Another pose that is on my poster (to the left) of daily yoga poses is this seated twist.  It is named after Sri Matsyendrasana who developed the Hatha Yoga system 5000 years ago and purportedly practiced this posture everyday.

The reason I like this particular twist so much is because not only does it lengthen the torso, it also broadens the lower back area and stretches the piriformis muscles which, when tight, can press on the sciatic nerve causing pain to shoot down the leg.

Twists in general are extremely advantageous to the body because they lengthen the soft tissue of the torso around the waist area which frees up the spine, the breathing, and allows us to turn our heads.  It helps us to create waist! (ha)  They also calm the nervous system which brings tranquility to our minds.

I noticed that many of the twists are named after sages.  My theory is that in the days when yoga first began there were no antibiotics or medicines and I believe they used twists as a cure to prevent dis-ease of the body, which the sages wish to be remembered for and confirming the importance of twists.

How do they prevent disease?  Twists massage the internal organs.  B.K.S. Iyengar called this "squeeze and soak" meaning it squeezed out the toxins and (when coming out of the pose) allowed fresh blood for healing to flow in.  This action stimulates the intestines and colon to flush out the released toxins.

Do a twist everyday, even when just sitting in a chair.  Be sure to sit up tall first, press your feet into the floor, and focus turning from the navel up, have the head be the last part of the spine to turn to look over your shoulder.  Breathe deeply up the spine and exhale back down it three times.  Slowly come out of the twist by turning the head first, then shoulders, ribs, and navel.  Smile! and repeat on the other side.

When you release a twist you will feel more energetic and calm at the same time.  An experience that is a great way to start the day!

Stop for a moment and notice what you are thinking.  We rarely are aware of what goes on within the context of our brain.  We have a constant dialogue with ourselves and until we become quiet we really don't hear what we are telling ourselves all of the time.

If you sat down and wrote down all of the thoughts that float through your mind you may be surprised and how limiting they are.  We often tell ourselves what we cannot do, how we 'should' be one way or another, or focus on what is wrong with ourselves or our lives.  We focus more on how it is not the way we envision it to be and in so doing deprive ourselves of a joyful life.

Something I used to catch myself saying a lot was 'I don't know'.  Now by itself this doesn't seem damaging yet if you look at it from another point of view you can see how confining these words can be.  They can become a sort of a "I give up" standpoint.  I would find myself thinking "I don't know what I'm going to do" or "I don't know how to do this" or "I don't know what to think".  Each time I was limiting myself from believing in myself, my abilities, and Spirit; moving further away from the unlimited potential that is within my soul.

When I began to change my mental processes and inserting "I will figure out what I can do" or "I will learn..." or "I just need to listen to my inner voice to guide me" a change happened. Things became possible.  I would meet new people who could help me, read an article that offered a different point of view or even a solution, or find myself in a learning situation.

By opening up my mind to possibilities I allowed the Universe's synchronicity to wander in and create what did not seem possible at first. Basically I got out of my own way, stopped putting limits on myself (which I didn't even know I was doing), and gave permission to open the door to potential.

How do you limit yourself in your life through your thoughts?  Sometimes the only way to know is to listen.  Listen to yourself think.  Notice what you are saying to yourself, maybe write them down.  When you find a thought that stops you ask yourself how you can change it.  You have all the answers for yourself.  Trust in yourself to know them.

For the world outside of ourselves we do need boundaries and safeguards but for the world within we can trust, be vulnerable, have faith and conviction in all of the potential we hold in the answers of our Spirit.  We have the responsibility to give ourselves the best life we possibly can.  It starts with our thoughts.  Are you thinking in possibilities or restrictions?

Who we really are, our authentic selves, is our gift to the world.  Let your light shine!  Let your own unique promise come through and be brilliant!  Think in possibilities, believe, and take action. You can do it!

Namaste,

Debbie

The next TWO workshops are:

Healthy Joints Workshop:

Feet and Knees

Saturday, October 13th

10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

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Yoga Nidra

Sunday, October 14th

1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.