I recently received a great suggestion to add an "Asana (yoga pose) Du Jour" to the blog. Great idea Howie, thanks! Asana, the five letter suffix tagged on to the Sanskrit name of each yoga pose, actually means "seat". The idea is that every pose should be both steady and comfortable as if it was a meditation seat. Yup, even those crazy looking pretzel-like postures!
But I digress. Instead of limiting the tips to traditional asanas, each week we will discuss a mindful physical movement to encourage connection of body, mind and Sol.
Shake, Shake, Shake It Out!
If you have ever watched (or been a bit too close to) a dog emerging from a body of water you know where I am going. Without a care or ounce of self-consciousness the canine lets it all out, water flying in every conceivable direction. While I am not suggesting that you discard your bath towel in favor of a shake out, I am recommending that you engage in some mindful shaking now and then. Why shake you ask?
Ever find yourself glued to a chair with brain and body freeze? How about stuck in a rut or down in the dumps? Feeling stiff and lethargic? Bored with chips or cookies on the brain?
Here's a quick way to shake things up a bit (pun definitely intended) and physically and mentally cleanse the palate:
- Find a spot where you won't be the least bit self-conscious
- Stand with legs hip-width apart; arms relaxed at the sides
- Close the eyes
- Keeping the feet still, begin to shake from the knees and gradually let the movement flow up the spine
- Begin to shake more vigorously, adding the arms and lateral movements as desired
- Go inside (figuratively) and let the shaking take over, but stay rooted to the earth via your feet
- After 2-3 minutes (or longer if desired) slowly bring the body to stillness
- Notice the effects on body, mind, and Sol
