Sphinx Variations
The time of Libra, ruled by goddess Venus and Air, always brings beautiful transformations in nature, as well as inevitable change. This change is felt in the air temperature, the way the light is shifting each day, and in the trees and all plants expressing themselves for a final hurrah in the northern hemisphere, or abundant growth in the southern. Within our human bodies and spirits, this is also a potent time for change.
That makes getting down on the ground a good place to start. Lie down on your belly. If needed for comfort, you can place a blanket, soft bolster, or pillow underneath your pelvis or belly.
Take some moments to rest. Observe your breath. Notice where your current tensions reside. Then prop yourself up on your elbows/forearms. Wiggle your upper body around until you find stability in your shoulders, which should feel in a comfortable relationship with your chest and arms.
Press firmly into your lower arms. This will make it easier to shift your pelvis and legs until your lower back feels at ease. You might also want to turn your head side to side or in circles to release your neck.
Once in this steady Sphinx position, you might decide to get curious about how you want to hold the shape. It could be held as a yin pose (soft and gentle meditative stillness for a few minutes), or shifting within the pose in various ways.
If you decide not to hold still for 3-5 minutes, here are some things you could try while maintaining the Sphinx shape in the upper half of the body:
- Bend both legs and hold the feet up in the air behind you. Sway the legs side to side. Then press the thighs down into the mat while simultaneously pressing the forearms down and holding your chest+neck steady.
- With the legs straight back from the pelvis, support yourself on your left elbow while sliding your right hand out to the right and pressing the right hand into the floor to open the chest/torso away from the floor. You might even place your right hand to your right low back/kidney area. Breathe and feel. Then switch sides.
- Try taking pulses in and out of Sphinx to Seal pose. This simply means to lift the elbows up off the mat and back down…slowly noticing the low back muscles/tissues while moving with your breath.
Try to stay soft and focused in your face while practicing any of these variations of Sphinx pose.
Sending big love for more inner harmony and inner beauty hunting during this Libra New Moon fresh start.
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