YOGA: Wake Up My Body


Wolran (Dec 2010)


I hated to work out since childhood, only exercising ten fingers on the keyboard. That is why I took a yoga course for less movement because I would not be enslaved by balls or crazy running just sitting or lying down. I just started as a lazy mind without any expectations but there is mysterious energy trembling inside yoga. One semester is not long term enough, but it is a very rewarding experience which I can continue myself at home. I always meet a newcomer whenever I lie down on the yoga mat.  Yoga (Sanskrit) is body tempering handed down from ancient India, and Hinduism defines it as "the pursuit of philosophy of thoroughness in practical life." Yoga is also associated with religious belief and practice, and aims to be free from the bondage of materialism. It also develops supernatural powers through exercise, meditation, posture, and breathing. Today, the purpose is health promotion and beauty, and Yoga booming around the world.

I can irritate and stretch all of the joints and bones in my body which I never use through the Cat and Dog Pose to the Warrior Pose. Then, I am full of an overflowing joy as if I look into life just like a baby when I take the Happy Baby Pose (my favorite pose). Finally, I feel like sitting alone with my eyes closed on the highest mountain in the world just like a stone image of Shiva in India. Facing myself particularly is a scary moment sometimes, but also full of confidence as if I am able to overcome even a fear of heights. A couple of days after stretching, my whole body aches as if struck. That is the evidence that I worked hard during class time. Erich Schiffmann said in his book, Yoga-The Spirit and Practice of Moving into Stillness, that children have sore feet when they need bigger shoes, and that pain means growth. My body just started raising concentration, confidence and my diet. The instructor said for the silence in my body with yoga music in the class, "All the unnecessary energy out of our body." Then I felt a really magical feeling as all the bad energy went out of my body. When she said, "Draw and look the bravest animals in the world," then I really heard the roar of the lion. When I heard that “The animal's tough energy comes into my body," I really was running into the jungles of the world full of confidence.

Meditation in Action is the second level of stillness, and this is working in normal life, not alone in a quiet enclosed space. It would be beneficial for self-control, self-esteem, self-confidence, and even anger management if I became used to it. It was ideal exercise for me, pursuit of a healthy mind and body at the same time. Now, I just say hello to myself with a thankful heart for everything I have, joining my mind like hands. NAMASTE!