trip, I’m still going to have a remarkable experience- because I always do and it all works out- always. 

I think my cool head about these bailings has also come as a by-product of age, wisdom- and definitely yoga. I haven’t posted a yoga pose in awhile and I thought I would today.

When you are feeling a little off-balance, or plans change and put you off kilter, just know you are strong enough to move forward. You are stronger than you think. That is the point of today’s pose.

SIDE PLANK POSE- VASISTHASANA
(courtesy http://www.yogajournal.com)

The full version of Vasisthasana, as taught by BKS Iyengar, with the top leg raised perpendicular to the floor, is beyond the capacity of most beginners. The pose described here is a modified version suitable for all levels of students.

(vah-sish-TAHS-anna)

Vasistha = literally means “most excellent, best, richest.” Vasistha is the name of several well-known sages in the yoga tradition. There’s a Vasistha numbered among the seven (sometimes 10 or 12) seers (rishis) or lords of creation (prajapatis), and a Vasistha who’s author of a number of Vedic hymns. He’s also said to be the owner of the fabulous “cow of plenty,” Nandini (“delight”), which grants his every wish and accounts for his infinite wealth.

Step by Step

Perform Adho Mukha Svanasana . Shift onto the outside edge of your left foot, and stack your right foot on top of the left. Now swing your right hand onto your right hip, turn your torso to the right as you do, and support the weight of your body on the outer left foot and left hand.

Make sure that the supporting hand isn’t directly below its shoulder; position the hand slightly in front of its shoulder, so the supporting arm is angled a bit relative to the floor. Straighten the arm by firming the triceps muscle, and press the base of the index finger firmly against the floor.

Firm the scapulas and sacrum against the back torso. Strengthen the thighs, and press through the heels toward the floor. Align your entire body into one long diagonal line from the heels to the crown.

If you’d like you can stretch the top arm toward the ceiling, parallel to the line of the shoulders. Keep the head in a neutral position, or turn it to gaze up at the top hand.

Stay in this position for 15 to 30 seconds. Come back to Adho Mukha Svanasana, take a few breaths, and repeat to the right side for the same length of time. Then return to Adho Mukha Svanasana for a few more breaths, and finally release into Balasana .

So excited to see Australia!!!