Jesus

THE BOAT POSE AND PETER

Posted on by pennyjoliver

Navasana, or Boat Pose. Nava is the Sanskrit word for “boat” and asana is the Sanskrit word for “pose”.

A full Boat Pose can be a difficult pose to master, but well worth your efforts. Your entire body will need to kick in to help you hold a Boat Pose, which is why it proves beneficial to any yoga practice. It’s a deep core strengthener. As it engages the abdominal area, it strengthens your abs, pelvic muscles, and lower back. Your hip flexors and spine benefit too. It increases lung capacity by opening the chest area and works the psoas muscle  – this will improve your balance and posture over time. Your thyroid, intestines, kidneys, and prostrate gland will also be stimulated.

Thankfully, yoga is not about mastering body positions. It’s more about learning about yourself through the avenue of your body. The yoga positions are simply the tools that bring you there. So, whatever effort that you make in any pose will physically benefit your body. What you learn about yourself while holding any pose is what you take away and, hopefully, try to learn from. Your first reaction to getting into a pose often mirrors your reaction to life situations. It reminds me of the story of the apostle Peter and the boat and the day Peter left the boat and walked on water. It’s one of my favorite Bible stories I might add… and not just a story, but a real event that took place in history, recorded for us from Almighty God. We know this about Scripture because God said the Bible was breathed into men and women like us, by God himself. This, all to help lowly man live a better and more fulfilling and adventurous life.

As the story unfolds, we find Peter in the boat with his fellow disciples. A raging storm breaks out and all the disciples are fearful for their lives.

When the disciples saw Him walking on the water, they were terrified, and said, It is a ghost and they cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid. “Lord, if it is you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord save me!”

Matthew 14:26-29

One has to appreciate Peter’s response to his life situation. He responded by relying on his faith in Jesus. Even though he lost focus midway, Peter walked on water – in a raging storm too! Peter is the one and only person in human history ever to walk on water! And don’t forget the disciples in the boat, they had a life situation in need of a response.  They did respond too – by doing nothing.

 

Boat Pose

Sit with your legs directly out in front of you. Place your hands on the floor for support slightly behind your hips. Bend your knees. Lean back onto your sitting bones. Lift your legs. Try to balance on the tripod of your sitting bones and tailbone. Hold Boat Pose up to 30 seconds, although a few seconds will be just fine if you can’t hold it for the full 30. You may have a rocky boat at first. But, with consistent practice, your boat will keep afloat and you’ll be happily sailing.

For an easier version, keep your knees bent. You may also raise just one leg if necessary. Keep the other leg bent with your foot flat on the mat. The most important thing is to try. Your body will benefit from every effort that you make.

Happy sailing!

Halleluyah!

YOGA FOR IMPROVED DIGESTION CHALLENGE

Posted on by pennyjoliver

Have you ever had to rocket to the bathroom? Do you sometimes get so bloated your pants won’t zip up?  Are you tired of stomach pain? Do you wish you could some how tame your tummy trouble for good? Why not try a couple Yoga exercises? Maybe Yoga can help to ease your belly troubles! Many medical experts and lots of research have proved that Yoga helps with digestive disorders like IBS, Crohn’s disease, Colitis, acid reflux, gas and bloating.  That is why I have designed this Yoga Segment with that in mind!

For this Yoga Segment, I have included the easiest and most beneficial Yoga exercises for improving your digestion. I hope these Yoga exercises will ease your pain and suffering. Embracing a Yoga practice for yourself will ensure your digestive system be on track!

Add a bit of Heavenly peace to boost this Yoga Segment and infuse your digestion system with love!

In John 14:17 , Jesus says directly to us …

…Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

1.) Lying Knee To Chest

Lie down on your back. Inhale deeply, pulling your right knee into your chest. If you are able, round your back by bringing your head to your knee. Your left leg may come off the floor too if you are able. Pause and then release your leg and your breath as you slowly unravel and lie on the floor. Repeat on your left leg. Alternate 5 times on each leg. Increase the count as you get stronger to 25 times on each leg. Breath in as you pull in and exhale as you release your leg to the floor.

2.) Lying Knees To Chest or known as the” Wind Relieving Pose.”

Bring both of your knees into your chest. Raise your head to meet them if you can. Squeeze tight. Inhale and exhale long and deeply 5-10 counts. Progress up to 1-3 minutes if you are able.

3.) Easy Spinal Twist

Lie down on your back. Bend both your knees by moving your legs up. Keep your arms relaxed but out to the sides. Let your shoulders drop and melt into your mat. Gently let your knees fall to the side. Look up or let your head roll to either side. Inhale and exhale long and deeply for 5-10 counts. Repeat on your other side by coming back to the middle.

