This is one of my favorite quotes from the movie, “The Lion King.” As one who frequently mashes up quotes, cliches, and song lyrics, I feel a kindredness with that little warthog. Bless him.
I actually googled this quote. Hundreds of millions of hits later, I sat in awe, my fingers not knowing what link to click. We spend a lot of time, money, and effort trying “put the past in our behinds”, or leaving our pasts behind, as it were. The quote above actually popped into my head during a massage this evening as my back begged miracles of the therapist’s hands. I needed her to help undo what I had done to my body.
Our physical and emotional experiences imprint on us so deeply, layering on feelings of openness, freedom, happiness, but sometimes tension, anger, and despair. The former creates a confidence in our vulnerability, but the latter can sometimes cause illness and broken heartedness. We need all of it, though, don’t we? How would we ever have our eyes open to lightness if there was no darkness? Would we notice the radiance in our own hearts if we didn’t have a little tender spot here and there? And how on Earth could we ever relate to one another without our own experiences upon which to draw?
I realize (yep, from lots of personal experience), that there are times when we feel so stuck in our stuff that we need help from others to pry ourselves free. Find courage in that! Whether that comes in the form of a massage, talk therapy, a good cry with a friend, or a long run with your dog, take the time this week to put your past in your behind.
“People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.”
Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
To increase your own inner space today, try this power yoga sequence:
Sun Salutations A, 1x, return to Mountain
Pincha Mayurasana
Vinyasa to the following, working first the right, then left side:
Warrior II
Reverse Warrior
Triangle
Side Angle
Vinyasa, returning to Mountain
Vinyasa to the following, working first the right, then left side:
Ardha Chandrasana (Half-Moon)
Triangle
Wild Thing
Vinyasa, returning to Mountain
Standing Hand-to-Foot, each side
Vinyasa to the following, working first the right, then left side:
Triangle
Vishwamitrasana
Vashistasana
For ab work (each set for 30 seconds, with the breath):
Set 1: In bridge, lift one leg vertically, then lower to hover above the floor.
Set 2: Repeat on second side.
Set 3: Roll back with both legs together, then roll forward to hands and lift butt and legs off floor.
Virasana
Supta Virasana
Windshield Wipers
Savasana
(to see this beautiful sequence, without the ab work, please click here: yogatoday.com)
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