Yoga: Hold Your Own

At a time of year where there is much to do and take care of, a good place to start is being able to hold your own. Take a few breaths today to try a plank pose. Perhaps it reminds you of another kind of plank going around the Internet, but this simply relates to being able to hold your own weight. If this is physically difficult, don’t worry---it is about more than just the physical. You can place your knees down, your forearms down, or just sit and focus on drawing your energy back into your self.

This pose is meant to be physically challenging. The benefit of the challenge is that it requires you to be present, bringing all of your energy to here, now, and the task at hand. You can watch the mind to see where your energy gets lost: the past? The future? Other people or places? Doubts, demands, jealousy or critique? Draw it back to yourself for the moment. Being able to hold your own also means not holding more that your own. Notice if you are carrying a psychic or emotional weight. Have you taken on responsibility someone else’s happiness? Satisfaction? Safety? Learning or behavior? Stand everyone else on their own feet for a moment, trust their path, and hold your own.

The next step in this pose is to relate to its easy strength more so than its challenge. Pick a pose you can handle and be there for a few deep breaths. Strength doesn’t have to be pretty. There may be shaking, maybe even falling, (or maybe sitting or laying) but notice you are strong. If you want to play with the pose a bit, you could try lifting one foot or one arm.  Don’t take it too seriously. Remember: it is just for play, and return to the breath.

Laura Fuller teaches yoga in Mar Vista at the reDiscover Center and the Mar Vista Recreation Center and sees yoga, health and nature as important elements for community. She hopes you enjoy these posts!