Flow

To FLOW is to move smoothly, effortlessly and continuously. As you step into the river of life, with all its twists, turns and currents, you waken and feel alive. At moments simply meandering gently around the next curve. At other times, crashing and tumbling, swirling and falling. As each drop of water contributes to the overall experience of the river, each moment of your life contributes to your life story. Are you embracing or fighting the flow of your life? Do you feel awake and alive?

Benham Falls, Sunriver, Oregon

"I embrace the flow of the river called life."

Yoga Pose: Triangle Pose Trikonasana

As you practice this pose, flow in and out of the pose three times on each side so as to experience the subtle changes in your body as the pose deepens with each repetition.

Foundation. Start in Tadasana - Mountain Pose. Set your intention.

Stance. Step your feet about 4 feet apart. Turn your left foot out 90 degrees. Turn your back toes slightly to the left. Press the outer right heel firmly to the floor. Keep your legs straight without locking your knees.

Arms. Lift and expand your arms to shoulder height. Palms down.

Torso. Exhale and extend your torso to the left directly over the left leg, bending from the hip joint, not the waist. Anchor this movement by strengthening the right leg. Rotate the torso to the right, keeping the two sides of the torso equally long. Let the left hip come slightly forward and lengthen the tailbone toward the back heel. Rest your left hand on your shin, ankle or the floor outside your left foot, whatever is possible without collapsing the torso. Going too far and compromising the position of the spine does not deepen the pose. Stretch your right arm toward the sky.

Gaze. Soften your jaw and eyes. Keep your head in a neutral position or turn it to the right, eyes gazing softly at the right thumb.

Timing. Stay in this pose for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Inhale to come up, strongly pressing the back heel into the floor and reaching the top arm to the sky.

B R E A T H E

[Repeat three times before changing sides]

Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Las Vegas, Nevada