I know that not everyone has a love of cats, or likes them, and I do not expect to convert you if you do not. I also am sorry if you have ever had a bad experience with a cat. I know that they can be mean as well as cute and cuddly. That being said, I invite you, cat lover or not to take time to consider cats and what they are to you? They may be beloved companions, annoyances, or even a bit frightening. Like us, they have many sides to their personalities, and tend to be affected by their environment in some way. If you choose to explore these thought forms within your self on the subject of cat, I encourage you to investigate them as much as you are able to, doing your best to bring a positive state to this adventure into your mental dimension of cat. Maybe it is a deepening of feelings in love and appreciation, maybe it is a step closer to getting beyond a fear, finding flexibility, joy and play when you thought there was none, or maybe it is a journey of acceptance. Whatever the case, I encourage you to move in a positive direction, and to give the idea of cat some appreciation and love. When I am able to do this to some degree, to connect with an idea in my mind on a deeper level, I find more connection and happiness within myself. Does this feel like it has a similar significance to you? I hope that it does.
Moving into the physical posture of marjariasana or cat pose we are presented with a unique opportunity, an opportunity to begin to experience unity within movement, a harmonious flow, as well as a unity within ourselves of the many notions that these poses bring to mind.
- First, we prepare to move into marjariasana by coming to all fours, knees and hands about hips distance apart pressing on the ground in a table top like position.
- Then we move into bitilasana or cow pose, inhaling, looking forward, allowing our back to become concave, pelvis tilts down in the front and up in the back.
- Now I invite you to explore marjariasana, exhaling, looking downward, allowing the back to arch upward much like a cat when they are stretching after being curled up in a rest.
- Finally I offer you balasana or child's pose. As we allow our back to a neutral flat position once agian, push back with the bottom allowing your seat to rest on your heels, maybe spreading the knees apart, touching your toes together, and stretching the arms forward before you on the ground if comfortable (You may also allow the arms down by the sides.).
This brings up an interesting movement not only through the sensations felt by the body, but the mental emanations that result when our memories, knowledge, emotions, and intellect connect these various states of bitilasana, marjariasana, and balasana. Moving between cow, cat, and child's pose, what is the scenery within us that is created? What is the dialogue between these different aspects of ourselves that is brought into the light? I find that my consciousness drifts to an image of harmony and peace between these beings, going beyond the identification of cat, cow, and human child (as I see the child being human). There is a sort of garden of Eden with a peaceful, blissful existence where these beings are at ease with one another enjoying one another, and letting all aversion pass by, all irritation subside in the harmony that exists there. The cat, cow, and child lay down together as it where and enjoy the nature of simply breathing and being what they truly are beyond the suffering that might arise in the flesh and caring for the needs of each other as they would arise. Perhaps a lofty dream? What do you think, my friend? I wish you peace and joy, harmony within and without no matter what life brings. May you find flexibility and playful wonder like that of a happy healthy kittie cat! Peace, Joy, and Love to you! Aaron :-)