Yoga is not just about twisting your body into weird shapes. It is more about being mindful of your body and movement, even the movement of your breath. We spent several minutes lying on the floor focusing on our breathing, not trying to breath in any particular way at first, but just being mindful of how we were breathing. We got up slowly. In fact, all our movements were slow and deliberate. It seemed like the movement from one pose to another was as important as the pose itself. The journey was as important as the destination. I found it all very appealing.
On Thursday I went to my weight lifting class and again the coach was talking about being mindful of our bodies and how we were moving. We are not just to toss weights around, we are to lift slowly and return slowly with a focus on form. We had fun, too, bouncing around on Stability Balls, being mindful of our balance.
It's odd that I heard the word "mindful" in both classes. Or maybe not so odd. Spark People teaches us to practice mindful eating. Now I am learning mindful movement.
My poem to share today is one I've loved since I was a child. It seems particularly appropriate for summer.
by Edna Casler Joll
Every child should know a hill,
And the clean joy of running down its long slope
With the wind in his hair.
He should know a tree --
The comfort of its cool lap of shade,
And the supple strength of its arms
Balancing him between earth and sky
So he is a creature of both.
He should know bits of singing water
The strange mysteries of its depths,
And the long sweet grasses that border it.
Every child should know some scrap
Of uninterrupted sky, to shout against;
And have one star, dependable and bright.
For wishing on.
