Homage to Child's Pose

Saturday morning: Yoga 2. I’m tired, but I want to be here. We start moving and breathing, and the energy builds. The heat builds. My muscles begin to yawn open, my body begins to awaken.

The fans aren’t on, but I think I like it that way. The tops of my feet glisten with a slight film of sweat, and make a little squeaking sound when I move from updog to downdog.

We flow from one pose to the next, my thighs quiver, the exhaustion due to moving from utkatasana twist, to high lunge twist, to warrior 2, to extended side angle. We hold, we breathe, we burn, we’re there.

Then we’re stepping back, knees drop, hips sink to heels. Ahhhhhhh.

For a moment, I had forgotten how child’s pose felt. It’s good. 

Really good.

I let go, I breathe, everything slows down, and I’m here again. In my body, on my mat. Fully present.

In this moment, I remember why I love child’s pose, and why I need to teach it more often as an actual pose, a reprieve, a place of rest.

I think we all need a little more child’s pose in our daily lives, don’t you? 

I'll be teaching it as a real, purposeful asana in my classes this week, so that all of my students may have a chance to experience the glory of this magical pose.  

I hope to see you on the mat [in child's pose] soon...