Collapse

Where in your body and/or in your life are you collapsing?

For me it’s in the arches of my feet (which leads to compression and pain in my lower back and neck) and in my faith — my belief that I am supported by the earth beneath my feet.

This isn’t surprising. These past 9 (almost 10) months have been hard, and like so many, I’m exhausted.

ex·haust·ed
/iɡˈzôstəd/
adjective

1. drained of one’s physical or mental resources; very tired.

Tadasana (mountain pose) is a fundamental shape I am mindfully practicing to address the collapse in my soles and in my soul. It is a deceptively simple asana (I mean, we’re just standing there, right?), but it requires complete presence and full body awareness. When I embody this posture in truth, I feel both totally vulnerable and incredibly powerful (no coincidence). Perhaps you’ll also find this do-anywhere-at-anytime practice useful and uplifting.

Begin by standing with feet hip distance apart.

Ground down through all four corners of your feet. Lift the inner arches of your feet, drawing energy up from the earth, remembering that the relationship you have with the ground is a dynamic one— there is an exchange, a give and take, a resistance and a yielding.

Soften at the backs of your knees, root down through your tail bone, and ever so gently draw the front of your pelvis upward.

Allow your shoulder blades to lie flat and melt down your back as your shoulders fall heavy away from your ears.

The crown of your head lengthens up toward the sky.

Release your jaw. Soften your brow.

Allow your breath to come and go naturally, effortlessly. Notice your ribs expanding and contracting and your belly moving in and out with each cycle of breath.

Recall the feeling of buoyancy and remember that you are supported.

Sending love, strength, resilience, and support from my heart to yours.