GOT BALANCE?

Got Balance?

God says you do.

And I’m not just talking about balancing on one leg. Or, holding yourself up in a yoga pose for a minute or two. I’m talking about living a balanced life. Holding it all together no matter what life throws at you. Not simply surviving. I’m talking about thriving. You and me as people. You and me in our lives. Can you believe it? God has big plans for you, “…to give you a future and a hope”! (Jeremiah 29:11)

In God’s great book He wrote for you and I, He says that we are not left here to do this life on our own. He wants to help us. He wants to be that solid rock for us. The one that we can stand and build our life upon. He tells us that, “Everyone who hears my words and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on a rock.” (Matthew 7:24) We must not worry either. He also promises that He will hold us up. We must simply trust Him. We must believe in His ways for He says,” My thoughts are not your thoughts. Neither are your ways my ways, declare the Lord.” ( Isaiah 55:8)

And balance we discover in God’s world comes down to rock level. An ordinary, everyday, common object: the rock. God uses a simple object to show His precious,” created in His image” creation  an exceedingly great truth. (Genesis 1:27) Though God’s love for us is beyond what we humans can comprehend, it is as simple, firm and sturdy as a rock in practice!

I am sure that everyone would agree that it gets tough balancing life sometimes. Just like a yoga pose, we start out strong. Before you know it, we are wobbling, crumbling, and falling down while trying desperately to hold ourselves up. Soon we are totally out of balance. We can be strangled with the cares, worries fears and doubts of this life. Life no longer feels free, light, or buoyant or balanced. But, our God never intended that kind of life for us. God came to set us free from a life of burden and the guilt of sin. He says,” I came so that you may have life and live it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

Next time you feel out of balance, choose to have calm in your chaos instead of trying to keep yourself up. “…build your life on the rock!”  (Matthew 7:24)

Next time you practice balancing poses, try to remember that “He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand”, (Psalm 40:2) and that, “He alone is my rock and my salvation, He is my fortress I will not be shaken.”  (Psalm 62:6)

Amazingly, God the “rock” is mentioned in 59 Bible verses.

Stand firm. You can have balance. I also know from my life that sometimes it takes a long time to get unbalanced. And so we learn to adjust and accept things that throw us off balance without even realizing it. Soon, we are so used to living this way it becomes our way of life. Thankfully, God wants us to have better. We are His children, after all. The Creator of everything and King of the universe: That is our Father. We are His children. What would you not do for your children in need? I’m only here to remind you. You already know that our Heavenly Father can do anything. Just ask.

YOGA CHALLENGE IN A STAR POSITION

Stretch into Star Pose, and do your body good! According to Dr. Andrew Weil, MD you may even see a reduction in your blood pressure as a 2012 published study revealed in The Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies.

For your benefit, we will be in a version of Star Pose in most of the stretches in this segment. Undoubtedly, Star Pose will strengthen and stretch your inner leg muscles while decompressing your spine. Your neck, back, arms, legs, and hips will also benefit and your brain will calm. Your headaches, fatigue, mild depression and anxiety may be relieved and you may find your digestion improving. All this from one little pose. No wonder the ancients yogis named it Star Pose.

While we are on the subject of stars, I thought I might indulge in a few amazing facts about them. Astronomers estimate that there are 170 billion galaxies in the observable universe, stretching out into a region of space 13.8 billion light years away from us in all directions. That is the number 1, followed by 24 zeros! Top that off with the incredible truth that the hands that made the stars is holding your heart!

Psalms 147:4 says “He counts the stars and calls them all by name.

Stretch your thoughts while stretching your body in this segment, and wrap your brain around that!

Let’s come standing and warm up a little!

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1.) Standing Back Arch Stretch

Stand tall with feet together. Inhale deeply, raising your arms up from your sides. Slightly arch back as your hands meet in prayer pose over head. Pull up and out of your waist, hips, belly and legs. Try to keep your shoulders pressed down with a lengthened neck and lifted chest. Keep inhaling until you no longer can and exhale slowly, lowering your arms to a standing relaxed position. Repeat 3-10 times with deep inhales and exhales.

Widen your feet to hip width for better balance. Also, it may be more comfortable for you to look forward and not upward.

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2.) Standing Forward Bend/Big Toe Stretch

With feet together stand tall, extend your arms overhead and fold forward. If you experience tightness in your legs simply bend them. Grab your big toes and inhale, looking up and forward. Take a moment to feel the back of your legs releasing to the stretch, as well as your hamstrings, glutes, back, spine and neck. Exhale, rounding your back and bringing your head to your knees. You may continue stretching, inhaling, exhaling for 3-10 times. After you have completed the movements, you may also have some fun just folding forward, feeling all the stretching sensations in your leg muscles and spine.

