By Parvati
Originally published June 19, 2020
Recently, I attended a Yasodhara Ashram online workshop called “Awakening Wonder.” I got in touch with a delightful being from early childhood and realized how much I need to know her now. After the workshop, I reflected in Child’s pose to see if I could remember what I knew then, asking “Where is that child’s knowing?”
Stretching my body in Sun Salutations, I feel my back bending and lengthening while my breath is flowing from one position to the next – Standing Forward Bend, to Lunge, to Plank – then without thinking, I naturally fold into Child’s pose. When starting to move again, I hear “Stop, stay inside.” Isn’t that the message of this COVID time – “stay safe” – make the challenges of the outer world disappear and let an inner world open up? I feel content in the moment.
Picking up the book The Inner Life of Asanas, I read Swami Lalitananda’s words, “The power of the pose lies in its simplicity…To be simple like a child means to be free and open to explore.” I enter the pose again. While resting belly on thighs, my back releases tension I didn’t know I had. Is it really this simple? My body wants to continue to stretch more so I move my spine in Cat stretches lifting my back, then chest, and feeling the power of this simple movement.
I look for a question from the book to take into the pose: “What does it take to move naturally with the ebb and flow of breath, to be moved by the waves of life? What if I let go what I think I know and instead open to wonder?” The answer comes in a feeling of joy; a memory of riding a wave into the shore. I feel that same aliveness as a child full of wonder.
This time of challenge is yet another wave to ride. It’s a time to appreciate the gift of life.
In the Light,
Parvati
PRACTICING CHILD’S POSE
You will need a journal or notebook and a quiet space to practice.
The Child’s pose is often a pose of rest after stretching the back in asanas such as the Downward Dog or backbends such as the Cobra, or Sun Salutations. To practice the pose, begin from a kneeling position, fold forward, allowing your back to soften and relax. Your arms can be along your sides or stretched overhead. Focus on relaxing with your breath.
REFLECTION
In the Child’s pose, we are curled up with no view of the outer world. Reflect on the following while in the pose: What inner worlds do you create with your imagination? Can you bring Light to your inner world? Can you imagine this world and then manifest it? Take time to write down your insights.
END RELAXATION AND REVIEW
Move through any other stretches or asanas your body is asking for, and end with relaxing your body and mind.
Review your notes and reflect on what you have learned. If possible share your notes with a friend or other yoga practitioner.