Inspiration from unlikely places

"If there is a sin against life, it consists perhaps not so much in despairing of life as in hoping for another life and in eluding the implacable grandeur of this life"

--Albert Camus 

Yoga Hands

And now for something a little different: this is a nice variation for the classic anjali mudra or prayer position.  Called Kapota Mudra, begin with the hands in prayer and draw the palms away from each other, leaving the fingers together.  Imagine you are holding something precious.  Kapota translates as dove (or pidgeon, but in this context I like dove better).

I enjoy using this mudra at the beginning of my practice, and place my intention or dedication within my hands.  One of my friends at teacher training suggested distilling an intention down to a single word.  I like that idea, as I usually set a long and complicated intention about staying present, moving with grace and embodying my personal power, etc etc, which I will have completely forgotten by the second pose of class.  Going with grace, or now, or something similar seems to stay with me longer.

Urban Yoga

I used to believe that I had to run away to the woods to find calm.  But it's still running away, and it seems I can't leave myself behind.  So I'm trying to breathe in the city these days, and to stay present with all this crazy kinetic energy and life beating all around.