You may also place your palms on your thighs instead of your big toes, or hold onto a sturdy chair/counter.

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3.) Standing Star Pose Stretch

Widen your feet to your sides and keep your legs straight. Each person’s Star Pose width will be different. As long as your entire foot is on the floor and you feel balanced with no pain, continue on. Move your feet inward slightly if you feel uncomfortable. Once your feeling balanced, interlock your fingers and stretch upward, index fingers straight and pointing. Inhale and exhale deeply, stretching up and out of your waist, belly, chest and hips. Hold Star Pose for  3-10 long, slow, and deep inhales and exhales.

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4.) Big Toe Star Pose Stretch

After completing standing Star Pose, simply fold forward and grab your big toes. Inhale, looking up and forward. Go slow so that you may release the backs of your legs. Then exhale, rounding your back and pulling your head to your knees. Inhale and exhale long and deep up to 10 times, looking up and stretching your head to your knees.

If this pose is too uncomfortable for you, try bending your legs or place your hands on your thighs instead of your big toes. You can still try inhaling looking up and forward. Then exhaling rounding your back and pulling your head to your body. Do whatever works for you.

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5.) Standing Star Pose Twist

Stand slightly wider than hip distance apart. Stand tall, stretching your arms to your sides. Bend you knees slightly for improved balance. Remember that your legs and hips will always face forward, even when you twist. As you begin your twist, make sure that you are pulled up from your waist, belly, hips, back and spine. The twist comes from your upper body, not your legs and waist! Go slow at first. Inhale, twist left, and exhale twist right for a total of 10-30 inhales and exhales or 1-3 minutes. As you pick up speed, inhale and exhale quickly and powerfully as you twist. You will be giving your lungs a terrific workout!

Bend your knees, and place your hands on your hips or thighs if you find it too challenging. Take it slower and inhale and exhale deeper as you twist rather than quick powerful breaths. Go for slow and deep.

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6.) Forward Bending Star Pose With Hands Clasped

With legs in a Star Pose that is comfortable for you, clasp your hands behind your back and stretch your arms up. Inhale and stretch your upper body. Lift your chest, stretch your neck and look upwards. Exhale, slowly folding over. Repeat 10-20 inhales and exhales.

Walk your legs in and bend them if you find it too challenging. Fold over slightly and place your hands or your waist, thighs or knees.

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7.) Forward Bending Star Pose With Arm Twist

Once you are folded over in Star Pose, place your palms on your mat. Move your left hand so that it is directly below your head. Inhale, twisting your torso, stretching your right arm up while looking up. Exhale, placing your right arm directly below your head and raise your left arm. Inhale while placing your arm up, and exhale as you lower it. Repeat this 10-30 times or 1-3 minutes.

You may also place your hands behind your head and twist by moving your head left to right. Walk your legs in and bend them and place your hands anywhere that is comfortable for you to feel a little stretch as you twist.

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7.) Forward Bending Star Pose On Elbows

With Star Pose, fold over and place your forearms on your mat. Inhale and exhale long and deeply 3-10 times. If you can, remain in this pose for 1-3 minutes for added benefits. As you linger here, let the benefit of the pose seep deeply into your core. Stretch your legs and allow striving and effort to drain from your brain. Let knots of tension that arise in your body untie themselves.

For a less vigorous approach, grab your nearest wall, table or back of a sturdy chair. Move into Star Pose, while bending over and stretching. You may also bend your legs if the stretch becomes too intense. Linger and let all tensions and effort dissolve.

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8.) Squat In Prayer Pose

Stand with legs hip width apart and toes slightly pointed out. Lower your body and let your torso sink. Bring your hands in prayer pose. Inhale and exhale long and deeply 3-10 times, or for up to 3 minutes for added health benefits.

Simply lower to a cross legged position and pray if you find Squat Pose to be to challenging.  Inhale and exhale long and deep. You may also place two towels under your heels for support to try to get into a Squat Pose and see what happens. The point is your still stretching and doing your body good.

Lie down and let the hard spaces within you melt away with each breath. Let each breath soothe and calm your brain.  Let God soothe and calm your heart, rinsing it clean. Offer up your Halleluyahs. Sparkle and shine!

Praise be to God!