I'd like to share a quick practice that can enhance your ability to persevere: stretch pose. This one minute exercise ignites the third chakra, the center of will power and strength. That means it's a wonderful pose to do if you're going to make a New Year's Resolution and try to stick to it. Here's how it's done:
• Set a timer for one minute.
• Lying on your back, lift your feet 6 inches off the floor and raise your head.
• Keeping your eyes open, look at your toes.
• Lift your arms up alongside your hips and face the palms toward each other. (Alternatively, you can place your hands under your hips to support your lower back.)
• As you hold this position, do breath of fire (a quick, rhythmic breath in and out of the nose, pulling the navel in on the exhale).
• To finish, inhale hold the breath and the posture as long as you comfortably can. Then exhale, relax on the back, and enjoy!
The bad news is that stretch pose is challenging. (You'll desperately want to put your feet down!) The good news is that you only need to do it for one minute to reap the benefits. A single minute! You can endure anything for 60 seconds! As with all yogic practices, you'll see much better results if you do stretch pose every day.
Now, let's say you're not drawn in by the idea of chakras. You don't believe that working on invisible energy centers in the body helps you develop certain qualities, as in third chakra work leading to improved will power. If that's the case, I suggest that you try this pose anyway. Because even without any faith in the yogic philosophy, you're getting a nice exercise for your core AND you're creating a picture of yourself (for your own mind's eye) keeping up when things get tough. That picture, that memory will help you persevere off the mat.
Cautions: If you get light-headed doing breath of fire, stop and switch to long, deep breathing. If you're menstruating or pregnant, skip this pose entirely.
Happy New Year! May we all be happy, healthy, and fulfilled in 2015 and beyond!