salu-what?

Salutations.  A spider's fancy way of saying hello (Charlotte's Web).

An expression of greeting, goodwill, or courtesy by word, gesture, or ceremony (Merriam Webster).

Dear ______.    Liebe.    Querido.    Cher.

But my favorite salutations right now are sun salutations. Surya Namaskar.

Beginning my day with this yoga sequence has helped me accept the grayness of winter, and to start each day with more energy and peace. If you have ever taken a yoga class then you know that this is usually the warm-up, and, sometimes that's what it is for me, but sometimes it stands quite nicely on its own. It makes me think of the scene from Black Orpheus, where the children awaken the sun with music. I don't do it every morning, but when I do it looks like this:

I wake up before the sun rises, go to the room that faces east,  clear the floor for my mat, light a twig of incense and open the curtains. I sit in simple cross-legged position or child's pose for a few minutes, waking up, becoming aware of my breath and my body. Then I start the salutations. Slowly at first, holding each posture for a couple breaths before transitioning. For the first several rounds it is still gray outside. But eventually, as I arch into Urdhva Muka Svanasana (upward-facing dog) and peek out the window, I see the sun for the first time. Sometimes there is a streak of orange just above the rooftops, sometimes a patch of blue amongst the leafless trees.

I conclude with a few still moments, sometimes lying down, sometimes seated, sometimes standing with my hands in Anjali Mudra, feeling the energy flow up and down my body. I am ready to start my day. If I'm lucky, my hair will smell like the incense and each time I catch a whiff of it I will be brought back to this place of silence and sunshine (even if it's still quite gray).

an intention for the new year

As we begin a new year, instead of a goal or a resolution, I am setting an intention. This is an idea that comes from yoga. At the beginning of every session we set an intention for the next bit of time on the mat. Not a goal to stretch farther nor a demand not to become distracted, but a feeling or an idea that will keep one grounded throughout the practice. Perhaps that intention will carry over to the rest of the day. My friend and favorite yoga instructor used to conclude each session with the words, "may the blessings and benefits you have cultivated today be taken off of your mat and into your world." I often think of that when I practice at home.

I don't think I can really give a clear explanation of what my intention is. It's more of a feeling because if I put it into words I'm afraid it will become a goal. Over the past year I've learned that finding this feeling can really help to calm or cheer me. For example, when I feel uncertain or stressed it helps to think about the peaceful ashram where I used to do yoga in Denton, or moments when I was surrounded by friends and my spirit danced. Sometimes it helps to focus on my physical core. An anatomy professor suggested we imagine tracing our finger all around our head, even into the respiratory tract, as a technique for learning the cutaneous innervation of the cranial nerves. In a similar manner, I find that I can refocus myself by looking inside and thinking of energy flowing through each chakra. Or it's like making life a constant prayer. I know, I'm using a lot of jargon that doesn't really make sense in our western rational minds, but if you let yourself just go I think you'll know what I mean.

Okay, how about this one: my intention is my new kitten.

We just got him from a shelter downtown and named him Zenith. He lives a simple life and is always true to himself. He is playful yet peaceful and always seems to hit the right balance between high and low energy. He purrs frequently, like a yogi's mantra. Because he has a loving home and is well taken care of he is full of love and can share that with the world, even if does have a very small world.

What is your intention for the new year?

Namaste.