Suki Dalury in Urdhva Hastasana; photo by Zoe Zimmerman for Sundara Studios 2013
Upward Facing Hand Pose
The yoga practice parallels our daily lives in many ways, from learning to stand with courage in the face of adversity to being mindfully grateful for all the details that make up the tapestry of our lives, big and small. This week, as we give thanks for all that is good, we can infuse our gratitude offerings for life’s little blessings, alongside life’s more obvious boons with the practice of Urdhva Hastasana. Upward Facing Hand Pose is a basic posture that magnifies ones gracious mindfulness in the most subtle and simple of blessings.
Begin standing with arms alongside hips. Feeling the pull of gravity with every exhale settle into the loving support that holds you to the bosom of the Earth. As you inhale, feel the generous nourishment of the Earth rise from her core and fill your heart with the vital life-giving force of Prana.
From the core of your pelvis feel yourself rooted deeply in unwavering nourishing loving support, and inhale gratitude as you lift your arms toward the sky, reaching through the long bones of your spine, arms, elbows, and fingers toward the generosity of the sun and its unconditional gift of bountiful light. Not taking for granted these small and powerful blessings that sustain you, make an offering of gratitude for every aspect of living that adds texture to your precious life as you extend the back of your neck long and lift your gaze toward the magical sky.
Hold for as long as you like, exhale with a full heart and peace filled mind to return your arms and gaze to neutral.
“Thankfulness creates gratitude which generates contentment that causes peace.”