In today's world it is virtually impossible to avoid stress; almost everyone is carrying some amount of it. Most of us are so used to carrying the burden of stress; we can hardly imagine our lives without it. We think it is simply an unavoidable part of life. Stress seems to be intrinsically woven into the fabric of our lives; hanging around in our bodies creating strain. It presses in on us from all sides, causing tension and pain.
Yet, Jesus says, "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Mt. 11:28-30)
The first thing we must do to be free from our stress and worry is to come before Jesus. Without Him, our life has no real purpose or depth. We simply run from one activity to another, seeking to fill our lives with purpose, peace, and happiness.
"All man's efforts are for his mouth, yet his appetite is never satisfied." (Ecc. 6:7)
If we do not know our real purpose in life; our reason for existing may seem very meaningless. Yet, God created each of us with a special purpose in mind. There is something that needs to be done on this earth that can only be done by YOU. No matter who we are, we are bound to have tribulation in this life, it is unavoidable. But having trouble in this life is not the issue; the real issue is how we react to it. The trials we face in this world will either break us or make us strong. Until you have fully committed yourself to God and your foundation is dug deep into Him, discerning what His perfect will is for your life, will be a huge challenge. When the storms of life come, as they are bound to do, you will only worry and fret and walk around with an ache of stress. Who we are under pressure reveals who we really are. The storms of life wash away the thin covering that we present to the world and will expose what lies deep in our heart. God, in His mercy, allows the storms to hit us so we will turn to Him & be cleansed of the sin that we were not able to see in the times of ease. We can either turn to Him and receive a soft heart in the midst of all our trials, or we can turn away and harden our heart. In all things God allows us the freedom of choice, which will you choose?
NOOSE POSE DESCRIPTION
In the previous weeks, we have mentioned great poses for relieving stress and letting go of tension. Carrying on with a similar theme this week, noose pose is another great posture for relieving stress and tension. With any spinal twist, it will help relieve tension in the muscles of the spine. Noose is more of an intermediate pose but with the noted modifications anyone may add it to their yoga practice. As you practice the posture, meditate with God, knowing that He will bring you peace in the midst of your trials and stress.
* For beginners it may be helpful to stand sideways, with a forearms distance, next to a wall
- Standing tall in Mountain Pose with feet hip-width
- Slowly, with a straight spine fold into a forward fold
- Bend the knees coming into a full squat, with the bottom resting on heels
* If you're not able to get the heels fully on the floor, try resting heels on a thickly folded blanket or a rolled up mat
- Inhale & lengthen the spine long, taking any roundness out of the back
- Shift knees slightly to the left
- As you exhale, twist your torso to the right
- The left elbow presses against the outside of your right knee, acting as a lever to help you deepen the twist
- Slowly, inch the left arm down the side of your leg, moving the back of the left shoulder toward the outside of the right knee
*Eventually, you can place the knee into the armpit, as you bend your elbow, & move the forearm around the front of the shins
- Exhale & flow the other arm behind the back
- Preparing to bind your arms, Grasp the top hand with the bottom hand
- Use the pressure of the bind to lengthen out your left side and deepen the twist
- Maintain long slow & steady breaths deep into the belly
- Hold here for several full breaths then release out the twist as you exhale
- Repeat on the opposite side
MEDITATION/MESSAGE
One thing is essential and Mary has chosen it....She has found what is important and that won't be taken from her... Ah the story of Mary and Martha. I have a sweet take on this; here is what I have found...in my own life there have been precious moments of exchange between God and I. These exchanges are personal, intimate and unexplainable to others ( by this I mean there is no way to truly relate the experience from your perspective to another who cannot nor will not ever have your perspective) It is a unique gift that God has given us, one that simply draws us where we are into awareness of His presence. He is looking right at us, with Loving eyes that adore and say, “ You are my Beloved, won’t you come with me?” The instant we think we have arrived at the most expansive sense of who God could be and how much He can love us, He will break through our insufficient thinking and make Himself known, once more, in a deeper way than before. And all we have to do is be willing to look....to believe in a reality that says God is greater than even what our sense of Him has been and that this reality can and will grow as expansive as our God truly is.....as well allow our reality to shift. So no matter how you find your way to The Well, go; again and again and drink of The Water of Life. You do not have to wait until you are thirsty. Once you understand that you need The Water, always and for all things..you can begin to go to The Well more frequently, drawing from the Source and feeling the Power and Healing that come from each drink. You cannot get enough Water and when the first well you came to runs dry, follow Him to the next trusting that He knows you and your true needs. You begin to find the One Essential in this life and He will not take it from you....He may move you and mold you, but never remove Himself or you from His feet. May you find surrender and peace as you partake of that which is Essential...
SEATED STRADDLE POSE DESCRIPTION
The idea with this pose is the simplicity of turning to Him and surrendering at His feet; letting everything else fall away from you so that Truth, Light, Healing, Peace and Joy are what you find as you arrive there. Aware of His presence all around you every day, every moment, every second....As you begin to see your need for this awareness; you find yourself at His feet...so simple go to The Well in whatever way you know how and partake...
~From a sitting position, spread your legs apart until they won't go any further.
**Sitting on a cushion will help tilt your hips.
~Fold forward, resting your weight into your hands with your arms straight-out in front of you
~Flex or point your toes (try both and see which one fits best for you)
~breath and surrender...stay here as long as you are able...remain with Him as long as you need...It will not be taken from you!!!!
SONG SUGGESTIONS
The Secret Wedding off the Braveheart soundtrack
Satisfy by Bethany Dillon
In My Veins by Andrew Belle
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