(Submitted to Yoga Diary section of Yoga Journal)
My balance isn’t what it used to be so when my yoga teacher Missy announced that we were going to do “Dancer,” my heart sank. It’s a beautiful pose and when Missy demonstrates it, she looks graceful and strong. Like a dancer. But when I’d tried it in the past, I toppled over before getting into the full posture.
Today I was feeling peaceful and positive as I listened to the soft piano music and Missy’s encouraging voice. “Try to relax and relinquish control. Just flow into the pose.” She explained that we often try to control the people and events in our lives, but we can only direct our own thoughts and actions.
Reflecting on Missy’s words, I willed my body to let go. Gazing at a point ahead, I bent one leg up behind me and grabbed my foot. I extended the opposite arm up for balance. As I straightened my grounded leg and pushed into the floor, I felt strong. Slowly, I let my outstretched arm lower while bending forward with my head high and chest up. I slowly pulled my back leg up with my other hand.
The calm of the music and my mind relaxed any tension in my body. I pushed away lingering concerns in my head and my movements flowed effortlessly. For a few seconds, I did feel dancer-like: graceful and strong. Then I lost my balance and fell out of the pose. I smiled: What a magical few seconds those were.
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