for Tuning Into the Spirit of
CANCER-MOON:
**
rooted in soul
Cancer-themes of reflection
Balasana, or the commonly called
Child's Pose
is chosen for its resonance with the inner-focusing & receptive
current of Moon-Cancer,
it develops calm, reflection, humility and self-acceptance.Physically, Cancer-Moon rules the intestines, abdomen, stomach,
breasts and digestive processes.
In this asana, the abdominal organs are compressed---
this stimulates them to better functioning afterwards.
And every breath massages the belly, which is beneficial to the intestines
and which sends the blood flow to the brain, thus irrigating it.We feel carried along by the Current,
in a Moon-Spirit of self-observation, relaxed and peaceful.
This asana responds to these Cosmic Calls:
to go within & accept the flow of life
& mental-emotional agitation
Family of humanity, animals, nature, planet
This posture may be adapted
to all body types and conditions.
There are no counter-indications.
Remain open to your body's messages.
the Key : Contact the
inner light,
use Breath to move energy thru the entire spine.
The whole idea behind asanas
is:
Developing focus and concentration so as to calm the mental agitation.
Preparing the body to receive higher frequency~
calming, toning, clearing the channels, etc
In this particular pose,
the accent is on a very YIN approach.
This is the Lunar aspect to Yoga.
HA-THA means Sun-Moon,
and here we cultivate THA-Lunar mode ~
passive, absorbing, quiet, humble.
STILLING:
Prepare a comfortable space, where you won't be bothered for 30 minutes
or so...
On your knees, pose your
buttucks on your heels.
Toes are relaxed and pointed back.
Hands are resting calmly on the thighs.
Breathe deeply, steadily, to relax and prepare your body.
Calm your emotions, let go of busy mental chatter. Find inner stillness.
ROOTS
& EARTH
Take some time to establish some "roots" in your place.
You are the connecting agent between Sky and Earth.
Feel at ease, grounded, unwavering.
Breathe slowly and calmly.
When ready, place your hands out in front of you on the ground.
Advance them forward until your torso descends and your head touches the ground.
Your seat remains on your heels.
Your stomach and chest rest on your thighs.
Take time to find ease and relaxation, where you can really Let Go.
After a moment, you may feel a certain unity with the ground/floor.
The energies of your body & the earth mingle and meet.
Take time to savor and explore this connection with Earth forces.
As you settle more and more into Ground, earth rises to flow up into
you.
It is reciprocal. This reminds us, too, of the
give-and-take relation we can cultivate with Earth,
an active-passive relation so like the changing phases of the Moon.
PRAYER / REFLECTION
Don't move, and enter into a Yin-spirit of submission
to the holiness and sacredness of Life's Divine Current.
Breathe calmly and deeply.
Because the chest can't expand in the usual manner,
oxygen penetrates to the top of the lungs and down the back and sides.
Feel fully this absorbtion of breath, this giving into the current,
this attitude of inner suppleness and acceptation.Stay open and soft to what's going on Inside.
Breathe calmly and deeply, at your own rhythm.
Consciously affirm letting go of To-Do-Lists, stress, tension, doute and any negative emotions you may have trouble with.
Reflect on the changing face of the Moon,
reflect on how in tune with the cycles you are.
Do you honor rest-repos-dream times?
Do you partake of quality, nourishing food? for your body, heart & soul?
Do you respect and listen to these lunar-biological needs and rhythms?
Do you feel you belong to a greater Whole, some "family" ?Let a prayer, affirmation or visualization present itself to you spontaneously,
from deep inside, from your position of inner-focus.
SYMBOLISM
As you explore this asana, contemplate the symbolism.
Be open to where it leads. Some questions might be:
How much do I accept "submission"---
not to external authority/society, but to Divine Current? Where in my life can I see this?
How easily do I enter into contact with my personal psychic space?
Is it uncomfortable or difficult ? Maybe is it too enticing and I have trouble "coming out" of my cocoon...
Where is my True Source ?
How am I spiritually (and otherwise) nourished ?
Is the mind too busy ? Where is resistance coming from ? Etc…
Once you've finished, come
out of the position
with much awareness, gentleness and ease,
stretch your legs and do whatever you feel necessary.
Here are some reflections on themes close to Cancer-Spirit:
" ...know oneself as sakshi pratyagatma, the inner witnessing soul of one's intellect and all it's dispositions..."Adhyatma Upanishad
"Being rooted in one's soul and through certain techniques, listening and self-experiencing, the seeker comes to know her-himself as the Soul of All and the personal mind is dissolved."Adhyatma Upanishad
"Contemplate the Soul within you..."Adhyatma Upanishad
"When I hear that a fish in the ocean is thirsty, I have to laugh. Life itself lives in your own home - and you still don't get it. You wander from one sacred site to another, looking permanently perplexed....Let me tell you, if you can't find the hiding place of your soul, this world will never be real..." Kabir
