week 24 of 52 week challenge...

MEDITATION/MESSAGE

The last few weeks my life has been quite a mess; it seems as though every area of my life was at odds. After spending some time with God and listening to His word; it’s apparent He allowed all of it to happen, and He had purpose behind it all. Sometimes when we are struggling we may assume it is the enemy attacking us, which it very well may be. However, God does come into our lives and sometimes makes a mess of things to get our attention and to get us on His plan! Without the mess I wouldn’t have stopped to listen to Him. When Jesus comes into our lives and makes a mess of things He is deconstructing us to construct something better. He is building a better temple inside of us, but sometimes He has to tear down the old one, in order to build a new and improved temple.  

EXTENDED TRIANGLE POSE DESCRIPTION

1. Starting in Mountain Pose, begin to pay attention to your breath. Let go of distractions. Breathe softly and fully. Take a moment to tune into your body and draw your awareness inward 
2. Step feet wide apart, about 3 to 4 feet, make sure heels are aligned with each other
3. Turn the toes of the right foot to face the front of the mat
4. Keep the left toes pointing towards the long edge of the mat 

• The two hip points are now facing the side of the mat

1. Inhale, taking the arms out in a “T” with palms pointing down, keeping the shoulders relaxed
2. Exhale as you begin to tilt the left hip away from the front leg, deepening the crease where the hip bone meets the pelvis
3. Continue to reach out through the top of the head, keeping the spine long, and the torso engaged
4. Lift through the knee cap of the front thigh, contracting the quadriceps to support the knee
5. Extending through the right hand, gently lower it towards the shin, a block on the inside of the foot, a block on the outside of the foot, or fingers/palm on the mat or big toe
6. The left arm will float up towards the sky, keeping the arms in a “T”

- Whichever hand position you choose for the bottom hand, make sure to keep the spine and torso long, without creating a bend in the waist

- Draw the low belly in to support the lower spine

1. Tuck the chin in slightly, lengthening the top of the neck, and turn your gaze up towards the sky or gazing towards the floor 
2. Breathe comfortably as you hold the position
3. To exit the pose, on an exhale look down towards the front foot, draw the low belly in, root down through the feet, and inhale as you rise up 
4. Turn and step back to the top of the mat and repeat on the opposite side

MEDITATION/MESSAGE

Butterflies represent the resurrection of Christ. As christians our walks balance upon this idea that God is always bringing resurrection again and again within each one of us. He brings our old nature up to the surface to examine, and then He delicately binds us up and transforms us behind the fibers of His hands and then opens His hands to set us free, new with beauty, to fly upon the breath of the Spirit. This pose embodies our openness to the resurrection process. Our willingness to be still and wait while He works to create in us a new and clean heart. To transform our bodies, minds and spirits into His lovely intended creations. It is always a process, one that seems painful as all of our old stuff must be burned away, liquified into nothingness that we may begin to form from dust all over again. But not just any dust, dust that has been infused by the Breath of God, the Spirit filled life that only His magnificence can bring. Man cannot free himself from the cocoon, only God can whisper strength into our yet unformed wings and inspire us to fight, you get free of the bindings and set flight into an unknown but miraculous world of freedom and of love...

BALANCING BUTTERFLY POSE DESCRIPTION

• Begin standing on your mat with both feet together. Bend your knees and squat down, placing your hands on the floor in front of your feet.
• Turn your knees out to the sides, keeping the balls and heels of your feet together. When you're ready, bring your hands to your knees.
• You can stay here, or bring your hands together in front of your heart in prayer position. Hold here, balancing for five deep breaths. To release, bring your knees together and stand up