Becoming Flexible

     My goal is to become flexible in both mind and body.  Having arrived to a certain age I am faced with making a conscious decision.  Either I allow myself to grow stiff, unbending in my beliefs and beloved temple, or I can choose to follow my desire to become gracefully limber, naturally flowing with the river of life.  An obvious conclusion, yet unless practiced on a daily basis, difficult to keep.  

     I have tried several times to start a routine, each being successful for awhile, then slowly falling to the wayside.  This time, I am beginning with a new intention born one day as I was reaching down to touch my toes.  Not just the simple method of fingertips to the floor.  I was trying to mirror the one I found in my yoga book called, "Standing Forward Bend."   The idea is to bend so completely as to touch your head to a point past your knees, representing the ultimate in flexibility for me.  Muscles tight with tension, I labored to move close to my ideal, understanding quickly this would take awhile.    

       A realization came to me as I tried to force my reluctant spine into the image I was holding.  Like a candle in the darkness of my struggle, I became aware of a huge divide between mind and body.  The two at odds, both disinclined to bend in either direction.  Maybe I was lightheaded from being so close to the ground, but in that moment I heard their contention, each insisting to be heard.  Frozen into position, body protesting, mind demanding, I was trapped between adversaries.   Unless an agreement was reached, united we stand, divided we fall, this was not going to be easy.

     My thoughts of dire consequences should I give up, unyielding judgments regarding my ability, worries of perceived limitations.  My physical self inflexible, slowed by unhealthy choices, the passing of years, and weary beliefs.  An inward battle, neither one helping the other. 

     The solution I heard through the pounding in my head, was simply to relax and be quiet.  By releasing tension and allowing myself to breathe between beats, becoming one with the rhythm, rather then trying to hear the whole song at once, I melted.  Removing expectations, mind and body surrendered, rebellion ceased.  Suddenly I became fluid.  Sinking lower to the ground I swear I saw an ant cross by.

     I love it when a lesson finally clicks.  Of course this was not a new concept for me, I used it many times, casually discarded until again stressed and searching for a solution.  Now fully integrated, no longer having to be in conflict to benefit.
I get it, and thankfully I don't need to be in the same position to remember.  

     My mind and body reunited under the holy agreement to which it was born,
no more disagreeing how things should be done.
Focusing my intentions to allow and relax, 

I am able to move easily. 

Everyday I stretch, supple and pliant,
receptive to possibilities.

 Unchained from the boundaries of thoughts and abilities, 

I am one step closer to my freedom. 

In Quiet Beauty I Relax

~Raven