It is always a beautiful event to be able to witness life awakening or beginning! So let's make a commitment in our lives to do so every moment that seems possible. Would not that be lovely! With this practice I hope to offer you this renewed sense of life. May we find gentleness, a harmony within and without in all action and thought, a flowing nature. May there be freedom from the doubts and feelings that are holding us back from finding those answer, those paths in life that might allow us liberation from suffering. I have found that in my life a butterfly holds a special place of beauty, gentleness by nature, and freedom to live in the currents of air or spirit all around us. It is as if the butterfly is a embodiment of liberation from the harshness of reality, yet remains among us reality, present in our lives to show us the path, the possibilities for freedom, harmony, happiness, peace, and health all around us. What does a butterfly represent for you, my friend? Maybe tropical destinations like Hawaii. Thinking of all the beauty of the flowers there and the natural landscape, I feel like I can see myself in flight like a butterfly moving here and there, where ever the wind takes me, to appreciate the majesty and mystery of creation all around. Now I invite you to deepen the experience by performing Baddha Konasana, Butterfly Pose with me.
CAUTION: This pose can be stressful for the knees and groin if an injury has occurred in either of these areas. You could support yourself with a blanket under the outer thighs if this is the case. But if it feels unsafe, please honor your intuition and find another position that would feel more comfortable.
- First, I invite you to take a seated position with the legs out straight before you.
- Next, explore bending the knees and drawing the feet in toward the groin until the souls of the feet press together.
- You might feel comfortable here wrapping the hands around the feet for support.
- With a nice, straight spine in Baddha Konasana, Butterfly Pose, I invite you to say the affirmation “My soul is as gentle and free as a butterfly,” aloud or silently as many times as you would like. Focus on the sensations that you are experiencing, feeling the opening and liberation of the hip flexors. Do you best to monitor the sensations, being mindful of what feels like a health movement and one that is creating pain and discomfort. Move out of the pose when ever you would like or feel a need to do so. If you would like, explore taking flight much like a butterfly through visualization, perhaps picturing yourself on an island paradise much like Hawaii. Welcome in all feelings of health and healing, liberation and freedom, harmony and oneness.
- Gently coming back to a straight legged seated position with a nice upright spine. I invite you to press your hands to heart center, bow the head, and say “Namaste.” This translates to, “My inner light honors your inner light.” It is a very good way to encourage the growth of health and happiness within each other. In coming to a happier, healthier state of freedom, harmony, and peace we naturally share that with others simply by our being.
Thank you for practicing with me today! :-) I am blessed to be able to share these teachings! And it would not be possible without you! Thank you for being you, for having the courage and wisdom to enter into a practice for health and happiness! I hope that you find freedom to live your life fully in harmony with yourself, with all others, and the world as a whole in your days to come! Trust and appreciation yourself, you are a beautiful creation just like a butterfly! Peace, Love, and Happiness to you, my friend! Aaron :-)