4.) Hip Lifts

Lie down on your back. Bend both knees by moving your legs up. Hold your ankles if you can. Inhale, lifting your bottom up. Exhale, releasing it down. Repeat the process 10-20 times, inhaling up and exhaling down. As you progress, increase the count.

5.) Leg Lift Prayer Hold

Find a wall and shimmy your legs up. Or raise them directly up from your hips. Place your hands in prayer position or relax them out to your sides. Inhale and exhale long and deeply for 10 counts or 1-3 minutes.

6.) Seated Spinal Twist

Sit up tall with your legs straight out in front of you. Pull your right leg into your chest. Lift your right foot over your left thigh and pull it in as close as you can with your left hand. Inhale, looking to the right side. Lift your left arm up and remember to sit up tall. Exhale and twist a bit more. Your exhales should allow you a little more room for twisting. Repeat a few more times with your breath. Repeat on your other side.

7.) Seated Forward Bend

With legs directly forward, grasp your toes. Lead with your chin and stretch out over them. Keep your back straight, but you may bend your knees. Inhale and exhale slowly for 10 counts. The longer you stretch over your legs, the more flexible you will become. You may surprise yourself at how far you may stretch! As you progress, you could try this for 1-3 minutes.

8.) Wide Angle Side Stretch

With legs directly forward, angle them out to the sides. Bend your right knee and bring it into your body. Inhale slowly, raising your right arm. Exhale slowly, folding over your left leg. Stretch! Repeat on the other side for a total 10-20 times each side. Don’t forget to inhale arms up and exhale folding over your leg.

9.) Squat Pose into Squat Pose Twist

Stand with legs hip width apart. Slowly bend your knees, squatting down to your mat. You may place a folded or rolled up towel under your heels for support. Careful with your knees. Try lowering and raising your body if this is new to you. Inhale and lower, exhale and raise your body 3-5 counts. If you are comfortable in Squat Pose, place your hands in Prayer Pose and inhale and exhale long and deeply for 5-10 counts. Progress up to 1 minute.

For more intensity, try twisting in Squat Pose. Raise your right arm and bring it behind you, letting it slide around your hips. Take your left hand and slide it around the front of your left leg. Ultimately, your hands should meet. If they do not, simply hold the Pose at the place that is a comfortable stretch for you. Then inhale and exhale long and deeply for 5-10 counts. Unravel yourself and repeat on your other side.

 

10.) Child’s Pose

Sit back on your heels and gently place your head on your mat. You can also place your head on a chair, pillow, blanket, towel, it’s your choice. Stretch your arms out in front of you. Relax and let all tension drain from your body. Inhale slowly and exhale slowly. With each exhale release your cares, worries, fears, doubts or anything else that steals your peace. Linger here for a few.

 

HALLELUYAH!

FLEX AND STRETCH

Posted on by pennyjoliver

Time on your mat invites you to stretch not only your body, but your emotional, mental, and spiritual self as well. Let yoga serve as an exploration, so that God can use to move you ever closer to that lovely state of balance where you feel alive and awakened, energized yet relaxed, refreshed and rejoicing, peaceful and loved… all in the same moment!

Being physically flexible is not just about being able to get into into pretzel like positions as in yoga. Actually, flexibility is the ability to move muscles and joints through their complete range of motion. Increasing flexibility improves and stretches your range of motion, thus enhancing daily life in a multitude of ways. Flexing and stretching improves circulation by increasing blood flow and nourishing muscle tissue. Frequent flexing and stretching helps reduce tightness in muscles and allows you to maintain better posture. Flexing and stretching also relieves tension, enhances coordination and balance, increases energy levels, aids in pain relief and improves your sense of well being. Flexing and stretching can also be an attitude that invests and transforms the mind. Flexible minded persons are able to take advantage of opportunities, flourishing and growing in the process. It challenges us to leave our comfort zones and offers us new ways of experiencing God, ourselves, and the world.

Researchers at the University of California, at Berkley, introduced an amoeba into a perfect, stress free environment (the amoeba is a single-celled organism that lives in marine environments). The temperature, moisture level and food supply were all perfect for the amoebas survival. The amoeba needed to make no adjustments to improve its life. One would think that the amoeba simply lived the good life, right? Unfortunately for the amoeba, it died. The saying “you’re either green and growing or ripe and rotting” is quite true here. The amoeba needed challenge in order to multiply and grow. Without challenge in life, it could not survive.

In the Bible, God used example after example of men and women who left their comfort zones and were able to accomplish amazing things. Moses, David, Joshua, Ruth, Debra, Paul, Mary and Jesus are just a few! Think about their lives and the way they allowed themselves to be flexible before God.

Some people say the moment you leave your comfort zone is when life really begins. I don’t know about you, but I call that faith!

 

 

…” I came that you may have life and live it more abundantly”-

John 10:10

HALLELUYAH!