Revolved Crescent Lunge {Parivrtta Anjaneyasana}

Revolved Crescent Lunge {Parivrtta Anjaneyasana} is such a difficult pose for me to hold. The name is even a mouthful. So much so you can break it down into three parts. (1) Parivrtta means revolve (2)anjaneya means praiseand (3) asana means posture. More often than not, I usually enter this pose from Crescent Lunge. From Crescent, I bring my hands to heart prayer and then twist my spine (either to my right or my left). After I lengthen my twist, I hook my elbow to the outside of my knee. Once this transition occurs, my balance gives out and I fall to the ground. No sweat… I get back into it, but this time I place my bottom knee down to the ground; a pretty common modification. 

Every now and then as my practice continues to evolve, I am able to embrace this pose through each breath I take. It’s totally empowering. It’s also really fucking hard. Mentally I am so focused. Physically it’s as if each of my limbs are connected. My entire body is synchronized; my legs are supporting my hips; my abdominals are supporting my shoulders. Each part is working together. 

Here's the thing. Over time, I’ve learned to adopt my falls just as much as I embrace the seize. Yoga is a practice; there’s always room for improvements and new observations. Even in life falling down on your face is just as important as rising to the top. I’m always working on myself. I recognize my feelings and analyze why I feel certain ways in different situations. This allows me to dig that much deeper in terms of self-study. I do this through the good times and the bad. Amid each experience, whether unquestionable or severe I learn something new about myself which further shapes my character and allows me to re think my decisions. 

RATING MOVIES W/ YOGA POSES IS QUITE QUIRKY

I feel like I need to address why I rate the movies I watch with the yoga poses I practice. Each yoga pose has a diverse and unique meaning or theme associated with it. In a way it’s like telling a story, just like movies do.

Some yoga poses focus on the root of your being; who your true self is. Some movies bring us characters who are on a path of self discovery. Other yoga postures focus on the heart chakra. Some films tell stories that deal with love. It’s all relative! Do you see where I am going with this?!

I have now worked in the film industry for almost seven years. I’ve seen the  ins and outs of what actually goes into making a movie from start to finish. It’s hard work and does not necessarily deserve a rating that marks it “good” or “bad”. I am not an expert by any means, however, I love talking about the elements I’ve taken in throughout this period of my life.

With films, I endlessly discover connections to the characters, to the writing, to the filmmaking, to the costume design and even the overall look of the film. It’s all art to me.

People react differently to art that they stumble upon. My favorite movie could be a movie that you absolutely hate and that’s OK. Why should I rate a movie with one star or four stars? Two thumbs up or zero thumbs up? Love or hate; movies still evoke these kinds offerings and so does yoga.

I came to my yoga mat just two years ago when I was in a really dark place. Yoga allowed me to come back to myself; to validate my sensitivity to feeling low and depressed.  I was able to relax into who I was even though it was terribly difficult.

I found that certain yoga poses allowed me to practice finding the center and root of particular life problems I was facing. Watching movies, whether they’re good or bad, evoked similar reactions and made me feel less alone. Both yoga and movies still my mind, which is helpful when I am trying to ground and find inner stillness.

The root word of yoga is often translated to “unite” or “connect”. Oftentimes in yoga, we start with a simple breath and move towards postures that are unknown. In movies, we always start at the beginning. Where the story will lead and turn, we do not know. Either way, emotions are evoked and themes in movies can be defined with the practice of yoga.

HORSE POSE (VATAYANASANA)

Hose Pose is extremely grounding. With both feet planted to the earth and stable, the thighs are really working. Hose Pose works the body both physically and emotionally. Internally it elevates your sense of self.

Talking yourself through the pose and holding it is vital.  You become further disciplined with your breath.

For me, when I break these physical barriers it’s incredibly rewarding. I know I can be disciplined while feeling incredibly uncomfortable.

WARRIOR TWO (VIRABHADRASANA II)

This pose honors the heroic qualities we all have within and restores our inner idea of power. We are strong, we are eager and we are willing to be our best possible selves. Sometimes fear and doubt gets in our way, but when we ground into this pose, we are able to charge through no matter what the obstacles may be.

This pose makes your body work; your hips must be squared; your gaze is focused. When accomplished, inner peace is rediscovered. Warrior II is a balance of being active in this pose, but receptive to its challenges all at the same time.

HEADSTAND (SIRSASANA)

Headstand takes meaningful thought and determination. I need to let my thoughts translate into breath, while inverting my body. Instead of rushing into this posture, I move into it; one inhale and exhale at a time.

Some people say this is the “queen of yoga poses” and I kind of agree. Practicing headstand makes me reflect on my self growth and the choices I make. Headstand allows me to conduct choices for myself; not for others. Just because society tell you to do something, does not mean you have to. It intensifies my independence in the most positive light.

Physically, headstand takes our bodies to a deep place. An increased oxygen and vibrant energy are sent to the mind; this opens our clarity of brainwave and focus. Additionally, I find that practicing headstand helps with my anxiety.

