Recently I listened to the Big Sky
Unitarian Universalist President speak about the “Human
Right To Water”. I
found her comments intriguing especially the ways we can connect to
Water Justice; she included four ways to help. Our
rationale and intellect can enter into discussions and questions
about natural resources, especially water. Service and
doing by turning the tap on and off rather than letting it run. Feeling love and emotions by watching a documentary about water.
Finally through transcendence and spirit by practicing
mindfulness and/or writing a poem.
Practicing this yoga sequence is a
microcosmic way to tap into your inner fluidity; in some way it may
help the macrocosmic flow of water. Begin knowing that water is a second
energy center (Svadisthana Chakra) association. The subtle energy of
this power center is located around the sacral plexus where the spine
is connected to the back of the hip bones (ilium) and is associated
with the upper legs and knees. Bring awareness to the body
associations, in particularly the hips. Think of the hips as a bowl
of fresh water tinted with the color orange by a flower, fruit or
vegetable because that is the Svadisthana's color association.
Drink fresh water, feel throughout
the hips and body let the water lubricate. Roll the hips for comfort
and feel synovial fluid lubricate the joints. Imagine water pouring
out of the hip girdle (bowl) in back of the body by tucking the
tailbone under for a posterior pelvic tilt. Then, imagine water
pouring out the front of the pelvic bowl; doing an anterior pelvic
tilt. Next, move the hips from side-side and imagine water running
out the sides of the pelvic bowl or sacral plexus with each “hip
bump”.
Focus on squeezing the torso muscles
for a strong core. Contract front (abdominus rectus), back
(latissimus dorsi) and sides (obliques), while stretching the
opposing muscle groups. Roll hips counter clockwise and clockwise.
Utilize the Svadisthana chakra
associations of creativity and commitment by going deeper into the
movements. Try standing Cat/Cow Pose by placing hands just above the
knees while tucking the tailbone, squeezing abdominals and bring the
chin towards the chest while gazing down. Next, gaze up, arch the
head and back while lifting the tailbone up, squeezing the low back
muscles and lifting the chest. Feel tension releasing. Cat/Cow Pose
can also be done on All Fours.
Continue stretching the hips. This
time, gaze over the shoulders to find the hips in Puppy Dog/Fox Tail
Pose simultaneously contracting and releasing the obliques. Feel the
body as a harmonious whole – physically, emotionally/energetically,
intellectually and joyfully healthy. Imagine the Earth's water
supply flowing freely to all people - Bliss out!
To see a video containing Hip Bumps and Standing Cat/Cow check out the blog at this site titled "Yoga Style Hip-Hop".