Don’t let the smile fool you! I am concerned. I am not a fan of high places. Especially when practicing yoga as the waves crash below me upon a rock fortress built in the 16th century! On the other hand, I am awed and amazed. These very rocks I stand upon defended the bay of San Juan for almost 500 years. The fortress that surrounds me survived attacks from foreign powers on many occasions. It was even attacked three times during the Spanish/ American War, ending the age of Navel warfare in the Caribbean! The American military gained control in 1898, and it was still used as a military post in defense of possible German attacks in World War II. In its latter years, it starred in the movie Amistad and was named a National Historic Site (one of 12 in the US), a World Heritage Site, and a UNESCO site (or United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization).
Join me atop this enchanting fortress of mystery and grandeur. Given to attacks, battles, storms, and hundreds of years of wear and tears, Del Morro is unceasingly a universal landmark of strength and dignity. As we practice this yoga segment of courage, strength, and balance may Castillo San Felipe Del Morro National Historic Site stand as a landmark in our lives. Let it be the moment we release ourselves from the crashing waves in our lives and give to God our battles to fight, our storms to endure and the wear and tear of the burdens that we bear daily. May we humbly determine in our hearts to allow God be the fortress that surrounds, protects us, and becomes our refuge in time of need.
CASTILLO SAN FELIPE DEL MORRO, SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO OR EL MORRO FORT OR CASTLE
1.) FORWARD BEND WARM UP
Stand tall with your feet together. Inhale, reaching your arms to the heavens. Pause as you let all that fresh oxygen nourish each cell. Exhale, folding over your legs. Stretch a little farther and hang out there before raising your torso back up again. Repeat the stretch 5-10 times before moving on to the next exercise.
2.) FORWARD BEND STRETCH
On your last forward bend, stay at the place that provides you a good stretch. If you can, grasp your toes. Inhale, lifting your head and torso. Exhale, pulling your head to your legs. Let your exhales move you a little farther physically and a little deeper inwardly. Try to release your worries, fears, and doubts. The more you let go, the deeper you will be able to stretch. Repeat 5-10 times with deep breathing, releasing that tension in your legs.
3.) WARRIOR II
Step out with your right foot and bend your knee. Straighten your back leg and lift your arms like powerful wings out to the sides. Feel rooted and grounded down through your legs and feet. If this position grows too vigorous, step your back leg in. Stay here for a few deep breaths. Try to release all that negative stuff in your life that confounds you, so that you can rise from a deep letting go. Repeat on your other leg.
After you have completed the above position with deep breathing add more intensity to this pose by straightening your left leg with a big inhale and arm sweep upward. Then exhale back into the pose. Try this 3-5 times after holding the pose and breathing deeply.
4.) DEEP LOW LUNGE POSE
From a Warrior II position, gently lower your back leg to the ground. Keep your front knee directly over your foot. Swoop your arms up and try to snatch a cloud from the sky! Breath into the stretch. As tension arises, keep a steady breath and focus on the Bible verse. Stay for at least 5 deep inhales and exhales. Repeat on your other leg. You can do it again on each leg and see if the stretch gets deeper each time.
5.) TIP TOE SQUAT/ EXTENDED LEG TO SIDE
From a deep low lunge position, let your arms fall to the middle on the ground in front of you. Rotate your front foot forward. Bring your back leg in to meet it. You should be on your tip toes with hands on the ground for support. Pause here, it’s a great toe and foot stretch. Then try to extend your left leg out to the side. Bring your hands together in prayer position and offer up a prayer, a thank you, or a Halleluyah! Breath deeply for 5-8 breaths before coming up to the next position.
6.) TREE POSE
From tip toe squat position, bring you tip toed feet in and slowly straighten your legs to stand. Use the same bended leg as you did in tip toe squat position for your standing leg. Invite every muscle to engage while finding a spot to focus your eyes upon. Now slowly raise the other foot as high as you are able. Raise your arms into prayer position and breath continuously. If you fall like I did while taking this picture, simply try again. Like tree pose, the crashing waves of life will always try to get you off balance. Always try again and trust in God as your focal point, looking forward. Repeat on your other leg.
7.) HAND FOOT EXTENDED LEG POSITION
From tree pose, hug your knee in and grasp your foot. Use a chair or railing if you need support and slowly straighten that leg out to the side. Keep your standing leg straight. Try to straighten both legs. If you are currently unable to do this, stay where you are and breath deeply. Even with both legs bended, you will still be developing all the muscles in your legs and improving your balance along the way. Play around with this position. Do both legs. Do it again and again and everywhere!
Glorify God in the midst of your circumstances and let God give to you a new and peaceful way of being in the world!
HALLELUYAH!