WILD THING (CAMATKARASANA)

Wild Thing opens up your heart chakra. If you’re willing to give love, then love will come in return. Physical benefits of this pose are endless. It opens up the chest, lungs and shoulder areas.

It also aids the physical love life…  as the hip flexors shape further strength in your back. This pose is magical and invigorating. Furthermore, it’s a gateway pose to other backbends.

TREE POSE (VRKSASANA)

For me, Tree Pose feels extremely visceral. When you look at any tree, rooted firmly in the ground, you see its upright strength. But even the strongest of trees bend in odd places. Certain trees position themselves in funny shapes. Regardless of the tree’s contour, there’s a steady balance from the trunk to the branches. When you have that kind of origin there will always be a reliable sense of poise.

The entire human body works with and against each other to accomplish this pose. Working against different body parts creates obstacles, however, once steadiness falls into place, objectives are then met. Learning how to balance has a lot to do with mental aptitudes, however, with tree pose, physical works are equally important.

Being conscious of your breath, finding a focal point and visualizing your tree aids in accomplishing this posture.

CAT TO COW POSE

The Sanskrit name for Cat Pose is Marjaiasana. The name of the Cow Pose, Bitilasana.

Cat – Cow is considered a simpler pose in yoga, however, just because something is simple doesn’t mean its not beneficial. With those pose, energy is circulated to all different points of your body. The emotional juices are flowing.

Both  postures stretch and strengthen the lower spine, hips, back and core muscles. It does A LOT for our body!  It also aids breathing by elongating the chest.

UPWARD FACING DOG (URDHVA MUKHA SVANASANA)

Urdhva Mukha Svanasana {Upward Facing Dog} – Inhale by brining the tops of your feet to the mat. Open and pull your chest forward and straighten you arms. This pose will increase lung capacity by opening up the chest. Upward Facing Dog is a sequencing pose a part of the Sun Salutation. Sun Salutations honor the Inner Light that radiates from our own Hearts.

CHAIR POSE (UTKATASANA)

Every time I am cued into Utkatasana {Chair Pose}, I think to myself oh fuck, here we go again…

We begin standing in Tadasana. Inhale and raise your arms slightly perpendicular to the mat below. Exhale and bend your knees. The goal here is to bend our thighs parallel to the floor… and people, FEEL THE BURN! Take a quick peak down and make sure your knees are not protruding over your feet. Oh and tuck that fucking tailbone under.

Think about sitting in an imaginary chair. It’s a make-believe chair because we don’t have the comfort of let’s say a la-z-boy. The translation of Utkatasana from Sanskrit is “powerful pose”.  As much as I loathe to practice it, the long term benefits make me feel strong and centrally balanced. Finding power in your core and pelvis allows the body to play and align with gravity! We have the power, we have the control and we defy gravity!

REVOLVED CRESCENT LUNGE (PARIVRTTA ANJANEYASANA)

Revolved Crescent Lunge {Parivrtta Anjaneyasana}- is an intense and deep standing twist. This posture strengthens and elongates the spine, groin, chest, lungs & shoulders. It also increases stamina and balance.

Think of this posture as a cleanse; it rinses, revitalizes and detoxifies all internal organs. This includes the liver, kidneys, spleen and digestive system.

Here, it’s important to maintain the placement of your feet by keeping your front knee over your ankle. The pelvis and spine should elongate making it possible to lift your ribs off the thigh. Depending on the side, lift your elbow to the outside of your thigh.

Don’t rush this pose. Be patient and mindful. Twists oftentimes evokes a feeling of wanting more so it’s important to discipline your body and mind.

HALF MOON POSSE (ARDHA CHANDRASANA)

I have come to understand that Half Moon Pose {Ardha Chandrasana} brings forth this idea of dexterity. This helps demonstrate that the interdependence of certain actions in your body are mutually dependent.

Half Moon Pose allows any type of being to tap into different balancing energies. Such energies could be calmness (like the moon) and intensity (like the sun). The idea of being calm and intense is contrasting, but without the other, they both cease to exist. Ponder this in simple terms: opposites attract.  

Think about the movie OVERBOARD. A rich, snobbish woman who suffers from amnesia ends up falling in love with a poor carpenter. By the end of the movie, the woman discovers gratitude and love and the carpenter learns how to stick up for himself. Ease is discovered!

In Half Moon, your core is the connecting link to it all. While extending your torso in one direction and the uplifted leg in the other, Half Moon educates us on how to balance, tolerate and grow an awareness to something that’s disorienting. Eventually, we will find comfort.

With practice, discipline and determination one will eventually stabilize the rooted foundation and twinkle with confidence in all directions.

ATTEMPTED HANDSTAND

It’s the quirky thing to do, to attempt a handstand until you get it right. I need to engage my core and align my arms and gently distribute my weight to properly balance over my hands.