31 more minutes ...plus a wake-up kriya

030910. Day six of 40 and it’s clear to me that 31 minutes is a really long time to be sitting in one place when one has a 10 month-old who doesn’t sleep very late.

But it’s also clear to me why the master teachers suggest doing Sadhana (one’s daily practice) in the Amrit Vela (the “ambrosial hours” of the morning from 4 -6 am), before the hustle and bustle of the day starts. Before the baby wakes up. Before the dogs need to be walked. Before your cell phone starts ringing and emails start piling up. Before anyone else is up to send text messages or BBMs. Before distractions start flying at you from every direction. Especially these days … there are SO many distractions.

(Or maybe I’m just easily distracted? Hmmmm, I should think about that.)

But as Yogi Bahjan says:

If you want to pass the test of time, life, self, grace, projection and reality, you must decide to keep up, no matter what. There is no other way. And you have to keep up in the face of everything"

So this morning, like so many other mornings, I woke up to a short kriya (yoga set – only 3 postures) that helps me start my day with the right attitude. Some people do this while they’re still in bed. But my bed is too soft (and a little too crowded with a 6’5” Cowboy and the LO) so I creep into the living room for this:

First “tune in” – (mentally or aloud, chant “Ong Namo Guru Dayv Namo” at least 3 times)

Stretch Pose (1-3 minutes) – Lie on the back with your arms at sides. Raise the head and legs six inches from the ground (your palms should be facing each other slightly over the hips to build energy across your navel point.) Point the toes. Keep the eyes focused on the tips of the toes and do Breath of Fire. I find that it’s a bit of a strain on my lower back to raise my hands above my hips for 3 minutes, so I put my hands under my buttocks. It relieves some of the pressure.

(nope, not wearing socks...the ultra bright sunlight's just hitting my ultra white feet w/all it's glory!)

Nose to Knees (1-3 minutes) – Bring the knees to the chest and wrap the arms around the knees. Tuck the nose between the knees and begin Breath of Fire. (Again – no Breath of Fire for pregnant or menstruating gals.)

(golly ... i need a TAN! ... it's hard to believe I live in Southern California!!)

Ego Eradicator (1-3 minutes) – Sit in easy pose (cross-legged or “Indian Style”). Raise your arms to a 60 degree angle. Curl the fingertips into the pads of your palms. Thumbs aim at each other above your head. With you eyes closed, concentrate above your head and do Breath of Fire. To end, inhale, touch your thumbtips together over head, pull your root locks, and shoot your fingers up to the sky. As you exhale, sweep your hands to the side and come resting on your knees.

(this pose feels surprisingly good ...and my eyes should be closed.)